About This Guide {#about_this_guide}
====================================

This section describes this guide and where to find further information.

Audience and Purpose
:
This guide is intended for merchants on the Visa Acceptance platform.

Conventions
:
This statement appears in this document:

    > An *Important* statement contains information essential to successfully completing a task or learning a concept.

This guide instructs you on the introductory processes and best practices for the partner platform, and it provides you with the core processes necessary to use it effectively. It also contains training on the tools and systems designed specifically for partner workflows, such as how to create, view, and manage plans and recurring subscriptions and describes how they integrate with platform processes and features.

Recent Revisions to This Guide {#reference.dita_bf7f009c-6cb6-42c4-9fc7-edcc89310910}
=====================================================================================

26.06.8
-------

Current platform Version.
:
Updated documentation content to include more detailed plan management and life cycle information.

26.03.12
--------

Previous platform Version.
:
Initial release.
{#reference.dita_bf7f009c-6cb6-42c4-9fc7-edcc89310910_dl_igx_rjq_ljc}

Introduction to Plans {#vas-smb-plans-intro}
============================================

*Plans* are the foundational feature of recurring billing. This section introduces key concepts about plans and describes how to manage, create, edit, and update plans and their statuses.

What are Plans? {#vas-smb-plans-what-are-plans}
===============================================

Plans are re-usable billing templates that define the structure of recurring payments for your customers. Each plan specifies the amount, billing frequency, duration, and optional set-up fees that apply to customer subscriptions.  
Plans are templates, while *Subscriptions* are the active billing agreements with customers that use those templates. You can create a plan once and use it for multiple customers.

Access Plans {#vas-smb-plans-accessing-plans}
=============================================

Follow these steps to access the Plans section:

1. Log in to your account.
2. In the left navigation menu, click Plans.  
   If you have not yet created a plan, the Plans section will display an empty list with a quick link to create your first plan.

Plan Statuses {#vas-smb-plans-statuses}
=======================================

Plans have two statuses that control their availability for creating new subscriptions:

Active
:
Ready for you to create new subscriptions.

Inactive
:
Existing subscriptions continue, but you cannot create new subscriptions.

Create and Configure Plans {#vas-smb-plans-creating-configuring}
================================================================

Creating a plan involves defining the billing structure's frequency and duration and the optional set-up fees that apply to customer subscriptions. This section describes how to create and configure new plans with appropriate settings for billing.

Create a New Plan {#vas-smb-plans-creating-new-plan}
====================================================

Follow these steps to create a plan:

1. Sign in to the dashboard, and click **Create Plan**.
2. In the **Plan name** field, type a plan name.
3. (Optional) In the **Plan description** field, type a plan description.
4. From the **Amount** drop-down menu, choose a currency.
5. From the **Frequency** drop-down menu, choose the billing frequency. If you choose a custom frequency, follow Steps **a** and **b**. If you do not choose a custom frequency, skip to Step 6.
   1. Set the billing frequency. In the **Repeat every** field, enter a repetition number.
   2. From the **Frequency**drop-down menu, choose the type of time period.
6. From the **Billing cycles** drop-down menu, choose Indefinite or Set number of billing cycles. If you choose Set number of billing cycles, follow Step **a** . If you choose Indefinite, skip to the optional Step 7.
   1. In the Billing Cycles field, type the billing cycle number.
7. (Optional) To include an initial set-up fee, click the **Set-up fee** field, and type the initial set-up fee.
8. Click Save Plan.  
   The plan is created with the Active status and is immediately available for creating subscriptions.

Plan Fields {#vas-smb-plans-fields-reference}
=============================================

This section lists all fields present when you create or edit a plan and its description:

Configurable Fields
-------------------

Plan name
:
Use a unique, descriptive name (for example, Premium Monthly - $50).

    This field is required, and it can later be edited.

Plan description
:
(Optional) Additional details about the plan.

    This field can later be edited.

Currency
:
Billing currency (for example, USD, CAD, EUR, GBP).

    This field is required, and it cannot later be edited.

Amount
:
Recurring charge per billing cycle.

    This field is required, and it can later be edited. If it is changed, it applies to future but not existing subscriptions.

Frequency
:
Billing frequency. This frequency can be configured to every day, every week, every month, every quarter, every year, or Custom.

    This field is required, and it cannot later be edited.

Billing cycles
:
Duration of the subscription. This value can be set to indefinite or to a specific number of cycles.

    This field is required. It can later be edited, but the value can be increased and not decreased.

Setup fee
:
(Optional) One-time charge added to the first payment.

    This field can later be edited. If it is changed, it applies to future but not existing subscriptions.

Currency and frequency cannot be changed. If you need to apply different values to these fields, you must create a new plan.

