Skip to main content
New to credits? Think of them like punch cards or arcade tokens—athletes buy credits upfront, then redeem them for sessions instead of paying each time.

​
What are credits?

Credits are a pre-paid booking currency that athletes purchase in packages and redeem when booking sessions with you. Instead of paying 50 each time they book, an athlete might buy a “10-Credit Package” for 450 upfront, then use 1 credit per session. Real-world analogy: Like a gym membership punch card or Starbucks rewards—pay once, use credits multiple times.

​
The basic credit flow

1

Athlete purchases credits

Athlete buys a credit package from you:
  • “10-Credit Package - $450”
  • “20-Credit Package - $800”
  • “Monthly Unlimited - 8 Credits/month”
Result: Credits added to athlete’s account balance
2

Athlete books sessions

When booking, athlete chooses to pay with credits:
  • Selects “60-Min Private Training” (costs 1 credit)
  • Clicks “Book with Credits” instead of paying $50
  • 1 credit deducted from their balance
Result: Session booked, credit consumed, athlete has 9 credits remaining
3

Athlete uses remaining credits

Athlete continues booking sessions using their credit balance:
  • Books again next week (8 credits left)
  • Books again (7 credits left)
  • Continues until credits run out
Result: Predictable booking experience, no payment friction each time
4

Athlete runs out, buys more

When credits run low, athlete purchases another package:
  • Receives low-balance notification
  • Buys new 10-credit package
  • Balance replenished, continues training
Result: Recurring revenue cycle established

​
Why use credits instead of direct payment?

Financial benefits:✅ Upfront cash flow: Get paid 450 today instead of 50 × 10 over 10 weeks
✅ Higher commitment: Athletes who buy packages stick around longer (80%+ retention vs 50% pay-per-session)
✅ Predictable revenue: Know exactly how much money is “in the bank” via sold credits
✅ Reduced transaction fees: 1 transaction for 10 sessions instead of 10 separate charges
✅ Package discounts: Sell 10 credits for 450 (45/credit) vs 50 per session—athlete saves, you secure $450 upfrontOperational benefits:✅ Faster booking: No payment processing at booking time (credit already owned)
✅ Fewer no-shows: Athletes less likely to waste pre-paid credits
✅ Flexible offerings: Different credit packages for different athlete types
✅ Easier refunds: Refund credits instead of money (keeps cash in business)
✅ Subscription compatibility: Combine with monthly credit subscriptions for recurring revenue
Bottom line: Credits improve cash flow, increase retention, and reduce administrative overhead.

​
How credits work in CoachIQ

​
Credit packages (Products)

Credits are sold through Products in CoachIQ’s payment system. There are two ways to issue credits: Product Types That Issue Credits:
How it works: Single purchase, all credits issued immediatelyExample: “10-Credit Package - $450”
  • Athlete pays $450 once
  • Receives 10 credits instantly
  • Uses credits until depleted
  • Purchases another package when ready
Best for: Pay-as-you-go coaching, flexible commitments, trial packagesConfiguration: Create product → Enable “Add credits once purchased” → Set credit amount
Add Credits Once Purchased Pn
What athlete receives:
  • Credits added to their account balance immediately after purchase
  • Ability to use credits when booking schedulers that accept them
  • Credit balance tracked in Athlete Portal and mobile app
Important: You create credit-issuing products in Payments → Products, then configure schedulers to accept those credits in Schedule → Schedulers. It’s a two-way linkage—both sides must be configured.

​
Two types of credits

CoachIQ has two distinct credit types that work together:
What they are: Credits that can be used for ANY credit-enabled schedulerHow they work:
  • No restrictions on which sessions they can book
  • Used LAST (after scheduler-specific credits are exhausted)
  • Displayed as “Master Credits” in athlete profile
When to issue:
  • General-purpose credit packages
  • Flexibility for athlete to book any service
  • Simple credit system without restrictions
Note: Master credits are only added manually by admins. All other credits purchased by users will have a product specific credit bank on their account.
Athlete sees:
  • “Master Credits: 10”
  • “These credits can be used for any session and have no restrictions”
Credit Priority System: When athlete books a session, CoachIQ checks credits in this order:
  1. First: Scheduler-specific credits for that particular scheduler
  2. Last: Master credits (if scheduler-specific exhausted or don’t exist)

