Discover Interchange Data

This section is only applicable to data processed on the Discover Global Network (DGN).

Overview

In the Discover Electronic Interchange environment, Interchange Charge-Type Specific Messages are structured electronic messages for transmitting transaction-level data among Acquirers, Issuers, Diners Club, International Member Establishments, and other entities recognised as Interchange Institutions. These messages allow:

  • Transaction settlement

  • Payment reconciliation

  • Regulatory compliance

  • Dispute resolution and chargeback support

Discover enhances core transaction records by incorporating Additional Detail Records (ADRs). These records provide granular, industry-specific data related to airline tickets, hotel stays, car rentals, and more, which assist in corporate reporting, expense management, and fraud mitigation. Some transactions, particularly travel agency purchases, may include multiple ADRs linked together. These are transmitted sequentially following the main Charge Detail (XD) message. The following is an example of the sequence:

  • XD – Charge Detail Message
  • XA – Airline Additional Detail
  • XB – Airline Routing
  • XV – Car Rental
  • XH – Hotel Stay
  • XR – Rail Ticket
  • XL – Rail Routing

Core Message Fields

The following are core message fields in ADRs. These are populated regardless of the provided industry data.

Field Name

Description

Format/Type

Transaction Code

This code identifies the type of transaction (e.g., RFRC for charge records).

4-character string

Function Code

This code specifies the type of ADR (e.g., XA, XB).

2-character code

Sending Institution ID

The ID of the institution that is sending the message.

3-digit numeric

Recap Number

An internal tracking number for the message.

3-digit numeric

Receiving Institution ID

The ID of the institution that is receiving the message.

3-digit numeric

Batch Number

A unique identifier for the batch of transactions.

3-digit numeric

Sequence Number

Indicates the order of the record within the batch.

3-digit numeric

Sub-Sequence Number

Indicates the order of the record within the transaction where there are multiple ADRs.

3-digit numeric

Additional Detail Fields

Specific fields related to the Function Code (e.g., XA, XB).

Varies

Travel & Entertainment Additional Detail Records (ADRs)

The following is a list of supported ADR Function Codes, along with their record names and descriptions:

Function Code

Record Name

Description

XA

Airline Additional Detail Record

Includes ticket issuer infomation, booking references, travel agent, and reservation data.

XB

Airline Routing Detail Record

Includes carrier, flight number, airports, fare class, and flight segments.

XC

ATM Additional Detail Record

Captures ATM ID, terminal location, transaction time.

XV

Car Rental Additional Detail

Captures rental agency, duration, contract, rates.

XG

Gasoline Additional Detail

Vehicle details, fuel amount, pricing, pump ID.

XH

Hotel Additional Detail Record

Hotel name, location, folio number, stay dates, rate.

XR

Rail Additional Detail Record

Rail ticket details, passenger info, travel agent data.

XL

Rail Routing Detail Record

Train numbers, classes, origin/destination stations, fare class.

XE

Restaurant Additional Detail

Itemised expense breakdown (food, beverage, gratuity, tax).

XT

Telephone Additional Detail

Origin/destination, duration, time/date, surcharge/discount.

XM

Chip Card Additional Detail

EMV chip data: Application ID, cryptograms, transaction certificate.

If an XM (Chip Card) record is present, it must immediately follow the base transaction detail message (XD), before any other ADRs.