> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://developer.pagou.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Card Payments Overview

> Choose the recommended card integration pattern and understand how Pagou handles tokenization and 3DS.

Use this section when you are choosing how to accept cards with Pagou.

## Recommended path

Use [Payment Element](/payments/cards/payment-element) for new card checkouts.

Why:

* Card entry stays inside a hosted iframe.
* Tokenization stays outside your DOM.
* `next_action` and 3D Secure continue in the same browser session.
* Your backend keeps control of transaction creation and order state.

## Card payment model

1. The browser mounts Payment Element.
2. Payment Element tokenizes the card.
3. Your backend calls `POST /v2/transactions` with `method: "credit_card"`.
4. Your system waits for final webhook or reconciliation state before fulfillment.

## Read next

* [Payment Element for Cards](/payments/cards/payment-element)
* [Card Transaction Lifecycle](/payments/cards/transaction-lifecycle)
* [3D Secure](/frontend/payment-element/three-d-secure)