This option is great for subscriptions where the cost varies by usage.
You can still set an expected budget for that subscription, but allow some room for leverage by adding a percentage variation that will be automatically be approved and paid for. Here's an example below.
Case Study
I use Twilio. Usually, the payment for the subscription is £100, but as it varies on how much I use it, it can go up to £110 or even £120 when used heavily.
This is how I set up the card:
- Fixed budget at £100
- Budget flexibility activated
- Percentage of variation at 20%
Say by next month the charge adds up to £118. As we see that the payment is higher than the budget set, we will then compare the amount against the 20% flexibility.
Once we see that the cost is within 20% over the budget of £100, Cledara will push an extra £18 from your account onto the card so that the payment goes through successfully.
But if the month after, Twilio is used in excess and the bill adds up to £200, the payment for the subscription will not be executed as it exceeds the room for leverage I had set (£200 being 100% more than my budget).
I will then have the option to manually settle the bill myself upon review.
Budget flexibility allows payments to go over the initial budget set, but up to a certain amount that you have pre-determined.
What should I expect?
When your payment is requested, if payment amount is higher than the budget set, your first attempt to pay will be declined because of the insufficient funds on the card, respecting your fixed budget setting.
But fret not, because having received the payment amount, we compare it against the budget and check to see if the flexibility is on. If the amount is within what the flexibility allows, we will immediately top up your card to the required amount automatically. The whole process is within minutes.
Now with the exact amount of funds you need on the card, simply make another attempt to pay, and the payment will go through successfully.