3DS Step-up Retries is a Vaultera Switch feature designed to improve the success rate of non-3DS card payments. If a non-3DS transaction fails with an error suggesting a 3D Secure (3DS) authentication could resolve the issue, Vaultera Switch automatically retries the payment with 3DS authentication on the same payment processor.Documentation Index
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🎯 Why Use 3DS Step-up Retry?
| Benefit | Description |
|---|---|
| ✅ Higher Success Rate | Recovers failed non-3DS payments by upgrading to 3DS authentication. |
| 🔐 Fraud Protection | Reduces fraud by enforcing customer authentication. |
| 💸 Chargeback Protection | Helps shift liability by using 3DS verification. |
🛠️ How It Works
- A non-3DS payment attempt fails.
- Vaultera Switch detects a retryable error (e.g., fraud or 3DS required).
- Vaultera Switch automatically retries the same transaction with 3DS enabled using the same processor.
- The user is prompted to complete the 3DS challenge.
- If successful, the payment proceeds; if not, it fails gracefully.
🧾 Example Errors That Trigger Step-up Retry
- Card issuer requires 3DS
- Fraud-related soft declines
- “Authentication Required” error messages
🧩 Supported Processors
Currently supported processors for 3DS Step-up Retries include:- Bluesnap
- Stripe
✅ To request support for other processors, please submit a feature request to [Vaultera switch@vaultera.co](mailto:Vaultera switch@vaultera.co)
🚀 How to Enable 3DS Step-up Retry
To activate this feature:- Email your request to [Vaultera switch@vaultera.co](mailto:Vaultera switch@vaultera.co).
- Include confirmation from your end that you want to enable 3DS Step-up Retry for your business profile.
🙋 Frequently Asked Questions
🔹 What is the user experience like?
- Initially, the customer enters their card details as usual.
- If the payment fails and 3DS Step-up is triggered, the customer will see a 3DS challenge screen (e.g., OTP or biometric).
- After completing 3DS, the payment is retried and processed.
🔹 What’s the difference between Smart Retry and 3DS Step-up Retry?
| Smart Retry | 3DS Step-up Retry |
|---|---|
| Retries failed payments with an alternative processor | Retries non-3DS failed payments with 3DS on the same processor |
| Handles technical and business failures | Targets authentication-related failures |
| Broader coverage of failure cases | Specific to fraud/3DS-required failures |
🔹 What if a failure qualifies for both Smart Retry and 3DS Step-up Retry?
Vaultera Switch will prioritize 3DS Step-up Retry because:- It reduces chargeback risk.
- It enforces authentication for potentially risky transactions.
- It maintains consistency by using the same processor.