Effective Date Flag for Discounts

The Effective Date flag allows flexibility in applying discounts, whether coupon level or product-level discounts.

This flag determines whether the discount takes effect immediately or at the next billing cycle. When used in conjunction with the Prorate flag, it further refines how and when the discount is applied.

This table breaks down the Effective Date and Prorate Flag behaviors applications:

Effective Flag DateProrate FlagDiscount Application
TrueTrueDiscount is applied immediately and prorated for the remaining days in the current billing cycle.
TrueFalseDiscount is applied at the next billing cycle.
FalseTrueDiscount is applied at the next billing cycle.
FalseFalseDiscount is applied at the next billing cycle.

Working with the Effective Date and Prorate Flags

Effective Date Flag: When set to true, ensures the discount is applied immediately. This option is only available for discounts with a limited duration.

Prorate Flag: When set to true, ensures the discount is prorated for the remaining days in the current billing cycle. If false, the discount applies at the next billing cycle regardless of the Effective Date Flag setting.

Introduction to Limited and Unlimited Duration Discounts

Limited Duration Discounts:

Description: Limited discounts are time-bound and apply for a specified duration. They require a numeric input (1-100) which denotes the number of billing cycles the discount will apply.

Behavior: When a change is made to the subscription plan, the duration is decremented by one, even if the discount is applied only for the remainder of the current billing cycle.

Unlimited Duration Discounts

Description: Unlimited discounts have no time restriction and remain active as long as the subscription is valid. To signify an unlimited discount, leave the duration text field blank.

Behavior: Unlimited discounts are applied immediately by default and continue for the duration of the subscription.

Steps to Apply Discounts Immediately

  1. Find the Effective Date checkbox in the discount settings. Make sure the discount duration has a number (1-100) to enable this setting
  2. Check the box to set the Effective Date to true.
  3. Refer to the configuration matrix above to see if the discount will be applied immediately or at the next billing date based on the Prorate flag setting.

Scenarios

Plan changes (upgrade or downgrade)

  • Product Level Discounts (PLD) and Coupon Level Discounts (CLD - Selected Products):
    • Existing discounts are replaced by those of the new plan.
    • The discount is applied immediately and prorated for the remaining days in the current billing cycle if both the Effective Date and Prorate flags are set to true.
    • If either the Effective Date or Prorate flag is set to false, the discount will be applied at the next billing cycle.
  • Coupon Level Discounts (CLD - All Products) / Order Level Coupons:
    • These discounts persist through plan changes.
    • Order level coupons do not specify individual products, unlike multi-discount scenarios where selected products are explicitly enumerated under each separate discount within the coupon.
    • Order level coupons do not specify individual products, unlike multi-discount scenarios where selected products are explicitly enumerated under each separate discount within the coupon.

Adding or Removing Add-ons

  • When a user modifies the quantity of their current subscription and prorates this change, the cost for the adjusted quantity will reflect only the days remaining in the current billing cycle.
  • Any linked discounts are applied immediately if the Effective Date flag is set to true and the quantity change is prorated.
  • If the Effective Date flag is set to false, the discount will be applied at the next billing cycle, regardless of proration.

Updating Quantity

  • When a user modifies the quantity of their current subscription and prorates this change, the cost for the adjusted quantity will reflect only the days remaining in the current billing cycle.
  • Any linked discounts are applied immediately if the Effective Date flag is set to true and the quantity change is prorated.
  • If the Effective Date flag is set to false, the discount will be applied at the next billing cycle, regardless of proration.

Adding, Removing, or Changing Discounts

  • When a user adds, removes, or changes a discount, the application timing depends on the Effective Date and Prorate flags.
  • If both the Effective Date and Prorate flags are set to true, the discount is applied immediately and prorated for the remaining days in the current billing cycle.
  • If the Effective Date flag is true but the Prorate flag is false, the discount will apply at the next billing cycle.
  • If the Effective Date flag is false, the discount will always apply at the next billing cycle, regardless of the Prorate flag setting.