When clients save a payment method in Mallow, you can use it for future payments and subscriptions without needing to send an invoice first.
On mobile, the Vault and Clients tables reflow into stacked cards, and you can reach the Vault through the Pages drawer in the bottom navigation bar. You can also tap New in the footer to start a stored payment method request from the client profile.
Storing a client's payment method
There are two ways to request that a client store their payment method on file.
Access the request module
Prepare your request
In the Request Module, complete the request form:
Select a client: Prefilled when opened from client detail. You can change it if needed.
Select your currency (only available for Canadian merchants): Choose US Dollar ($) or Canadian Dollar (C$). The selected currency is saved with the payment method and used for later charge routing. See Invoice in USD and CAD.
Select payment method type: Select which payment method the client can store in your vault. This field defaults to Bank Transfer or Card (client can choose), but you can also limit the request to card only or bank transfer only. Bank transfer is not available for USD when CAD is enabled on your company.
Remove access to this Pay Method on: Set an optional expiration date, or leave No end date checked to keep the payment method active indefinitely.
Acknowledgment of Payment Method Authorization: Required checkbox confirming authorization.
Send the request
Click Send Request. Mallow notifies the client via email and prompts them to store their payment method securely. Once they complete it, their payment method appears in your payment methods list.
Collect a payment method through an agreement
You can also collect a payment method as part of an agreement signing flow. Add a Payment Method input field to a contract template, assign it to a signer, and the signer submits their card or bank payment method before completing the agreement. The captured method is stored in your Vault and associated with the selected client — or, for non-client recipients, a client matched by email or created from the account-holder name.
Unlike a standalone Vault request, the signer is prompted to add the payment method while signing the agreement rather than through a separate payment-request email. See Build a contract template and Send an agreement for setup steps.
What your client sees
Your client receives an email with a link to a secure payment request page. The page shows your company name and explains that you are requesting authorization to store a payment method for future transactions. If they proceed, they enter their payment details on a secure form and submit.
Managing saved payment methods
The Vault table shows columns for Client, Name on account, Last 4, Method, Status, and Date added.
Status indicators
Active: A green check icon. The method is ready for use.
Inactive: A gray X icon. The method may be expired, canceled, rejected, or still pending the client's response.
Account details
Card payment methods show the payment method (card or bank account), last four digits, and expiration date.
Deleting a stored payment method
To remove a stored payment method:
Go to the Vault tab on the Merchant Hub page
Click on the 3 dots next to the payment method
Select Delete payment method
Confirm your selection
If the payment method is tied to an active subscription, deleting it will cancel that subscription.
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Common Questions
Yes. You have two options for starting a subscription:
Send a subscription invoice: Create an invoice with the Subscription cadence and send it to your client. Once they pay the first invoice, Mallow saves the payment method and automatically charges it for future billing cycles.
Use a stored payment method: If your client already has a payment method saved in the Vault, and they've granted you permission to use it for subscription payments, you can set up a subscription that charges that method directly—no invoice needed to start.
When you charge a saved payment method, Mallow sends a vault-specific set of transactional emails to the client and to all company users on your account. See Access stored payment methods for details.
