Stripe handles subscription billing and cancellation while the portal mirrors membership status for support and access decisions.
Eligible first-time supporters receive one 7-day free trial per verified identity and network. Shared networks may already have used the trial. Stripe requires a card during checkout and automatically charges $9 when the trial ends unless the membership is canceled first. Returning supporters with prior membership history restart at $9 immediately without another trial.
Supporters use the Stripe Billing Portal from the account page to cancel future recurring payments. Cancel before the trial ends to avoid the first $9 charge. Use the Help page if the billing portal is unavailable or a cancellation does not appear on the account dashboard.
Refunds are handled case by case through support, Stripe records, payment-network rules, and applicable policy. Disputes and chargebacks are handled through Stripe/card-network processes and may place optional access on hold while records are reconciled.
A paused, revoked, held, or closed supporter record can lose eligibility and any optional access perk. Membership does not buy guaranteed private services, expanded capacity, operational priority, uptime, or permanent access rights.
The portal updates membership and optional-access status from Stripe events. A delayed or inconsistent status should be reported through Help so billing records can be reconciled safely.
Related policies: Terms, privacy, and acceptable use.