What happens when a recurring payment fails

When a recurring payment attempt fails, BetterUnite automatically follows your organization’s failed payment retry settings to try collecting the payment again before taking further action.

This process helps reduce missed payments while keeping members informed and subscriptions accurate.

How failed recurring payments are handled

When a payment fails (for example, due to an expired card or insufficient funds), BetterUnite will:

1. Record the failed payment attempt

2. Trigger any enabled failed payment email notifications to the member

3. Retry the payment based on your configured retry schedule

Failed payment retry schedule

You can configure up to three retry attempts for a failed recurring payment.

Each retry is scheduled relative to the previous attempt, such as:

• 1 day after the previous attempt

• 5 days after the previous attempt

• 7 days after the previous attempt

These retries happen automatically without requiring staff action.

What happens if all retry attempts fail?

If all retry attempts are unsuccessful, BetterUnite applies the action you’ve selected under Subscription Status.

Common behavior includes:

• Marking the subscription as Failed

• Stopping further payment attempts for that billing cycle

For non-membership recurring payments, the recurring payment will be canceled once retries are exhausted.

Impact on memberships

For membership-based subscriptions:

• The membership is not immediately canceled when a payment fails

• The subscription status reflects the failed payment

• Administrators can follow up with the member to resolve payment issues

• The member can update their payment method via the supporter portal

This ensures memberships don’t end unexpectedly while still keeping billing accurate.

Member notifications

If enabled, members may receive automated emails when:

• A payment fails

• A card is about to expire

• A subscription is at risk due to payment issues

These notifications help members take action quickly and reduce manual follow-up.

Where to manage failed payment settings

1. Go to Giving → Membership Center

2. Select Settings

3. Open Manage failed payments

4. Configure retry timing and final subscription behavior

5. Save your changes

Best practices

• Enable retry attempts to recover temporary payment issues

• Use member notifications to prompt quick updates

• Review failed subscriptions regularly

• Combine retry logic with clear cancellation and renewal policies