---
key: save-a-customer-payment-method
title: Save a customer's card for future charges
audience: staff
section: sales-billing/payments
routes: ["/payments/payment-methods"]
permissions: ["billing.stripe.payment_methods.read"]
features: ["billing.payments.payment_methods"]
since: 0.0.1
updated: 0.0.1
status: published
summary: Save a customer's card on file with their consent so Nova can charge it later for subscriptions, scheduled payments and approved invoices.
keywords: [card on file, saved card, store card, autopay, keep card, billing card, remove card, default card]
related: [set-up-recurring-billing, schedule-a-future-payment, record-a-payment]
---

In the sidebar, open **Sales & Billing**, then **Getting Paid**, then **Cards on File**. The page address is `/payments/payment-methods`.

A saved payment method is a customer's card kept on file through Nova Payments. Nova never stores the card number itself; the customer enters it into a secure form and Nova keeps only a reference it can charge later.

## Before you start

- Nova Payments has to be set up for your organization; see [[set-up-nova-payments]]. If not, the page says so and **Add payment method** is greyed out.
- **Saved cards** has to be on under **Payment options** on the Nova Payments page. To charge a saved card without the customer present, **Charge saved cards automatically** has to be on there too. See [[check-on-nova-payments-after-launch]].
- Your role needs permission to manage saved payment methods.
- The customer needs to agree to having their card saved. Do this with them present or on the phone.

## Steps

1. Press **Add payment method**. A panel opens with **Setup controls**.
2. Under **Account**, search for the customer and pick them.
3. Fill in **Billing name**, **Billing email** and **Billing phone** as they appear on the card.
4. Tick **Save card consent** once the customer has agreed. The next button stays greyed out until you do.
5. Tick **Make default** if this should be the card Nova charges first, and **Authorize future charges** if the customer agrees to be charged without being present, for subscriptions or scheduled payments.
6. Press **Start secure setup**. The card form appears. Have the customer enter their card details, then press **Save payment method**.
7. The new method appears in the list with the status **Ready**.

## What you see

- The list shows each **Method** (brand and last four digits), the **Account**, its **Status**, **Flags** such as default or future charges, and when it was **Updated**.
- Open the **Filters** panel to show **All methods**, **Ready** only, or **Action required** only.
- A row's menu offers **Open method**, **Make default** and **Remove**.
- Pressing a row opens **Method detail** with the billing contact, whether it is the **Default**, and whether **Future charges** are allowed.

## If something looks different

- A method shows **Action required**: the bank wants the customer to confirm something. Open the method and follow the message, or ask the customer to add the card again.
- A notice at the top says "Saved cards are turned off for your business.": press **Turn it on**. The Nova Payments page opens on **Payment options** with the **Saved cards** switch highlighted. If the notice says to ask an owner or admin instead, your role cannot change payment settings.
- **Authorize future charges** can't be switched on and a notice under it says charging saved cards automatically is turned off for your business: press **Turn it on**. The Nova Payments page opens on **Payment options** with **Charge saved cards automatically** highlighted. If the notice says to ask an owner or admin instead, your role cannot change payment settings. The same notice appears wherever you save a card for a customer, including from the customer's own page.
- **Start secure setup** is greyed out: **Save card consent** is not ticked, or Nova Payments is not ready. The button explains when you hover it.
- You need to charge the saved card for an invoice: open the invoice and take the payment there (see [[record-a-payment]]), or set it up under [[schedule-a-future-payment]].

[[route:/payments/payment-methods|Open Saved Payment Methods]]