> ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.riiwards.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # How SMS billing works: plans, top-ups and Flash Sales > Understand how your SMS Plan, included texts, automatic top-ups, message length and Flash Sale charges are billed, and where to see your SMS billing history. SMS in Rewards Club is billed in two separate ways. Your **SMS Plan** covers the automatic texts for signup and reward expiration reminders, with a set number of included SMS each period and optional automatic top-ups. **Flash Sales** are charged separately each time you send one. This page explains both, how message length affects billing, and where to check your charges. You manage your SMS Plan in **Account Settings > SMS Settings**. Current prices are shown in the app before you are charged and on the pricing page (click **Learn more about SMS pricing.** in SMS Settings). ## The SMS Plan The SMS Plan covers automated SMS for signup and reward expiration reminders, for example the signup link, signup reminders, confirmations and reward reminders. ### Included SMS Choose how many texts are included each billing period: 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 700 or 1000. The setting shows the monthly amount and about how many signups it covers. When you change your plan, a **Change SMS Plan** window shows a preview of the change. Click **Confirm Change**. Plan changes are charged immediately and prorated for the rest of the period. ### Automatic top-ups (50 SMS each) If your included SMS run out before the period ends, automatic top-ups keep SMS signup working. Each top-up adds 50 SMS and is charged each time a 50-SMS bundle is used. You choose the limit: **None** or 1 to 4 top-ups per period. > [!WARNING] > > When your included SMS and all allowed top-ups are used, SMS signup stops until your next billing period. Choose **None** only if you prefer to stop sending rather than pay for extra texts. ### Check your usage Under **Usage & Billing Info** you see **SMS Usage (this period)** (for example "0 of 200 used", including top-ups), the **Current Billing Period** and the **Next Billing Date**. ## How texts are counted Every SMS is billed by length: | Message length (standard characters) | Billed as | | - | - | | Up to 160 | 1 text | | Up to 306 | 2 texts | | Up to 459 (maximum) | 3 texts | If a message contains an emoji or a special character such as curly quotes, the whole message is counted differently: | Message length (with emoji or special characters) | Billed as | | - | - | | Up to 70 | 1 text | | Up to 134 | 2 texts | | Up to 201 | 3 texts | The editors on [Customize SMS](https://help.riiwards.com/sms/customize-sms-messages.md) and [Send Flash Sale](https://help.riiwards.com/marketing/flash-sales.md) show "Billed as 2 texts" or "Billed as 3 texts" when a message is longer than one text. Click **Preview** to see the billed length with real values filled in. > [!TIP] > > To keep costs down, use a short SMS Business Name, avoid emojis and curly quotes, and keep each message under 160 characters. ## Flash Sale charges Flash Sales are not part of your SMS Plan. Each Flash Sale is charged separately when it is sent: * The cost per recipient and the total cost are shown in **Approve Flash Sale** before you approve. * Longer messages and special characters can increase the cost per recipient. * Texts that can't be delivered (for example, because a phone number is unavailable) are credited toward your next Flash Sale. Credits are valid for 90 days. See [Flash sales](https://help.riiwards.com/marketing/flash-sales.md) for the full sending steps. ## Billing history In **Account Settings > SMS Settings**, click **View billing history.** The **SMS Billing History** window lists the last 12 months: billing period and SMS used, billing date, activity, amount and SMS purchased. Click **Manage in Stripe** to see invoices and update your card. On **Send Flash Sale**, click **View SMS Billing History** to open the same history. ## Payment problems If a payment for your SMS plan fails, a banner appears in SMS Settings. SMS keeps working until the date shown, so update your card in **Manage Billing** before then. If the payment hasn't gone through by the end of the grace period, SMS stops, your SMS plan is cancelled and your SMS number is released. ## Related > [card] [SMS settings](https://help.riiwards.com/sms/sms-settings.md) > > Change your included SMS and top-ups. > [card] [Flash sales](https://help.riiwards.com/marketing/flash-sales.md) > > Approve and send a Flash Sale. > [card] [Customize SMS messages](https://help.riiwards.com/sms/customize-sms-messages.md) > > Keep messages short to save texts. > [card] [Subscription and billing](https://help.riiwards.com/account/subscription-and-billing.md) > > Your Rewards Club plan and payments. 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