Discounts

20 min

Discounts

The Nue CPQ pricing engine supports a three-layer discount model that gives you precise control over how discounts are applied across a quote. Discounts can be set at the header level, the parent/bundle level, or the individual line-item level, and they follow deterministic override rules so you always know which discount wins.

Use this guide when you need to apply discretionary discounts to new quotes -- whether a blanket percentage across all lines, targeted discounts on specific products, dollar-amount discounts, or combinations of these.

Discount Layers

Layer	Field Location	Applies To	Override Behavior
Header discount	discount or discountAmount on the quote root	All line items that do not have their own discount	Lowest priority; overridden by bundle or product-level discounts
Bundle/Parent discount	discount or discountAmount on a bundle product	All children of that bundle (unless child has its own)	Middle priority; overrides header, overridden by child-level
Line-level discount	discount or discountAmount on a product entry	That specific line item only	Highest priority; overrides header and parent discounts

Key Rules

Percentage takes priority over amount. If both discount (percentage) and discountAmount are provided on the same object, the percentage value is used and the amount is ignored.

Product-level discount overrides header discount. A line item with its own discount or discountAmount will not receive the header-level discount.

Bundle discount propagates to children. A discount on a bundle parent flows down to all child add-ons unless the child specifies its own discount.

Header discountAmount is distributed proportionally. The fixed dollar amount is allocated across eligible lines based on each line's share of the total list amount.

Bundled items with a $0 list price are not discountable. Discounts are skipped for zero-price children.

Non-discountable products generate a warning. If a product is configured as non-discountable in the catalog, the system issues a warning and skips the discount for that line.

Pricing Calculation Order

Resolve the list unit price from the Price Book Entry (or price tag).

Apply price tags (PriceDimension) to determine the effective unit price.

Apply discount tags (DiscountDimension) if present.

Apply discretionary discounts (this guide) -- header, bundle, or line-level.

Calculate the final totalPrice for each line.

Warning Codes

Warning Code	Meaning
PRODUCT_DISCOUNT_OVERRIDES_HEADER	A product-level discount was found, so the header discount was not applied to that line
PRODUCT_DISCOUNT_APPLIED	A product-level discount was successfully applied
HEADER_DISCOUNT_APPLIED	The header discount was applied to a line that had no product-level override
PRODUCT_NOT_DISCOUNTABLE	The product is configured as non-discountable; the discount was skipped

Authentication Setup

All examples below use the following headers:

const myHeaders = new Headers();
myHeaders.append("nue-api-key", "YOUR_API_KEY_HERE");
myHeaders.append("Content-Type", "application/json");

Use Case 1: Header-Level Percentage Discount

Apply a 10% discount to every line item in the quote by setting discount on the quote root. The discount propagates to all lines that do not have their own product-level discount.

const quoteData = {
  opportunityId: "006xx000001abc123",
  name: "Q1 Enterprise License — 10% Header Discount",
  subscriptionStartDate: "2025-01-01",
  subscriptionEndDate: "2026-01-01",
  subscriptionTermDimension: "Month",
  subscriptionTerm: 12,
  discount: 10,
  products: [
    { productSku: "PLATFORM_BASE", uom: "User/Month", quantity: 50 },
    { productSku: "ANALYTICS_ADDON", uom: "User/Month", quantity: 50 }
  ]
};

fetch('https://api.nue.io/cpq/quotes:preview', {
  method: 'POST',
  headers: myHeaders,
  body: JSON.stringify(quoteData)
})
.then(response => response.json())
.then(result => {
  console.log(`Header discount: ${result.quote.discount}%`);
  result.quoteLineItems.forEach(item => {
    console.log(`${item.product.sku}: list $${item.listTotalPrice} → total $${item.totalPrice} (${item.discount}% off)`);
  });
})
.catch(error => console.log('Error:', error));

curl -X POST 'https://api.nue.io/cpq/quotes:preview' \
  -H 'nue-api-key: YOUR_API_KEY_HERE' \
  -H 'Content-Type: application/json' \
  -d '{
    "opportunityId": "006xx000001abc123",
    "name": "Q1 Enterprise License — 10% Header Discount",
    "subscriptionStartDate": "2025-01-01",
    "subscriptionEndDate": "2026-01-01",
    "subscriptionTermDimension": "Month",
    "subscriptionTerm": 12,
    "discount": 10,
    "products": [
      { "productSku": "PLATFORM_BASE", "uom": "User/Month", "quantity": 50 },
      { "productSku": "ANALYTICS_ADDON", "uom": "User/Month", "quantity": 50 }
    ]
  }'

Both products receive the 10% discount because neither has a product-level discount override. The response warnings array will contain HEADER_DISCOUNT_APPLIED entries for each line.

