Converting a Card from Virtual to Physical

You can create both physical and virtual cards. The type of card created can be seen in the CardType attribute of the card object. For more information see Creating a Card.

You can convert a virtual card to a physical card at any time via an API call.

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Note

The convert virtual card to physical option must be configured at the time of your card program setup. For details, contact your Implementation Manager.

When converted, the new physical card will have the same Primary Account Number (PAN) as the virtual card. The cardholder can continue to use their existing virtual card until the cardholder has received and activated their physical card.

Activating a Physical Card

Where a virtual card has been activated, the physical card will also be active in transit. We recommend you enforce virtual only usage until the cardholder has received the card. You also need to activate the card to ensure Thredd has the updated card record data (where CVV2 and expiry date differ to the virtual card).

Converting a Card from a Virtual to Physical

Step 1: Identify the card's public token

Before converting a card, identify the corresponding public token in the API Call. This is returned in the response to creating a card.

Step 2: Convert the Card

When you have the public token, convert the card using the Convert Card endpoint.

For example:

{{base-url}}/cards/{{publicToken}}/card-type

When converting a card, you have two optional fields you can use to determine the converted card's expiry date.

• The moveExpiryDate field, if set to true. will move the expiry date to the new card.
• The newExpiryDate field enables you to set a new expiry date in a YYYY-MM format.

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Note

The moveExpiryDate and newExpiryDate fields cannot be used as part of the same API call.

See below for examples of different types of Convert Card calls.

{
  "cardType": "Physical",
  "moveExpiryDate": true
}

{
  "cardType": "Physical",
  "newExpiryDate": "2025-05"
}

If successful, a 200 response will be returned confirming the conversion has been completed, as well as the expiry date for the card.

{
    "cardType": "Physical",
    "expiryDate": "2023-05"
}

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API Explorer

See the Convert card endpoint.

The API triggers the inclusion of the card in the next XML card manufacturer file for your programme.

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Note

Currently Thredd does not support a card conversion from a Physical Card Type to a Virtual Card type.