# \#api-usage-tiers **URL:** https://community.openai.com/tag/api-usage-tiers/560.md [Latest](https://community.openai.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://community.openai.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://community.openai.com/tags.md) --- ## [Usage Tier upgrade from 1 to 2 for Open AI API](https://community.openai.com/t/usage-tier-upgrade-from-1-to-2-for-open-ai-api/1361695)
**Author:** [@Shoaib\_Zahid\_Kayani](https://community.openai.com/u/Shoaib_Zahid_Kayani)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [May 15, 2026, 8:37am UTC](https://community.openai.com/t/usage-tier-upgrade-from-1-to-2-for-open-ai-api/1361695 "2026-05-15T08:37:28Z")
Hi OpenAI Support Team, I hope you’re doing well. I’d like to request an upgrade of my API usage tier from Tier 1 to Tier 2. I recently added $100 in credit to my account, but I’m still limited by the Tier 1 rate limit… --- ## [Stuck on Tier 1 despite meeting threshold for upgrade](https://community.openai.com/t/stuck-on-tier-1-despite-meeting-threshold-for-upgrade/1379182)
**Author:** [@nsk](https://community.openai.com/u/nsk)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [April 17, 2026, 3:02pm UTC](https://community.openai.com/t/stuck-on-tier-1-despite-meeting-threshold-for-upgrade/1379182 "2026-04-17T15:02:33Z")
I have $59 in prepaid credits and have been on Tier 1 for 10+ days. I’m getting the runaround from the support bot. I need a manual tier review. --- ## [Usage Tier Not Upgrading From Free Tier](https://community.openai.com/t/usage-tier-not-upgrading-from-free-tier/1360606)
**Author:** [@Olivia\_Campili](https://community.openai.com/u/Olivia_Campili)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [October 16, 2025, 8:02pm UTC](https://community.openai.com/t/usage-tier-not-upgrading-from-free-tier/1360606 "2025-10-16T20:02:16Z")
I created a developer account last week, and I have spent over $5 now (several hours ago), which seems to be the requirement for the upgrade to Usage tier 1. However, I the automatic upgrade did not happen, and when I tr… --- ## [Still stuck in Free tier after adding credits (spike since Aug 28, 2025)](https://community.openai.com/t/still-stuck-in-free-tier-after-adding-credits-spike-since-aug-28-2025/1355090)
**Author:** [@Afla](https://community.openai.com/u/Afla)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [December 8, 2025, 10:55am UTC](https://community.openai.com/t/still-stuck-in-free-tier-after-adding-credits-spike-since-aug-28-2025/1355090 "2025-12-08T10:55:45Z")
Hi all, I added $5 in API credits yesterday and expected to move to Usage Tier 1. Billing shows Paid, but my account is still in Free. What I tried • Waited 6+ hours • Logged out and back in, hard refreshed • Create… --- ## [Account Suspension Appeal & Tier 5 Restoration Request - High Volume Business User](https://community.openai.com/t/account-suspension-appeal-tier-5-restoration-request-high-volume-business-user/1356765)
**Author:** [@gotti](https://community.openai.com/u/gotti)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [October 9, 2025, 5:09pm UTC](https://community.openai.com/t/account-suspension-appeal-tier-5-restoration-request-high-volume-business-user/1356765 "2025-10-09T17:09:27Z")
Dear OpenAI Team, I hope this message finds you well. I am writing to formally appeal the recent suspension of our OpenAI API account and to request urgent assistance with restoring our usage tier to Tier 5. Our Situat… --- ## [Usage tier didn't upgrade after being qualified](https://community.openai.com/t/usage-tier-didnt-upgrade-after-being-qualified/1355188)
**Author:** [@gcollazo](https://community.openai.com/u/gcollazo)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [August 29, 2025, 9:18pm UTC](https://community.openai.com/t/usage-tier-didnt-upgrade-after-being-qualified/1355188 "2025-08-29T21:18:55Z")
My account is currently at tier 1 after paying and using more than $100. I’ve waited more than a week after being qualified and no upgrade. I tried using the support feature and the agent concluded that a human from supp… --- ## [Can't upgrade API tier & can't add credits to balance](https://community.openai.com/t/cant-upgrade-api-tier-cant-add-credits-to-balance/1354458)
**Author:** [@davidhuofficial](https://community.openai.com/u/davidhuofficial)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [August 25, 2025, 5:35pm UTC](https://community.openai.com/t/cant-upgrade-api-tier-cant-add-credits-to-balance/1354458 "2025-08-25T17:35:55Z")
Hi, I added over $100 to my credits balance, but I’m still stuck on Tier 1. I also noticed I can’t add any more credits to my account - it gives an error saying I need to enter an amount between 1 and 0. I even spent ar… --- ## [Haven’t moved to Tier 2 after a week and $50 top up?](https://community.openai.com/t/haven-t-moved-to-tier-2-after-a-week-and-50-top-up/1349439)
