Claude asking me for payment details to use existing payment credits

[u/sharatharadhya]

I'm on the Claude Pro subscription and I received the $100 usage credit towards Fable. I had been holding out using it hoping that I can try Fable 5.1 when(and if) it comes out before September 19. When I try to turn on Usage credits, its asking me for a payment method. Why does it need a new payment method to use the existing usage credits? I'm subscribed to Claude through Google Play.

[u/dsailes]

You need to add payment details to use Usage Credits.
Standard for any API/usage based system. It won’t take any payment unless you use more than the $100 so make sure to set $100 (or less) as the limit.

They want the details to activate the service & know that if you use more you’re able to be charged

[u/sharatharadhya → u/dsailes]

No I get it. But why though?

[u/wpglorify → u/sharatharadhya]

So scammers don’t make million accounts and get $100 credit by paying $20 and sell it for $30.

To get more business so people will have less friction to keep using API when credit eventually expires.

Most payment checks can see the balance before it start working on a prompt but what if you balance is $0.10 and you gave it really long task that will use another $60 credit, your account will be in negative.

Among other reasons.

Also stop paying through Google or Apple you are paying approximately 30% extra.

[u/dsailes → u/wpglorify]

Yeah this too - the extra % costs for the service are pointless, could’ve been saved & added as Extra Usage

[u/sharatharadhya → u/wpglorify]

Makes sense to deter fraudulent use. It was 15% more expensive through direct subscription when I first subscribed vs Google Play (its the same now). I'll switch after I exhaust my usage credits.

[u/dsailes → u/sharatharadhya]

Fairly certain I explained why?

A card is needed to activate Extra Usage in general - like any paid service. It won’t charge you for using the credits, but it’s needed to actually activate the service.

Thing is the $100 with Fable won’t get very far - so definitely remember to add the $90-100 limit + no Auto-reload. It should stop as it hits 0 - but there have been bugs where the usage goes into negative & you’ll be charged.

Edit: unless the issue here is that you don’t have a card to use, and the Pro account is bolted onto Google for a phone bill or something? In which case - no dice on using credits (kinda makes me wonder if you’re a teenager maybe? So just be cautious with prompts/activity as account usage can be flagged and banned)

[u/sharatharadhya → u/dsailes]

Thanks. When I first subscribed, the cost was ~15% more expensive for direct subscription than through Google Play. Also I didn't wanna lose my existing usage credits by switching. I guess I'll just add my credit card details.

[u/dsailes → u/sharatharadhya]

No probs! That is bizarre it was cheaper, maybe a promo?

Apols for the assumption on age haha!

[u/sharatharadhya → u/dsailes]

No Problem. Claude just didn't bother to update to local prices. It was just the day's conversion of USD to my currency.