What is instant payment?
When a brand pays you via Upfluence Pay, there's normally a 120-hour (5-day) delay between when the brand sends the payment and when it arrives in your Upfluence Pay account (powered by Stripe Express).
Instant payment lets you skip this waiting period and get the funds in your Upfluence Pay account immediately, for a 5% service fee.
How payment flow works
Understanding the two-step payment process helps explain where the instant payment option applies:
Step 1: Brand → Your Upfluence Pay account (Stripe Express)
Normal timing: 120 hours (5 days)
With instant payment: Immediate (same day)
This is where the 5% fee applies
Step 2: Your Upfluence Pay Account → Your Bank Account
Timing: Depends on your bank
Stripe automatically pays out to your bank daily
Upfluence and Stripe have no control over this timing
No additional fees for this step
How to use instant payment
Option 1: From your email notification
When the brand sends your payment, you'll receive an email with the message:
"Your payment is on the way. Want it faster? Get paid instantly."
Click the "Get paid now" button in the email to activate instant payment.
Option 2: From the payment status page
Go to Creator Space > Payments tab
Click View on the payment you want to speed up
Look for the "Get paid now" button on the payment status page
Click to activate instant payment
What happens when you choose instant payment
Before activating
Payment amount: $1000
Status: Processing (arriving in 5 days)
Total you'll receive: $1000
After Activating
Payment amount: $1000
Instant payment service fee (5%): -$50
Total you'll receive: $950
Status: Paid (funds arrive in your Stripe account immediately)
The 5% fee is deducted from your payment amount, and the remaining funds arrive in your Upfluence Pay account right away.
FAQs
Can I use instant payment for every payment?
Yes, as long as the brand is using Upfluence Pay as the payment method. Instant payment is not available for PayPal or wire transfer payments.
What if I don't choose instant payment?
Your payment will arrive in your Upfluence Pay account automatically after the standard 120-hour (5-day) delay, with no fee deducted.
Can I cancel instant payment after activating it?
No, once you activate instant payment and the 5% fee is deducted, the transaction cannot be reversed.
Is the 5% fee negotiable?
No, the 5% instant payment service fee is a fixed rate set by the payment processor and cannot be waived or adjusted.
Why does it still take some days to reach my bank after using instant payment?
The 5% instant payment fee only speeds up Step 1 (Brand → Stripe). Step 2 (Stripe → Your Bank) timing depends on your bank's processing time, which neither Upfluence nor Stripe can control.
How do I know if instant payment was successful?
Check your Stripe Express account:
Go to Transactions
Look for "Payment from Upfluence Pay" with the reduced amount (after the 5% fee)
Look for "Stripe Payout" showing the transfer to your bank
I don't see the "Get paid now" button. Why?
This could mean:
The payment is not via Upfluence Pay (check if it's PayPal or wire transfer)
The payment has already been processed
Will currency conversion fees still apply?
Yes, if your account currency is different from USD, Stripe's 1% currency conversion fee still applies separately from the 5% instant payment fee.