About Messaging Credits Use for WhatsApp

Introduction

In this article, you'll learn how Mailchimp messaging credits work with WhatsApp.

WhatsApp messages are sent with messaging credits, the same credits you use for SMS. Credits are units of payment that determine the cost of messages. The number of credits a WhatsApp message costs depends on the message type and the recipient's country.

Things to know

Here are some things to know before you work with messaging credits for WhatsApp.

• WhatsApp messaging is available with a paid Mailchimp plan. You must be on a paid plan to add messaging credits and send WhatsApp messages.
• WhatsApp and SMS share one pool of messaging credits. The credits you buy can be used for either channel. For details on how this credit subscription is billed, renewed, prorated, and refunded, see About SMS Marketing Credits.
• You must be an account Owner, Admin, or Manager to purchase credits.
• Credit costs are based on the recipient's country and the currency associated with your Mailchimp account.
• Credits can't be applied to your Mailchimp plan or to other Mailchimp features.

How messaging credits work for WhatsApp

Each WhatsApp message that’s successfully delivered consumes credits. Two things determine the number of credits a single message costs.

• Message type. WhatsApp categorizes messages by purpose. Marketing messages cost more credits than transactional (utility) messages.
• Recipient country. Each country has its own credit rate. A message to one country can cost several times more than the same message to another country.

Because both factors apply to every message, your total credit usage depends on who you message and what kind of message you send.

WhatsApp message types and credit costs

WhatsApp messages are grouped into types. The types you'll use are:

• Marketing. Promotions, offers, product announcements, and other campaign-style messages.
• Transactional (Utility). Messages tied to a specific transaction or request, such as order updates or appointment reminders.
• Service. Messages that respond to a customer-initiated conversation. Service messages cost the same as utility messages in each country.

The number of credits each type costs varies by recipient country. Credit costs are also shown in your messaging settings before you send. The first 1,000 service messages sent in a given month are free.

Note: Availability for specific regions can vary by rollout phase. Check your settings for the most up-to-date list of available countries. Sending WhatsApp marketing messages isn't available to recipients in some countries, including the United States.

Note: Credit rates can change. Confirm the current rate for a country in the credits table of the WhatsApp checklist before you send.

Meta charges platforms like Mailchimp for use of the WhatsApp Business Platform. You can view these rates here.

Buy and renew credits

You pay for messaging credits monthly, alongside your Mailchimp plan. Your credit block is purchased automatically each month on your account billing date.

If you run low before your renewal date, you can make a one-time purchase or enable automatic refills to top up your credits in the middle of a billing cycle when your credits get low.

Credits don't roll over. Use them within the billing cycle in which you buy them.

Because WhatsApp and SMS share one pool of messaging credits, you manage messaging credits in the same places as SMS. You can view, track, and manage your credits on the WhatsApp overview and WhatsApp settings pages.

When you run out of credits

If your credit balance reaches zero, Mailchimp prompts you to purchase more credits. Buy more credits to continue sending WhatsApp messages.

Related links

• About SMS Marketing Credits
• About Additional Charges
• Understanding Your Mailchimp Receipt
• About SMS Marketing with Mailchimp