Template
WhatsApp message sent on day 3-5 for customers with a WhatsApp-linked phone number. Goal: use the highest-open-rate channel available (90%+ in most markets) for maximum reach.
Hey {{first_name}}, {{sender_first_name}} from {{product_name}} here. 👋
Your card was declined for the ${{amount}} payment. No stress - I just wanted to check in before the account pauses.
Quick fix (takes 30 seconds): {{short_update_link}}
Or if something changed and you want to pause or cancel, just reply and let me know.Variables in {{like_this}} should be replaced with your merge fields.
WhatsApp is personal - the tone should match. Greeting + emoji works (unlike email). Offers reply path because WhatsApp conversations convert better than one-way links. Direct access to the sender feels like a concierge, not a billing bot.
For outbound messages to new contacts, yes - WhatsApp Business API requires template approval. For replies within 24 hours of a customer message, no template needed. Submit your dunning templates in Meta Business Manager for review (typically 1-3 days).
Brazil, India, Mexico, Spain, Italy, Germany, most of LATAM and Southeast Asia. US and Nordics are weaker. Segment by country code and send WhatsApp only where adoption is high.
Automate this with Rebounce
Rebounce detects payment failures via Stripe Connect, classifies them by decline code, and runs the optimal dunning sequence across email, SMS, WhatsApp, and in-app banners. The templates above are the exact patterns Rebounce uses out of the box - you can adapt the copy to your brand voice and Rebounce handles delivery, timing, and sequence cancellation when a retry succeeds.
Start free trialFinal WhatsApp message sent at day 14 alongside the final email. Goal: reach the last bucket of non-responders with the channel they are most likely to read.
An SMS version of the day 3-5 dunning email, used as a multi-channel push alongside email. Goal: reach customers who are not reading email. SMS has 45-50% open rates compared to 20-30% for email.
Sent on day 3 after the friendly heads-up did not recover the payment. The customer has ignored the first email. Goal: be direct without being aggressive, and preempt silent churn.