**Author:** [@tarmac\_muskier4p](https://community.openai.com/u/tarmac_muskier4p)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [August 17, 2025, 6:13pm UTC](https://community.openai.com/t/haven-t-moved-to-tier-2-after-a-week-and-50-top-up/1349439 "2025-08-17T18:13:43Z")
It’s been over 7 days and I’ve topped up $50 but seem to be stuck in Tier 1. do I need to top up more? Or do I actually have to have had $50 worth of API usage before moving tier? --- ## [Blocked at tier1 whereas conditions are met](https://community.openai.com/t/blocked-at-tier1-whereas-conditions-are-met/1328082)
**Author:** [@Corentin\_DENOEUD](https://community.openai.com/u/Corentin_DENOEUD)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [July 29, 2025, 4:55pm UTC](https://community.openai.com/t/blocked-at-tier1-whereas-conditions-are-met/1328082 "2025-07-29T16:55:10Z")
Hi I am blocked at tier1 whereas I did my first payment more than 10 days ago + spent more than 100 usd. I can’t recharge my account as I already spent the limit. What’s your advise on that ? --- ## [Still stuck in free tier after adding credits](https://community.openai.com/t/still-stuck-in-free-tier-after-adding-credits/1243652)
**Author:** [@adro21](https://community.openai.com/u/adro21)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [May 20, 2025, 4:33pm UTC](https://community.openai.com/t/still-stuck-in-free-tier-after-adding-credits/1243652 "2025-05-20T16:33:01Z")
I created an OpenAI API account and have so far added $5 in credits twice. I have also actually “spent” $5 in credits. However, I am still stuck in the “Free” tier. I have met all the criteria to be Usage Tier 1. This ma… --- ## [Increasing Tier Level Faster](https://community.openai.com/t/increasing-tier-level-faster/1244710)
**Author:** [@Portiss](https://community.openai.com/u/Portiss)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [April 28, 2025, 9:11am UTC](https://community.openai.com/t/increasing-tier-level-faster/1244710 "2025-04-28T09:11:18Z")
Hi, I am currently on the Free Tier account for Model 4.1. I am wanting to get to Tier 2 and have already loaded $50 credit to my account. My current API call uses minimal Tokens with Model 4.1 and therefore reaching t… --- ## [Unlocking new models with account restrictions](https://community.openai.com/t/unlocking-new-models-with-account-restrictions/1235371)
**Author:** [@rao2p0](https://community.openai.com/u/rao2p0)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [April 21, 2025, 12:59pm UTC](https://community.openai.com/t/unlocking-new-models-with-account-restrictions/1235371 "2025-04-21T12:59:31Z")
So I have $9.5 in open ai credits and my account is on Usage Tier-1. I’ve never been able to access any model besides gpt-3.5. I learnt that access is only possible after having spent at least $1. So far, I’ve spent abou… --- ## [I'm Tier 3 and still can't access o3-min and o1. Is anyone else experiencing this?](https://community.openai.com/t/im-tier-3-and-still-cant-access-o3-min-and-o1-is-anyone-else-experiencing-this/1173934)
**Author:** [@steamplaywith](https://community.openai.com/u/steamplaywith)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [April 2, 2025, 3:00pm UTC](https://community.openai.com/t/im-tier-3-and-still-cant-access-o3-min-and-o1-is-anyone-else-experiencing-this/1173934 "2025-04-02T15:00:17Z")
The official website states that users in trust tiers 1 to 5 have access to these APIs. I’m in Tier 3 but still can’t access o3-min and o1. Is anyone else having this issue? --- ## [Does not upgrade to tier 2](https://community.openai.com/t/does-not-upgrade-to-tier-2/1078149)
**Author:** [@vlkn](https://community.openai.com/u/vlkn)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [March 9, 2025, 4:47pm UTC](https://community.openai.com/t/does-not-upgrade-to-tier-2/1078149 "2025-03-09T16:47:20Z")
Hi, I meet the criteria for an automatic upgrade to Tier 2, as I have spent more than $50 and my account is older than 7 days. However, my account is still stuck at Tier 1. Could you please assist me with upgrading? K… --- ## [Stuck on Tier 1 Despite $55 API Spending](https://community.openai.com/t/stuck-on-tier-1-despite-55-api-spending/1110751)
**Author:** [@Juno2](https://community.openai.com/u/Juno2)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2025, 3:45am UTC](https://community.openai.com/t/stuck-on-tier-1-despite-55-api-spending/1110751 "2025-02-03T03:45:03Z")
Hi everyone, I started using the OpenAI API about two months ago and have already spent $55. However, I’ve noticed that I’m still stuck on tier 1. I was under the impression that reaching certain spending thresholds wou… --- ## [API claims we have reached our usage limits after only consuming $120/$200k](https://community.openai.com/t/api-claims-we-have-reached-our-usage-limits-after-only-consuming-120-200k/1054390)
