GraphQL Vaulting Without Purchase Endpoints Released

December 10, 2024 saw the release of new GraphQL endpoints enabling payment vaulting without purchase completion. This capability addresses a long-standing limitation: previously, merchants could only vault payment methods as part of a purchase transaction. The new endpoints enable payment method storage independent of checkout, opening new possibilities for subscription management and customer payment flexibility.

What is Payment Vaulting?

Payment vaulting is the secure storage of payment method information (credit cards, bank accounts, etc.) for future use. Vaulting improves customer experience by enabling one-click checkout and supporting subscription billing. It also improves security by avoiding the need to repeatedly enter sensitive payment information.

The Previous Limitation

Previously, Adobe Commerce's Payment Vaulting functionality only worked as part of purchase transactions. A customer could vault a card during checkout, but couldn't save payment methods proactively. This meant subscription services couldn't accept payment method setup without an initial purchase, and merchants couldn't offer payment method management outside the checkout context.

The New Capability

The new GraphQL endpoints enable merchants to create payment vault operations independent of purchase transactions. Customers can now save payment methods in their account settings, subscribe to recurring payments, or enable future purchases without completing a transaction. This opens new business models and improves customer flexibility.

Use Cases

Subscription merchants can now request payment setup upfront without requiring an initial purchase. Merchants offering gift cards can allow customers to associate payment methods for future redemption. Merchants with flexible shipping or delayed billing can vault payment methods before purchase. B2B merchants can enable customers to manage multiple payment methods for their account.

Technical Implementation

Merchants using Payment Services should review the new GraphQL endpoint documentation. The endpoints follow standard GraphQL patterns and integrate seamlessly with existing checkout logic. Adobe provides code examples and migration guides for merchants implementing the new capabilities.

Competitive Advantage

This improvement positions Adobe Commerce competitively against specialised subscription platforms. By enabling sophisticated payment method management, Adobe is expanding the platform's viability for subscription and recurring revenue models. Merchants building subscription businesses can now do so confidently on Adobe Commerce.