AlyaPay automatically charges your payment method for each installment. With primary and backup cards, you have extra protection against failed payments.
How the payment card system works
You can add multiple cards:
One Primary card - Tried first for every payment
Multiple backup cards - Used if primary card fails
When a payment is due:
Primary card is charged first
If primary fails → Most recent backup card is tried
If that fails → Next most recent backup card is tried
If all fail → Payment fails, you're notified
This happens automatically - you don't need to do anything!
Primary card
What is it?
Your main payment method
Always tried first for every automatic payment
Set when you add your first card
How it's used:
All scheduled installments charge this card first
Across all your active purchases
For all payment dates
Backup cards
What are they?
Secondary payment methods
Used only if primary card fails
Can have multiple backup cards
When they're used:
Primary card declined
Primary card has insufficient funds
Primary card expired
Then: Backup cards tried automatically
Order of backup cards:
Most recently added first
Then second most recent
Then third most recent
And so on...
Setting up primary and backup cards
Adding your primary card:
1. Go to Payment Methods
2. Add your first card
Becomes primary automatically
3. Now all payments use this card
Changing your primary card:
1. Go to Payment Methods
2. Select the card you want as primary
3. Tap "Set as Primary"
4. Confirm
This card now tried first for all payments
Previous primary becomes a backup card
What if all cards fail?
If primary and all backups fail:
1. Payment fails
2. You're notified immediately (see next article)
3. SMS reminders sent on subsequent days
4. You must:
Update a card
Add funds to an account
Add a new card
Make manual payment
Grace period: 4 days to resolve
Keeping cards current
Important reminders:
✅ Check expiration dates - Update before cards expire
✅ Maintain sufficient funds - In primary and at least one backup
✅ Update after card changes - New card from bank? Update immediately
✅ Monitor all cards - Ensure none are blocked or frozen
✅ Remove invalid cards - Keep list clean
✅ Have at least one backup - Don't rely on just primary
Frequently asked questions
Q: How many backup cards can I add?
A: Usually up to 4-5 total cards (1 primary + 3-4 backups).
Q: Will I know if my backup card was used?
A: Yes! The confirmation will specify which card was charged.
Q: Can I choose which backup card is tried first?
A: The most recently added backup is always tried first. To change order, remove and re-add cards in your preferred order.
Q: What if my backup card has insufficient funds too?
A: The system will try the next backup card in line.
Q: Does using a backup card cost extra?
A: No, there are no fees for using backup cards.
Q: Can I set a different primary card for each purchase?
A: No, the primary card applies to all purchases. Backup cascade also applies to all.
Q: Will my primary card be charged again if backup succeeds?
A: No, once a payment succeeds on any card, it's complete. The primary is not charged.
Q: How fast does it try backup cards?
A: Nearly instant - within seconds of primary failing.
Q: Can I disable the backup card feature?
A: Simply don't add backup cards. But we highly recommend having at least one!
Q: What if I want a specific backup card used first?
A: Remove other backups and re-add them after your preferred backup. Most recent is tried first.