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Take a recurring authorization

API v6
Last updated March 2023
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Use our recurring authorize resources when you are initiating a payment using your customer's stored card details. Take a payment with or without verifying your customer's account first. Read more about recurring mandateshere.

What are recurring payments?

  • A transaction that is triggered by a process when your customer is not actively participating at the point of authorization
  • Can only be performed as a follow up from an original card on file payment when your customer was authenticated and agreed to a standing instruction
  • You must declare the intent for all recurring payments, either: subscription, instalment or unscheduled
  • Sometimes referred to as Merchant Initiated Transaction (MIT)

On this page:

Recurring authorization with verification

Verifyyour customer's account before submitting your first recurring payment for authorization.

Recurring payment request

POST your payment request to thepayments:recurringAuthorizeaction link received in your successfulcardOnFile intelligentordynamicCardOnFileverification.

Example request

POST http://try.access.worldpay.com/payments/authorizations/recurring/{resource}

Click the tabs below to see the mandatory fields for all supported paymentInstrument parameters.

Request body

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{
    "transactionReference": "Memory265-13/08/1876",
    "merchant": {
        "entity": "MindPalaceLtd"
    },
    "instruction": {
        "narrative": {
            "line1": "trading name"
        },
        "paymentInstrument": {
            "type": "card/plain",
            "cardNumber": "4444333322221111",
            "cardExpiryDate": {
                "month": 12,
                "year": 2020
            }
        },
        "value": {
            "currency": "GBP",
            "amount": 250
        },
        "intent": "subscription"
    }
}
{
    "transactionReference": "Memory265-13/08/1876",
    "merchant": {
        "entity": "MindPalaceLtd"
    },
    "instruction": {
        "narrative": {
            "line1": "Mind Palace Ltd"
        },
        "value": {
            "currency": "GBP",
            "amount": 250
        },
        "paymentInstrument": {
            "type": "card/token",
            "href": "https://try.access.worldpay.com/tokens/{}"
        },
        "intent": "unscheduled"
    }
}

Parameter descriptions

ParameterRequiredDescription
transactionReferenceA unique reference generated by you that is used to identify a payment throughout its lifecycle. Seetransaction reference format, for more details and the best practices.
merchantAn object that contains information about the merchant.
merchant.entityDirect your payment to assist with billing, reporting and reconciliation. This is mandatory for Authentication and Queries.
Contact your Implementation Manager for more details.
merchant.mccYou can apply a merchant category code (mcc) to an individual request. You can only provide an mcc if we have enabled the dynamic mcc feature duringboarding. If enabled but not provided, merchant.mcc defaults to a configured value. For more information contact yourRelationship Manager.
merchant.paymentFacilitatorAn object containing Payment Facilitator information. If required you must send:
  • pfId
  • isoId
  • subMerchant.merchantId
  • subMerchant.postalcode
  • subMerchant.street
  • subMerchant.city
  • subMerchant.countryCode
  • subMerchant.telephone (mandatory for Amex)
  • subMerchant.email (mandatory for Amex)
This information is required for every recurring request only if you are a Payment Facilitator. You can find more formatting informationhere.
instruction.intentA parameter detailing the reason for this particular recurring agreement. Valid intents:
  • subscription
  • unscheduled
  • instalment
instructionAn object that contains all the information related to the payment.
instruction.narrativeThe text that appears on your customer's statement. Used to identify the merchant.
Seenarrative formatfor more details and the best practices.
narrative.line1The first line of the narrative which appears on your customer's statement (24 character max. If character is not supported it is replaced with a space.).
Seenarrative line1 formatfor more details.
narrative.line2Additional details about the payment e.g. order number, telephone number.
instruction.valueAn object that contains information about the value of the payment.
value.currencyThe 3 digit currency code.
See list ofsupported currencies.
value.amountThe payment amount. This is a whole number with an exponent e.g. if exponent is two, 250 is 2.50. You can find the relevant exponent in ourcurrency table.
instruction.paymentInstrumentAn object that contains the payment type and details.
To use tokens as a paymentInstrument you must first create a token, see ourTokens APIon how to create a token.
paymentInstrument.cardExpiryDateAn object that contains your customer's card expiry date.
Mandatory for all "type": "card/plain" requests.
paymentInstrument.cardNumberAn object that contains your customer's card number. Mandatory for "type": "card/plain" requests.
paymentInstrument.cvcCVC is a unique set of 3 or 4 numbers on the back of the card. Our API checks to see if the CVC supplied matches the CVC held by the issuing bank.
paymentInstrument.cardHolderNameAn object that contains your customer's card name.
This is not a mandatory field however it is recommended that you supply this to improve authorization rates. If not sent, the default is "Not Supplied".
paymentInstrument.billingAddressAn object containing the billing address information. If included you must send at least:
  • address1
  • city
  • countryCode
  • postalCode
This is used for Address Verification Service (AVS) and can only be supplied with a card/plain payment instrument. Our API checks the submitted AVS to see if it matches the address registered with the issuing bank. If the address supplied does not match the registered address it means that the payment carries additional risk.
instruction.debtRepaymentDRI is a flag which identifies a payment as being for the purpose of repaying a debt. Possible value :
  • true (only supply if true)
For more information contact yourRelationship Manager.

