Overview
The Plan section is your subscription command center, providing complete visibility into your Perkstar account status, billing details, and payment history. This is where you monitor your current plan, upgrade or downgrade your subscription, manage payment methods, and review all transaction history.
What you can do in the Plan section:
View your current subscription plan and pricing
See your next payment due date and remaining days in billing cycle
Upgrade to a higher-tier plan for more features and capacity
Downgrade your plan or cancel your subscription
Update your payment card information
Review complete payment history with transaction details
Compare available plans and features side-by-side
Access customer support directly from the plan interface
Tip: Understanding your subscription status helps you make informed decisions about your loyalty platform investment. Whether you're scaling up as your business grows, optimizing costs during slower periods, or troubleshooting billing issues, the Plan section gives you complete control over your account's financial and operational aspects.
Who should access the Plan section:
Account owners: Full access to all plan management features
Billing administrators: View and manage subscription and payment details
Other users: Typically cannot access Plan section (permission-restricted)
Before You Begin
Requirements:
Active Perkstar account
Account owner or billing administrator permissions
Valid payment method on file for upgrades or changes
What You'll Need:
Depending on your task, have ready:
For upgrades/downgrades: Understanding of your current usage and future needs
For payment updates: New credit card information
For subscription changes: Knowledge of contract terms and cancellation policies
Understanding Plan Structure
Info: The Plan section contains three main subsections: Plan (subscription details and management), Payment Card (default payment method), and Payment History (complete transaction log).
Accessing the Plan Section
How to Navigate to Plan
From your dashboard:
Log in to your Perkstar account
Click Settings (⚙️ icon) in the left-hand menu
The Plan tab displays by default when Settings opens
Note: If you're in a different Settings tab (Personal Settings, Integrations, or Webhooks), click the Plan tab at the top of the screen.
Plan Section Layout
Once in the Plan section, you'll see three key areas:
Current Plan Overview at the top (plan name, price, due date)
Subscription Management Options in the middle
Three subsection tabs to access detailed information
Current Plan Overview
What's Displayed
At the top of the Plan section, you'll see your current subscription information at a glance:
Plan name and tier:
Your current subscription level (Starter, Professional, Business, etc.)
Plan-specific features and capacity
Subscription price:
Monthly or annual cost based on your billing frequency
Currency (reflects your account settings)
Any active discounts or promotional pricing
Next payment information:
Due date for your next billing cycle
Exact time of scheduled charge
Number of days remaining until renewal
Usage and capacity:
Days remaining in current billing period
Account limits (cards, customers, locations, etc.)
Current usage against those limits
Getting Help: "Need More" Button
Info: Directly under your plan name, the Need More button provides quick access to support resources.
Clicking this button opens a chatbot interface with four action options:
1. Chat with customer support:
Connect with AI-powered chatbot for instant answers
Escalate to human support agent if needed
Available for billing questions, technical issues, and general inquiries
2. Refer to Knowledge Base:
Access help center articles
Search for specific topics
Browse documentation and tutorials
When to use Need More button:
You're unsure which plan tier meets your needs
You have billing or payment questions
You want to understand specific plan features
You need technical support with account issues
Managing Your Subscription
Accessing Subscription Management
Info: In the Plan section, look for the "Want to modify or cancel subscription" button. This opens a menu with four subscription management options: Upgrade, Request financial support, Downgrade, or Cancel.
Each option takes you through a specific workflow tailored to that action.
Upgrading Your Subscription
When to Upgrade
Consider upgrading when:
You're consistently hitting capacity limits (cards, customers, locations)
You need advanced features not available in your current tier
Your business has grown and requires higher performance
You want to add more team members or subaccounts
You're launching new loyalty programs that need additional resources
How to Upgrade Your Plan
Step-by-step upgrade process:
Click "Want to modify or cancel subscription" button
Select "Upgrade your current plan"
Review available plan tiers and features
Select your desired plan from the comparison view
Choose your payment frequency:
Monthly: Pay every month, cancel anytime
Annual: Pay once per year, typically discounted 10-20%
Review pricing and billing details
Confirm payment method or enter new card details
Click "Confirm Upgrade" or "Pay Now"
Upgrade Timing and Billing
When upgrades take effect:
Immediately upon payment confirmation
New features and increased capacity activate right away
You retain all existing data, cards, and customers
How you're charged:
Prorated credit: You receive credit for unused time on your current plan
Prorated charge: You're charged prorated amount for new plan through end of billing cycle
Next billing cycle: Full price of new plan at your next renewal date
Note: Example: Current plan: $49/month (15 days remaining in cycle). Upgrade to: $99/month. Charged immediately: ~$25 (prorated for 15 days at new rate). Next month: Full $99 charge.
