# Overview of Smart Subscriptions
source: https://developer.mastercard.com/consumer-clarity/documentation/experience-design-guide/smart-subscriptions/use-cases/overview/index.md
Smart Subscriptions allows cardholders to easily track and manage subscriptions from within the issuer application. Smart Subscriptions currently include cancellation, changing plan, with more coming soon. The variety in cancellation options support instant cancellation requests, and off-site guidance on cancelling to accommodate different technical set-ups and merchant capabilities.
### Use cases {#use-cases}
#### Automated cancel {#automated-cancel}
Customers will be able to cancel a subscription either through the banking app, either instantly through the API or through a merchant outreach request.
#### Guided cancel {#guided-cancel}
A cancellation flow when it is not possible for the customer's account to be cancelled online, and a set of instructions are provided instead.
#### Cancel with payment stop {#cancel-with-payment-stop}
When cancelling a subscription fails, a stop can be applied intelligently as a fall back to prevent any charge from the merchant.
#### Cancel with retention offer {#cancel-with-retention-offer}
During the cancellation process, the merchant has an opportunity to share an offer to retain the customer.
#### Change plan {#change-plan}
It allows customers to switch between plans offered by the merchant by upgrading or downgrading.
### Fulfillment methods {#fulfillment-methods}
#### Automated cancel versus guided cancel {#automated-cancel-versus-guided-cancel}
**Automated cancel**
Using automated cancel, customers can cancel their subscriptions directly through their issuer app. Smart Subscriptions will contact the merchant to cancel the subscription contract. This has two methods of implementation on the issuer side, including a direct API which has an immediate response, or a merchant outreach approach which can take up to 5 business days to return a response to the customer.
**Guided cancel**
For merchants who do not offer automated cancellation, instructions can be placed within the issuer app that describe the steps the customer can take on the merchant's site to complete cancellation. The description should also include a link or ability to copy the link for the customer to route to the merchant's site easily. The customer should also be shown on the issuer app a CTA to response from the cancellation request on the merchant site, whether it was successful or not, so the issuer app can record the outcome.
#### Automated cancel: API Direct connection versus merchant outreach {#automated-cancel-api-direct-connection-versus-merchant-outreach}
Using Automated Cancel, customers are able to request cancellation of subscriptions within the issuer app, with the user experience dependent on the type of connection the issuer has with Mastercard:
**API direct connection:** When an issuer is directly connected with an API to Mastercard, customers experience an automatic cancellation request, processing in seconds, providing them with confirmation quickly on the success of the cancellation request for a specific subscription.
**Merchant outreach:** Merchants participating in this option have a connection with Mastercard to accept and respond to cancellation requests. This automated cancellation can take up to 5 business days before the response of the cancellation request returns to the customer.
### UX journeys {#ux-journeys}
[Automated Cancel](https://developer.mastercard.com/consumer-clarity/documentation/experience-design-guide/smart-subscriptions/use-cases/cancel/automated-cancel/index.md)
[Guided Cancel](https://developer.mastercard.com/consumer-clarity/documentation/experience-design-guide/smart-subscriptions/use-cases/cancel/guided-cancel/index.md)
[Cancel with Payment Stop](https://developer.mastercard.com/consumer-clarity/documentation/experience-design-guide/smart-subscriptions/use-cases/cancel/cancel-with-payment-stop/index.md)
[Cancel with Retention Offer](https://developer.mastercard.com/consumer-clarity/documentation/experience-design-guide/smart-subscriptions/use-cases/cancel/cancel-with-retention-offer/index.md)
[Change Plans](https://developer.mastercard.com/consumer-clarity/documentation/experience-design-guide/smart-subscriptions/use-cases/change-plans/index.md)
### Why this matters {#why-this-matters}
By including Smart Subscriptions in the banking applications, customers will feel more in control of their financing and budgeting. They can take action when they see these functionalities in the context of their banking journey to tailor to their specific financial needs at a given time.
#### Design for discovery and engagement {#design-for-discovery-and-engagement}
Thoughtful placement of these control indicators throughout the app will help customers understand the subscription-related features available to them. Explore strategies on how to help customers discover these controls in [Discovery](https://developer.mastercard.com/consumer-clarity/documentation/experience-design-guide/smart-subscriptions/moments-that-matter/discovery/index.md).
Bring the user back into the experience by offering different avenues for them to re-enter (notifications, transaction lists, and subscription management options) in addition to using clear and concise messaging when customer follow-up is needed. Read more in [Re-engagement](https://developer.mastercard.com/consumer-clarity/documentation/experience-design-guide/smart-subscriptions/moments-that-matter/re-engagement/index.md).
#### Experience prototype {#experience-prototype}
Get a glimpse of the reference experience. (Password: PXD2022)
[Open prototype](https://www.figma.com/proto/ChtfTZgyUb2c605GcGJMqP/Smart-Subscriptions-Assets?page-id=750%3A22320&node-id=750-22352&p=f&viewport=-5008%2C-5297%2C0.5&t=jSN5DZjDK07hyyMk-8&scaling=contain&content-scaling=fixed&hide-ui=1)
#### Figma file {#figma-file}
Find the end-to-end product experience for all use cases to duplicate and customize in your own environment.
[Access file](https://www.figma.com/design/ChtfTZgyUb2c605GcGJMqP/Smart-Subscriptions-Assets?node-id=2-2&p=f&t=WoCO6VEepEWcjQOw-0)
Next: [Automated Cancel](https://developer.mastercard.com/consumer-clarity/documentation/experience-design-guide/smart-subscriptions/use-cases/cancel/automated-cancel/index.md)