Memberships vs. Packs
Birrdi offers two different ways for customers to purchase credits and save money: Memberships and Packs.
While both can provide credits that are used for free or discounted reservations, they serve different purposes.
This article explains how each works and when you should use one over the other.
Memberships
Memberships allow customers to join your member program and receive ongoing benefits.
Key Characteristics
Can be configured as recurring subscriptions (most commonly monthly)
Can also be configured as a one-time purchase with no recurring billing
Customers become part of a Membership program
Can unlock discounted member-only rates
Can optionally include a Credit Plan
Public signups can be enabled or disabled at any time
Memberships with Credits
When a Membership includes a Credit Plan:
Credits can automatically reload each billing cycle for recurring Memberships.
Credits can also be granted as part of a one-time Membership purchase.
Credits can be used toward free or discounted reservations.
For recurring Memberships, credits continue to replenish for as long as the Membership remains active.
Controlling New Signups
If you no longer want to accept new Members, simply set Allow Public Sign Ups to No.
Existing Members will keep their Memberships and continue receiving their benefits, while new customers will no longer be able to join.
Best Use Cases
Memberships are ideal for:
Regular or loyal customers
Businesses offering member-only pricing or benefits
Customers who want predictable monthly value
Businesses looking for recurring revenue
Seasonal, annual, or limited-capacity Membership programs
Packs
Packs are one-time purchases that provide customers with prepaid credits.
Unlike Memberships, Packs do not create an ongoing subscription or member relationship.
Key Characteristics
One-time purchase
No recurring billing
Credits are purchased upfront
Credits do not automatically renew
Customers purchase another Pack when they run out of credits
Packs are commonly used for:
Lesson Packs (5 Lessons, 10 Lessons, etc.)
Practice Packs
Public Play Packs
Important Rules
Packs should only be attached to:
Public Rates
Lessons
They are designed for customers who want prepaid credits without joining a Membership.
Best Use Cases
Packs are ideal for:
Lesson Packages
Casual or first-time customers
Customers who don't want a subscription
Selling prepaid credits at a discount
Gift-like or low-commitment offerings
Side-by-Side Comparison
Feature | Memberships | Packs |
Recurring billing | Optional | ❌ No |
One-time purchase | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
Auto-renew | Optional | ❌ No |
Can include credits | ✅ Optional | ✅ Yes |
Credits automatically reload | For recurring Memberships | ❌ No |
Member-only pricing | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
Member program | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
Public signup control | ✅ Yes | N/A |
Best for | Loyal customers & recurring programs | Lesson Packs & prepaid credit bundles |
Summary
Memberships are flexible programs that can be configured as either recurring subscriptions or one-time purchases. They can include Credit Plans, unlock member-only pricing, and provide exclusive benefits.
Packs are one-time prepaid credit bundles that give customers flexibility without requiring a Membership. They are especially useful for selling Lesson Packs, simulator time packages, and other prepaid credit offerings.
Both Memberships and Packs can issue credits, but they behave differently:
Recurring Memberships automatically replenish credits each billing cycle.
One-time Memberships grant credits once at the time of purchase.
Packs always require the customer to manually purchase another Pack when they need more credits.
Use Memberships when you want to build long-term customer relationships, provide recurring value, and offer exclusive member benefits.
Use Packs when you want to sell prepaid Lesson Packs or other credit bundles without requiring an ongoing subscription.