What Changes When You Upgrade
Immediately available:
Increased capacity (more cards, customers, locations)
New feature access (advanced integrations, webhooks, analytics)
Higher usage limits (push notifications, transactions)
Remains the same:
Your existing cards and customer data
Account settings and configurations
Integrations and webhooks already set up
Team member access and permissions
Requesting Financial Support
What Financial Support Means
The "Request financial support" option allows you to:
Apply for discounted pricing based on your circumstances
Request payment plans or extended payment terms
Explore nonprofit or educational discounts
Discuss custom pricing for special situations
When to Request Financial Support
Appropriate scenarios:
Nonprofit organization with limited budget
Educational institution or student-led business
Startup in early stages with cash flow constraints
Seasonal business needing flexible payment terms
Economic hardship affecting your ability to pay
How to Request Financial Support
Click "Want to modify or cancel subscription"
Select "Request financial support"
Complete the support request form:
Business type and industry
Reason for requesting support
Financial circumstances explanation
Desired discount or payment arrangement
Submit the request
Perkstar support team will review and contact you
Response time:
Typically 1-3 business days for initial response
May require additional documentation (nonprofit status, student ID, etc.)
Approval is not guaranteed and depends on eligibility
What to expect:
Custom pricing proposal if approved
Alternative payment schedule options
Temporary discounts during hardship period
Guidance on available plan options within budget
Downgrading Your Plan
When to Downgrade
Consider downgrading when:
Your business has slowed and you're not using full capacity
You're in a seasonal downturn and want to reduce costs
You no longer need advanced features of higher tier
Your customer base has decreased
You're testing whether lower tier meets your needs
Before You Downgrade
Critical considerations:
Feature loss:
Review which features you'll lose access to
Ensure you can operate without advanced features
Export data from features you won't have access to
Capacity reduction:
Check if your current usage fits within lower plan limits
If you have more cards/customers than new plan allows:
You may need to delete or consolidate cards
System may restrict creating new cards until within limits
Existing customers remain, but new sign-ups may be limited
Data retention:
All historical data typically remains accessible
Analytics and reports remain viewable
Transaction history is preserved
Timing:
Warning: Downgrades usually take effect at next billing cycle (not immediately). You retain current plan features until renewal date. This prevents mid-cycle disruption to your business.
How to Downgrade Your Plan
Step-by-step downgrade process:
Click "Want to modify or cancel subscription"
Select "Downgrade plan"
Review available lower-tier plans
Read the feature comparison carefully
Select your desired lower-tier plan
Review what you'll lose access to (confirmation screen)
Confirm downgrade request
Review effective date (usually next billing cycle)
Click "Confirm Downgrade"
Downgrade Confirmation
After confirming:
You receive email confirmation with effective date
Current plan remains active until renewal date
Billing adjusts automatically at next cycle
No prorated refund for current billing period (you paid for full cycle)
If you change your mind:
You can cancel the downgrade request before effective date
Contact support if you need to modify or reverse the downgrade
Upgrade again at any time (takes effect immediately)
Canceling Your Subscription
Understanding Cancellation
Warning: Canceling your subscription ends your Perkstar account access at the end of your current billing cycle. This is a significant decision that affects your loyalty program and customer engagement.
Before You Cancel
Important questions to ask:
1. Can you downgrade instead?
Lower-cost plans might meet your needs
Financial support options may be available
Seasonal pauses might be better than full cancellation
2. What happens to your data?
Customer information and transaction history
Loyalty cards (will they stop working?)
Historical analytics and reports
3. What happens to your customers?
Will they lose access to their cards and points?
Can they still redeem rewards?
How will you communicate the change?
4. Is there a grace period?
Can you reactivate after cancellation?
How long is your data retained?
What's the process to restart?
