Gifted credits are not gift cards or transferable existing balance
OpenAI describes gifted credits as a new prepaid purchase: an eligible purchaser receives a one-time claim link after checkout, and a recipient signs into an eligible personal ChatGPT account to redeem credits for supported credit-based features. It does not let you transfer an existing credit balance, and it is not a gift card, stored-value product, cash, or API balance.
The rollout is gradual, and purchase and redemption depend on supported locations, billing currency, and personal-account/workspace status. Eligible Plus or Pro personal accounts and a qualifying Personal workspace associated with ChatGPT Business can buy. Free and Go personal accounts cannot buy but may redeem; Business and Enterprise workspaces cannot receive.
How to distinguish purchase, redemption, and failures
Recipients need an eligible personal Free, Go, Plus, or Pro account in the same billing currency as the purchase. Redeemed credits expire 12 months after redemption and do not roll over; included plan usage is still consumed first.
| Situation | Official direction | Safe action |
|---|---|---|
| You want to transfer existing credits | Existing balance is non-transferable | Use only an account-visible separate gifting flow |
| You sent the link | It is single-use and sensitive | Never post or forward it publicly |
| A Business workspace is selected | Business cannot receive | Switch to an eligible personal workspace before opening it |
| Nobody claims in 30 days | The link expires and a refund is handled to the original method under the rule | Keep the receipt and review the original payment channel |
| The gift is already redeemed | It is generally final | Do not treat gifting as a reversible transfer |
Five checks before and after gifting
- Confirm the purchaser is in an eligible personal account or Personal workspace and sees the official web gifting option.
- Agree which personal account and workspace the recipient will use, then check the currency condition.
- Complete checkout only in the official flow and share the claim link through a trusted private channel.
- The recipient opens the complete link, signs in to the correct personal account, and verifies account/workspace before redeeming.
- Keep receipts, not exposed claim links; provide only receipt and timing to official support if there is a balance issue.
If a link may be exposed, is missing, or reaches the wrong account, OpenAI Support may investigate but does not guarantee replacement, cancellation, or movement of credits. Never paste the full link into a ticket, group chat, or screenshot.
ChatGPT gifted credits FAQ
Can Free or Go users buy a gift?
No. They cannot purchase gifts, although eligible Free or Go personal accounts can redeem.
Does recipient email lock the gift to one person?
No. It helps deliver the link, but the full link must remain private.
Can a Business workspace receive it?
No. Switch to an eligible personal workspace.
When do the link and credits expire?
An unclaimed link expires after 30 days; redeemed credits expire 12 months after redemption.
Ready to buy or upgrade? Verify the account and plan first
Use the exact domain chatchongzhi.chat. Before ordering, verify the product name, account access, subscription term, and support terms. The purchase guide below leads to the relevant product page.
Official source
OpenAI Help Center: Gifting credits in ChatGPT (verified 2026-10-02)
This article summarizes official information available at publication. Prices, allowances, features, and regional availability can change; verify the official page and your account checkout before purchasing.