​
Credit-enabled schedulers

Once athletes have credits, they need schedulers configured to accept them. Scheduler pricing options:
Configuration: Session costs 1 credit (or 2, or 3, etc.)Athlete requirement: Must have credits to book (no direct payment option)When to use:
  • Package-deal businesses
  • Want to enforce credit purchases
  • Simplify booking (credits only, no payment decisions)
Example: “60-Min Private Training - 1 Credit”

​
Credit balance and tracking

Athletes can see their credit balance within the Billing section of the athlete portal How to navigate as an athlete:
  1. Log into your respective athlete portal
  2. Click or press the profile icon at the top right hand corner of the page
  3. Visit **Billing **to view your credit balance
Billing Credits Pn
Athlete’s Billing Settings Page includes:
Lists all active credit sources:
  • “10-Credit Package” - Balance: 6 credits
  • “Monthly Membership” - Balance: ∞ (unlimited this period)
  • “Master Credits” - Balance: 3 credits
Shows when subscription credits renew:
  • “10/18/2025 (active)”
  • Indicates next billing date for credit refresh
Tracks expiring credits:
  • “10/18/2025 (0/5)”
  • Meaning: 0 credits expired out of 5 total issued
  • Helps athletes know if they need to use credits soon
Shows which schedulers accept current credits:
  • “Rising Stars Class: 0/∞” (unlimited available for this scheduler)
  • “Elite Class: 0/∞” (unlimited available for this scheduler)
  • “Private Sessions: 6” (6 credits available for redemption during the current billing cycle)
Per-scheduler tracking: Each scheduler shows individual usage if restricted credits
Active subscriptions that issue credits:
  • “Monthly Rising Stars Membership - $250/month”
  • Next renewal date and status
What coaches can see:
  • Individual athlete credit balances (in athlete profile → Credits tab)
  • Separate tabs for each credit source (Master Credits tab, product-specific tabs)
  • Total credits outstanding (all athletes combined)
  • Credit usage trends and analytics
  • Low-balance athletes (proactive outreach opportunity)
Credits Page Pn

​
Understanding credit display notation

Athletes will see specific symbols and formats in their credit balance:
SymbolMeaningExplanation
66 finite creditsStandard credit balance—use until depleted
∞Unlimited creditsUnlimited WITHIN current subscription period (resets at renewal)
3/∞Used 3 of unlimitedUsed 3 credits this period, unlimited remaining until renewal
0/∞Scheduler-specific availableShows per-scheduler usage for restricted credits
0/5Expiration tracking0 credits expired out of 5 total issued
0No credits remainingBalance empty—need to purchase or wait for subscription renewal
Common confusion: ∞ does NOT mean unlimited forever. It means unlimited WITHIN the current billing period. For monthly subscriptions, unlimited credits reset each month.
Examples in context: Scenario 1: One-time package
  • Athlete bought “10-Credit Package”
  • Display: “Credit Balance: 6”
  • Meaning: 6 credits remaining from original 10
Scenario 2: Monthly subscription
  • Athlete has “Unlimited Monthly Membership”
  • Display: “Credit Balance: ∞”
  • Meaning: Can book unlimited sessions this month, resets next month
Scenario 3: Subscription with usage
  • Athlete used 3 sessions from monthly unlimited
  • Display: “Credit Balance: 3/∞”
  • Meaning: Used 3 this month, unlimited remaining until renewal
Scenario 4: Scheduler-specific credits
  • Athlete has “Rising Stars Membership”
  • Display under Redeemable Sessions:
    • “Rising Stars Class: 0/∞”
    • “Rising Stars Shooting Lab: 0/4”
  • Meaning: Unlimited bookings for Rising Stars Class and only 4 more bookings available for Rising Stars Shooting Lab this month

​
Credit package strategy

​
Pricing your packages

The discount formula: Calculate your per-session price, then offer tiered discounts based on package size. Example pricing structure:
PackageCreditsPricePer-Credit CostDiscount
Pay-Per-SessionN/A$50$50.000%
5-Credit Starter5$240$48.004% off
10-Credit Standard10$450$45.0010% off
20-Credit Premium20$850$42.5015% off
50-Credit Elite50$2,000$40.0020% off
Why this works:
  • Small discount for small package = low barrier to entry
  • Larger discount for larger package = incentive to commit
  • Pay-per-session stays highest price = drives package sales
Sweet spot: 10-credit packages are most popular. Price aggressively here (10-15% discount) to drive volume.

