Amex puts purchase permission before AI agent payments

American Express published its Intent Intelligence framework on 13 October 2026. The proposal brings the customer’s approved purchase instructions to the card issuer before an AI agent executes a transaction, so those instructions can inform payment controls and later dispute handling.

Amex says the framework is available through its Agentic Commerce Experiences developer kit, while integrations are still being developed. Publication of the framework does not mean every merchant or cardholder can use the full flow today.

What the technical design adds

The Amex technical explanation describes a Create Intent API carrying constraints such as a maximum budget, merchant preference and expiry. The customer authenticates and signs off on the captured instructions.

The resulting Intent ID identifies the record. A Proof of Intent Token represents its high-level constraints and can be used to obtain a scoped payment credential. The design also covers updating or cancelling intent. This matters when the customer changes their mind between asking an agent to watch for an item and the eventual purchase.

American Express’s announcement, 13 October. View the original on X.

Questions for an agent checkout provider

Our suggested merchant review starts with three questions: what exactly did the shopper approve, where is that approval recorded, and how does cancellation reach the payment process?

Ask for a demonstration of a changed cart or an exceeded budget, not just a successful purchase. Agree how support staff would investigate an order the customer disputes and which records they can actually access. These are evaluation questions; the announcement does not establish that your current payment app supports Amex’s design.

The distinction complements Shop MCP’s new shopping tools: product discovery and checkout connectivity need a clear authorisation process alongside them.