A creator can send out discount codes so you can subscribe to their membership at a lower price. This article explains how to use a code and how the discount is calculated.
Where to enter the code
On the first step of checkout, the page where you enter your details, there is a row above the payment method that reads Have a discount code? Click Enter discount code, type it in, and click Apply. The summary then updates to the discounted amount.
A code is not case sensitive, so you can type it in lower case.
If you do not see that row, the show has no campaign running at the moment. Free membership tiers and donations do not support discount codes.
A link can apply the code for you
If the link a creator gives you holds ?code=, the code is filled in and validated automatically. If you must sign in first, the code is still there after you sign in.
How long the discount lasts
The creator decides. There are three options:
The first cycle only. Only this payment is discounted, and the next one is at the full price
The first N cycles. The next N payments are discounted, then the price returns to normal
Every cycle. Every renewal keeps the discount
A cycle is one billing period, not one month. On a yearly plan, "the first 3 cycles" means three years.
The success page shows one cycle fewer than the creator set, because this checkout has already used one. That is correct.
Why your code is refused
The checkout page states the reason. The common ones are:
The code was not found. Check the spelling. The creator may also have disabled it
It has not started or it has expired. A campaign has a redemption window. Ask the creator
It is used up. Every redemption of this code is taken
It does not apply to this plan. A code covers only the tiers the creator chose. The page names a tier you can switch to
This plan cannot be bought. The creator has stopped accepting new subscriptions on it
The check did not succeed. Try again
Codes come from the creator, and Firstory does not hold their recipient list. If the spelling is correct and the code still does not work, ask the creator of that show.
I already subscribe to this show. Can I use a code?
No. A code is redeemed at a new subscription checkout only. It does not apply to the renewal of a subscription you already have.
Does a free code still need a credit card?
It depends on the duration:
100% + every cycle (free forever): no card is needed, and checkout has no credit card step
100% + the first cycle only, or the first N cycles: a card is needed. This payment is 0, but the price returns to normal when the discount ends
Also, an order of 0 does not get an invoice.
My payment failed. Is the code lost?
No. The code is kept when a card payment fails, and you can pay again straight away.
If the code expires at the last step, for example because someone else took the last redemption at the same time, the page gives you a button to remove the code and continue at the full price.
Does changing plan affect my discount?
Yes, and a discount does not come back after it ends. Read this before you confirm.
A discount ends permanently in two cases:
The new plan is not in a tier the code covers
The discount is a fixed amount, and that amount equals or exceeds the new plan price
What happens depends on how you change plan:
An immediate upgrade. The discount ends only if the new plan is not covered, and only if that payment succeeds
A scheduled downgrade. Cancel the schedule before its effective date and you keep the discount. After it takes effect, changing back to your old plan does not restore the discount
A free-forever subscription (100% + every cycle). It cannot change plan. It can only be cancelled
The plan change confirmation page warns you when a discount is about to end. Read it in full before you confirm. For the steps, see Change your subscription plan.
If I cancel and subscribe again, does the discount come back?
No. The discount belongs to the original subscription, and subscribing again creates a new one.
If your code was a one-time code, its redemption is not returned, so the same code cannot be used a second time.
Where can I see whether I still have a discount?
On your subscription detail page. The status reads:
Discounted, every cycle. Every renewal keeps the discount
Discounted, N cycles left. The price it returns to is shown below
The discount is used up. You now pay the full price
The discount has ended. A plan change ended it
You are not notified when a discount reaches the end of its cycles. This page is where you check. If you see a charge return to the full price, look here first.