---
title: "Saved payment methods and auto-billing"
description: "A saved payment method lets you check out without re-entering card details, and — more importantly — lets renewals be collected automatically so your services are not suspended for a missed invoice. This article covers adding, changing and removing methods,…"
url: "https://rackhelm.com/documentation/saved-payment-methods/"
updated: "2026-09-24"
category: "Client Portal: Account & Billing"
---

# Saved payment methods and auto-billing

A saved payment method lets you check out without re-entering card details, and — more importantly — lets renewals be collected automatically so your services are not suspended for a missed invoice. This article covers adding, changing and removing methods, and exactly how automatic billing behaves.

## Where your payment methods live

Open **Payment Methods** in the sidebar. It takes you to **Account → Edit Profile** with the **Payment Methods** tab selected. The table lists:

| Column | What it shows |
| --- | --- |
| **Gateway** | Stripe, PayPal, Square or Bank Transfer. |
| **Details** | For cards, the brand and last four digits; for other gateways, the agreement reference. Your default carries a green **Default** badge. |
| **Actions** | **Make Default** (disabled on the current default) and **Delete**. |

![The Payment Methods tab listing a saved card with Make Default and Delete buttons](/wp-content/uploads/rackhelm-docs/portal-account-payment-methods.png)
Only the brand and last four digits are held here — the card number itself stays with the payment provider.

## Adding a payment method

1. Select **Add New**.
2. On **Select a Payment Provider**, choose one of the providers your host has enabled.
3. Complete the form:
   - **Stripe** and **Square** show a secure card field hosted by the payment provider. Your bank may ask you to confirm the card before it can be stored.
   - **PayPal** authorises a billing agreement with PayPal.
   - **Bank Transfer** records that you intend to pay manually; there is nothing to charge against.

You can also save a card while checking out: leave **Save this payment method for future purchases securely** ticked. The first method you save automatically becomes your default.

> **Note:** Card numbers, expiry dates and security codes are never sent to RackHelm. Adding a card creates a token at the payment provider; RackHelm stores that token plus the brand and last four digits so you can tell your cards apart.

## Choosing your default

The default method is the one automatic renewal charges go to. Select **Make Default** on the row you want. Only one method can be the default at a time.

## Removing a method

Select **Delete** and confirm. You are asked to re-enter your account password before the method is removed.

> **Warning:** Deleting your only saved method leaves nothing for renewals to charge. Renewal invoices are then raised as normal and emailed to you as failures, and services can be suspended if they go unpaid. Add the replacement first, make it the default, then delete the old one.

## How automatic billing works

When a renewal invoice comes due, RackHelm works through the following in order:

1. **Credit** — if **Use Credit First** is on and you hold a balance, as much as possible is taken from credit. If the remainder would be under 50p, it is raised to 50p because card gateways will not process less. See [Paying with account credit](/docs/paying-with-account-credit/).
2. **Your default method** — the remaining balance is charged. Occasionally an invoice is pinned to a specific saved method by your provider; that one is used instead.
3. **No default method** — nothing is charged, and you are emailed to say no default payment method was found on your account.
4. **Bank transfer as default** — the invoice is set to **Unpaid**, the bank details and reference are shown on it, and you are emailed asking you to pay it manually. Any credit that was due to be applied is still deducted.
5. **Declined** — you are emailed with the reason the bank or gateway gave. Fix the card, then pay the invoice from the invoice page.

## Troubleshooting

| Symptom | Cause and fix |
| --- | --- |
| There is no **Add New** button | Your provider has no active payment gateways. Raise a ticket. |
| "Gateway not found or not active." | The gateway was switched off after the page loaded. Go back and choose another. |
| Adding a card asks for extra confirmation | Strong customer authentication. Complete the bank's prompt in the box that appears — the card is not saved until you do. |
| The card was refused when saving | The message shown comes from your bank or the gateway. Try another card, or contact your bank. |
| An added method is blocked with a security message | Your provider's fraud screening rejected it. Contact them through a ticket. |
| You cannot delete a method | The delete step asks for your password. If the prompt keeps returning, sign out and back in — it is limited to five attempts a minute. |
| Renewals are still charging an old card | The old card is still the default. Select **Make Default** on the new one. |
| "No default payment method found on your account." | Add a method and set it as default, then pay the outstanding invoice manually. |
| A card is listed twice | Saving the same card at checkout on separate orders can create separate entries. Delete the one you do not want, keeping the default. |