---
title: "Prepaid credits made simple"
description: "Why meinGPT runs on prepaid credits, how to top up — by card, by invoice, or automatically — and what happens when your contract starts"
canonical_url: "https://meingpt.com/en/docs/admin-guide/prepay"
language: en
---

# Prepaid credits made simple

meinGPT bills AI usage through a **prepaid balance**: your workspace holds a credit balance, and every AI request consumes a small piece of it. This page explains why we do it this way and shows you every way to top up.

For what credits are and how they're consumed, see [The concept](/en/docs/admin-guide/concept). Short version: **1 credit = €0.01** — so 10,000 credits equal €100.

## Why prepay? Your benefits

We deliberately chose a prepaid model — not because it's easier for us, but because it's the fairest and safest option for you:

- **Full cost control** — you only spend what you consciously loaded beforehand. No surprise invoice at the end of the month, no "bill shock" the way usage-based billing in arrears can produce.
- **Budget certainty for procurement & controlling** — top-ups are clearly plannable, one-off amounts with a proper invoice. Your balance is your cost ceiling: consumption can never exceed what you loaded.
- **Real-time transparency** — you can see your remaining balance and consumption at any time under **Settings → Usage & Billing**; detailed breakdowns per model and user live in the [AI Cockpit](/en/docs/admin-guide/ai-cockpit).
- **Fair: you only pay for what you use** — credits are only consumed by actual usage. Quiet months cost less, intense ones more — without switching plans.
- **Fine-grained control per user** — via the [six usage tiers](/en/docs/admin-guide/usage-limits#usage-tiers) ("Very low" through "Unlimited") you can give individual groups or people their own budgets so the workspace balance stays fairly distributed. Details under [usage limits](/en/docs/admin-guide/usage-limits).
- **One balance for everything** — all models, image generation, translation, workflows, and API usage draw from the same pool. No juggling separate quotas.

**What happens when the balance hits zero?** New AI requests are paused until you top up again — so unintended costs can never occur. To make sure it never gets that far, there's [automatic top-up](#3-automatic-top-up-auto-topup).

## Starting balance at contract signing

You don't need to do anything at the start: **when your contract is signed, we load the agreed balance for you.** Your team can start on day one — the starting balance is part of your contract and immediately available in the workspace.

How much starting balance makes sense is something we work out together in the closing conversation — based on team size and expected usage. For your own estimate, use the [cost calculator](/en/docs/admin-guide/cost-calculator).

## Three ways to top up

After that, you top up yourself — whenever and however suits you:

| Method | Speed | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| **Credit card (Stripe)** | Credits available **instantly** | Quick, uncomplicated reloading |
| **By invoice** | Credits instantly, invoice follows by email | Workspaces with billing details on file, larger amounts |
| **Automatic (auto-topup)** | Fully automatic in the background | Worry-free operation without manual reloading |

### 1. By credit card — instant

The fastest way: under **Settings → Usage & Billing → Buy credits**, pick one of five packages between **€5 and €1,000** and pay by credit card via Stripe. The credits land in your workspace **immediately after payment** — and the invoice is automatically available as a PDF in your top-up history.

### 2. By invoice — for workspaces with billing details on file

If your workspace is billed by invoice and your [billing details are complete](/en/docs/admin-guide/billing#maintain-billing-details), you can buy credit packages between **€500 and €10,000** directly on invoice:

Open the **Buy credits on invoice** modal under **Settings → Usage & Billing** and choose the amount. The credits are credited **immediately** — no need to wait for the invoice.

You'll receive the invoice within a few business days at your billing address on file. Payment terms: 14 days (default; individual arrangements possible).

**Not unlocked yet?** Buying on invoice requires complete billing details and a one-time activation by us. If you don't see the option yet, just request it — via your contact person or [sales@meingpt.com](mailto:sales@meingpt.com). Setup takes a few business days; if you need credits fast, the credit card is the way to go.

### 3. Automatic top-up (auto-topup)

The most convenient option: meinGPT watches your balance and **automatically reloads as soon as it drops below a threshold you define**. Your team is never unexpectedly out of credits — ideal once meinGPT is part of the daily workflow.

#### How to set it up

Under **Settings → Usage & Billing → Automatic top-up**:

Flip the **Active** switch.

The remaining balance at which a reload should trigger — e.g. 1,000 credits (= €10).

How much is loaded per run: between **€5 and €2,000**.

Select a credit card or add a new one. Adding a card only verifies it — nothing is charged until an auto-topup actually fires.

After saving you'll see your rule in plain language: "When the balance drops below X credits, €Y is automatically charged to card Z."

#### What exactly happens?

- **Trigger:** when your balance falls below the threshold, meinGPT charges the configured amount to the card on file and credits your balance immediately.
- **Email confirmation:** all workspace admins receive an email with the amount, card, and new balance. Every top-up also appears in the top-up history — receipt included.
- **Protection against repeated charges:** there is always a waiting period of at least one hour between two automatic top-ups. A runaway series of charges can never happen.
- **If the payment fails** (e.g. card expired or declined): nothing is charged and no credits change — admins get an email with the reason and can update the payment method.
- **Full control:** you can pause auto-topup or adjust the values at any time. The date and result of the last run are always visible in the settings.

**Also for invoice customers:** if your workspace is normally billed by invoice, you can still add a card **just for auto-topup**. Your main billing continues unchanged — only the automatic reloading runs via the card.

## Related pages

### [The concept](/en/docs/admin-guide/concept)

What credits are, how they're consumed, and the cent/euro pitfall.

### [Manage billing](/en/docs/admin-guide/billing)

All details on packages, top-up history, export, and billing details.

### [Cost calculator](/en/docs/admin-guide/cost-calculator)

Simulate expected monthly costs based on anticipated usage.

### [Usage limits](/en/docs/admin-guide/usage-limits)

Set cost ceilings per user with six usage tiers and distribute the balance fairly.