How to Cancel Your Subscription
Cancellation process:
Click "Want to modify or cancel subscription"
Select "Cancel subscription"
Review cancellation terms and effective date
(Optional) Provide cancellation reason via survey
Confirm you understand the impact
Click "Confirm Cancellation"
Receive email confirmation with final details
After Cancellation
What happens next:
You retain access until end of current billing period
No charge at next renewal date
Account transitions to inactive status
Customer cards may stop functioning (check terms)
Data retention period begins (typically 30-90 days)
If you change your mind:
You can usually reverse cancellation before effective date
Contact support immediately to reactivate
After effective date, you may need to create new account
Alternatives to Cancellation
Consider these options first:
Pause or downgrade:
Request temporary account suspension
Downgrade to lowest-cost plan to maintain data
Use free trial or promotional period if available
Export your data:
Download customer lists and transaction history
Save loyalty card designs and configurations
Export analytics reports for records
Communicate with customers:
Notify customers before cancellation
Provide alternative loyalty options
Honor outstanding rewards and commitments
Comparing Plans
Accessing Plan Comparison
Info: The "Compare Plans" tile provides a side-by-side view of all available subscription tiers, making it easy to understand differences in features, capacity, and pricing.
To view plan comparison:
Scroll down in the Plan section
Locate the "Compare Plans" tile
Scroll horizontally through the comparison table
Understanding the Comparison View
What's shown for each plan:
Plan name and tier:
Starter, Professional, Business, Enterprise, etc.
Target audience for each tier
Pricing by frequency:
Monthly price
Annual price (with discount percentage if applicable)
Effective monthly cost if paying annually
Feature availability:
✅ Green plus symbol: Feature included in this plan
❌ Red minus symbol: Feature not available in this plan
Capacity limits:
Number of loyalty cards allowed
Customer database size
Locations for Geo-Push
Team members or subaccounts
Monthly transaction limits
Support level:
Email support response time
Live chat availability
Phone support access
Dedicated account manager (higher tiers)
How to Choose the Right Plan
Assess your needs:
1. Current usage:
How many cards do you have active?
How many customers in your database?
How many locations need Geo-Push?
How many team members need access?
2. Growth projections:
Expected customer growth in next 6-12 months
Plans to expand locations or programs
New features you'll need soon
Team expansion plans
3. Feature requirements:
Do you need advanced analytics and RFM segmentation?
Will you use webhooks or custom integrations?
Do you need white-label capabilities?
Are multiple locations essential?
4. Budget constraints:
What can you afford monthly or annually?
Is annual payment feasible for savings?
Can you start lower and upgrade as you grow?
Plan Selection Strategy
For new businesses:
Start with Starter or entry-level plan
Test features before committing to higher tier
Upgrade as you grow rather than overpaying initially
For growing businesses:
Choose plan with room to grow (don't max out immediately)
Consider mid-tier plans with scalability
Factor in seasonal fluctuations
For established businesses:
Higher-tier plans offer better per-customer value
Advanced features may drive significant ROI
Annual billing locks in pricing and provides discount
Cost-benefit analysis:
Calculate cost per customer or per transaction
Estimate ROI from advanced features (automated push, RFM analysis)
Consider support level value for your technical capability
Payment Card Section
What's Displayed
The Payment Card subsection shows your default payment method used for subscription billing.
Information shown:
Card type (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, etc.)
Last 4 digits of card number (e.g., •••• •••• •••• 1234)
Expiration date
Cardholder name
Info: What's not shown (for security): Full card number, CVV/security code, and billing address details (stored separately).
