How do I set up Express Checkout with Recurring Billing in Payflow?

Use the PayPal SetExpressCheckout API request and the “S” ACTION request in the Payflow API to set up the transaction for Recurring Billing in Payflow.

Set up the transaction:

• In the PayPal API, use the SetExpressCheckout method.
• In Payflow, use the "S" ACTION Request.

Note: You can't create Express Checkout Recurring Billing Profiles within PayPal Manager. 

"S" ACTION Request:

USER=MERCHANTLOGIN
PWD=PASSWORD
VENDOR=MERCHANTLOGIN
PARTNER=PayPal
TRXTYPE=S
TENDER=P
ACTION=S
AMT=10.00
CURRENCY=USD
RETURNURL=https://www.yoursite.com/return.php
CANCELURL=https://localhost
ORDERDESC=test order
BILLINGTYPE=RecurringBilling

"S" ACTION Response: 

Array
(
[0] => RESULT=0
[1] => RESPMSG=Approved
[2] => TOKEN=EC-4X323426LW1559921
[3] => CORRELATIONID=c85296249209a
)

In the code sample, a return Token is appended to the PayPal URL:
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_express-checkout&token=<Token>, where <Token> is the value of the Token returned from the API call:
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_express-checkout&token=EC-4X323426LW1559921

The buyer is redirected and taken to paypal.com, where they sign in to their account or create an account.

Throughout checkout, the buyer sees a box reminding them that they're signing up for recurring billing from your service, where Your Business Name is the business name on your PayPal account. When the user clicks  Agree and Continue, they're sent to your RETURNURL as set in the "S" call:
RETURNURL=https://www.yoursite.com/return.php

When they return, your URL is then posted some data:
https://www.yoursite.com/return.php?token=EC-4X323426LW1559921&PayerID=5X4X6FQUMKFVA

You also get back the Token and PayerID in the querystring. Then invoke the "G" ACTION or GetExpressCheckoutDetails API call.

"G" ACTION request
 
USER=MERCHANTLOGIN
PWD=PASSWORD
VENDOR=MERCHANTLOGIN
PARTNER=PayPal
TRXTYPE=S
TENDER=P
ACTION=G
TOKEN=EC-4X323426LW1559921


"G" ACTION response
 
Array
(
[0] => RESULT=0
[1] => RESPMSG=Approved
[2] => AVSADDR=Y
[3] => AVSZIP=Y
[4] => TOKEN=EC-4X323426LW1559921
[5] => PAYERID=5X4X6FQUMKFVA
[6] => CORRELATIONID=366aff557d376
[7] => EMAIL=customer@domain.com
[8] => PAYERSTATUS=verified
[9] => PHONENUM=408-983-5678
[10] => FIRSTNAME=Nate
[11] => LASTNAME=Tester
[12] => SHIPTOBUSINESS=Nate's Test Acct
[13] => SHIPTOSTREET=1 Main St
[14] => SHIPTOCITY=San Jose
[15] => SHIPTOSTATE=CA
[16] => SHIPTOZIP=95131
[17] => SHIPTOCOUNTRY=US
[18] => SHIPTONAME=Nate's Test Acct
[19] => COUNTRYCODE=US
[20] => ADDRESSSTATUS=Y
)

Parse out the response information and display it to the user. They click Confirm and you make the "D" ACTION call or DoExpressCheckoutPayment call.

"D" ACTION request
 
USER=MERCHANTLOGIN
PWD=PASSWORD
VENDOR=MERCHANTLOGIN
PARTNER=PayPal
TRXTYPE=S
TENDER=P
ACTION=D
TOKEN=EC-4X323426LW1559921
PAYERID=5X4X6FQUMKFVA
AMT=10.00
CURRENCY=USD
ORDERDESC=test order

"D" ACTION response
 
Array
(
[0] => RESULT=0
[1] => PNREF=E34P0A4153B8
[2] => RESPMSG=Approved
[3] => AVSADDR=Y
[4] => AVSZIP=Y
[5] => TOKEN=EC-4X323426LW1559921
[6] => PAYERID=5X4X6FQUMKFVA
[7] => PPREF=0BM04086WX4520323
[8] => CORRELATIONID=1b39c472948c5
[9] => FEEAMT=0.59
[10] => BAID=B-0LT60093PA8952305
[11] => PAYMENTTYPE=instant
[12] => PENDINGREASON=completed
)

In the API response for the "D" ACTION, you get a Billing Agreement ID (BAID), which you'll need to create the Recurring Billing Profile call.