Account Updater

VAU / ABUSubscriptions

A scheme service that automatically updates stored card credentials when an issuer reissues a card. Visa's version is VAU (Visa Account Updater); Mastercard's is ABU (Automatic Billing Updater). Reduces failed recurring charges from expired or replaced cards, critical for subscription businesses minimising involuntary churn.

In practice.

For subscription and card-on-file merchants, account updater services are one of the quietest revenue protectors available. Cards expire and get reissued constantly, and every stale card is a failed renewal. Acquirers and gateways that support VAU and ABU refresh stored credentials automatically, which protects recurring revenue without customer contact.

Related terms: Card-on-File · MIT · Continuity billing · Recurring transaction

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Subscriptions

More terms in this category.

Card-on-File CIT Continuity billing MIT Recurring transaction