Introducing the Chargebee CLI

Why can't I apply offer-quantity coupons to flat-fee plans?

Problem statement

You are unable to apply an offer-quantity coupon to a subscription that uses a flat-fee plan, resulting in an error or the coupon not being applied.

  • How do I apply coupons to flat-fee plans?
  • Can I use offer-quantity coupons with metered addons?
  • What types of coupons are compatible with flat-fee plans?

Solution

When attempting to apply multiple coupons to a subscription with a flat-fee plan, you may encounter issues if one of the coupons is an offer-quantity coupon. Offer-quantity coupons are designed to work with per-unit plans and are not compatible with any other pricing model, plans, and addons. This article explains why this limitation exists and how to work around it.

Steps to Resolve

  1. Identify the Plan Type: Confirm that your subscription is on a flat-fee plan.

    • Navigate to Subscriptions > Subscription Index page.
    • Select your subscription and click Plan Details in subscription details page.
    • Check if the plan is listed as a Flat Fee plan.
  2. Review Coupon Compatibility: Understand the types of coupons that can be applied.

    • Offer-quantity coupons are only compatible with per-unit plans.
    • For flat-fee plans, use flat-rate or percentage-based coupons.
  3. Test with Compatible Coupons: Apply a compatible coupon to your subscription.

    • Navigate to Subscriptions > Subscription Index page.
    • Select your subscription and click Apply Coupon.
    • Select a flat-rate or percentage-based coupon.
    • Click Apply to test if the coupon works.

Offer-quantity coupon limitation is for both the plan and the addon.

Important Notes

  • Offer-quantity coupons are specifically designed for per-unit priced items (both plans AND addons) and will not function with flat-fee, tiered, volume, or stairstep pricing models.
  • The limitation applies to all subscription items, not just the main plan. Offer-quantity is also incompatible with Tiered, Volume, Stairstep pricing models. If you attempt to apply an offer-quantity coupon to a non-per-unit item, you may see the error: "Offer quantity discounts can only be applied to per unit items"
  • Always verify the pricing model of all items in the subscription before applying offer-quantity coupons.