ApsaraDB RDS refunds depend on your billing method. Subscription instances support refund requests. Pay-as-you-go instances do not — charges stop when you release the instance.
Subscription instances
When you no longer need a subscription RDS instance, apply for a refund. Before you apply, review the Rules for unsubscribing from resources to understand eligibility and restrictions. To submit the request, see Methods for unsubscribing resources.
The refund covers the unused portion of your prepaid term, based on actual resource usage.
Pay-as-you-go instances
Pay-as-you-go billing charges against actual resource usage, so no refund applies. To stop being charged, back up or migrate your data, then release the instance. After the pay-as-you-go RDS instance is released, you are no longer charged for the instance.
For release instructions, see the guide for your database engine:
Other refund scenarios
Refunds also apply in the following situations.
Billing method change
When you switch a subscription instance to pay-as-you-go, the system refunds the remaining prepaid balance.
Refund amount = Paid amount − Fee for consumed resources
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Paid amount | The actual amount you paid for the order, excluding coupons and vouchers |
| Fee for consumed resources | Price of subscription resources per day × Usage duration × Discount available for the usage duration |
For instructions on switching billing methods, see:
Specification downgrade
When you downgrade the specifications of a subscription instance, the system refunds the price difference between the original and new specifications.
The refund uses the same formula: Refund amount = Paid amount − Fee for consumed resources
Paid amount: The actual amount you paid for the order, excluding coupons and vouchers
Fee for consumed resources: Price of subscription resources per day × Usage duration × Discount available for the usage duration
For instructions on how to downgrade, see Specification changes.
Renewal cancellation
If you cancel a subscription renewal before it takes effect, the system returns the full renewal amount.
For renewal details, see Renewal policy. To cancel a renewal order that has not yet taken effect, see the Cancel the cloud resource renewal order that has not taken effect section of Rules for unsubscribing from resources.