Overview
After you activate Automatic Card Updater (ACU), you can configure how and when your customers’ stored card details are updated. The activation process includes a one-time option to immediately check for updates, and once active, you have full control over the update frequency and criteria. This helps reduce failed payments, saves time, and ensures that recurring billing and stored payment profiles stay current—without manual intervention.
How to Activate Automatic Card Updater
If Automatic Card Updater is offered to your account, you can enable it by:
Logging into your Merchant Portal.
Navigating to Marketplace Apps → App Store → Automatic Card Updater.
Following the on-screen steps to activate the service and accept billing authorization.
You may also have the option to immediately send all eligible card records for an initial update.
Accessing Automatic Card Updater Settings
To configure your settings:
Log in to your Merchant Portal.
Go to Options → Settings → Transaction Options → Automatic Card Updater.
How to Configure Update Frequency
You can choose how often the system checks for card updates:
Once or Twice Monthly – Choose specific days in the month.
Quarterly – January 1, April 1, July 1, October 1.
Annually – January 1.
Defining What Cards Get Updated
Choose which stored cards should be included:
Customer Vault Cards
Cards added in the past X days
Cards used in a transaction in the past X days
Cards that are expired or will expire soon
Recurring Billing Cards
All active subscriptions are eligible.
Subscriptions linked to cards that cannot be updated will be automatically paused.
Using the Immediate Update Option
When first activating Automatic Card Updater, you have a one-time option to send eligible cards for immediate updating.
You’ll see a checkbox labeled “Update my records immediately.”
If selected, this initial update happens right away.
Your next scheduled update will be adjusted to avoid overlapping with this run.
Understanding Update Statuses
Here’s what the status of an update means:
| Status | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Card Automatically Updated | The card or expiration date was successfully refreshed. |
| Contact Customer | An update is available, but access is blocked by the cardholder. |
| Closed Account | The card account was closed—no updated data is available. |
Reports and Notifications
You’ll receive an email report after each update run that includes:
Number of submitted and updated records
Types of updates received
A PDF summary for each service (Vault and Recurring)
Make sure the “Receive Automatic Card Updater Notifications” setting is enabled under your user profile in the portal.
Common Questions
What happens if a card can’t be updated?
You'll need to contact the customer and collect a new payment method.
Are updates instant?
No. It may take up to 5 business days after submission for updates to process and reflect in your records.
Can I customize how far back the system looks at card activity?
Yes. You can define a lookback period (in days) to limit which cards are submitted for updates.
Need Help?
If you have questions or need assistance activating or configuring Automatic Card Updater, please contact your Merchant Service Provider.