Use Case 2: Product-Level Discount on Bundle and Standalone

Apply different discounts to a bundle parent (20%) and a standalone product (10%). The bundle's 20% discount propagates to all of its child add-ons.

const quoteData = {
  opportunityId: "006xx000001abc123",
  name: "Bundle 20% + Standalone 10%",
  subscriptionStartDate: "2025-01-01",
  subscriptionEndDate: "2026-01-01",
  subscriptionTermDimension: "Month",
  subscriptionTerm: 12,
  products: [
    {
      productSku: "ENTERPRISE_SUITE",
      uom: "User/Month",
      quantity: 50,
      discount: 20,
      addOns: [
        { productSku: "PREMIUM_SUPPORT", uom: "User/Month", quantity: 50 },
        { productSku: "DATA_EXPORT", uom: "User/Month", quantity: 50 }
      ]
    },
    { productSku: "ANALYTICS_ADDON", uom: "User/Month", quantity: 25, discount: 10 }
  ]
};

fetch('https://api.nue.io/cpq/quotes:preview', {
  method: 'POST',
  headers: myHeaders,
  body: JSON.stringify(quoteData)
})
.then(response => response.json())
.then(result => {
  result.quoteLineItems.forEach(item => {
    console.log(`${item.product.sku}: ${item.discount}% off → $${item.totalPrice}`);
    if (item.childrenLineItems) {
      item.childrenLineItems.forEach(child => {
        console.log(`  └─ ${child.product.sku}: ${child.discount}% off → $${child.totalPrice}`);
      });
    }
  });
})
.catch(error => console.log('Error:', error));

curl -X POST 'https://api.nue.io/cpq/quotes:preview' \
  -H 'nue-api-key: YOUR_API_KEY_HERE' \
  -H 'Content-Type: application/json' \
  -d '{
    "opportunityId": "006xx000001abc123",
    "name": "Bundle 20% + Standalone 10%",
    "subscriptionStartDate": "2025-01-01",
    "subscriptionEndDate": "2026-01-01",
    "subscriptionTermDimension": "Month",
    "subscriptionTerm": 12,
    "products": [
      {
        "productSku": "ENTERPRISE_SUITE",
        "uom": "User/Month",
        "quantity": 50,
        "discount": 20,
        "addOns": [
          { "productSku": "PREMIUM_SUPPORT", "uom": "User/Month", "quantity": 50 },
          { "productSku": "DATA_EXPORT", "uom": "User/Month", "quantity": 50 }
        ]
      },
      { "productSku": "ANALYTICS_ADDON", "uom": "User/Month", "quantity": 25, "discount": 10 }
    ]
  }'

Result:

ENTERPRISE_SUITE parent and both children (PREMIUM_SUPPORT, DATA_EXPORT) receive 20% off.

ANALYTICS_ADDON receives its own 10% discount independently.

Use Case 3: Bundle Discount with Protected Add-On

Apply a 15% discount to a bundle parent, but protect a specific add-on from the discount by setting discount: 0 on it. The protected add-on keeps its full list price while sibling add-ons inherit the parent discount.

const quoteData = {
  opportunityId: "006xx000001abc123",
  name: "Bundle 15% with Protected Add-On",
  subscriptionStartDate: "2025-01-01",
  subscriptionEndDate: "2026-01-01",
  subscriptionTermDimension: "Month",
  subscriptionTerm: 12,
  products: [
    {
      productSku: "ENTERPRISE_SUITE",
      uom: "User/Month",
      quantity: 50,
      discount: 15,
      addOns: [
        { productSku: "PREMIUM_SUPPORT", uom: "User/Month", quantity: 50 },
        { productSku: "DATA_EXPORT", uom: "User/Month", quantity: 50, discount: 0 }
      ]
    }
  ]
};

fetch('https://api.nue.io/cpq/quotes:preview', {
  method: 'POST',
  headers: myHeaders,
  body: JSON.stringify(quoteData)
})
.then(response => response.json())
.then(result => {
  const parent = result.quoteLineItems[0];
  console.log(`${parent.product.sku}: ${parent.discount}% off`);
  parent.childrenLineItems.forEach(child => {
    console.log(`  └─ ${child.product.sku}: ${child.discount}% off → $${child.totalPrice}`);
  });
  // PREMIUM_SUPPORT inherits 15% from parent
  // DATA_EXPORT uses its own 0% discount (full price)
})
.catch(error => console.log('Error:', error));

curl -X POST 'https://api.nue.io/cpq/quotes:preview' \
  -H 'nue-api-key: YOUR_API_KEY_HERE' \
  -H 'Content-Type: application/json' \
  -d '{
    "opportunityId": "006xx000001abc123",
    "name": "Bundle 15% with Protected Add-On",
    "subscriptionStartDate": "2025-01-01",
    "subscriptionEndDate": "2026-01-01",
    "subscriptionTermDimension": "Month",
    "subscriptionTerm": 12,
    "products": [
      {
        "productSku": "ENTERPRISE_SUITE",
        "uom": "User/Month",
        "quantity": 50,
        "discount": 15,
        "addOns": [
          { "productSku": "PREMIUM_SUPPORT", "uom": "User/Month", "quantity": 50 },
          { "productSku": "DATA_EXPORT", "uom": "User/Month", "quantity": 50, "discount": 0 }
        ]
      }
    ]
  }'

Result:

ENTERPRISE_SUITE and PREMIUM_SUPPORT receive 15% off.

