What should be done if a preferred payment method is flagged as invalid during billing?

When a preferred payment method is flagged as invalid during the billing process, proceeding with the next available payment method is appropriate because it allows for continuity in the membership without interruptions. This approach ensures that services remain uninterrupted and that the customer can continue to receive benefits of their membership.

By utilizing an alternative payment method, you also mitigate potential frustration for the customer regarding lapses in service or benefits that they expect. It is crucial to maintain a seamless experience, especially for ongoing memberships. If the primary method fails, having a fallback increases the likelihood that the payment can be successfully processed without requiring additional input from the customer at that moment.

In contrast, notifying the customer to update their payment details could create unnecessary delays and may lead to a loss of services. Canceling the membership automatically would lead to customer dissatisfaction and may harm the business relationship unnecessarily. Retrying the payment later could be impractical because it doesn't address the immediate need to complete the billing process or any underlying issues with the payment method.