Understanding threshold billing

What is threshold billing?

Most of your FastPix charges are based on usage, how much video you stream, store, encode, and deliver each month. Normally, usage is added up and billed at the end of your monthly billing cycle.

With threshold billing, if your usage charges grow past a set amount during the month, we collect a payment for the usage so far right away, instead of waiting for the end of the cycle. This set amount is called your billing threshold.

Think of it like a running tab at a café: you can keep ordering, but once the tab reaches a certain size, the café asks you to settle it before adding more.

Why was I charged in the middle of my billing cycle?

If you received a charge before your usual billing date, it means your usage so far this month crossed your account’s billing threshold. When that happens:

1. We add up your usage charges for the month so far.
2. Any credits on your account (free plan allowances, promotional or wallet credits) are applied first.
3. If there is still a balance left after credits, we charge it to your payment method on file and send you an invoice for exactly what was collected.

This is not an extra fee. You are only ever paying for usage you have already consumed, just earlier than the end of the month. Anything already paid mid-cycle is subtracted from your end-of-month invoice, so you are never billed twice for the same usage.

A simple example

• Your billing threshold is $50.
• Halfway through the month, your streaming and storage usage adds up to $52.
• We charge $52 to your card and email you an invoice.
• At the end of the month, your total usage for the cycle comes to $80. Your end-of-cycle invoice is only for the remaining $28 ($80 − $52 already paid).

How can I see this in my dashboard?

To view your billing summary:

1. Log in to the FastPix dashboard.
2. Click the settings (gear) icon in the top-right corner.
3. Select Billing Summary from the left sidebar.

Your billing summary shows:

• Already charged this cycle - amounts collected mid-cycle so far.
• Remaining expected cost - the estimated amount that will be billed at the end of the cycle.

Every mid-cycle charge also has its own invoice, available in your billing history, listing exactly which products and usage it covers.

Why do accounts have different thresholds?

Every account has a billing threshold that reflects its billing history with FastPix. Newer accounts start with a lower threshold, which means smaller, more frequent payments. As your account builds a track record of successful, on-time payments, your threshold is raised automatically meaning fewer mid-cycle charges, or none at all.

How your threshold increases

Your account is reviewed automatically. In general, your threshold goes up when:

• You have paid multiple invoices successfully.
• Your account has been active for a while.
• There are no failed payments on your recent record.

You don’t need to do anything, upgrades happen on their own once your account qualifies. Established customers with a strong payment history may qualify for accounts with no mid-cycle charges at all, where everything is billed together at the end of the cycle.

Can I request a higher threshold?

Yes. If mid-cycle charges are inconvenient for your business for example, if each card payment needs internal approval, or you expect a planned spike in usage, contact our support team. We can review your account and discuss options such as a higher threshold, prepaid wallet credits, or moving to end-of-cycle invoicing for qualifying accounts.

What if a mid-cycle payment fails?

If a charge to your payment method doesn’t go through:

1. We retry automatically. Card payments can fail for temporary reasons (expired card, bank hold, insufficient funds), so we attempt the payment again over the following days.
2. You’ll be notified. We email your billing contact so you can update your payment method or retry the payment from your dashboard.
3. If payment still can’t be collected, service on your account may be temporarily paused until the outstanding balance is settled. For video delivery, we provide a short grace window before it is affected, so you have time to resolve the issue.
4. As soon as the balance is paid, service is restored automatically.

Frequently asked questions

Does threshold billing cost me more?

No. Your total for the month is the same either way. Mid-cycle payments are simply an early collection of usage you’ve already consumed, and they are always deducted from your end-of-cycle invoice.

Do my free plan allowances and credits still apply?

Yes. Free usage included in your plan and any credits on your account are always applied before we calculate whether you’ve crossed your threshold. You’re only charged for usage beyond what your credits cover.

Will my monthly subscription fee trigger a mid-cycle charge?

No. Only usage-based charges count toward your threshold. Subscription and renewal fees are billed on your normal cycle date as usual.

Can I be charged more than once in a month?

Yes, if your usage is high. Each time your new usage since the last mid-cycle payment crosses the threshold again, another collection is made. Each one comes with its own invoice.

How do I avoid mid-cycle charges entirely?

Keep a valid payment method on file and build up a history of successful payments, your threshold will rise automatically. You can also contact support about prepaid credits or end-of-cycle invoicing for qualifying accounts.

Who do I contact with questions about a charge?

Our support team can explain any charge line by line, review your threshold, and help with payment issues. Reach us at support@fastpix.com or through the help section in your dashboard, please include the invoice number from the charge email if you have it.