Heads-up before a saved card is charged for a recurring invoice
A saved card charge reminder automation checks the subscription is still active, then emails the customer three days before the next invoice date.
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Recurring billing works until a saved card gets charged and the customer didn’t see it coming, or the subscription should’ve been paused but nobody caught it in time. This saved card charge reminder automation runs three days before a subscription’s upcoming invoice date and sends a heads-up email instead of leaving the charge as a surprise.
The automation starts with Still active?, which means a cancelled or ended subscription won’t keep getting emails. Next, Tell them what is coming sends the message while there’s still time to update payment details or ask questions, so the customer knows what’s about to be charged and when.
- Trigger Runs 3 days before the subscription’s upcoming invoice date.
- Still active? Checks the subscription status so only active subscriptions continue through the automation.
- Tell them what is coming Emails the customer a heads-up that the next recurring invoice is about to be charged.
Every step runs inside Plutio, so the only setup is the subscription having an upcoming invoice date and an email address on it. Once the automation is on, it keeps watching each upcoming invoice date and sending the reminder three days ahead.
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Every step, in order
Plutio runs these 2 steps top to bottom, from the trigger through each action and condition. Every one arrives configured and stays editable. The automation is added as a draft, so it sends nothing until you turn it on.
Starts: 3 days before Subscription upcoming invoice date
- Still active?
- Tell them what is coming (Still active? → Yes)
What happens when you install it
- This automation is copied into your workspace with all 2 steps already configured.
- It arrives as a draft, so nothing runs until you turn it on.
- Every step stays editable, so the wording, the timing and the conditions all change before or after you activate it.
Who it is for
Subscription businesses that take recurring payments by saved card and want customers warned before the next charge.
Questions about this automation template
How many days before a recurring charge should a reminder go out?
Three days is a common window because the customer has time to spot the email and respond before the charge date. This automation is set to run three days before the subscription’s upcoming invoice date.
Will a reminder still send if the subscription has been cancelled?
The first step checks whether the subscription is still active. If it isn’t active, the automation stops instead of sending the email.
What do I need set up for the automation to work?
The subscription needs an upcoming invoice date and an email address on the subscription. The automation uses that email to send the heads-up message.
Does this automation require any third-party email service?
No third-party account is needed. Every step runs inside Plutio.
What triggers the reminder email?
The trigger is “3 days before Subscription upcoming invoice date.” When that date is approaching, the automation starts and runs its two steps.
What happens if a subscription doesn’t have an upcoming invoice date?
The automation trigger relies on an upcoming invoice date being set. If that date isn’t present, the automation won’t have anything to run three days before.
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