When purchasing a subscription package, Biteship provides two types of subscription payments: One-Time Payment and Automatic Renewal. Both provide access to the same features according to the package you choose. The difference lies in how you pay and how the package is renewed when its active period ends.
By understanding these differences, you can choose the payment type that best suits your business needs, so shipping operations are not disrupted because the package ends without you realising it.
This article will help you understand:
- What One-Time Payment and Automatic Renewal are
- A comparison of the two Biteship subscription payment types
- How to choose a payment type when purchasing a package
- How to activate and cancel automatic renewal
- What happens if payment fails or the package ends
1. What Are One-Time Payment and Automatic Renewal?
One-time payment
You pay once for one subscription cycle (monthly or annually) through a payment link. The package is not automatically renewed, so you need to make the payment manually again before the package's active period ends.
On the payment page, you can choose from the available methods, such as bank transfer (Virtual Account), credit card, e-wallet, QRIS, or retail outlets.
Automatic renewal
You save a payment method at the beginning, namely a credit/debit card, e-wallet, or direct debit. After that, Biteship will automatically charge the package fee in each subsequent cycle, so your package remains active without requiring manual payment.
Paid add-ons can also be included in the automatic renewal billing, so the add-ons are renewed together with the main package.
2. Comparison of Biteship Subscription Payment Types
| Aspect | One-time payment | Automatic renewal |
|---|---|---|
| How to pay | Through a payment link each time you purchase or renew a package | The payment method is saved, then charged automatically each cycle |
| Payment methods | Bank transfer (Virtual Account), credit card, e-wallet, QRIS, retail outlets, and other methods available on the payment page | Credit/debit card, e-wallet, or direct debit that can be saved |
| Package renewal | Manual; you need to pay again before the package ends | Automatic; charged on the package's expiry date |
| Reminders | A reminder email is sent 3 days before the package ends | A payment confirmation email is sent each time the charge succeeds |
| Add-ons | One-time add-ons, valid only for the current period | Add-ons can be made recurring and charged each cycle |
| Risk of package ending | Higher if you forget to renew | Lower, as long as the saved payment method remains valid |
| Suitable for | Sellers who want to try a package or manage payments manually | Sellers who use Biteship regularly and do not want the service to be interrupted |
3. How to Choose a Biteship Subscription Payment Type
Through the Biteship Dashboard
- Log in to the Biteship Dashboard, then open Billing > Overview.
- From the list of available packages, select the package you want, then click Subscribe.
- In the Choose activation time window, determine when the package will become active:
- Activate now: the new package becomes active after the payment succeeds.
- Activate later: the new package becomes active when your current package ends. This option is only available if you already have an active paid package.
- In the Payment type section, select One-time payment or Automatic renewal.
- Continue to the payment page:
- If you select One-time payment, complete the payment through the link that appears. The payment link is valid for 24 hours.
- If you select Automatic renewal, connect and save your payment method. The first charge follows the activation schedule you selected, and subsequent cycles are charged automatically.
4. How to Activate and Cancel Automatic Renewal
Activating automatic renewal for an active package
If you previously purchased a package with One-Time Payment, you can still activate automatic renewal without purchasing the package again.
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Open Billing > Overview.
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On your package card, click Activate automatic renewal.
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Tick Include my paid add-ons in the next bill if you want the add-ons to be renewed.
- Save your payment method. There is no charge at this time, and the first charge will be made when the package ends.
After it is successfully activated, the Automatic renewal active label will appear along with information about the date and amount of the next charge.
Cancelling automatic renewal
- Open Billing > Overview, then click Cancel automatic renewal.
- Tick I am sure I want to cancel automatic renewal., then confirm.
Your package and add-ons will remain active until the current period ends. After that, the package will not be renewed, and you will need to pay manually or reactivate automatic renewal.
5. What Happens If Payment Fails or the Package Ends?
Automatic renewal charge fails
If the charge fails, for example because the balance is insufficient or the card has expired, Biteship will retry the charge up to 3 times with a 1-day interval. You will receive an email notification for each attempt. During the retry process, you cannot change the package or add-ons.
If all attempts fail, automatic renewal will be disabled. Your package will then follow the grace period rules below.
Package ends without renewal
If the package ends without being renewed, either because you use One-Time Payment or because the automatic charge fails, your account will enter a 7-day grace period:
- The order and API limits will immediately follow the Starter package.
- Add-ons cannot be purchased during the grace period.
- If you renew the package during the grace period, the previous package will be restored.
- If the grace period ends without renewal, the account will move to the Starter package. Data exceeding the Starter limit, such as origin locations, team members, couriers, and custom rates, will be deleted.
6. Tips for Choosing a Subscription Payment Type
- Use Automatic Renewal for businesses that operate regularly: your shipping service will not be interrupted because you forgot to renew the package.
- Make sure your saved payment method is always valid: check the card's expiry date and the balance of your e-wallet or account before the billing date.
- Use One-Time Payment to try a package: you can activate automatic renewal at any time after deciding that the package suits you.
- Pay attention to emails from Biteship: reminder and billing notification emails help you avoid the grace period.
7. FAQ About Biteship Subscription Payments
Are the features I receive different between One-Time Payment and Automatic Renewal?
No. The features and quotas you receive are exactly the same according to the package selected. The only difference is how the package is paid for and renewed.
When is the subscription automatic renewal charged?
The charge is made on your package's expiry date. If the billing date falls on the 29th, 30th, or 31st, the charge will be made on the 28th of that month.
Can I switch from One-Time Payment to Automatic Renewal?
Yes. Click Activate automatic renewal in Billing > Overview. There is no charge at that time, and the first charge will be made when the current package ends.
If I cancel automatic renewal, will the package stop immediately?
No. Your package and add-ons will remain active until the current period ends. There is no refund for the current period.
How do I change the payment method for automatic renewal?
Cancel automatic renewal first, then activate it again and save the new payment method.
Can I change packages while automatic renewal is active?
Yes. If you select Activate now, the saved payment method will be charged immediately for the full-cycle price of the new package, along with any add-ons that are still being charged. If you select Activate later, there is no charge at this time, and the new package will be charged when the current package ends. Automatic renewal remains active and will follow the new package.
What if I no longer need a recurring add-on?
You can remove the add-on from automatic renewal billing. The add-on will remain active until the current period ends and will not be renewed on the next bill. There is no refund for the current period.
Where can I view my subscription payment history?
You can view your payment history in Billing > Transactions, and download billing documents in Billing > Invoices.
8. Conclusion
One-Time Payment gives you full control over each payment, but you need to renew the package manually. Automatic Renewal is more convenient for sellers who use Biteship regularly because the package is renewed without requiring payment again each cycle.
You can change your subscription payment type at any time through Billing > Overview. If you experience any issues related to subscription payments, please contact the Biteship Customer Support team.