Launchpad phase one: Account Updater
Eliminate payment credit card declines before renewals occur. Learn how to configure Recurly’s Account Updater, locate your Mastercard MCC and Amex SE numbers, exploit real-time gateway updates, and lower involuntary subscription churn.
Launch · Launchpad Phase OneAccount Updater
Keep card data current automatically so renewals succeed before expired or replaced cards ever reach a failure state.
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Account UpdaterHow Account Updater works
Account Updater queries Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and Amex card network files to catch changes in card numbers or expiry dates before your next renewal attempt. For most gateways, checks run days before billing. Stripe and Adyen support real-time updates during the transaction itself. Subscribers don't have to take action — their renewal just succeeds.
Account Updater and dunning are complementary: Account Updater reduces the number of payments that fail; dunning recovers the ones that still do (like NSF or lost cards).
Trail guide: Account Updater setup
~3 minEnable Account Updater
Visa & Discover — enabled directly
Toggle on in Configuration → Payment Settings. No additional configuration needed.
Mastercard & Amex — requires codes
Mastercard requires your 4-digit MCC code. Amex requires a 10-digit SE Number (direct accounts only; Amex OptBlue not supported).
Your MCC (Merchant Category Code) is on your bank processing statement. Your Amex SE Number is on your direct American Express merchant statement.
Open Payment Settings
Navigate to Configuration → Payment Settings. Account Updater toggle controls appear at the top of this page. Recurly Docs: Payment Settings.
Enable Visa and Discover
Toggle both on directly — no codes required. These two networks cover the majority of most subscriber bases. Recurly Docs: Account Updater.
Enter Mastercard MCC and Amex SE Number
Enter your 4-digit MCC for Mastercard. Enter your 10-digit SE Number for Amex if you have a direct Amex account. Skip Amex if you're on Amex OptBlue via your gateway. How to enable Account Updater/
Account Updater checklist
Questions about Account Updater?
Our Customer Success team runs weekly Global Office Hours sessions where you can bring your real configuration questions — branding, plan structure, dunning setup, migration strategy, pricing model decisions. No agenda required.
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