> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://support.pexcard.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Setting Card Acceptor Allow & Deny Rules

> Apply a card acceptor list as an allow list or a deny list to a spend policy for your whole business or to a single Cardholder's spend rules

Once you have a card acceptor list, you apply it as one of two rule types:

* **Deny list** – purchases from listed card acceptors are blocked, while purchases from all other card acceptors are permitted
* **Allow list** – purchases from listed card acceptors are permitted, while purchases from all other card acceptors are blocked

There are two places to apply a list. Use a spend policy to cover many Cardholders at once, or a Cardholder's spend rules to cover one card.

<Note>
  **Note:**

  You need at least one card acceptor list before you can set a rule. See [Creating Card Acceptor Lists](/administrator-guide/creating-card-acceptor-lists).
</Note>

## How to set a card acceptor rule on a spend policy

A spend policy applies the same rules to every Cardholder assigned to it, so this is the fastest way to cover your business.

1. Log into [dashboard.pexcard.com](https://dashboard.pexcard.com)
2. Click **Business settings** in the left side navigation, then open the **Spend policies** tab
3. Select an existing policy, or click **Create new policy** and enter a name
4. Expand the **Card acceptors** section
5. Choose the type of restriction you want:
   * **Deny list: Block the card acceptors below**
   * **Allow list: Only allow spend from the card acceptors below**
6. Select a list from your available lists on the left
7. Turn on the toggle labeled **Add this card acceptor list to deny list** or **Add this card acceptor list to allow list**
8. Repeat for any other lists you want to include, then save the policy

Every Cardholder assigned to the policy picks up the rule.

## How to set a card acceptor rule for a single Cardholder

1. Go to the **Cards** page and select the card on the **Team members** tab or the **Vendors** tab
2. Select the **Spend rules** tab on the **Card details** page
3. Expand the **Card acceptors** section
4. Choose **Deny list** or **Allow list**
5. Select one or more lists and turn on the toggle for each one
6. Save your changes

## How to remove a card acceptor rule

Select **No restrictions** in the **Card acceptors** section and save. The Cardholder can spend at any card acceptor again, subject to their other spend rules.

## Card acceptor rule FAQs

1. Can I use both a deny list and an allow list for the same Cardholder?
   * A Cardholder's card acceptor rules use one setting at a time — either a deny list or an allow list. If a card acceptor ends up both blocked and allowed, the block wins and the purchase is declined.
2. What happens if a Cardholder pays at a card acceptor that isn't permitted?
   * The purchase is declined with the reason "Card acceptor not allowed for this cardholder."
3. Do card acceptor rules work alongside a Cardholder's other spend rules?
   * Yes. All of a Cardholder's spend rules apply, so a purchase has to satisfy every one of them.
4. Can I use card acceptor rules for virtual cards?
   * Yes. Card acceptor rules work for both physical and virtual cards.
5. When do my changes take effect?
   * Right away, for new authorizations. A purchase that was already authorized isn't affected.
6. What happens if I edit a list that a rule uses?
   * The rule follows the list, so adding or removing a card acceptor changes what's blocked or permitted immediately everywhere the list is applied.

***See related articles:***
[Creating Card Acceptor Lists](/administrator-guide/creating-card-acceptor-lists)


## Related topics

- [Creating Card Acceptor Lists](/administrator-guide/creating-card-acceptor-lists.md)
- [Creating Merchant Allow & Deny Lists](/administrator-guide/creating-merchant-allow-deny-lists.md)
- [Managing your business settings](/administrator-guide/managing-your-business-settings.md)
- [Setting Spend Rules for a Card](/administrator-guide/setting-spend-rules-for-a-card.md)
- [Tips for Searching for Merchants](/administrator-guide/tips-for-searching-for-merchants.md)


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