Optional parameters

Response

Best Practice: Access Worldpay returns a WP-CorrelationId in the headers of service responses. We highly recommend you log this. The WP-CorrelationId is used by us to examine individual service requests.

Successful payment

  • an HTTP code 201
  • an "outcome": "authorized"
  • risk factors (only returned if issuer identifies conflict)
  • an issuer authorization code
  • a scheme reference (supported by major card schemes, but may not be returned for all schemes/regions)
  • links tocancel,settle,partially settleortrack payment events
  • an authorization link for the next payment in your repeat payment agreement

Refused payment

You receive:

  • an HTTP code 201
  • an "outcome": "refused"
  • arefusal code
  • a description which gives additional context on the refusal
  • risk factors (only returned if issuer identifies conflict)

Example response

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{
    "outcome": "authorized",
    "riskFactors": [{
            "risk": "not_matched",
            "type": "cvc"
        },
        {
            "risk": "not_checked",
            "detail": "postcode",
            "type": "avs"
        },
        {
            "risk": "not_checked",
            "detail": "address",
            "type": "avs"
        }
    ],
    "issuer": {
        "authorizationCode": "0"
    },
    "scheme": {
        "reference": "1260019172"
    },
    "_links": {
        "payments:cancel": {
            "href": "https://try.access.worldpay.com/payments/authorizations/cancellations/eyJrIjoiazNhYjYzMiJ9"
        },
        "payments:settle": {
            "href": "https://try.access.worldpay.com/payments/settlements/full/eyJrIjoiazNhYjYzMiJ9"
        },
        "payments:partialSettle": {
            "href": "https://try.access.worldpay.com/payments/settlements/partials/eyJrIjoiazNhYjYzMiJ9"
        },
        "payments:events": {
            "href": "https://try.access.worldpay.com/payments/events/eyJrIjoiazNhYjYzMiJ9"
        },
        "curies": [{
            "name": "payments",
            "href": "https://try.access.worldpay.com/rels/payments/{rel}",
            "templated": true
        }],
        "payments:recurringAuthorize": {
            "href": "https://try.access.worldpay.com/payments/authorizations/recurring/eyJrIjoiazNhYjYzMiJ9"
        }
    }
}
{
    "outcome": "refused",
    "description": "CARD EXPIRED",
    "code": "33",
    "riskFactors": [{
            "risk": "not_supplied",
            "type": "cvc"
        },
        {
            "risk": "not_checked",
            "detail": "address",
            "type": "avs"
        },
        {
            "risk": "not_checked",
            "detail": "postcode",
            "type": "avs"
        },
        {
            "risk": "verificationFailed",
            "type": "riskProfile"
        }
    ]
}

You must always store and use the link returned in thepayments:recurringAuthorizeaction link to authorize your next recurring payments.

Note: In case of an error, you can get further information in ourerror reference.


Next steps

Refund a payment

Recurring authorization without verification

Use our migrate recurring authorize resource when you are initiating a payment using your customer's stored card details, without verifying their account first.

Recurring payment request

POST your recurring authorization request to ourpayments:migrateRecurringAuthorizeaction link received in yourquery the payments root resourcerequest.

migrateRecurring authorization example request

POST https://try.access.worldpay.com/payments/authorizations/migrateRecurring

Click the tabs below to see all the mandatory fields for all supported paymentInstrument parameters.

migrateRecurring authorization request body:

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{
    "transactionReference": "Memory265-13/08/1876",
    "merchant": {
        "entity": "MindPalaceLtd"
    },
    "instruction": {
        "narrative": {
            "line1": "trading name"
        },
        "paymentInstrument": {
            "type": "card/plain",
            "cardNumber": "4444333322221111",
            "cardExpiryDate": {
                "month": 12,
                "year": 2020
            }
        },
        "value": {
            "currency": "GBP",
            "amount": 250
        },
        "intent": "subscription"
    }
}
{
    "transactionReference": "Memory265-13/08/1876",
    "merchant": {
        "entity": "MindPalaceLtd"
    },
    "instruction": {
        "narrative": {
            "line1": "Mind Palace Ltd"
        },
        "value": {
            "currency": "GBP",
            "amount": 250
        },
        "paymentInstrument": {
            "type": "card/token",
            "href": "https://try.access.worldpay.com/tokens/{}"
        },
        "intent": "unscheduled"
    }
}
{
    "transactionReference": "Memory265-13/08/1876",
    "merchant": {
        "entity": "MindPalaceLtd"
    },
    "instruction": {
        "intent":"instalment",
        "narrative": {
            "line1": "Mind Palace Ltd"
        },
        "value": {
            "currency": "GBP",
            "amount": 250
        },
        "paymentInstrument": {
            "type": "card/networkToken+applepay",
            "dpan": "4444333322221111",
            "cardExpiryDate": {
                "month": 5,
                "year": 2035
            }
        }
    }
}

Parameter descriptions

ParameterRequiredDescription
instruction.paymentInstrumentAn object that contains the payment type and details.
  • Use card/networkToken+applepay for a decrypted wallet flow. This paymentInstrument includes the dpan which replaces the original card number. It is generated by the card network/ wallet provider.
scheme.referenceUnique reference provided by the schemes that identifies a repeat payment agreement between you and the customer. A new reference is generated for every subsequent payment in the agreement. You can only submit this for card/plain requests. Most but not all issuers return this.