​
Package sizing recommendations

Best for: New athletes, trial periods, testing your serviceTypical duration: 2-3 weeks (2x/week training) or 1 month (1-2x/week training)Pricing strategy: Small discount (5-8% off)Why it works: Low commitment, easy “yes” for trying you outExample: “$240 for 5 Credits - Try before you commit!”
Best for: Most athletes, 1-2 month commitmentsTypical duration: 5 weeks (2x/week) or 10 weeks (1x/week)Pricing strategy: Meaningful discount (10-12% off)Why it works: Enough sessions to see results, not overwhelming commitmentExample: “$450 for 10 Credits - Our most popular package!”
Recommended: Make this your flagship package. Most coaches sell 60-70% of credits in 10-packs.
Best for: Committed athletes, 2-3 month programsTypical duration: 10 weeks (2x/week) or 20 weeks (1x/week)Pricing strategy: Strong discount (15% off)Why it works: Serious commitment, positions athlete as dedicatedExample: “$850 for 20 Credits - Best value for committed athletes!”
Best for: High-frequency athletes, predictable revenueStructure: Fixed monthly fee, set number of credits per month (e.g., $400/month = 12 credits)Pricing strategy: Significant savings for frequent athletesWhy it works: Predictable recurring revenue, athlete locks inExample: “$400/month Unlimited - 12 Credits/month (up to 3x/week)”See Subscription Scheduling for full details.

​
Advanced credit concepts

​
Credit expiration

Should credits expire? Depends on your business model.
Policy: Credits never expireBenefits:
  • Athlete-friendly, removes pressure
  • Simpler to manage
  • No refund disputes
  • Better for seasonal athletes (ski coaches, summer camps)
Drawback: Athletes might not use credits for months/yearsBest for: Building goodwill, long-term athlete relationships
Legal note: Some jurisdictions have laws about stored value/gift card expiration. Check local regulations before setting expiration policies.

​
Credit refunds and transfers

Common scenarios:
Your options:
  1. Full refund: Return unused credits as money (minus transaction fees)
  2. Partial refund: Refund minus a processing/admin fee
  3. No refunds: Credits are final sale (most common)
  4. Credit freeze: Pause expiration for athlete on extended break
Recommended policy: “No refunds on credit packages, but credits never expire and can be gifted to others.”Why: Protects your cash flow, maintains simplicity
Your options:
  1. Allow transfers: Build goodwill, potential new athlete acquisition
  2. No transfers: Protect against credit resale market
  3. Conditional transfers: Allow with admin fee or approval
Recommended: Allow transfers with coach approval—turns athletes into referral sources.
Standard practice: Refund credit back to athlete’s balanceSystem should handle automatically: CoachIQ refunds credits when coach cancelsNo cash refund needed: Credit goes back into athlete’s account for future use

​
Multi-credit sessions

When to use multiple credits per session: ✅ Longer sessions: 90-min session = 1.5 credits or 2 credits
✅ Premium services: Video analysis session = 2 credits
✅ Group training value: Small group (max 4) = 1 credit, but individual value maintained
✅ Specialty add-ons: Nutrition consult = 0.5 credits Configuration in CoachIQ:
  • Set scheduler to require 2 credits (or 1.5, 0.5, etc.)
  • System automatically deducts correct amount at booking
  • Athlete sees credit cost before confirming
Example tiered structure:
  • 30-min session = 0.5 credits
  • 60-min session = 1 credit
  • 90-min session = 1.5 credits
  • 120-min intensive = 2 credits

​
Credit-based vs subscription scheduling

Understanding the difference:
FeatureCredit PackagesSubscriptions
PaymentOne-time upfrontRecurring monthly
Credit deliveryAll at onceMonthly allotment
Athlete flexibilityUse anytime until depletedUse within month or lose
Revenue modelLumpy (package purchases)Predictable (monthly)
Commitment levelMedium (10-20 sessions)High (ongoing monthly)
Best forMost coachesEstablished businesses with loyal athletes
Can combine both: Offer packages for some athletes, subscriptions for others. See Subscription Scheduling for full comparison.

