# Managing Trials and Promotions Compliance

This document outlines how to comply with card network requirements when implementing trial offers and promotional pricing for your subscriptions.

## Key Compliance Requirements

Card networks have specific rules for trial offers and promotions to protect consumers. Adhering to these rules is crucial to avoid issues with payments and maintain good standing with card networks.

### Notification Requirements

*   **Trial End Reminders:** You must notify customers before their trial period ends and before they are charged for a subscription. This notification allows customers to cancel if they no longer wish to continue.
    *   **Stripe-hosted reminder emails:** Stripe can send these reminder emails on your behalf. You can enable this feature in your Stripe Dashboard under "Subscriptions and emails" settings. Select the option to "Link to a Stripe-hosted page" for trial-end reminders.
    *   **Your own hosted emails:** Alternatively, you can implement your own system to send trial-end reminder emails.
*   **Clear Terms and Conditions:** Ensure that the terms of your trial or promotion are clearly communicated to the customer at the time of sign-up. This includes the duration of the trial, the price after the trial, and how to cancel.

### Trial Offer Specifics

*   **Free Trials:** For free trials, ensure the customer is not charged until the trial period concludes.
*   **Discounted Trials:** If you offer a discounted introductory period, clearly state the discounted price, the duration of the discount, and the regular price that will apply afterward.
*   **Cancellation Process:** Provide a clear and easy way for customers to cancel their subscription at any time.

## Implementing Compliance with Stripe

Stripe provides tools and features to help you meet these compliance requirements:

*   **Trial Offer API:** Use the Trial Offer API to manage both free and paid introductory periods for your subscriptions. This API allows for flexible configurations of trial durations and pricing.
*   **Stripe-hosted Reminder Emails:** As mentioned, Stripe can manage trial-end notifications for you, ensuring timely communication with your customers.
*   **Clear Product and Price Configuration:** When setting up products and prices in Stripe, ensure all details, including trial periods and promotional pricing, are accurately reflected.

## Best Practices

*   **Transparency:** Be upfront with your customers about all terms and conditions related to trials and promotions.
*   **Ease of Cancellation:** Make it simple for customers to cancel their subscriptions. A difficult cancellation process can lead to chargebacks and customer dissatisfaction.
*   **Testing:** Thoroughly test your trial and promotion implementations to ensure all aspects, including notifications and billing, function as expected.
*   **Stay Updated:** Card network rules can change. Regularly review Stripe's documentation and best practices for any updates related to trial offers and promotions.

By implementing these guidelines and leveraging Stripe's features, you can effectively manage trial offers and promotions while ensuring compliance with card network requirements.