Glossary
Account updater
A service that refreshes stored card details when a card is reissued, renewed or replaced.
When an issuer sends a cardholder a new card, the details a merchant has on file stop working. An account updater service queries the card networks for new numbers and expiry dates before the merchant next charges the card.
It matters most for subscriptions and other recurring billing, where an outdated card leads to a failed renewal and, often, an unintended cancellation.