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Understanding a temporary $5 API authorization hold

Understand why updating your API payment method can create a temporary $5 authorization hold.

Updated: 3 hours ago

Overview

The $5 pending charge you see after updating your API payment method is a temporary authorization hold on your credit card. This is part of setting up API pay-as-you-go billing.

The pending charge will be reversed within 7 days.

Distinguish the hold from API payments

A temporary authorization hold is separate from a payment for API usage or a purchase of prepaid credits. Actual API charges depend on your billing arrangement.

For information about purchasing and using prepaid credits, see: Prepaid API billing.

If you have questions about the pending charge, contact OpenAI Support using the chat widget in the Help Center.

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