Frequency Options {#vas-smb-plans-frequency-options}
====================================================

You assign a frequency to your billing plans when you create them. You can choose from preset frequencies or create a custom schedule:

|   Frequency   |                        Description                         |
|---------------|------------------------------------------------------------|
| Every day     | Daily billing.                                             |
| Every week    | Weekly billing.                                            |
| Every month   | Monthly billing.                                           |
| Every quarter | Billing every 3 months.                                    |
| Every year    | Annual billing.                                            |
| Custom        | Define your own time period (for example, every 6 months). |
[Billing Frequencies]

Billing Cycles {#vas-smb-plans-billing-cycles}
==============================================

This section describes the differences between an indefinite and a set number of billing cycles:

Indefinite
:
The subscription continues until manually cancelled. Used for ongoing services.

Set number of billing cycles
:
The subscription automatically ends after specified payments. Used for fixed-term contracts or installment plans.

Set-up Fees {#vas-smb-plans-setup-fees}
=======================================

Set-up fees are optional one-time charges applied only to the first billing payment. Use them for customer boarding, activation, or initial set-up costs.
Example: A 50.00/month plan with a 25.00 setup fee charges 75.00 for the first month and 50.00 for all subsequent months.

Manage Plans {#vas-smb-plans-managing}
======================================

The section describes how to use the Plans tab to view, search, filter, and sort all of your plans.

Plans List Overview {#vas-smb-plans-list-overview}
==================================================

The Plans list displays all of your plans and their details in a table format. These are the plan details:

Plan name
:
Descriptive name of the plan.

Amount
:
Recurring amount charged for and the currency of the plan.

Billing frequency
:
Billing period or interval (for example, Every month).

Billing cycles
:
Either indefinite or number of billing cycles.

Status
:
Active or inactive.

Actions
:
Three-dot drop-down menu ( ![]() ) for plan actions.

Search and Filter Capabilities {#vas-smb-plans-search-filter-concept}
=====================================================================

The Plans list provides search, filter, sorting, and pagination features to help you find and manage plans.

Search
------

The search feature enables you to find plans by name.

Filters
-------

Filter plans in either of two ways:

* **Frequency Filter:** Filters plans by billing frequency, including All, Every day, Every week, Every month, Every quarter, Every year, and Custom.
* **Status Filter:** Filters plans by status, including Active, Inactive, or All plans.

Sorting
-------

Column-based sorting helps you to organize plans by any displayed field, with the ability to toggle between ascending and descending order.

Pagination
----------

Pagination controls enable you to adjust the number of items displayed per page (10, 20, 50, or 100).

View Plans {#view_search_filter_plans}
======================================

Follow these steps to view, search, and filter plans:

1. Navigate to the **Plans** tab.
2. Click the plan name in the list, or click the three-dot drop-down menu ( ![]() ) and click **View details**.

Search Plans {#vas-smb-plans-searching}
=======================================

Follow these steps to search plans:

1. Navigate to the **Plans** tab.
2. Click the **Search** field and enter the text for your search.  
   Results populate in real time as you type.

Filter Plans by Frequency {#vas-smb-plans-filtering-by-frequency}
=================================================================

Follow these steps to filter plans by specific billing frequencies:

1. Navigate to the **Plans** tab.
2. Click the **Frequency** filter.
3. Select a billing frequency or multiple billing frequencies (All, Every day, Every week, Every month, Every quarter, Every year, or Custom).  
   Only plans that possess the selected frequency or frequencies are shown. You can check multiple frequency boxes at once.

Filter Plans by Status {#vas-smb-plans-filtering-by-status}
===========================================================

Follow these steps to filter plans by specific status.

1. Navigate to the **Plans** tab.
2. Click the **Status** filter.
3. Choose one or more Status option (Active, Inactive, or All).  
   Only plans that possess the selected status are shown. You can check multiple status check boxes at once.

Sort Plans {#vas-smb-plans-sorting}
===================================

Follow these steps to sort plans by any column value:

1. Navigate to the **Plans** tab.
2. Click any column header to sort that field by ascending order.
3. Click the column header again to sort that field by descending order.

Adjust Pagination {#vas-smb-plans-pagination}
=============================================

Follow these steps to adjust the number of plans displayed per page:

1. Navigate to the **Plans** tab.
2. Use the page number drop-down menu to display 10, 20, 50, or 100 plans per page.

View Plan Details {#vas-smb-plans-viewing-details}
==================================================

Follow these steps to view a plan's information and associated subscriptions:

1. Navigate to the **Plans** tab.
2. Click the plan name in the list, or click the three-dot drop-down menu ( ![]() ) and select View details.  
   The plan details page displays this information:
   * A complete plan configuration, including details and status.
   * A list of all subscriptions using this plan, including customer name and next billing date.

