OpenAI Wiped My API Credits Without Warning

I knew OpenAI was pay-as-you-go, but I did not expect them to take my credits away just because a year had passed. I had topped up, paid for them fair and square, and assumed they would be there when I needed them. Turns out, if you do not use your credits within 12 months, they disappear. No rollover, no refund, just gone.

The first sign of trouble was my Vision API script failing with 429 errors. I assumed it was a rate limit issue, checked my logs, tweaked my code, and wasted an hour troubleshooting before realising my credits had expired. OpenAI did not notify me in any way that I can recall. No emails, no warnings, just a silent reset that left my API key useless.

I had to top up again just to get my scripts running. I get that services expire, but this was money I had already spent. If OpenAI wants to clear out inactive accounts, fine, but at least send a reminder before wiping paid credits.

So if you have API credits sitting in your account, check them now. Because when OpenAI decides your time is up, they are gone for good.