Network Tokenization
Network Tokenization replaces card PANs with tokens issued by the card networks (Visa, Mastercard) for card-on-file transactions. This improves authorization rates and enhances security by ensuring that raw card numbers are never stored or reused.
Network Tokenization must be enabled for your merchant account. Contact your onboarding manager to activate this service. It defaults to disabled.
How It Works
When Network Tokenization is enabled:
- During the first card payment, the system creates a network token for the card.
- Subsequent transactions use the network token instead of the raw card number.
- Token lifecycle events (updates, status changes) are communicated via dedicated postbacks.
Benefits
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Improved authorization rates — Network tokens are automatically updated by card networks, reducing declines due to expired, replaced, or reissued cards.
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Enhanced security — Sensitive card data (PAN) is replaced with network-issued tokens that are domain-restricted and unusable outside the intended merchant and use case.
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Higher issuer trust — Transactions using network tokens are often considered lower risk by issuers, which can improve approval rates and reduce fraud-related declines.
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Lifecycle management — Card networks handle token lifecycle events (updates, suspensions, replacements), keeping card-on-file data current without cardholder intervention.
Full Documentation
For setup requirements, API endpoints, and technical details, see the complete Network Tokenization API Reference.