Troubleshooting Card Eligibility Issues
A common customer error during checkout is "Card is not eligible for installment plans" (CARD_TYPE_NOT_ELIGIBLE). This guide explains card eligibility rules and how to guide customers.
Why Debit & Prepaid Cards Are Not Eligible
According to Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) lending guidelines and Sharia-compliant credit structures:
- Credit Cards (Eligible): The issuing bank provides an authorized credit line. The bank pays the merchant immediately upfront and bills the customer in 3, 6, 12, or 24 monthly installments at 0% interest.
- Mada Debit Cards (Ineligible): Debit cards deduct money directly from the customer's existing current account balance in real-time. Because debit cards carry no credit facility, banks cannot convert them into installment schedules.
- Prepaid / Digital Wallet Cards (Ineligible): Urpay, STC Pay cards, and gift cards do not offer bank credit lines and cannot be used for installments.
Card Identification Matrix
| Card Type | BIN Prefix Example | Eligible for Installments? | Supported Checkout Mode |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saudi Partner Bank Credit Card | 412345, 532145 | ✅ Yes | 3, 6, 12, 24 Months Installments |
| Mada Debit Card | 588845, 484783 | ❌ No | 1-Click Pay in Full |
| Prepaid Digital Card | 520058 | ❌ No | 1-Click Pay in Full |
| International Credit Card | 400000, 510000 | ❌ No | 1-Click Pay in Full (SAR conversion) |
Recommended Merchant Action
- Clear Checkout Messaging: Ensure your checkout page informs customers that "0% Installments are available on Saudi Credit Cards from participating banks".
- Installment Widget Positioning: Install the Marketing Installment Widget under the product price so customers know eligibility before reaching checkout.
- Seamless Fallback: When an ineligible card is detected, Amwal automatically presents the customer with the option to complete the purchase in full with 1 click.