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Transaction linking

Attention

Mastercard only feature.

Mastercard is introducing a new universally unique identifier for each and every transaction. This identifier not only designates individual transactions but also links related transactions together. The linking of transactions falls into two categories, lifecycle-related and economically-related. The details of the difference will be explained below.

The purpose of this new identifier is to provide all parties with higher quality data linking in order to provide better customer support in transaction processing. It can also enhance risk management and various back-office operations.

Categories

Transaction lifecycle

Transaction lifecycle refers to all activity associated with an original message, starting with the point-of interaction and including any subsequent activity.

Messages included in the lifecycle are the following:

  • Authorizations
  • Pre-Authorizations
  • Increments to a pre-authorization
  • Full or partial reversals of the original authorization
  • Clearing records
  • Chargebacks

Economically related transactions are independent, or a series of independent transactions that relate to a single original purchase decision or payment agreement between the merchant and the cardholder.

Each economically related transaction has its own unique transaction lifecycle.

  • Purchase returns (refunds) related to the original purchase
  • Recurring payments
  • Installment payments
  • Subsequent merchant-initiated transactions

Current linking behaviour

Currently, there are three identifiers on each original Mastercard transaction.

  • MsgID. Known as System trace audit number or STAN in the Mastercard ecosystem.
  • TransID. Known as Retrieval reference number or RRN in the Mastercard ecosystem.
  • TransLCID. Known as Trace ID in the Mastercard ecosystem.

The MsgID is created by the sender, the TransID is created by the acquirer, based on the MsgID, and Mastercard generates the TransLCID, based on the banknet reference number and the settlement date.

None of these identifiers possess universal uniqueness.

Currently, all are used for lifecycle relationships, while the TransLCID is also used for economic relationships.

Upcoming changes

Phase 1

In Q2 2024, Mastercard began gradually introducing the transaction link identifier into original authorizations. Rapyd will introduce a new request and response parameter called TransactionLinkID in Q4 2024, allowing merchants to begin linking transactions.

Phase 2

By Q4 2025, Mastercard will require the transaction link identifier to be included in all lifecycle-related transactions. It is also recommended to include it in all economically related transactions at the same time.

Phase 3

Upon full adoption of all business logic of the old identifiers to the transaction link identifier, Mastercard plans to sunset the previous identifiers used to make up the TransLCID. The timeframe for this remains undetermined, and a comply-by date will be introduced with ample notice once further details become available.