* The Action menu options.

Actions Menu {#vas-smb-plans-actions-menu}
==========================================

The Actions three-dot drop-down menu ( ![]() ) provides quick access to plan operations. A plan's status (active or inactive) determines which actions are available:

For Active Plans
----------------

View details
:
Open full plan information.

Create subscription
:
Quickly enroll a customer on that plan.

Edit plan
:
Modify plan settings.

Deactivate plan
:
Prevent new subscriptions, but current subscriptions are unaffected.

Delete plan
:
Remove plan (if there are no active subscriptions associated with the plan).

For Inactive Plans
------------------

View details
:
Open full plan information.

Edit plan
:
Modify plan settings.

Delete plan
:
Remove plan (if there are no active subscriptions associated with the plan).
Inactive plans do not have the Create subscription option because they cannot be used for new subscriptions.

Edit and Update Plans {#vas-smb-plans-editing-updating}
=======================================================

You can edit certain aspects of existing plans, but some fields have restrictions to protect existing subscriptions and maintain billing integrity. This section describes the restrictions and considerations for modifying plans and how to edit existing plans.

Edit a Plan {#vas-smb-plans-how-to-edit}
========================================

Follow these steps to modify an existing plan:

1. Navigate to the **Plans** tab.
2. Click the three-dot drop-down menu ( ![]() ), or open the Plan details for the plan.
3. Click Edit plan. An edit form appears.
4. Modify the plan's details in the edit form.
5. Click Save.  
   Changes to the amount and set-up fee apply only to subscriptions that are created after a plan is edited. Existing subscriptions are unaffected. The billing frequency and currency of a plan cannot be edited.

How Editing a Plan Affects Subscriptions {#vas-smb-plans-edit-impact-concept}
=============================================================================

It is important to understand how changes affect subscriptions. Restrictions protect existing customers from unexpected changes while enabling you to update plans for new subscriptions.

Protecting Existing Subscriptions
---------------------------------

Changes to pricing fields (amount and set-up fee) apply only to new subscriptions created after a plan is edited. Existing subscriptions continue with their original pricing to protect customers from unexpected changes. This means:

* Current customers maintain their original pricing terms.
* New customers receive the updated pricing.
* You can track which customers are on each version of the plan.
  Certain fields like currency and frequency cannot be edited because it could significantly impact billing calculations for existing subscriptions. If you need to change these fields, create a new plan instead.

Best Practice
-------------

When making significant changes to pricing or terms, consider creating a new plan rather than editing an existing one. This provides a clearer differentiation between old and new plan and subscription offerings and makes it easier for you to track which customers are on each plan version.

Plan Life Cycle {#vas-smb-plans-lifecycle-actions}
==================================================

Plans have a life cycle that includes active and inactive states, and you can deactivate, reactivate, or permanently delete plans based on your business needs. This sections describes how to manage plan life cycles through deactivation, reactivation, and deletion.

When to Deactivate a Plan {#vas-smb-plans-when-to-deactivate}
=============================================================

There are instances when deactivating a plan might be the appropriate action for your business needs. Deactivating a plan is appropriate in these situations:

* Discontinuing a product or service.
* Replacing a plan with a new version.
* Preventing new sign-ups temporarily.

Deactivate a Plan {#vas-smb-plans-how-to-deactivate}
====================================================

Follow these steps to deactivate a plan:

1. Navigate to the **Plans** tab.
2. Click the three-dot drop-down menu ( ![]() ) or **Plan details** for the plan.
3. Select Deactivate plan. A confirmation dialog appears.  
   The plan status changes to Inactive, and it becomes unavailable for new subscriptions.

Reactivate a Plan {#vas-smb-plans-reactivating}
===============================================

Follow these steps to make an inactive plan available for creating new subscriptions:

1. Navigate to the **Plans** tab.
2. Filter by Inactive status to find the plan.
3. Click the three-dot drop-down menu ( ![]() ) or **Plan details**.
4. Click Activate plan.
5. A confirmation message appears. Confirm the action.  
   The plan becomes immediately available for creating new subscriptions.

Delete a Plan {#vas-smb-plans-how-to-delete}
============================================

Verify that the plan has no subscriptions before attempting to delete it.  
Follow these steps to permanently delete a plan:

1. Navigate to the **Plans** tab.
2. Click the three-dot menu ( ![]() ) or **Plan details**.
3. Click Delete plan.
4. A confirmation message appears. Confirm the action.  
   The plan is permanently removed from the system. If the plan has any subscriptions, an error message appears. If this occurs, consider instead deactivating the plan to prevent new subscriptions while keeping existing ones.