SaaS Subscription Payment Failed Email Templates

Payment failures are usually cards, limits, or billing contacts—not churn intent. Use these templates to recover payment quickly with a clear link and a clean follow-up cadence.

When to use / when to send

Checklist / what to include

• Customer name {{Name}} and company {{Company}} (if applicable)
• What failed and what is due: {{Amount}} and date context {{DueDate}}
• One action link {{PayLink}} to update payment/complete charge
• Clear reply/update deadline using {{ReplyByDate}} or {{DeadlineDate}}
• Support contact option via {{Phone}}

Copy/paste templates

How to use these templates

Recommended timing / follow-up plan

• Send immediately after the failed charge with {{PayLink}}
• Send a reminder 24 hours later if still unpaid
• Send a deadline message 48–72 hours later using {{DeadlineDate}}
• If enterprise/customer has AP, request the billing owner and call using {{Phone}}
• Once updated, confirm success and stop reminders

Best practices / common mistakes

• Do: keep the email focused on a single action (update payment)
• Do: set a clear deadline so it doesn’t drift
• Don’t: guilt-trip—most failures are mechanical
• Don’t: include multiple links that confuse the next step
• Do: ask for the billing owner if the recipient isn’t responsible

FAQ

Related templates

• Payment confirmation request email
• Accounts payable status check email
• Final demand payment email deadline
• Escalation sequence 3 step overdue invoice