Commitment-based pricing is a flexible billing model that enables customers to commit to a minimum spend amount for each billing period. This pricing strategy provides predictable revenue for businesses while offering customers the flexibility to pay for actual usage beyond their commitment at a premium rate.
When a commitment amount is configured for a subscription:
Commitment Amount: The minimum amount a customer commits to paying per billing period (e.g., $1,000/month). This guarantees minimum revenue for the business.
Overage Factor: A multiplier applied to usage costs that exceed the commitment amount (e.g., 1.5x). When a customer’s usage surpasses their commitment, the excess usage is charged at this higher rate.
Usage Calculation:
If total usage cost ≤ commitment amount: All usage is charged at standard rates
If total usage cost > commitment amount: The commitment amount is charged at standard rates, and the excess (overage) is charged at the overage factor rate
True-up is a billing mechanism that ensures customers pay their full commitment amount even if their actual usage falls short. When enabled, if a customer’s usage doesn’t meet the minimum commitment amount, they are charged the difference as a “shortfall” or “true-up” fee.