ApsaraVideo VOD resource plans are prepaid resources that offset usage billed on a pay-as-you-go basis. Understanding the offset rules, limits, and order helps you manage costs.
Effective time and offset time
After you purchase a resource plan, it takes effect immediately and offsets usage that is generated after its effective time. Because billing has a built-in delay, offset results appear only after bills are generated.
Immediate effect: A resource plan becomes active immediately after purchase. It offsets usage that is generated after its effective time. Usage that is generated before the purchase is not eligible for offset.
Offset delay: ApsaraVideo VOD bills usage on an hourly basis. The system aggregates usage, generates bills, and then applies offsets. Therefore, offset results appear with a delay.
Billing item type | Delay |
System storage (including Standard storage, tiered storage, outbound traffic, and transfer acceleration) | About 7 hours |
Media transcoding, video editing and compositing, real-time logs, video AI, and video security | 3–4 hours |
For example, if you purchase a 1 TB ApsaraVideo VOD data transfer plan for the Chinese mainland at 10:30:00 (UTC+8) on August 12, 2024, and the plan is valid for one month:
Eligibility: Traffic that is generated from 10:30:00 onward is eligible for offset by this resource plan.
Billing cycle: The system generates the traffic bill for the 10:00:00 to 11:00:00 hour at approximately 14:00:00 (UTC+8).
Offset execution: When the bill is generated, the system calculates the traffic that was used between 10:00:00 and 11:00:00 and applies the resource plan. Traffic that was generated before 10:30:00 is not offset.
Offset limits
Product-specific: ApsaraVideo VOD resource plans apply only to fees that are generated by ApsaraVideo VOD. They do not offset fees from other products, such as OSS or CDN.
Billable item match: A resource plan can offset only its matching billable item. For example, a transcoding plan can offset only transcoding fees, not storage fees. Resource plans of different types cannot be used to offset fees for each other.
Billing Method Restrictions (for ApsaraVideo VOD data transfer plans only): You can use an ApsaraVideo VOD data transfer plan to offset charges only when the billing method is Monthly Traffic.
Region limit:
Region-specific: ApsaraVideo VOD transcoding plans and data transfer plans require you to select a region upon purchase. They do not support cross-region offset.
Region-agnostic: ApsaraVideo VOD storage plans are globally applicable.
Offset order for resource plans
If you have multiple active resource plans of the same type, the system applies them in the following order:
Expiration time: The plan that expires the soonest is applied first.
Purchase time: If multiple plans expire at the same time, the one that was purchased first is applied first.
For example, assume that you make the following two purchases:
Purchase A: On July 1, 2025, you purchase a 1 TB data transfer plan that is valid for one year and expires on June 30, 2026.
Purchase B: On August 1, 2025, you purchase a 1 TB data transfer plan that is valid for six months and expires on January 31, 2026.
The system applies Purchase B first because it expires sooner. After the quota for Purchase B is exhausted, the system automatically switches to Purchase A.
Billing after resource plan exhaustion
If a resource plan is exhausted or expires, the service continues without interruption. Usage that exceeds the plan quota is billed on a pay-as-you-go basis.
FAQ
Why did my newly purchased resource plan not offset the bill immediately?
The plan becomes active immediately after purchase, but the offset is applied only when the bill is generated. This can cause a delay of 3 to 7 hours.
Why is my data transfer plan not taking effect?
ApsaraVideo VOD data transfer plans can be applied only if your ApsaraVideo VOD service uses the pay-by-data-transfer metering method. We recommend that you check which metering method your service is using.
Does service stop when a resource plan is exhausted or expires?
No, the service does not stop. It continues to run, and usage that exceeds the plan quota is billed on a pay-as-you-go basis.