The Acclaim API uses standard HTTP status codes and structured JSON error responses to indicate problems with a request. This guide explains how to interpret and handle those errors gracefully in your integration.
Every error response includes a top-level error object with details about what went wrong.
Example:
{
"error": {
"code": "invalid_request",
"message": "Missing required field: amount",
"details": {
"violations": [
{
"field": "amount"
}
]
},
"request_id": "req_7lYt4o2x"
}
}
Status Codes
| Code | Meaning |
|---|
| 400 | Bad request or validation failure. |
| 401 | Missing or invalid API key. |
| 403 | The key is valid but lacks permission. |
| 404 | Resource not found. |
| 429 | Too many requests; retry after a delay. |
| 5xx | Server error; safe to retry with backoff. |
Error Codes
The error.code field is a stable, machine-readable string that helps automate error handling. Common values include:
invalid_request
authentication_failed
resource_not_found
rate_limited
internal_error
permission_denied
Retry Guidance
| Scenario | Retry? | Recommendation |
|---|
| Network timeouts or 5xx responses | ✅ | Retry with exponential backoff. |
| 429 Too Many Requests | ✅ | Wait and retry after the indicated delay. |
| 400, 401, 403, 404 | 🚫 | Fix input or credentials before retrying. |
Log the request_id in error responses — it helps Acclaim Support trace issues quickly.
Rate Limits
Acclaim applies rate limits to ensure reliability for all clients. If you exceed the limit, the API will return a 429 Too Many Requests response with a short retry window. Use exponential backoff and respect the Retry-After header if provided. Last modified on March 24, 2026