> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://wpay-feat-edp-guide.mintlify.site/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Payment methods

> Manage payment instruments across the system and customers.

A payment method represents the payment instrument used by your
customer. Payment methods can be used one-off to create
a transaction or a payment method can be stored in our vault for
future use.

## Features

The payment method API can be used to:

* List all the vaulted payment methods for all buyers.
* Vault a payment method so that it can be used in the
  future without involving the customer.
* Request previously used and vaulted payment methods for a specific buyer.
* Determine the available payment methods for a buyer, currency, and country.

<Note>
  There is no need to use these APIs directly if you are using one of our SDKs.
  [Embed](/guides/payments/embed) automatically stores eligible payment methods
  against these APIs and can even bind them to a [buyer](/guides/api/resources/buyers/overview) you've
  previously created.
</Note>