Payments, Prizes & Refunds
Goal Gauntlet uses Stripe for secure payment processing. Here's how money works in the app.
Entry Fees (Goal Gauntlet)
How Entry Fees Work
- Organizer sets the entry fee when creating a gauntlet ($5-$100 typical)
- You pay when you join
- Fees go into the prize pool
- At the end, winners split the pool based on final rankings
Payment Methods
We accept:
- Credit/debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Discover)
- Apple Pay (iOS)
- Google Pay (Android)
Fees
Goal Gauntlet charges a 10% platform fee on prize pools. This covers Stripe payment processing, infrastructure, and support. Pro subscribers receive a 3% discount (7% effective fee).
You'll see the exact fee breakdown before confirming payment.
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Platform fee | 10% of entry fee |
| Pro subscriber fee | 7% of entry fee |
| Fundraising Gauntlet | Stripe processing only (~3%) |
| Virtual Journey | Free (no fees) |
Prize Payouts
How Winners Get Paid
- Challenge ends at the scheduled time
- Final leaderboard is locked
- Prizes are calculated based on payout structure
- Winners receive payout within 3-5 business days
Payout Structure
The organizer sets how prizes are distributed. Common structures:
Winner takes all:
- 1st place: 100% of prize pool
Top 3 split:
- 1st place: 50%
- 2nd place: 30%
- 3rd place: 20%
Top 10%:
- All participants in top 10% share the pool equally
Setting Up Payouts
To receive prize money, you need to connect a payout method:
- Go to Settings → Payments
- Tap Add Payout Method
- Enter your bank account or debit card details
- Verify your identity (required by regulations)
Note: First-time setup requires identity verification. Have your ID ready.
Payout Minimum
There's a $10 minimum payout. Smaller amounts are kept in your wallet balance and can be used toward future entry fees or accumulated until the minimum is met.
Your Wallet
Goal Gauntlet includes a built-in wallet where your winnings and credits are stored:
- Balance - Available funds you can spend or withdraw
- Pending - Winnings being processed
- Lifetime stats - Total earned, withdrawn, and spent
Access your wallet from Settings → Wallet.
Cashing Out
To withdraw funds from your wallet:
- Go to Settings → Wallet → Cash Out
- Choose your method:
- Bank account - Direct deposit
- Gift card - Instant delivery
- Enter the amount (minimum $10)
- Verify with the code sent to your email
- Funds are transferred within 3-5 business days (bank) or instantly (gift card)
Refunds
Before the Gauntlet Starts
You can get a refund anytime before the challenge begins:
- Open the gauntlet
- Tap the menu (⋮) → Leave Gauntlet
- Choose your refund method:
- Refund to original payment - Money back to your card (3-5 business days)
- Convert to platform credit - Instant credit to your wallet balance
- Confirm cancellation
For refunds under $1, the amount is automatically added as platform credit.
After the Gauntlet Starts
Once a challenge begins, refunds are not available. This ensures fairness - everyone is committed for the duration.
Exceptions:
- Technical issues preventing participation (contact support)
- Challenge cancelled by organizer (automatic full refund)
Organizer Cancellation
Organizers can cancel a gauntlet before or during the challenge. When an organizer cancels:
- All participants receive an automatic full refund
- Refunds process within 3-5 business days
- You'll receive a notification when the refund is issued
Refund Timeline
| Situation | Refund Amount | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Leave before start (card) | Full refund | 3-5 business days |
| Leave before start (credit) | Full refund | Instant |
| Organizer cancels | 100% refund | 3-5 business days |
| After challenge starts | Not available | - |
Fundraising Gauntlet Payments
How Pledges Work
- Supporters pledge an amount per mile, step, or activity unit
- Your activity during the challenge accumulates pledges
- At the end, supporters are charged for their total pledge
- Donations go directly to the selected charity
Example: Someone pledges $1/mile. You walk 26.2 miles. They donate $26.20.
Pledge Caps
Supporters can set a maximum donation cap to control their total contribution.
Charity Payouts
100% of donations (minus payment processing) go to the charity. Goal Gauntlet does not take a cut from fundraising.
Virtual Journey Payments
Virtual Journeys are free to join! No entry fees or payments required.
Some organizers may create premium journeys with entry fees in the future.
Troubleshooting
Payment declined
- Verify card details are correct
- Check you have sufficient funds
- Try a different payment method
- Contact your bank if issues persist
Payout not received
- Check Settings → Payments → Payout History
- Verify your payout method is set up correctly
- Allow 3-5 business days for processing
- Contact support if not received after 7 days
Refund not processed
- Check your original payment method
- Refunds take 5-7 business days
- Some banks take additional time to show the credit
- Contact support if not received after 10 days
Security
- Payments processed by Stripe (PCI DSS compliant)
- Card details never stored on our servers
- Two-factor authentication available for payouts
- Fraud protection on all transactions
Common Questions
Q: Is my payment information secure? A: Yes. All payments are processed by Stripe, a leading payment provider. We never see or store your full card number.
Q: Can I change my payout method? A: Yes. Go to Settings → Payments → Payout Methods to add, remove, or update.
Q: What happens if a challenge is cancelled? A: Everyone receives a full refund automatically within 5-7 business days.
Q: Are there any hidden fees? A: No hidden fees. Goal Gauntlet charges a transparent 10% platform fee on Goal Gauntlet entry fees. Pro subscribers pay 7%. The fee is shown before you confirm payment.
Q: What is the platform fee used for? A: The 10% platform fee covers payment processing, server infrastructure, support, and ongoing development.
Q: How do I check my wallet balance? A: Go to Settings → Wallet to see your current balance, pending amounts, and transaction history.
Q: Can I pay with PayPal? A: Not currently. We support cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay.
Q: Do I pay taxes on winnings? A: Prize winnings may be taxable income. Consult a tax professional for advice specific to your situation.