Managing Your Payment Method
To update your payment card:
Navigate to Settings → Plan → Payment Card subsection
Click "Update Payment Method" or "Edit Card"
Enter new card information:
Card number
Expiration date (MM/YY)
CVV security code
Cardholder name
Billing address
Click "Save" or "Update"
Confirm successful update via confirmation message
When to update your card:
Current card is expiring soon
Card has been lost or stolen
You want to use different card for business accounting
Payment failures due to insufficient funds or declined card
Switching from personal to business card
Payment Card Best Practices
Security considerations:
Use business credit card rather than personal card when possible
Ensure billing address matches card exactly (prevents declined charges)
Set up payment alerts with your bank to monitor Perkstar charges
Update card information before expiration to avoid service interruption
Avoiding payment failures:
Check card expiration date quarterly
Ensure sufficient credit limit or funds before renewal
Verify card is approved for recurring/subscription charges
Update card immediately if you receive replacement from bank
Business accounting:
Use dedicated business card for cleaner expense tracking
Set up automatic categorization in accounting software
Keep payment card section updated when switching cards
Export payment history for reconciliation
Payment History
What Payment History Shows
:::info The Payment History subsection provides a complete record of all billing transactions on your account, both successful and unsuccessful. :::
For each transaction, you'll see:
Transaction date and time
Payment amount and currency
Payment status (Success, Failed, Pending, Refunded)
Invoice number
Payment method used (last 4 digits of card)
Billing period covered
Accessing Payment Details
To view detailed transaction information:
Navigate to Settings → Plan → Payment History subsection
Locate the transaction you want to review
Click "Details" button next to the transaction
Detailed view shows:
Full invoice with line items
Billing period start and end dates
Plan tier charged
Any discounts applied
Taxes and fees breakdown
Payment method details
Transaction ID for reference
Understanding Payment Statuses
Success:
Payment processed successfully
Service active and uninterrupted
Invoice available for download
Failed:
Payment could not be processed
Reasons may include: insufficient funds, expired card, declined by bank
Account may have limited access until payment resolved
Action required: update payment method or contact support
Pending:
Payment processing in progress
Typically resolves within 24-48 hours
No action needed unless remains pending more than 48 hours
Refunded:
Payment was returned to your account
May occur due to: cancellation, downgrade, billing error
Refund takes 5-10 business days to appear in your account
Using Payment History
Common use cases:
For accounting and bookkeeping:
Download invoices for expense records
Reconcile charges with bank statements
Track business expenses for tax purposes
Verify billing accuracy
For troubleshooting:
Identify why payment failed
Track when service was interrupted
Confirm refund processing
For budget planning:
Review historical subscription costs
Analyze spending patterns
Plan for upcoming renewals
Calculate ROI on plan investments
Downloading Invoices
To download or print invoices:
Open transaction details
Click "Download Invoice" or "Print" button
Save PDF to your records
Invoice contains:
Your business information
Perkstar billing information
Detailed charge breakdown
Payment method and confirmation
Invoice number for reference
Keep invoices for:
Tax filing and deductions
Business expense documentation
Audit trail
Proof of payment
Best Practices for Plan Management
Regular Plan Review
Quarterly assessment:
Review your current usage vs. plan limits
Check if you're consistently hitting capacity (time to upgrade)
Verify you're using features you're paying for (or downgrade)
Compare actual costs to budget projections
Annual optimization:
Reassess plan tier based on year's growth
Consider switching to annual billing for discount
Review competitor pricing and features
Negotiate better rates if you're long-term customer
Proactive Payment Management
Avoid service interruptions:
Set calendar reminders for card expiration dates
Update payment method 30 days before expiration
Monitor email for payment failure alerts
Keep backup payment method in Perkstar if possible
Budget management:
Track subscription costs in accounting software
Categorize as recurring expense
Plan for annual renewals in budget
Factor in potential upgrades as business grows
Strategic Plan Selection
Growth planning:
Choose plan with 20-30% headroom for growth
Don't max out capacity immediately
Plan upgrades during slower seasons (better cash flow)
Time downgrades to end of high-volume periods
Cost optimization:
Annual billing saves 10-20% vs. monthly
Higher tiers often have better per-customer value at scale
Communication with Finance Team
If you have accounting or finance department:
Share access to Payment History for reconciliation
Notify them before plan changes that affect budget
Provide invoices monthly for expense tracking
Set up approval process for upgrades over certain amount
Troubleshooting
Cannot Access Plan Section
Problem: Plan tab is grayed out or doesn't appear
Causes and solutions:
Insufficient permissions: Only account owners and billing administrators can access Plan section. Contact account owner to request access or have them make the change
Session expired: Log out and log back in
Browser issues: Clear cache and cookies, try different browser
Payment Card Declined
Problem: Card is declined when trying to upgrade or at renewal
Causes and solutions:
Insufficient funds: Ensure adequate balance or credit limit
Expired card: Update with current card information
Billing address mismatch: Verify address matches card exactly
Card restrictions: Some cards block subscription/recurring charges—contact your bank
International transaction: Ensure card allows charges from Perkstar's country
Daily limit reached: Try again tomorrow or contact bank to raise limit
Upgrade Not Taking Effect
Problem: You upgraded but still see old plan limits
Causes and solutions:
Payment processing: Wait 5-10 minutes for payment to clear
Cache issue: Log out and log back in to refresh account status
Browser cache: Hard refresh page (Ctrl+Shift+R or Cmd+Shift+R)
Payment failed: Check Payment History to verify successful transaction
Contact support: If upgrade confirmed but limits unchanged after 1 hour
Downgrade Shows Wrong Effective Date
Problem: Downgrade scheduled for wrong date or taking effect immediately
Causes and solutions:
Misunderstanding timing: Downgrades typically occur at next billing cycle, not immediately
Already at renewal: If you're at end of cycle, downgrade may be immediate
Contact support: If date seems incorrect based on terms, reach out for clarification
Missing Payment History
Problem: Transactions don't appear in Payment History
Causes and solutions:
Date range filter: Ensure you're viewing correct time period
Very old transactions: Some history may be archived after certain period
Different account: Verify you're logged into correct account
Contact support: Request transaction records if legitimately missing
Cannot Download Invoice
Problem: Download button doesn't work or PDF won't open
Causes and solutions:
Browser pop-up blocker: Allow pop-ups from Perkstar domain
PDF viewer issue: Update Adobe Reader or try different browser
Pending payment: Invoices may not be available until payment processes
Try alternative: Request invoice via email from support
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between monthly and annual billing?
