Consensus is an AI-powered research assistant that searches academic papers to answer questions with evidence. If you want more than the free tier offers, you can upgrade to a paid plan and pay with a Coinepay virtual card. This guide walks through what you need, how to sign up and check out, and how to troubleshoot a declined card.
What you need before you start
- A verified Coinepay account. You must register and complete identity verification (KYC) before your virtual card can be used. Create your account if you have not already.
- A Coinepay virtual card with its card number, expiry date and CVV visible in your Coinepay dashboard or the mobile app (iOS / Android).
- Enough available balance on the card to cover the plan you choose, plus any local tax that may be added at checkout.
- Your real billing details — name and billing address — which must match the information on your Coinepay profile.
Consensus states that it processes credit and debit card details together with a billing address through third-party payment providers. It does not publicly confirm which card networks, prepaid cards, or wallets such as PayPal, Apple Pay or Google Pay it accepts. If you are unsure whether your card will work for this purchase, contact Coinepay support to confirm your card meets the merchant's requirements before you buy.
Consensus plans and prices
Consensus offers several tiers. At the time of writing (October 2026), the plan article lists these US-dollar prices; always check the official Consensus pricing page for the current amount in your region, since local currency, taxes and other market prices are not confirmed here.
| Plan | Price (USD, Oct 2026) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | 10 Pro messages and 3 Deep reviews per month |
| Pro | $20/month or $144/year | Annual option billed yearly |
| Deep | $65/month or $540/year | Annual option billed yearly |
| Teams | Custom | Priced by team size, discounts up to 200 seats |
| Enterprise | Custom quote | For organizations with more than 200 users |
Note that Consensus renamed the former Premium plan to Pro and introduced the Deep subscription in September 2025, so the current plan names are Pro and Deep. Students and faculty may be able to claim 40% off and clinicians 25% off; Consensus applies the discount at checkout after verification.
Step 1: Create your Consensus account
Go to the official Consensus website and sign up with your email or a Google account. If you use email, Consensus sends a six-digit sign-in code to confirm your address — enter that code to finish creating the account. Use your real identity and details throughout.
Step 2: Choose your plan
Open the Pricing page inside Consensus. Select Monthly or Annually depending on how you want to be billed, then click Upgrade under the plan you want (for example, Pro). Annual billing on Pro and Deep is charged yearly, so make sure your card balance covers the full annual amount if you pick that option.
Step 3: Prepare your Coinepay virtual card
Open the Coinepay app or dashboard and locate the virtual card you plan to use. Confirm you can see the full card number, expiry date and CVV, and that the available balance is enough for the plan plus any tax. Top up the card if needed before you continue, because an insufficient balance is one of the most common reasons a subscription payment fails.
Step 4: Complete checkout
On the Consensus checkout screen, enter your virtual card number, expiry date and CVV, then enter your billing address. Enter the billing address exactly as it appears on your Coinepay profile. If your bank or card issuer triggers a 3-D Secure authentication step, approve it through the method your issuer uses. Once the payment is confirmed, your account upgrades to the plan you selected.
Step 5: Confirm and manage your subscription
After purchase, click the profile icon at the bottom left and go to Settings → Subscription. Paid accounts can manage their plan, payment method and billing frequency there. To change your card or billing address later, go to Settings → Subscription → Manage → Manage payment method and enter the new card information, or the card information with the updated billing address.
If you later use the Consensus API or MCP, note that paid users can opt in to additional usage at $0.05 per call beyond their included calls, subject to plan limits. This is off by default, so you will not be charged for it unless you turn it on.
Troubleshooting a declined card
Consensus suggests checking for an expired card, insufficient funds, a spending limit, or a pending bank authorization request if a payment does not go through. Here is how those map to a Coinepay virtual card:
Insufficient balance
Make sure the card holds enough to cover the full charge — the monthly or annual amount plus any local tax. For annual plans, remember the whole year is charged at once. Top up in the Coinepay app and retry.
Billing address mismatch
Many payment processors check that the billing address you type matches the address on file for the card. Use the exact billing address linked to your Coinepay card. If you recently changed it, update it in Settings → Subscription → Manage → Manage payment method and try again.
3-D Secure / bank authorization
If the checkout asks for extra verification, complete the 3-D Secure or authorization step prompted by your issuer. If you do not receive a prompt, check your Coinepay app for any pending approval or notification.
Expired or incorrect card details
Re-check the card number, expiry date and CVV against what is shown in your Coinepay dashboard. A single mistyped digit will cause a decline.
Merchant region checks
Consensus's terms reserve the right to refuse service in certain geographic regions, and a country-by-country availability list is not published. Some merchants also screen the region a card is issued in. If your payment is declined and the above checks do not resolve it, contact Coinepay support to confirm your card is suitable, and reach Consensus support about availability in your location.
"402 - Billing past due"
If you use the API and see a 402 - Billing past due response, your subscription is overdue, usually after a failed payment. API and MCP calls pause until the billing issue is resolved. Update your payment method and clear the outstanding charge to restore access.
Cancellations and refunds
To cancel, go to Settings → Subscription → Manage → Cancel subscription, decline the pause offer and complete the remaining prompts. Paid access continues until the end of your current billing period.
Consensus's refund policy allows a monthly-plan refund request within 72 hours of purchase and an annual-plan request within 120 hours. EU customers are eligible within 14 days of purchase for either billing frequency and should identify themselves as EU customers when requesting. To request a refund, email [email protected] or use in-app support with your account name and email, receipt or invoice number, and a brief explanation. Refunds go back to the original payment method and may take 5–10 business days to process — so keep the Coinepay card you paid with active if you expect a refund.
Getting help
For questions about your Coinepay card, balance or verification, use the in-app help or reach the team through Coinepay support or Telegram. For questions about your plan, billing cycle or refund eligibility, contact Consensus directly through their official support channels.
Get your Coinepay virtual card: Sign up · App Store · Google Play · Customer support
FAQ
Which Consensus plan should I pay for with my virtual card?
It depends on your usage. The Free tier gives 10 Pro messages and 3 Deep reviews per month. Pro and Deep are paid monthly or annually, and Teams and Enterprise use custom pricing. Check the official Consensus pricing page for current amounts in your region before you pay.
Will my Coinepay virtual card be accepted by Consensus?
Consensus processes credit and debit card details plus a billing address through third-party providers, but does not publicly confirm which networks or card types it accepts. Contact Coinepay support to confirm your card meets the merchant's requirements before buying.
Why was my card declined at Consensus checkout?
Common causes are insufficient balance, a billing address that does not match your card, an unfinished 3-D Secure step, or mistyped card details. Verify each in your Coinepay app, correct it, and retry; if it still fails, it may be a regional check—contact support.
How do I update the card used for my Consensus subscription?
Open the profile icon at the bottom left, then go to Settings → Subscription → Manage → Manage payment method and enter your new card details, including the updated billing address if it changed.
Can I get a refund if I paid with a virtual card?
Yes. Monthly plans can be refunded within 72 hours of purchase and annual plans within 120 hours; EU customers have 14 days. Email [email protected] with your details. Refunds go to the original payment method and take 5–10 business days, so keep that Coinepay card active.
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