What is a card account updater? Keeping saved cards up to date
By SendPay Business · · 2 min read
When a customer's card expires or is replaced, any business holding the old details on file will see its next charge fail. A card account updater is a service from the card networks that passes the new details to the business's payment provider, so the charge can go through.
How it works
- The card issuer reports new card numbers and expiry dates to the card network.
- The business's payment provider asks the network for updates on cards it stores.
- Updated details replace the old ones before the next charge.
The main services
Visa runs Visa Account Updater and Mastercard runs Automatic Billing Updater. Payment providers usually switch them on for you rather than you signing up directly, and not every issuer takes part.
Why it matters
Failed card payments are a big cause of involuntary churn, where customers drop off a subscription without meaning to. Keeping cards current, along with good dunning emails, recovers many of those payments.
Where SendPay fits
SendPay doesn't offer card machines or acquiring. SendPay platforms let you get paid with payment links, invoices and subscriptions, alongside GBP, EUR and USD accounts and branded Visa cards, powered by licensed partners.
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Failed subscription payment calculator →What do failed card payments cost me?
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Payment authorisation rate calculator →What is subscription churn?
The share of subscribers who cancel or lapse in a period.
Subscription churn →Read next
This guide is general information, not legal or financial advice. SendPay Business is a technology company, not a bank, and does not take deposits; regulated services on the platforms are provided by licensed partners. PayPal, Patreon and Substack are named as reference points only and are not affiliated with SendPay Business.