OpenAI Tests Paid Reset Button for ChatGPT Plus

OpenAI Introduces a Paid Reset for ChatGPT Plus

OpenAI is currently exploring a new feature that could change how ChatGPT Plus users manage their quota consumption. For subscribers to the $20 monthly plan, a button allowing them to reset their weekly quota for a fee of $8 has been quietly introduced. This option is aimed at users who have reached their weekly usage limit and wish to continue using the service without waiting for the automatic renewal.

The company clarified that this is a preliminary test and there are no plans yet for a large-scale rollout. This initiative aims to provide a quick solution for those who need continued access beyond their standard quota.

Discovery and Context of the Feature

The discovery of this feature was reported by a Reddit user, who shared their experience after noticing the button while logging into ChatGPT. This user, a subscriber to the $20 Plus plan, found that they could pay $8 to reset their weekly quota, an option that had not been publicly announced by OpenAI.

This feature is part of a series of measures taken by OpenAI to adjust usage quotas. In June, the company had already introduced quota resets for Plus and Pro users, allowing free resets at launch and others obtained through referrals.

How the Paid Reset Works

According to OpenAI's Codex, a full reset allows a user to immediately renew their weekly quota, thus eliminating the usual 5-hour waiting period before automatic renewal. Users have the option to not pay and simply wait for the automatic reset. However, the $8 paid option could be particularly advantageous for those using professional plans, where costs can range from $25 to $50 per week.

A spokesperson for OpenAI confirmed that the company is looking to provide ways for certain users to purchase additional usage, aiming to make its products more accessible and functional.

Impact on AI Usage

By using this reset, users can immediately restore their AI usage capacity to 100%. This means that if a user triggers a manual reset, their current weekly limits are cleared, allowing them to continue using the services without interruption. The weekly reset date is then adjusted to about seven days after this option is activated.

This approach illustrates OpenAI's strategy of offering free benefits to encourage the adoption of its services. Indeed, the company recently offered free usage limit resets and free access to ChatGPT Plus for college students. These free offerings are often seen as investments to attract new users and encourage them to upgrade to premium service levels.

Competition with Anthropic

OpenAI is not alone in this strategy. Its main competitor, Anthropic, is also using promotions to attract users. Anthropic offers promotional credits for its tool Claude and, in some cases, substantial free usage. The goal for both companies is to change user habits and encourage them to invest in their respective ecosystems.

A recent exchange between Thibault Sottiaux, head of Codex at OpenAI, and Boris Cherny, head of Claude Code at Anthropic, illustrates this rivalry. After a user confused the two companies, Sottiaux clarified that he did not work for Anthropic, and Cherny joked that Anthropic was hiring. Sottiaux then announced a reset of usage limits for all paying users of ChatGPT Work and Codex, adding that GPT-5.6 Sol is "great."

Promotion and Expansion Strategies

In May, a similar exchange took place between Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, and the developer account of Claude. Altman announced on X that Codex was the best AI product for coding and that OpenAI was offering two months of free usage for businesses signing up within 30 days. Shortly after, Anthropic increased the weekly limits of Claude Code by 50% until July 13. These initiatives show how both companies compete to offer attractive benefits and capture user attention.