When you have to update 15 different recurring accounts, and it happens 2 or 3 times a year, it gets to be a burden. Despite it happening that often to me, I almost invariably would find some account I forgot to update every time until they got mad when charges started getting declined. I finally fixed this situation for myself by using a dedicated card just for recurring charges, and thus far (knock on wood), it hasn’t been compromised while my primary cards have.

Also, three out of the last four times my card was compromised, it happened during a trip or once the day before I left (on a Saturday). So an overnighted card didn’t really help me. I have backup cards, but it’s still a hassle.

Finally, because fraud is so rampant, the banks seem to have gotten super paranoid about suspicious charges. I’ve had my card declined at the grocery store I shop at multiple times per week. My spouse had her card declined at a local clothing store. Again, not a huge deal because we have backup cards, but it’s both annoying and embarrassing when this happens.

This. The Target breach cost me a late fee. I have numerous things on reoccurring subscriptions. When I was sent a new card I remembered most of those subscriptions, but it only took forgetting one. Only a few months later did I realize I hadn't updated that account.

You don't even have to bother updating your old recurring accounts -- Amex seems to recognize those transactions and continues to allow charges to go through to the old number.