Monthly billing charges you each month and allows you to cancel anytime without long-term commitment. Annual billing charges once per year, typically offers 10-20% discount compared to monthly pricing, and may require paying for full year upfront even if you cancel early.
Can I upgrade in the middle of my billing cycle?
Yes. Upgrades take effect immediately. You're charged a prorated amount for the new plan covering the remainder of your current billing cycle, and receive credit for unused time on your old plan. Next renewal charges full price of new plan.
When does my downgrade take effect?
Downgrades typically take effect at your next billing renewal date, not immediately. This allows you to continue using your current plan features until you've paid for them. You can cancel a pending downgrade before the effective date.
What happens if my payment fails at renewal?
You typically receive email notification and grace period (1-7 days depending on policy) to update payment method. Your account may have limited access during this time. If payment isn't resolved, your account may be suspended or downgraded to free tier (if available).
Can I get a refund if I cancel mid-cycle?
This depends on Perkstar's refund policy. Typically, you retain access through the end of your paid billing period without prorated refund. Check terms of service or contact support for specifics.
How do I switch from monthly to annual billing?
Use the upgrade workflow, select your current plan, then choose annual billing frequency. You'll be charged for a full year immediately, and the savings compared to monthly billing will be reflected.
What happens to my data if I downgrade?
Historical data typically remains accessible even after downgrade. However, you may lose access to advanced analytics features or have reduced capacity for new customers/cards. Existing customer data and transaction history are generally preserved.
Can I pause my subscription instead of canceling?
This depends on whether Perkstar offers a pause feature. Some platforms allow temporary suspensions for seasonal businesses. Contact support to ask about pause options, or consider downgrading to lowest tier to maintain data while minimizing costs.
Why is my payment card being declined when I have sufficient funds?
Even with sufficient funds, cards can be declined for several reasons: your bank flagged it as suspicious, the billing address doesn't match, your card doesn't allow recurring charges, or you've hit daily transaction limits. Contact your bank to authorize the charge, then retry.
How do I add a backup payment method?
Currently, the Payment Card section typically shows only one default payment method. If you want a backup, contact support to inquire if secondary payment methods are supported. Some platforms allow this for enterprise accounts.
Can I see detailed breakdowns of what I'm paying for?
Yes. Click "Details" on any transaction in Payment History to view the full invoice with line-item breakdown showing plan cost, any add-ons, taxes, and total amount charged.
How long does Perkstar retain payment history?
Payment history is typically retained for the lifetime of your account. Even if you cancel and return later, historical transaction records should still be accessible. For very old transactions (5+ years), you may need to contact support for archived records.
What should I do before my card expires?
Update your payment card at least 1-2 weeks before expiration. If your bank automatically sends replacement cards, update immediately upon receipt. Don't wait until your renewal date, as this could cause payment failure and service interruption.
Can I transfer my plan to a different account?
Plan transfers between accounts are typically not supported directly through the interface. If you need to transfer a subscription (e.g., due to business sale or restructuring), contact Perkstar support to discuss options and process.
Tip: Need more help? Contact Perkstar support for assistance with billing questions, payment issues, plan recommendations, or subscription management.