Joby Pay
Store a credit card on file
Let a client keep a card on file so you can charge an invoice directly — no payment link, no chasing. Send them a secure link, or let Joby offer it automatically when they pay. Either way the card is saved on Stripe's page, so card numbers never touch Joby.
What it is
Card on File lets a client authorize you to keep their card stored for future charges. Once it's saved, you charge an invoice straight from Joby instead of sending a payment link and waiting for them to act on it.
The customer enters their card on Stripe's own secure page — not a Joby form. Your team never sees or types a card number, and Joby never stores one.
How the security works
The client enters their card on Stripe's page, and Stripe returns a token to Joby — a reference, not a card number. Charges use that token. Card numbers never reach Joby and are never typed in by your team, which keeps your PCI exposure minimal.
Two ways to get a card on file
Way | When to use it |
Send a card link | You want the card before there's anything to pay — a new commercial account, a service plan, emergency work you're about to schedule. |
Offer it at checkout | You want cards to accumulate on their own. Anyone paying an invoice or estimate online is asked whether to keep the card — no work from your team. |
They're not exclusive. Most companies turn the checkout offer on and leave it running, then send a link manually for the accounts they can't wait on.
When it's worth using
Situation | Why a card on file helps |
Repeat customers | Property managers, commercial accounts, anyone you invoice monthly. Charge and move on. |
Service plans and memberships | Recurring billing without re-collecting payment details every cycle. |
Emergency and after-hours work | Authorize the card up front so there's no payment argument at 2 a.m. |
Slow payers | Removes the "I'll pay it later" gap entirely — the invoice charges itself. |
Multi-visit jobs | Collect once at the start, charge each phase as it completes. |
Requirements
Card on File needs Joby Pay or your own Stripe keys. It is not available on Square. Nothing to switch on otherwise — it's active on every account. If you haven't set up payments yet, start with Activate Joby Pay.
Send the client a card link
1. Open Clients
Go to Clients in the sidebar.
2. Open the client and find the card status
Pick the client you want to store a card for. On their profile, look in the left panel for the card row — it reads No card on file until one is saved.
3. Click Send link
Next to the card status, click Send link. Joby generates a secure, single-client link for adding a card.
4. Choose how to deliver it, then Send
The dialog gives you three delivery options — pick whichever suits the customer:
Email — tick the box to send it to their email on file
Text message — tick the box to text it to their mobile
Copy the link — grab the URL and send it yourself, e.g. in an existing conversation thread
You can send by email and text at the same time. Click Send when you're ready.
The link expires in 14 days
The card link stays usable for 14 days. If the client doesn't get to it in time, just click Send link again to generate a fresh one.
What the client sees
They open the link and land on a page that spells out exactly what they're authorizing, then they enter their card on Stripe's secure page. Nothing about the flow asks them to send card details to you directly.
Once they save it, the client's profile in Joby flips from No card on file to showing the saved card, and you can charge invoices against it.
Tip — ask on the phone, send while they're listening
The best time to get a card on file is during a call, when you can explain it in one sentence: "I'll text you a secure link from Stripe so we can keep a card on file — that way you won't get chased for invoices." Send it while they're still on the line. Much higher completion than a link that arrives cold.
Offer to save the card at checkout
Instead of asking for cards one at a time, you can have Joby ask for you. With this on, any customer who clicks Pay on an invoice or estimate is offered the choice of keeping their card on file — with their consent recorded — so you can charge future invoices without sending a payment link.
Turn it on
Go to Joby Pay → Payments → Payment methods. Under Customer checkout, switch on Offer to save the customer's card at checkout.
Where the question appears
Normally it comes up as soon as the customer clicks Pay. If you pass card processing fees to the customer, it appears one step later — after they've chosen the card option — so they aren't asked about saving a card they may not end up using.
What the customer sees
A short panel headed Save your card for next time? that names your business, explains that the card stays with Stripe, and lists exactly what they're agreeing to. Two buttons: Save my card & pay, or Just pay this once.
Consent is explicit and recorded
Saying no is one click and the payment goes through exactly as before. If they say yes, the four points they agreed to — what you can charge, that Stripe holds the number, that they get a receipt for every charge, and that they can have the card removed — are stored with the authorization.
Two limits worth knowing
The offer only appears on documents that are linked to a client — there's no client record to attach the card to otherwise. And it works on Stripe only, whether that's Joby Pay or your own keys. Square isn't supported.
Things to know
Situation | What happens |
The link expires before they use it | Click Send link again for a new one. There's no limit on resends. |
The customer declines at checkout | They pay normally and nothing is stored. You can still send them a card link later. |
The document isn't linked to a client | No save-card question appears. Link the client on the invoice or estimate if you want the offer. |
You already have a card for that client | Nothing breaks. Saving again simply updates the card on file. |
You're on Square | Card on File isn't available, by either route. You need Joby Pay or your own Stripe keys. |
The client wants the card removed | Remove it from their profile. The stored token is deleted and can't be charged again. It doesn't cancel anything they already owe. |
Their card expires | Charges start failing. Send a fresh link so they can add the new card. |
You need to refund a charge | Same as any Joby Pay refund — and it still pulls from your balance. See Add funds to your refunds balance. |
Your team wants to type the card in | Not possible by design. The customer must enter it themselves on Stripe's page — that's what keeps card numbers out of Joby. |
Related
Activate Joby Pay — required before Card on File works
Add and Configure Payment Methods — the other ways customers can pay
Create, send and get paid on an invoice — the invoice the saved card gets charged against
Tap to Pay on iPhone — for collecting in person instead
Need help?
Email [email protected] or message us from the in-app chat if a client's card isn't saving, the save-card question isn't appearing at checkout, or a charge against a stored card fails.