**Author:** [@pablo15](https://community.openai.com/u/pablo15)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2024, 2:03pm UTC](https://community.openai.com/t/api-claims-we-have-reached-our-usage-limits-after-only-consuming-120-200k/1054390 "2024-12-13T14:03:52Z")
Hi everyone! After many months of using the “Pay as you go” billing method as a tier 5 organization, we received the following email on Tuesday: Hi \*\*\*\*, Your API usage this month has reached your account’s usage lim… --- ## [Usage tier didn't get upgraded after being qualified](https://community.openai.com/t/usage-tier-didnt-get-upgraded-after-being-qualified/921508)
**Author:** [@leadscalpel](https://community.openai.com/u/leadscalpel)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 8, 2024, 7:22pm UTC](https://community.openai.com/t/usage-tier-didnt-get-upgraded-after-being-qualified/921508 "2024-12-08T19:22:08Z")
I am currently at usage tier 2. Then, I put more than $250 to my account, and it must have been more than 14 days since my first payment (months ago actually). But now I haven’t got upgraded and the helping bot is not re… --- ## [Usage tier didn't upgrade from 1 to 3](https://community.openai.com/t/usage-tier-didnt-upgrade-from-1-to-3/1047140)
**Author:** [@amitMoreMenus](https://community.openai.com/u/amitMoreMenus)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [December 8, 2024, 6:54pm UTC](https://community.openai.com/t/usage-tier-didnt-upgrade-from-1-to-3/1047140 "2024-12-08T18:54:06Z")
Although I paid 100$ in 26/11/2024, I’m still in usage tier 1: I would appreciate if you can upgrade my usage tier to 3 since i meet the criteria. Thanks. --- ## [API connection problem with BLENDER application](https://community.openai.com/t/api-connection-problem-with-blender-application/1026584)
**Author:** [@marco.luigiano75](https://community.openai.com/u/marco.luigiano75)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [November 21, 2024, 6:24pm UTC](https://community.openai.com/t/api-connection-problem-with-blender-application/1026584 "2024-11-21T18:24:49Z")
i try to use the following python script to connect blender to chatgpt between Api but the error that the console show me is: The model \`gpt-4\` does not exist or you do not have access to it. Here is the code: import … --- ## [Constantly receiving Quota exceeded](https://community.openai.com/t/constantly-receiving-quota-exceeded/1009179)
**Author:** [@dermot.mckenna](https://community.openai.com/u/dermot.mckenna)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [November 9, 2024, 3:50pm UTC](https://community.openai.com/t/constantly-receiving-quota-exceeded/1009179 "2024-11-09T15:50:08Z")
Not sure what is wrong but I can’t test my app due to the issue with quota. Every response is saying quota exceeded but I’ve never even tried, this is the first time. Is API actually working on free account at all ? Pl… --- ## [API tier does not get upgraded, cannot add credits to my balance](https://community.openai.com/t/api-tier-does-not-get-upgraded-cannot-add-credits-to-my-balance/1009178)
**Author:** [@lukas9](https://community.openai.com/u/lukas9)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [November 8, 2024, 6:45pm UTC](https://community.openai.com/t/api-tier-does-not-get-upgraded-cannot-add-credits-to-my-balance/1009178 "2024-11-08T18:45:04Z")
Hi, I added more than $100 to my credits balance about a month ago. I’m still stuck on tier 1. Also, I noticed, I cannot add any more credits to the account (I thought adding a few dollars might trigger a tier recalcul… --- ## [Problems with upgrading account from Tier 1 to Tier 2 for API](https://community.openai.com/t/problems-with-upgrading-account-from-tier-1-to-tier-2-for-api/995929)
**Author:** [@report.HW](https://community.openai.com/u/report.HW)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [October 29, 2024, 10:03am UTC](https://community.openai.com/t/problems-with-upgrading-account-from-tier-1-to-tier-2-for-api/995929 "2024-10-29T10:03:14Z")
Hello, I am qualified to upgrade from Tier 1 to Tier 2, aka made payment many weeks ago, spent more than $50, but I am still tier 1? Messaged customer support couple of times but no reply. Is there more hidden qualific… --- ## [Problems with upgrading account from Tier 1 to Tier 2 for API integrations](https://community.openai.com/t/problems-with-upgrading-account-from-tier-1-to-tier-2-for-api-integrations/990722)
