New Alert If Auto Payment Does Not Complete

August 13, 2012

By

John

We have added an alert in case a PayPal subscription payment is not automatically received. Prior to this, account access would be automatically disabled as soon as the currently paid month expired. The difficulty with this is sometimes users would find themselves unable to log into their ReservationKey account without advance notice. Usually the payment is not received because the credit card used as the PayPal funding source has expired. It is an easy fix by logging into PayPal and updating the credit card, but frustrating because user’s accounts would go inactive until the payment issue was corrected.

Now, we have instituted a 15 day grace period in which to correct the payment problem. Once the funding source in PayPal is updated, PayPal will usually try to make the payment again, automatically. In these cases no further action will be needed on the part of the user. If, for some reason the payment does not happen automatically, the new 15 day grace period will give the user enough time to contact Support and sort out the issue.

Here is an example of what the new alert looks like (it will only appear if an account is in the non-payment grace period):

New Alert Feature for Failed Auto Payments

As of August 2012, ReservationKey introduced a New Alert If Auto Payment Does Not Complete feature simpletexting.com. This blog explores why it’s critical, how it functions, and how users can quickly resolve issues—keeping access to their booking dashboard uninterrupted.

What Is the New Auto‑Payment Alert Feature?

This enhancement provides a proactive notification when a PayPal subscription payment doesn't process as expected. Instead of disabling accounts immediately when monthly billing fails, users now receive a clear alert within ReservationKey that:

  • Flags the failed payment
  • Initiates a 15‑day grace period before disabling account access
  • Guides users to update their PayPal funding information reservationkey.com

A prime example: expired credit cards tied to PayPal often trigger these failures—but a quick update via PayPal fixes the issue. Previously, failures cut users off suddenly; now, they’re given time to act.

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Why ReservationKey Introduced This Feature

🔹 Common Causes of Auto‑Payment Failures

Failures are usually due to:

  • Expired cards
  • Insufficient funds
  • Changes in card details or bank policies reservationkey.com

💡 Business Impact of Missed Auto‑Payments

A surprise account suspension disrupts access to booking tools, frustrating users and potentially disrupting operations. By alerting users in advance, ReservationKey helps avoid such friction and enhances overall satisfaction.

How the Alert Works in ReservationKey

⏰ Notification Timeline

  1. Payment fails.
  2. Alert appears in dashboard immediately.
  3. A 15‑day countdown begins before access is disabled reservationkey.com

🔍 Visual Indicators in the Dashboard

The system highlights the issue via a clearly marked alert box, showing remaining days in the grace period. Though exact visuals aren’t shared, users can expect an obvious status change in their console.

What Users Should Do When the Alert Shows Up

1. Update Payment Info via PayPal

Log in, update card details, and PayPal automatically retries billing—no direct action in ReservationKey required .

2. Contact ReservationKey Support

If issues persist, reach out to support within the grace window to troubleshoot and avoid service interruption.

Technical Details & Grace Period Implementation

⏳ The 15‑Day Grace Period Explained

Designed to give users ample time to resolve billing issues—especially easy fixes like expired cards—without disrupting account access .

🔄 Automatic Retry Logic

Once PayPal updates are successful, the system retries billing automatically—removing the need for users to remember to take action.

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