# User Account Management
source: https://developer.mastercard.com/user-account-management-service/documentation/index.md

## Overview {#overview}

The User Account Management API service enables various customers, such as issuers, merchants, and partners to manage their rewards programs in real time.

These customers can use the API service to:

* Enroll cardholders or users in a rewards program
* Activate Card-Linked Services (CLS) offers within a rewards program
* Request a replacement card for a lost or stolen card
* Add, update, or retrieve a list of CLS for an account  

The API service enables customers to utilize and operate the following programs:

* Rewards program: A reward program, also known as a loyalty program, is a marketing strategy used by businesses to encourage repeat purchases and build customer loyalty by offering incentives, such as points or cashback, for engaging with their brand.
* Offers program: In the context of loyalty programs, merchant offers are targeted promotions or incentives provided by merchants, such as retailers, restaurants, or service providers to reward customers for their purchases or engagement.   
  These offers are intended to encourage repeat purchases, enhance customer retention, and boost sales as part of the overall loyalty strategy.
* CLS program: CLS is a system that links a consumer's credit or debit card to a loyalty program, enabling automatic rewards, cashback, or discounts when the card is used for purchases at participating merchants.   

## How it works {#how-it-works}

The User Account Management API service provides various functions to operate a rewards program. The functions exist at the user or account level, such as simplifying the enrollment process.

The customers who benefit from this service are issuers, merchants, or partner merchants. These customers manage the rewards enrollment information, including subsequent updates in real time, such as email address change.
Customers can use as much or as little of the service as needed to support and manage the rewards program seamlessly. This includes the two program structure types:

* Programs where the customer is hosting the entire user experience through [Mastercard APIs](https://developer.mastercard.com/product/mastercard-loyalty-management).
* Programs where Mastercard is hosting the product offering (that is, the customer is using Mastercard white-labeled solutions, products, and so on) and performing user or account enrollment details for the program.

**The following diagram shows a high-level flow between the Cardholder, Customer, and User Account Management API service.**

![](https://static.developer.mastercard.com/content/user-account-management-service/uploads/tlp_how_it_works3.png)

###### Execution steps {#execution-steps}

1. The cardholder or user signs into the customer's app.
2. The customer authenticates the cardholder or user.
3. The customer sends a signed or encrypted request to the User Account Management service. The requests could be to:
   * Enroll, retrieve, or update the user depending on the user's enrollment status.
   * Enroll, retrieve, or update an account depending on the user's enrollment and account status.
   * Lookup identifiers.
   * Replace a card that was lost or stolen with a new card.
   * Add, retrieve, or update a CLS depending on their CLS status.
   * Retrieves the tokens and sensitive identifiers.
4. The User Account Management service validates and processes the request.
5. The User Account Management service Sends a response.

### Good to know {#good-to-know}

* Refer to the [Glossary of Terms](https://developer.mastercard.com/user-account-management-service/documentation/glossary/index.md) to know about the cardholder identifiers.
* Refer to the [Reference Application](https://developer.mastercard.com/user-account-management-service/documentation/reference-app/index.md) to get started.
* Refer to the [Use Cases](https://developer.mastercard.com/user-account-management-service/documentation/use-cases/index.md) for additional details on how the API works.
* Refer to the [Tutorials and Guides](https://developer.mastercard.com/user-account-management-service/documentation/tutorials-and-guides/index.md) for additional guidance.

Tip: If you do not have a Mastercard representative, reach out for help from the [support page](https://developer.mastercard.com/user-account-management-service/documentation/support/index.md#get-help).

## Next Steps {#next-steps}

When you are ready to use the APIs, refer to the [API Basics](https://developer.mastercard.com/user-account-management-service/documentation/api-basics/index.md) page for API authentication and environment details.