**Author:** [@franciskoa](https://community.openai.com/u/franciskoa)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [October 24, 2024, 6:34pm UTC](https://community.openai.com/t/problems-with-upgrading-account-from-tier-1-to-tier-2-for-api-integrations/990722 "2024-10-24T18:34:53Z")
Hey guys, I’ve past the 50 dollar, and 2 week mark for the automatic upgrade from Tier 1 to 2 of my account I’m still stuck here in Tier 1. I’ve tried to contact customer support, messaging them everyday about this bug … --- ## [Usage tier not updating even though both qualifications have been met for days](https://community.openai.com/t/usage-tier-not-updating-even-though-both-qualifications-have-been-met-for-days/986903)
**Author:** [@jbmvz](https://community.openai.com/u/jbmvz)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [October 22, 2024, 6:23am UTC](https://community.openai.com/t/usage-tier-not-updating-even-though-both-qualifications-have-been-met-for-days/986903 "2024-10-22T06:23:40Z")
I have met both requirements for Usage Tier 3 and yet I’m still at Tier 1. My first payment was on Oct 11 and in total I payed over $100 five days ago. This is quite a problem because I’m developing a service which requi… --- ## [To unlock Tier 3, is it sufficient to fund your account with $100, or do you need to also use/consume the $100?](https://community.openai.com/t/to-unlock-tier-3-is-it-sufficient-to-fund-your-account-with-100-or-do-you-need-to-also-use-consume-the-100/983183)
**Author:** [@maximedupre](https://community.openai.com/u/maximedupre)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [October 17, 2024, 6:05pm UTC](https://community.openai.com/t/to-unlock-tier-3-is-it-sufficient-to-fund-your-account-with-100-or-do-you-need-to-also-use-consume-the-100/983183 "2024-10-17T18:05:45Z")
So I need to be Tier 3 to have access to o1. If I were to simply fund my account with $100 (assuming I have also waited 7 days from the first payment), would I be upgraded to Tier 3, or do I need to actually consume $100… --- ## [How do I maintain my usage tier?](https://community.openai.com/t/how-do-i-maintain-my-usage-tier/971328)
**Author:** [@ted.pham](https://community.openai.com/u/ted.pham)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2024, 8:41am UTC](https://community.openai.com/t/how-do-i-maintain-my-usage-tier/971328 "2024-10-08T08:41:57Z")
Hello, I start using API for my projects and aiming at reaching at least level 3 for the o1-preview model API. I wonder how do I maintain Tier 3 after reaching the condition of: “Tier 3 $100 paid and 7+ days since first… --- ## [Stuck in tier 1, no way to move](https://community.openai.com/t/stuck-in-tier-1-no-way-to-move/925076)
**Author:** [@rhernandezr](https://community.openai.com/u/rhernandezr)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [September 4, 2024, 6:53pm UTC](https://community.openai.com/t/stuck-in-tier-1-no-way-to-move/925076 "2024-09-04T18:53:14Z")
I have spent more than 50 dollars in usage and paid more than 100 dollars in credits, and I have been using the API every day for three weeks, but I’m still in tier 1. I have used the help bot twice, but it didn’t help … --- ## [Increasing Usage Tier Payment Question](https://community.openai.com/t/increasing-usage-tier-payment-question/888889)
**Author:** [@djohnson1](https://community.openai.com/u/djohnson1)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [July 31, 2024, 6:21pm UTC](https://community.openai.com/t/increasing-usage-tier-payment-question/888889 "2024-07-31T18:21:11Z")
Will paying the tier minimum in one payment automatically qualify my account for that tier? I’m in Tier 2 right now and get this error message from the API when I try to create a fine tuning job using gpt-4o-mini-2024-0… --- ## [How to move up in Usage Tiers](https://community.openai.com/t/how-to-move-up-in-usage-tiers/677788)
**Author:** [@rotane](https://community.openai.com/u/rotane)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [July 13, 2024, 12:03pm UTC](https://community.openai.com/t/how-to-move-up-in-usage-tiers/677788 "2024-07-13T12:03:35Z")
Hi My assistants response time is below 1s in the playground but when I send the same query over API my Netlify environment kills the connection after 26s (max timeout level). The API has been degrading slowly over time… --- ## [Tiers don't update if usage happens outside Default Project](https://community.openai.com/t/tiers-dont-update-if-usage-happens-outside-default-project/789640)
**Author:** [@chrntct](https://community.openai.com/u/chrntct)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [June 27, 2024, 6:19pm UTC](https://community.openai.com/t/tiers-dont-update-if-usage-happens-outside-default-project/789640 "2024-06-27T18:19:09Z")
Our company (registered on the email of this user) has crossed the threshold for TIER 2 over 72h ago, but the tiers are not updating. The only reason we can think of, is because the usage happened inside a project (calle… [Next page](https://community.openai.com/tag/api-usage-tiers/560.md?match_all_tags=true&page=1&tags%5B%5D=api-usage-tiers)