Single Credential Access links one primary credential to one or more secondary credentials representing alternate funding sources. The primary credential is the PAN presented at checkout, while the secondary credential determines the actual source of funds. Cardholders can toggle between eligible secondary credentials in real time, enabling debit, credit, instalment, or rewards to be accessed through the same primary credential.

Some examples:

- A freelancer buys an $8 latte and wants itcharged to their checking account instead of credit. With Single Credential Access, they set a rule to route coffee purchases (the rule is based on the MCC) under $10 (and amount) to their checking account.

- A shopper buys a $400 laptop online. Since thecardholder set a rule for purchases over $300 (rule base on amount), the Single Credential Access auto-selects BNPL (e.g., Affirm, Klarna), splits it into four $100 payments, and shows the schedule.

How are credentials identified?
The payment network establishes Single Credential Access programs for specific product types (e.g., debit, credit, BNPL) that function as the primary credential, the programs defined depend on the specific regionand countries. A primary credential is a credential issued to a cardholder from a BIN dedicated to one of the Single Credential Access programs (e.g., Visa Traditional Debit for a debit program).

Merchants can identify whether a credential is part of a Single Credential Access program by using BIN-level indicators available through BIN tables, APIs, or acquirer-managed routing tables.

How is the funding source determined?
Some merchants may not accept all funding sources. To prevent obtaining a positive authorization response for an unsupported funding source, merchants can use a zero-amount (authorization) specific request using the primary credential along with an eligibility processing code. The response returns the secondary credential’s account funding source and product ID, allowing the merchant to determine whether the funding source is supported before proceeding to full authorization.

How is the interchange calculated?
For Single Credential Access programs, interchange is calculated based on the secondary credential, the actual funding source selected by the cardholder for a particular transaction.

Curious to know more? Download the product brief from our website.

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