DATA_EXPORT receives 0% off (its own discount: 0 overrides the parent's 15%). The response warnings will include PRODUCT_DISCOUNT_OVERRIDES_HEADER for DATA_EXPORT.

Use Case 4: Dollar Discount Amount on a Product

Apply a fixed dollar discount (discountAmount) to a specific product instead of a percentage. The discountAmount is subtracted from the line's list total price.

const quoteData = {
  opportunityId: "006xx000001abc123",
  name: "Dollar Discount on Product",
  subscriptionStartDate: "2025-01-01",
  subscriptionEndDate: "2026-01-01",
  subscriptionTermDimension: "Month",
  subscriptionTerm: 12,
  products: [
    { productSku: "PLATFORM_BASE", uom: "User/Month", quantity: 10, discountAmount: 50 },
    { productSku: "ANALYTICS_ADDON", uom: "User/Month", quantity: 10 }
  ]
};

fetch('https://api.nue.io/cpq/quotes:preview', {
  method: 'POST',
  headers: myHeaders,
  body: JSON.stringify(quoteData)
})
.then(response => response.json())
.then(result => {
  result.quoteLineItems.forEach(item => {
    console.log(`${item.product.sku}: list $${item.listTotalPrice}, discountAmount $${item.discountAmount || 0}, total $${item.totalPrice}`);
  });
})
.catch(error => console.log('Error:', error));

curl -X POST 'https://api.nue.io/cpq/quotes:preview' \
  -H 'nue-api-key: YOUR_API_KEY_HERE' \
  -H 'Content-Type: application/json' \
  -d '{
    "opportunityId": "006xx000001abc123",
    "name": "Dollar Discount on Product",
    "subscriptionStartDate": "2025-01-01",
    "subscriptionEndDate": "2026-01-01",
    "subscriptionTermDimension": "Month",
    "subscriptionTerm": 12,
    "products": [
      { "productSku": "PLATFORM_BASE", "uom": "User/Month", "quantity": 10, "discountAmount": 50 },
      { "productSku": "ANALYTICS_ADDON", "uom": "User/Month", "quantity": 10 }
    ]
  }'

PLATFORM_BASE has $50 subtracted from its list total price. ANALYTICS_ADDON receives no discount because neither a header nor product-level discount is specified.

Use Case 5: Header Dollar Amount + Product Percentage (Mixed)

Combine a header-level discountAmount with a product-level discount percentage. The product with its own percentage discount uses that value; lines without a product-level discount receive a proportional share of the header dollar amount.

const quoteData = {
  opportunityId: "006xx000001abc123",
  name: "Header Dollar + Product Percentage Mix",
  subscriptionStartDate: "2025-01-01",
  subscriptionEndDate: "2026-01-01",
  subscriptionTermDimension: "Month",
  subscriptionTerm: 12,
  discountAmount: 200,
  products: [
    { productSku: "PLATFORM_BASE", uom: "User/Month", quantity: 50 },
    { productSku: "ANALYTICS_ADDON", uom: "User/Month", quantity: 50, discount: 15 },
    { productSku: "DATA_EXPORT", uom: "User/Month", quantity: 25 }
  ]
};

fetch('https://api.nue.io/cpq/quotes:preview', {
  method: 'POST',
  headers: myHeaders,
  body: JSON.stringify(quoteData)
})
.then(response => response.json())
.then(result => {
  console.log(`Header discountAmount: $${result.quote.discountAmount}`);
  result.quoteLineItems.forEach(item => {
    console.log(`${item.product.sku}: discount=${item.discount || 0}%, discountAmount=$${item.discountAmount || 0}, total=$${item.totalPrice}`);
  });
  // PLATFORM_BASE: receives proportional share of the $200 header amount
  // ANALYTICS_ADDON: receives its own 15% discount (header dollar skipped)
  // DATA_EXPORT: receives proportional share of the $200 header amount
})
.catch(error => console.log('Error:', error));

