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Claude Max-style API credits now come with another big AI plan: up to US$500 a month, if you claim them
Updated .
Since October 28, 2026, ChatGPT Pro and Business include a monthly allowance for OpenAI's developer platform (the API), like the credits Claude Max already has. It doesn't switch on by itself, and unused credit expires every billing cycle. 1,2
How much you get
| Plan | Monthly API credit |
|---|---|
| ChatGPT Pro 100 | US$100 |
| ChatGPT Pro 200 | US$200 |
| ChatGPT Pro 500 | US$500 |
| ChatGPT Business, Standard seat | US$20 per paid seat, pooled |
| ChatGPT Business, Premium seat | US$100 per paid seat, pooled |
| ChatGPT Business total | Capped at US$500 a month (US$6,000 a year if billed annually) |
Plus, Go, Free, free trials, Enterprise and Edu don't qualify. Your first grant is prorated. 2
How to claim it
- Wait until your paid plan has been active for 7 days. 2
- On Pro, open Settings › Billing in ChatGPT. On Business, a workspace owner opens the workspace's billing settings or the Admin Console. 2
- Find the API credits benefit, pick the API organization that should get the credits (you must own it, with the same email), and confirm. You only claim once; later months arrive automatically when you renew. 2
The catches
- Use it or lose it: monthly credits expire at the end of each billing cycle and don't roll over. 2
- No extra app usage: the credits don't raise your ChatGPT or Codex usage limits, and they don't cover Codex used with an API key. 2
- No surprise bills by default: you don't need a card on the API side. When the free balance runs out, requests stop, unless you've bought API credits or turned on Auto Recharge. 2
- Not everywhere yet: OpenAI says availability depends on cohort and country, so it may not show up for you right away. 2
How it compares with Claude Max
The rules are close: Claude Max and Ultra get US$100 and US$200 a month, Claude Team gets US$20 or US$100 per seat capped at US$500, you claim in Settings › Billing after 7 days, and credits expire each cycle without adding app usage. The difference at the top: ChatGPT Pro 500 gets US$500 a month, while Claude's biggest personal plan gets US$200. Our Claude Max API credits guide has the details and five ways to use them.
Related: ChatGPT plans and prices · Claude plans and prices · API prices for every model
Sources (2)
Last checked Oct 29, 2026.