Overview
SMS in Petboost is powered by a credit system. Every outbound SMS uses one credit. Your credits come from your monthly plan allocation and any additional credit packs you purchase.
Plan Allocations
Each plan includes a monthly SMS allocation that resets on your billing cycle date:
Plan | Monthly SMS Credits |
Calendar Lite | None (email only) |
Business Pro | 500/month |
Business Max | 1,000/month |
Unused plan credits do not roll over to the next month.
SMS Top-up Credit Packs
If you need more credits than your plan provides, purchase SMS credit packs from Billing → SMS Credits:
Pack | Credits | Price |
Starter | 100 | $15 |
Growth | 250 | $29 |
Business | 500 | $49 |
Power | 1,000 | $79 |
Pack credits never expire. They remain in your account until used, regardless of your billing cycle or plan changes.
Auto top-up
Auto top-up lives on Settings > SMS. Billing shows whether it is on or off. It does not have a balance threshold. When it is on, Petboost charges the pack you selected on the next SMS after you run out.
Go to Settings > SMS
Under SMS Top-up Credit Packs, turn on Auto top-up
Select the pack Petboost should buy when you run out
Billing > SMS Credits only shows the status (Auto top-up on or off).
Credit Pooling
All your SMS credits are pooled into a single balance:
Monthly plan allocation credits
Communications Booster credits (if Communications Booster is active)
Purchased pack credits
When you send an SMS, credits are consumed from the pooled balance. Plan allocation credits are used first, followed by pack credits.
What Uses Credits
Action | Credit Cost |
Automated appointment reminder (SMS) | 1 credit |
Bulk SMS (per recipient) | 1 credit |
Manual message via Communications Booster | 1 credit |
Automated message via Communications Booster | 1 credit |
Inbound message (Communications Booster) | Free |
Message length does not change the cost. A text over 160 characters, or one with emojis, still uses 1 credit. It is sent as two messages, so the customer may receive it in two parts.
Trips texts use credits the same way. Marking a stop picked up or dropped off can send the customer a text, if you switch that on for the service. See Getting started with Trips.
SMS Confirmation Reply
Petboost supports an SMS confirmation reply feature where customers can reply to confirm their upcoming appointments. When enabled:
SMS reminders include your Confirmation Message when you have an active dedicated number
The customer replies Y to confirm or N if they can't make it. N cancels the appointment when they give at least your Change & Cancellation Notice Period. With less notice and a cancellation fee, they are asked to confirm the fee first
A Y reply does not change the appointment status. Petboost texts back "Thanks! See you then." and the reply appears in Messages
Replies from customers are free. Each text Petboost sends back uses one credit
How to configure:
Navigate to Settings → Notifications
Under Pre-Appointment Reminders, enable Confirmation Reply (Y/N)
Edit Confirmation Message (appended to SMS reminders only)
This is separate from Pre-Appointment Message under Custom Messages. That note goes on confirmation and reminder emails (and the booking card). Turn on Also add to confirmation and reminder texts if you also want it on SMS. The longer texts still use 1 credit each.
Monitoring Your Usage
Keep track of your SMS usage in the Billing section:
Current balance: total credits available across plan and packs
Monthly usage: how many credits you have used this billing cycle
Plan allocation remaining: credits left from your monthly allowance
Pack credits remaining: credits left from purchased packs
Usage history: a log of credit consumption by date and type
Best Practices for Credit Management
Monitor usage weekly: check your balance regularly, especially during busy periods or after bulk sends
Enable auto top-up: avoid running out of credits unexpectedly, particularly if you rely on automated reminders
Use email where appropriate: for non-urgent or detailed communications, email is included at no extra cost
Review your plan: if you consistently purchase packs, upgrading your plan may be more cost-effective
Segment bulk sends: target relevant audiences rather than messaging your entire customer base