Payment Plans - Using Debit/Credit Cards

When using Stripe (debit/credit cards) for payment plans, installments can be automatically charged to a customer’s saved card, making it easier to collect payments on time.

To use this feature, customers must have a valid card saved and the correct payment settings enabled.

Before You Start

Make sure the following are set up:

Stripe (card payments) is enabled on your account
The customer has a valid card saved
Card payment settings are configured correctly

➡️ Setting up your payment method

➡️ Sending Requests for Customers to Add Their Card

➡️ Card Payment Settings

Creating a Payment Plan with Card Payments

Go to Billing → Payment Plans
Click Create
Select the customer
Choose Debit/Credit Card as the payment method
Select the invoice (or confirm the amount)
Enter:
- Number of installments
- Start date
- Frequency (daily, weekly, fortnightly, or monthly)

The system will automatically calculate the installment amounts and schedule.

How Payments Are Collected

Installments are generated automatically on their due dates
If a valid card is saved, payments can be automatically charged
Once successful, installments are marked as Paid

Customers can also view and manage their payments via the customer portal.

Required Card Payment Settings

To ensure installments are charged correctly:

Go to Customers → View All
Select the customer
Open the Settings tab
Go to Card Payment Settings section

Set the following:

Automatically create payment once invoice is approved → No
Automatically create payment for payment plans → Yes

This ensures payments are collected per installment, not as a full upfront charge.

Important Notes

Customers must have a valid card saved for automatic payments to work
If a card payment fails, the installment will not be marked as paid
Payment plans cannot be edited once created with pending installments
You can retry failed payments manually

➡️Retrying Failed Payment Plan Installments (Stripe & GoCardless)