​
Credit system best practices

Start Simple

First 3 months: Offer just TWO packages:
  • 5-Credit Starter ($240)
  • 10-Credit Standard ($450)
Why: Test demand, keep operations simple, learn pricingExpand later: Add larger packages once you understand athlete buying patterns

Price to Incentivize

Make packages clearly better than pay-per-session:
  • 10% discount minimum
  • 15-20% for large packages
Psychology: Athlete should feel “stupid” not buying package if they’ll train regularlyExample: 50/session vs 450/10-pack (45/session) = 50 savings

Communicate Value

At every touchpoint, remind athletes of credit value:
  • “You’re saving $5 per session with your package!”
  • “9 credits remaining—book your next session!”
  • “Low balance alert—buy now and save!”
Result: Reinforces smart purchase decision, encourages renewals

Track Credit Economics

Monitor monthly:
  • Credits sold (how much cash came in)
  • Credits used (how many sessions delivered)
  • Outstanding credit liability (credits sold but not used)
Goal: Credits sold ≥ credits used = healthy cash flowWarning sign: Credits used > credits sold = burning through old sales

Seasonal Adjustments

Back-to-school (Sept): Offer bonus credits (buy 10, get 1 free)New Year (Jan): Promote 20-packs for “commitment month”Summer slowdown: Offer “no expiration” messaging to keep summer creditsResult: Maintain cash flow during seasonal dips

​
Common questions

System behavior: CoachIQ prevents booking if insufficient creditsAthlete sees (if credit renewal link is enabled): “Add more credits”Your action: None required (system handles automatically)
Yes! This is the “hybrid” model.Configuration: Set scheduler to accept “1 Credit OR $50”Athlete experience: Chooses payment method at booking timeWhy do this: Flexibility for new athletes, while incentivizing packages for regulars
Important: If a client is only on recurring booking then credits are not needed. Simply collect their payment with a one time or monthly product and create their recurring booking.See Recurring Bookings for full details.
Your policy decision:Option 1: No sharing (default)—each athlete has their own credit balanceOption 2: Family/couple accounts—allow credit sharing among linked accountsCoachIQ default: Individual credit balances per athleteWorkaround for sharing: Create “family package” product that grants credits to multiple athlete accounts
Financially: This is your profit margin bufferExplanation: Some unused credits offset administrative costs, marketing, and credit card feesTypical unused rate: 10-20% of credits go unused (industry standard)To minimize:
  • Send re-engagement campaigns to inactive athletes
  • Offer credit transfer to friends
  • Allow gifting unused credits
  • No expiration policy keeps athletes willing to return later
Master Credits:
  • Added manually by an admin/coach
  • Universal—can be used for any credit-enabled scheduler
  • Used LAST (after scheduler-specific credits exhausted)
Product Bank Credits
  • Credits that are added when a user makes a product purchase (one time or subscription)
  • Non Scheduler Specifc: Universal—can be used for any credit-enabled scheduler
  • Scheduler Specific: Restricted to designated schedulers only
  • Used FIRST (priority over master credits)
  • Great for tiered memberships and program-specific packages

​
Decision guide: Should you use credits?

Your business has these traits:✅ You want upfront cash flow
✅ You want clients to be able to book their own sessions
✅ You offer packages or programs (not just drop-ins)
✅ Athletes train regularly (2+ times per month)
✅ You want higher commitment from athletes
✅ You’re comfortable with package sales conversations
✅ You can handle some administrative overhead (credit tracking)Athlete types that love credits:
  • Committed long-term athletes
  • Athletes on structured programs
  • Those who value convenience
  • Package/deal shoppers
Verdict: Credits will improve your business metrics

Setting Up Product Credit Packages

Step-by-step guide to creating credit products.

Managing Athlete Credits

View balances, grant credits manually, track usage, handle refunds

Credit Usage Limits

Advanced restrictions and scheduling limits for credit-based sessions

Creating Schedulers

Set up bookable sessions that accept credits

Manual Booking

How to manually book athletes using their credit balance
You now understand: What credits are, why they benefit your business, how they work in CoachIQ, the two credit types (Master vs Scheduler-Specific), and whether they’re right for your coaching model.
Ready to implement credits? Continue to Article #24 for step-by-step setup instructions, or contact support for personalized credit strategy consultation. Contact Support