How does billing work with a VCC on Pinterest Ads?

Billing on Pinterest Ads with a Virtual Credit Card (VCC) follows the same general process as using a regular credit card, but there are some important factors to consider when using a VCC for payment. Let me break it down for you:

📅 How Pinterest Ads Billing Works
Pinterest uses a threshold billing system for ad accounts, meaning they will charge your payment method (in this case, your VCC) once your ad spend reaches a certain amount. Here's a typical flow of how it works:

1. Setting Up Payment Methods
You'll first need to add your VCC as the primary payment method in Pinterest Ads:

Go to Ads Manager.

Click on Billing > Payment Methods.

Add your VCC as the payment option.

Pinterest accepts VCCs from providers like Privacy.com, Revolut, and Wise — as long as they support recurring payments and have AVS (Address Verification System) features to ensure the card details match your account.

2. Billing Thresholds
Pinterest doesn't charge you on a set date (like traditional subscriptions). Instead, Pinterest uses a billing threshold, which is the amount of ad spend that triggers a payment.

For example, Pinterest might set your threshold at $50 or $200 (depending on factors like account history).

Once your ad spend hits this threshold, Pinterest will automatically charge your VCC to cover the cost of your campaigns.

Key Points:
Threshold: The minimum amount that must be spent before Pinterest charges your VCC. It varies by account.

Automatic Payment: The payment will be processed once the threshold is reached.

Recurring: Payments can happen automatically based on the frequency of your ad spend.

3. Payment Charges
Once your ad spend reaches the threshold, Pinterest will attempt to charge the VCC:

If successful, the ad campaigns continue running without interruptions.

If the payment fails (due to insufficient funds, expired card, or incorrect billing address), Pinterest will pause your campaigns and may ask you to update your payment details.

Payment Cycles:
Pinterest typically processes automatic payments every time the threshold is met.

Once your balance is paid, Pinterest will reset and the cycle begins again once you spend more.

4. VCC Specifics for Pinterest Ads Billing
While VCCs work for Pinterest Ads, there are a few important factors to keep in mind:

a) Billing Address Matching
Ensure that the billing address on your VCC matches the one in your Pinterest Ads account. This is crucial for the AVS (Address Verification System) to verify that the VCC is legitimate, especially when dealing with recurring payments.

b) Recurring Payments Support
Some VCCs may not support recurring payments. Make sure your VCC provider supports subscriptions or recurring charges to avoid payment failures when your threshold is hit.

c) Sufficient Funds
Always ensure that your VCC is funded and has enough balance to cover the threshold once it's reached. If the payment attempt fails due to a low balance or expired card, your ads could stop running.

d) VCC Limitations
Some VCCs have low limits or are designed for single-use transactions only. If you're running a larger campaign or multiple campaigns, it's important to ensure your VCC has enough funds to cover your ad spend and that it allows for repeated charges.

5. Billing Notifications and Reports
Pinterest will notify you via email when:

A charge is processed.

Your payment method needs to be updated.

Your campaigns are paused due to billing issues.

You can also review your payment history in your Pinterest Ads Manager:

Go to Billing > Transaction History to see past payments and charges.

6. Handling Payment Failures
If your VCC payment fails:

Update your payment method as soon as possible to resume your campaigns.

Check your VCC to ensure it has sufficient funds and hasn't expired.

Pinterest may give you a grace period to update your payment details, but if not resolved, your campaigns could be paused until the issue is fixed.

💡 Best Practices for Using a VCC on Pinterest Ads
Use a VCC from a reliable provider that supports recurring payments and AVS (Address Verification).

Ensure billing address consistency: Make sure the address tied to the VCC matches the one in your Pinterest Ads account.

Monitor your spending: Keep an eye on your billing threshold to avoid campaigns being paused due to payment issues.

Regularly update your VCC: Keep your card's expiration date and balance in check.

💬 Final Thoughts
VCCs can be a great way to test Pinterest Ads without using your primary credit card, but you'll need to make sure the VCC is set up properly for recurring payments and has enough funds to cover your ad spend as it reaches the threshold.