When you’re passionate about teaching, whether it’s children’s activities, fitness, wellness, or dog training, managing payments can feel like the least rewarding part of the job. Yet, choosing the right payment model is one of the most important decisions you can make. It affects not only your income but also customer satisfaction, retention, and how smoothly your admin runs.
This guide explains the main models of class payments - PAYG (Pay-As-You-Go), block bookings, subscriptions, and trials - and shows you when each one makes sense. We’ll also cover how Book That In (BTI) makes handling all these options simple, so you can focus more on your classes and less on chasing money.
1. Why choosing the right payment model matters
The way you structure payments influences:
- Cash flow stability – Subscriptions give you predictable monthly income, while PAYG can fluctuate week to week.
- Customer commitment – Block bookings and subscriptions encourage longer-term engagement.
- Accessibility – PAYG and trials lower the barrier for new customers who want to try before committing.
- Admin workload – Automated recurring payments reduce chasing and manual processing.
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Many class providers actually use a mix of models depending on their audience and goals.
2. PAYG (Pay-As-You-Go)
What it is: Customers pay for each class as they attend.
When it works well:
- Drop-in style classes (e.g. yoga, fitness, community activities)
- New businesses attracting first-time customers
- Casual learners who value flexibility
Example: A local Zumba instructor charges £8 PAYG. This works well for parents who can’t always commit weekly but still want the option to join when free.
With BTI’s online booking system, you can set PAYG prices directly on your booking page. Payments are processed securely online, so customers commit in advance rather than promising to bring cash.
3. Block bookings
What it is: Customers pay upfront for a block of classes (e.g. 6 or 10 sessions).
When it works well:
- Children’s activity providers who run term-based courses
- Fitness instructors offering progressive programmes
- Businesses wanting to reward loyalty with discounts
Example: A dog training provider charges £60 for a 6-week block (£10 per class). Customers commit to attending regularly, and the trainer secures income upfront.
BTI makes block bookings easy. You can define package lengths (e.g. 5, 6, or 10 sessions), link them to specific classes, and let the system track usage automatically. For providers running multiple sites, the franchise booking solution keeps packages consistent across locations.
4. Subscriptions
What it is: Customers pay on a recurring basis (weekly, monthly, termly) until they cancel.
When it works well:
- Children’s activities (swimming, gymnastics, dance)
- Membership-based fitness and wellness
- Adult learning with ongoing classes
Example: A gymnastics club charges £40/month subscription, covering weekly classes. Parents set up once and payments run automatically.
BTI integrates with Stripe to handle subscriptions seamlessly. Customers save their card once, and the system bills automatically on schedule. You can set minimum terms, manage pauses, and monitor statuses without the stress of chasing overdue fees.
5. Trials
What it is: Customers pay a reduced rate (or nothing) for one or two trial sessions before committing.
When it works well:
- Children’s activity providers attracting new families
- Fitness or wellness studios offering taster sessions
- Courses where commitment is high once a customer starts
Example: A baby music class offers the first session at £3 instead of £8. Parents can try it out, then move to a block or subscription if they enjoy it.
BTI lets you create trial offers as separate booking options. Once families attend, you can easily nudge them into a block or subscription without duplicating admin.
6. Actionable pricing examples
Here are a few practical ways class providers mix payment models:
- Yoga studio: £8 PAYG per class, £40 for 6-class block, or £45 monthly subscription for unlimited sessions.
- Children’s dance school: £5 trial class, £60 for a 6-week block, £35 monthly subscription for ongoing weekly classes.
- Dog training provider: £10 PAYG, £50 block of 6, £30 monthly subscription for group sessions.
- Adult learning course: Free first class, £70 block of 8, or £12 PAYG for occasional attendees.
Mixing options gives customers flexibility while encouraging long-term commitment. Don’t just take our word for it – see how other providers are using these models successfully on the reviews page.
7. How BTI handles all these easily
One of the biggest challenges for class providers is juggling different payment models. With Book That In:
- PAYG – Add per-class pricing and take secure card payments upfront.
- Blocks – Create packages of any length and let BTI track attendance automatically.
- Subscriptions – Automate recurring billing with Stripe integration.
- Trials – Offer discounted or free taster sessions and seamlessly upgrade to blocks or subscriptions.
You don’t need multiple systems or complicated spreadsheets. Everything runs from one platform, saving time and reducing stress.
Final thoughts
The right payment model depends on your business, your customers, and your goals. For many providers, a mix of PAYG, blocks, subscriptions, and trials works best. The key is balancing accessibility for new joiners with stability for your income.
Book That In takes the hassle out of class payments. Whether you’re offering PAYG flexibility, subscription stability, or trial sessions to welcome newcomers, BTI helps you manage it all in one place – so you can focus on teaching, not chasing payments. If you’d like to see how it works in practice, you can book a free demo today.