Network token
A card-network-issued substitute for a card number that can stay usable when the physical card expires or is reissued.
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What it is
When a saved card keeps working after the bank replaces it, a network token may be doing the work. The card network issues this substitute for the primary account number, can restrict it to a merchant, device, or use case, and can keep it current after expiry or reissue.
Use network tokens for stored cards, subscriptions, and wallets when your payment provider supports them. They reduce exposure to the real card number and can prevent avoidable declines after routine card replacement.
A network token is not the same as a processor vault token. It still depends on provider, network, issuer, region, and transaction support, and it does not guarantee approval or remove the need for customer consent and secure credential handling.
Ask AI for it
Enable Visa Token Service and Mastercard MDES network tokens for saved payment methods through your PSP's network-token setting. Prefer eligible network tokens for recurring and card-on-file charges, retain the PSP's fallback credential, record which credential type each attempt used, handle token status and lifecycle webhooks idempotently, and measure approval rates separately without storing or logging the underlying card number.