AI Employee Billing

Fixed-Rate AI Billing

Charge your clients a simple, predictable flat rate for Conversation AI and Voice AI usage—no more explaining token economics.
What You'll Learn

This article explains how to configure fixed-rate billing for your AI products. You'll learn how to set flat rates per message or call, when to use fixed-rate versus markup billing, and how to apply these settings across your client accounts.

By the end, you'll be able to offer transparent, predictable AI pricing that builds client trust and simplifies your sales conversations.

1

What is Fixed-Rate AI Billing?

Fixed-rate AI billing allows you to charge your clients a flat, predictable price per unit of AI usage—such as $0.50 per Conversation AI message or $1.00 per Voice AI call—instead of applying a markup to the underlying token-based cost.

AI products (Conversation AI and Voice AI) consume tokens based on the complexity and length of each interaction. While you continue to be billed by LeadConnector based on actual token usage, fixed-rate billing lets you shield your clients from this variability. Your clients see only the simple, flat rate you've configured, making AI products easier to understand, sell, and budget for.

You control the pricing model on a per-product, per-client basis, and you can switch between fixed-rate and markup-based billing at any time.

2

Key Benefits

Switching to fixed-rate billing for AI products gives you greater flexibility, predictability, and client confidence.

Simpler sales conversations — Quote a flat rate like "$0.50 per message" instead of explaining token economics or variable markups to non-technical clients.
Predictable client billing — Your clients see consistent, easy-to-understand charges that don't fluctuate with invisible usage patterns.
Increased trust and adoption — Transparent pricing reduces billing disputes and support tickets, encouraging clients to use AI features more confidently.
Revenue opportunity — Lower the barrier to upselling AI products. You can price for margin without exposing clients to usage volatility.
Flexible billing strategies — Markup-based billing remains fully available. Choose the right model for each product and each client.
3

Understanding Billing Models

LeadConnector offers two billing models for AI products. You can select the model that best fits your business strategy for each product and client.

Model 1
Markup-Based Billing

With markup billing, your client is charged a multiplier (for example, 1.5x or 2x) on top of the actual token cost incurred for each AI interaction. The charge varies with usage complexity and length.

Best for: Clients who understand usage-based pricing or when you want to pass through cost variability transparently.

Model 2
Fixed-Rate Billing

With fixed-rate billing, your client is charged a flat amount per unit of AI usage (for example, $0.50 per Conversation AI message) regardless of the underlying token cost. You manage the spread between your cost and the fixed rate.

Best for: Simplifying sales, improving client predictability, and building trust with non-technical, price-sensitive clients.

Important

You are still billed by LeadConnector based on actual token usage. Fixed-rate billing shifts usage variability from your client's invoice to your margin management. Monitor your AI usage costs to ensure your fixed rates remain profitable.

4

How to Set Up Fixed-Rate Billing

You can configure fixed-rate billing for AI products in three places within LeadConnector. The configuration is applied per product (Conversation AI or Voice AI) and per client. Follow the steps below for the most common workflow.

Step 1
Navigate to Client Re billing Settings

Go to Settings → My Staff → Locations. Select the client location you want to configure and click Manage Client → Re billing.

Step 2
Select the AI Product and Billing Model

In the Re billing settings, locate the AI product you want to configure (Conversation AI or Voice AI). Choose the billing model from the dropdown: Markup or Fixed Rate.



Step 3
Enter Your Fixed Rate

If you selected Fixed Rate, enter the flat amount you want to charge per unit (for example, $0.50 per message for Conversation AI). This is the amount your client will see on their invoice for each billable event.

Step 4
Save Your Configuration

Click Save to apply your settings. The new billing model takes effect immediately. All future AI events for this client will be charged at the fixed rate you configured.


Tip

You can also configure fixed-rate billing when creating or updating a SaaS plan (SaaS plan → Re billing settings) or from the AI Usage dashboard. All three configuration paths write to the same underlying settings, so use whichever workflow fits your process.

Pro Tip
Switching Between Billing Models
You can toggle between Markup and Fixed Rate at any time. When you switch billing models before saving, the interface restores the previously configured value for each model—so your markup percentage or fixed rate is never lost if you change your mind.
5

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I use different billing models for Conversation AI and Voice AI?
Yes. The billing model is set independently for each AI product. You can charge a fixed rate for Conversation AI and use markup-based billing for Voice AI (or vice versa) for the same client.
Q: What happens to my cost if I set a fixed rate that's lower than my actual token cost?
You are responsible for managing the spread between your LeadConnector cost and the fixed rate you charge your client. If your fixed rate is lower than your cost, you will incur a loss on that transaction. Monitor your AI usage costs and adjust your fixed rates to maintain profitability.
Q: When does the new billing model take effect after I save it?
The new billing model takes effect immediately at the moment of the next chargeable AI event. Any usage that occurs after you save your configuration will be billed using the updated model.
Q: Can I switch back to markup-based billing after using fixed-rate billing?
Yes. You can switch between Markup and Fixed Rate at any time. The interface preserves your previous configuration for each model, so you can toggle back and forth without losing your settings.
Q: Where can I see which billing model is currently active for a client?
The active billing model is shown in the Rebilling settings panel for each client (Manage Client → Rebilling). You can also view this in the SaaS plan settings or the AI Usage dashboard.
Q: Does fixed-rate billing affect how I'm charged by LeadConnector?
No. LeadConnector continues to charge you based on actual token usage for all AI products. Fixed-rate billing only affects what you charge your clients—it does not change your own cost structure.
Q: Can I set different fixed rates for different clients?
Yes. Fixed-rate billing is configured per client and per product. You can set unique fixed rates for each client based on your pricing strategy, contract terms, or client tier.
Q: What happens if I configure a billing model but don't enter a rate?
The system validates your configuration before saving. If you select Fixed Rate without entering a flat rate, or if you select Markup without a multiplier, you'll see a validation error and won't be able to save until the required field is filled.
Need Help?

If you have questions about configuring fixed-rate billing or need assistance choosing the right pricing model for your clients, our support team is here to help.

  • Visit Settings → Support to open a support ticket.
  • Use the in-app chat to connect with a support specialist in real time.
  • Check the AI Usage dashboard for insights into your current AI costs and usage patterns.