ChatGPT Pro and Business now include up to $500 a month in API credits

Since October 28, 2026, eligible ChatGPT Pro and Business subscribers can claim free OpenAI API credits as a subscription benefit, up to $500 per month. Pro plans get $100, $200 or $500 per month depending on the tier. Business workspaces get $20 per paid Standard seat or $100 per paid Premium seat, pooled and capped at $500 per workspace per month.

To claim, you need an active paid Pro or Business subscription that is at least seven days old; free trials and complimentary subscriptions do not qualify. You must own both the subscription and the API organization, using the same email address. On Pro, the claim starts in ChatGPT under Settings → Billing.

If you already pay for one of these plans, check those requirements before you try to claim. No API payment method is required while you have active free credits, so you can use the API without adding one. The catch is timing: unused credits expire at the end of the billing cycle and do not roll over.

Our take:

if you already pay for Pro, claim it and spend it on one small project before it expires.