You can find the full parameter descriptionhere.

Optional Parameters

migrateRecurring authorization response

Best Practice: Access Worldpay returns a WP-CorrelationId in the headers of service responses. We highly recommend you log this. The WP-CorrelationId is used by us to examine individual service requests.

Successful payment

  • an HTTP code 201
  • an "outcome": "authorized"
  • risk factors (only returned if issuer identifies conflict)
  • an issuer authorization code
  • a scheme reference (supported by major card schemes, but may not be returned for all schemes/regions)
  • a paymentInstrument (for Apple Pay decrypted only)
  • links tocancel,settle,partially settleortrackpayment events
  • an authorization link for the next payment in your repeat payment agreement

Refused payment

You receive:

  • an HTTP code 201
  • an "outcome": "refused"
  • arefusal code
  • a description which gives additional context on the refusal
  • risk factors (only returned if issuer identifies conflict)

Example response

Copied!
{
    "outcome": "authorized",
    "riskFactors": [{
            "risk": "not_matched",
            "type": "cvc"
        },
        {
            "risk": "not_checked",
            "detail": "postcode",
            "type": "avs"
        },
        {
            "risk": "not_checked",
            "detail": "address",
            "type": "avs"
        }
    ],
    "issuer": {
        "authorizationCode": "0"
    },
    "scheme": {
        "reference": "1260019172"
    },
    "_links": {
        "payments:cancel": {
            "href": "https://try.access.worldpay.com/payments/authorizations/cancellations/eyJrIjoiazNhYjYzMiJ9"
        },
        "payments:settle": {
            "href": "https://try.access.worldpay.com/payments/settlements/full/eyJrIjoiazNhYjYzMiJ9"
        },
        "payments:partialSettle": {
            "href": "https://try.access.worldpay.com/payments/settlements/partials/eyJrIjoiazNhYjYzMiJ9"
        },
        "payments:events": {
            "href": "https://try.access.worldpay.com/payments/events/eyJrIjoiazNhYjYzMiJ9"
        },
        "curies": [{
            "name": "payments",
            "href": "https://try.access.worldpay.com/rels/payments/{rel}",
            "templated": true
        }],
        "payments:recurringAuthorize": {
            "href": "https://try.access.worldpay.com/payments/authorizations/recurring/eyJrIjoiazNhYjYzMiJ9"
        }
    }
}
{
    "outcome": "authorized",
    "riskFactors": [{
            "risk": "not_checked",
            "detail": "address",
            "type": "avs"
        },
        {
            "risk": "not_checked",
            "detail": "postcode",
            "type": "avs"
        }
    ],
    "scheme": {
        "reference": "000000000000020005060720116005061"
    },
    "paymentInstrument": {
        "type": "card/network",
        "card": {
            "paymentAccountReference": "Q1HJZ28RKA1EBL470G9XYG90R5D3E"
        }
    },
    "_links": {
        "payments:cancel": {
            "href": "https://try.access.worldpay.com/payments/authorizations/cancellations/eyJrIjoiazNhYjYzMiIsImxpbmtWZ"
        },
        "payments:settle": {
            "href": "https://try.access.worldpay.com/payments/settlements/full/eyJrIjoiazNhYjYzMiIsImxpbmtWZXJ"
        },
        "payments:partialSettle": {
            "href": "https://try.access.worldpay.com/payments/settlements/partials/eyJrI"
        },
        "payments:events": {
            "href": "https://try.access.worldpay.com/payments/events/eyJrIjoiazNhYjYzMiI"
        },
        "curies": [
            {
                "name": "payments",
                "href": "https://try.access.worldpay.com/rels/payments/{rel}",
                "templated": true
            }
        ],
        "payments:recurringAuthorize": {
            "href": "https://try.access.worldpay.com/payments/authorizations/recurring/eyJrIjoiazNhYjYzMiIsImxpbmtWZXJ"
        }
    }
}
{
    "outcome": "refused",
    "description": "CARD EXPIRED",
    "code": "33",
    "riskFactors": [{
            "risk": "not_supplied",
            "type": "cvc"
        },
        {
            "risk": "not_checked",
            "detail": "address",
            "type": "avs"
        },
        {
            "risk": "not_checked",
            "detail": "postcode",
            "type": "avs"
        },
        {
            "risk": "verificationFailed",
            "type": "riskProfile"
        }
    ]
}

You can use thepayments:settleaction link tosettle the paymentstraight away. Alternatively you can cache the response and use the link to settle the payment later.

You must always store and use the link returned in thepayments:migrateRecurringAuthorizeaction link to authorize your next recurring payments.

Note: In case of an error, you can get further information in ourerror reference.


Next steps

Settle or cancel a payment