Card account updater that stops recurring declines
Keep saved cards up to date automatically. When a card is reissued or expires, the account updater refreshes it in the vault — so recurring payments don't fail, churn drops, and customers never have to re-enter their card.
What is a card account updater?
A card account updater keeps stored cards current by automatically refreshing their details when a card is reissued, replaced or its expiry changes. It connects to the card networks' updater services, so your saved cards keep working without asking customers to re-enter them.
Higher success rates
Billing an up-to-date card means fewer avoidable declines on recurring and card-on-file payments.
Less involuntary churn
Subscriptions don't lapse just because a card expired — you keep the customer and the revenue.
No manual chasing
Cards refresh automatically, so you stop emailing customers to update their details before each renewal.
Runs on your tokens
Updates happen inside the vault against your stored tokens — your systems keep using the same token.
Before you bill
Cards are refreshed ahead of the charge, so renewals go through the first time.
European custody
Cards stay vaulted in the EU under PCI DSS Level 1 throughout the update process.
Account updater vs network tokens
| Dimension | Account updater | Network token |
|---|---|---|
| Applies to | Stored card numbers | Network-issued tokens |
| Keeps card current | Periodic refresh | Continuous |
| Authorization uplift | Fewer expiry declines | Higher overall |
| With PCI Proxy | On your vault tokens | Both available |
Use the account updater on stored cards, network tokens for continuous freshness, or both — PCI Proxy supports each.
Keeping every saved card current
Cards stored as tokens
Saved cards live in the vault as tokens your systems reference for recurring and card-on-file payments.
Check the networks
The vault queries the card networks' updater services for reissued, replaced or re-dated cards.
Update in the vault
Matching cards are refreshed inside the vault — your token stays the same, the underlying card is current.
Bill with confidence
Your next charge hits an up-to-date card, cutting avoidable declines and involuntary churn.
Card account updater, answered
01 What is a card account updater?
A card account updater keeps stored cards current by automatically refreshing details when a card is reissued, replaced or its expiry date changes. It connects to the card networks' updater services so your saved cards keep working without asking the customer to re-enter them.
02 How does it reduce recurring payment declines?
A common cause of failed recurring and card-on-file payments is an expired or reissued card. By updating the stored card before you bill, the account updater prevents those avoidable declines and reduces involuntary churn.
03 Does it work with my stored tokens?
Yes. PCI Proxy stores cards as vault tokens and runs the account updater against them, so updates happen inside the vault. Your systems keep using the same token while the underlying card stays current.
04 How is it different from network tokenization?
Network tokens are kept current automatically by the networks as part of the token. The account updater brings similar lifecycle freshness to traditional stored cards. PCI Proxy offers both, so you can keep cards current whichever approach you use.
Keep every saved card current
Tell us about your recurring and card-on-file volume, and we'll set up the account updater on your vault tokens.