Failed-payment & renewal email templates
The emails that quietly save the most subscribers you'd otherwise lose — cards that expire or decline. Copy, customise and automate.
How to use this template
- Automate these around your billing.
- Send the card-expiring note before renewal, then the failed-payment emails on your retry schedule.
- Replace every {{placeholder}}.
The template
Highlighted {{placeholders}} are the bits to replace with your own details.
Card expiring
Send ~7 days before renewal
Subject: Your card is about to expire, {{First name}} Hi {{First name}}, The card on your {{Publication}} subscription expires soon, so your next payment on {{renewal date}} may not go through. Update it in a few seconds here: {{update payment link}} — and your access carries on uninterrupted. Thanks, {{Publication}}
Payment failed (attempt 1)
Subject: We couldn't process your payment Hi {{First name}}, We tried to renew your {{Publication}} subscription but the payment didn't go through — usually an expired or maxed-out card, nothing to worry about. Update your details here and we'll take care of the rest: {{update payment link}}. Thanks, {{Publication}}
Payment failed (final attempt)
Subject: Last try before your access pauses Hi {{First name}}, We've been unable to renew your {{Publication}} subscription, and your access will pause on {{grace-period end date}} unless we can update your payment. It takes ten seconds: {{update payment link}}. We'd hate to lose you over an expired card. Thanks, {{Publication}}
Renewal reminder (annual plans)
Subject: Your {{Publication}} subscription renews on {{date}} Hi {{First name}}, A quick heads-up: your annual subscription renews on {{renewal date}} at {{price}}. There's nothing you need to do — this is just so there are no surprises. Manage your subscription any time here: {{account link}}. Thanks for another year with us, {{Publication}}
Tips that make this work
- Most involuntary churn is recoverable with retries + these emails — automate them.
- Keep the tone helpful, not threatening; it's almost always an innocent card issue.
- A short grace period beats cutting access off instantly.