curl -X POST 'https://api.nue.io/cpq/quotes:preview' \
  -H 'nue-api-key: YOUR_API_KEY_HERE' \
  -H 'Content-Type: application/json' \
  -d '{
    "opportunityId": "006xx000001abc123",
    "name": "Header Dollar + Product Percentage Mix",
    "subscriptionStartDate": "2025-01-01",
    "subscriptionEndDate": "2026-01-01",
    "subscriptionTermDimension": "Month",
    "subscriptionTerm": 12,
    "discountAmount": 200,
    "products": [
      { "productSku": "PLATFORM_BASE", "uom": "User/Month", "quantity": 50 },
      { "productSku": "ANALYTICS_ADDON", "uom": "User/Month", "quantity": 50, "discount": 15 },
      { "productSku": "DATA_EXPORT", "uom": "User/Month", "quantity": 25 }
    ]
  }'

Result:

ANALYTICS_ADDON uses its own 15% percentage discount. The header discountAmount is not applied to this line.

PLATFORM_BASE and DATA_EXPORT split the $200 header discount proportionally based on their list amounts. The warnings array will include PRODUCT_DISCOUNT_OVERRIDES_HEADER for ANALYTICS_ADDON.

Use Case 6: Non-Discountable Products

When a product is configured as non-discountable in the product catalog, the pricing engine skips the discount for that line and issues a warning. Other eligible lines still receive their discounts.

const quoteData = {
  opportunityId: "006xx000001abc123",
  name: "Quote with Non-Discountable Product",
  subscriptionStartDate: "2025-01-01",
  subscriptionEndDate: "2026-01-01",
  subscriptionTermDimension: "Month",
  subscriptionTerm: 12,
  discount: 10,
  products: [
    { productSku: "PLATFORM_BASE", uom: "User/Month", quantity: 50 },
    { productSku: "COMPLIANCE_MODULE", uom: "User/Month", quantity: 50 },
    { productSku: "ANALYTICS_ADDON", uom: "User/Month", quantity: 25 }
  ]
};

fetch('https://api.nue.io/cpq/quotes:preview', {
  method: 'POST',
  headers: myHeaders,
  body: JSON.stringify(quoteData)
})
.then(response => response.json())
.then(result => {
  result.quoteLineItems.forEach(item => {
    console.log(`${item.product.sku}: discount=${item.discount || 0}%, total=$${item.totalPrice}`);
  });

  // No warnings array is returned -- read each line's discount to see what
  // the engine applied. A non-discountable product simply comes back at full
  // price, while PLATFORM_BASE and ANALYTICS_ADDON take the 10% header discount.
})
.catch(error => console.log('Error:', error));

curl -X POST 'https://api.nue.io/cpq/quotes:preview' \
  -H 'nue-api-key: YOUR_API_KEY_HERE' \
  -H 'Content-Type: application/json' \
  -d '{
    "opportunityId": "006xx000001abc123",
    "name": "Quote with Non-Discountable Product",
    "subscriptionStartDate": "2025-01-01",
    "subscriptionEndDate": "2026-01-01",
    "subscriptionTermDimension": "Month",
    "subscriptionTerm": 12,
    "discount": 10,
    "products": [
      { "productSku": "PLATFORM_BASE", "uom": "User/Month", "quantity": 50 },
      { "productSku": "COMPLIANCE_MODULE", "uom": "User/Month", "quantity": 50 },
      { "productSku": "ANALYTICS_ADDON", "uom": "User/Month", "quantity": 25 }
    ]
  }'

Result:

PLATFORM_BASE and ANALYTICS_ADDON receive the 10% header discount normally.

COMPLIANCE_MODULE is non-discountable: its totalPrice equals its listTotalPrice, and the response warnings array contains a PRODUCT_NOT_DISCOUNTABLE entry for that line.

Discount Interaction Rules

Scenario	Behavior
Header discount + no product discount	Header percentage applied to all lines
Header discount + product discount	Product percentage wins; header skipped for that line
Header discountAmount + no product discount	Dollar amount distributed proportionally across all lines
Header discountAmount + product discount	Product percentage wins; header dollar excluded from that line's allocation
Bundle discount + no child discount	Bundle percentage propagates to all children
Bundle discount + child discount	Child percentage wins; bundle discount skipped for that child
Both discount and discountAmount on same object	Percentage wins; dollar amount ignored
Non-discountable product + any discount	Discount skipped; warning issued

Discount Field Reference

Field	Type	Scope	Description
discount	number (0-100)	Quote root, Product, Add-on	Percentage discount
discountAmount	number	Quote root, Product, Add-on	Fixed dollar discount

Next Steps

Price Tags -- Apply tiered, volume, and ramp pricing adjustments

Subscription Terms -- Configure term lengths, billing periods, and renewal settings

Bundles -- Work with bundle products and add-ons

Create Quote Overview -- Return to the full API reference