Handle gift cards and prepaid subscription periods

Review checklist

1. Record prepaid balance or end date separately from the recurring plan price. Record the source and review date so another person can reproduce the decision.
2. Check whether automatic billing resumes when credit is exhausted and which payment method will be used. Keep uncertain items as candidates until the account owner confirms the billing relationship.
3. Do not count a prepaid redemption as recurring savings unless it actually replaces a future paid renewal. Preserve a dated confirmation or export before changing an account, plan or renewal setting.

Scope

General guidance for reviewing your own subscriptions. Act only as the account owner or an authorized administrator.

Before you act

An estimate can differ from an actual charge. Check the invoice and applicable terms for tax, exchange rates, commitments and refunds. These examples do not replace personal financial or tax advice.

Related official guidance

The official references below describe the named platforms. They do not guarantee prices or procedures across all services; use the current account screen and billing terms.

• Google Play: manage a subscription
• Apple: cancel a subscription

Draft date: 2026-09-04 · General guidance; human editorial review pending

Related reading

• Find free trials before they become paid renewals
• Build an annual-renewal calendar that survives missing months
• Compare subscriptions across currencies without hiding tax uncertainty