Hey everyone,
I'm trying to understand why I have to pay extra for API credits after already subscribing to Claude Pro. I signed up for a month of Claude Pro, thinking it would cover everything I needed, but then I was hit with an additional cost for API credits just to use Claude Code. I ended up spending between $25 and $50 on these credits, only to find that Claude kept repeating the same changes over and over, which completely drained my API credits. I know my prompts were solid and varied, so I feel like I was using the tool correctly.
Cost is really important for me right now since I lost my job a couple of years ago. I didn't realize I hadn't disabled my monthly Pro subscription, so I'm stuck paying for that again this month too. I've only managed to use the service a few times before exhausting my API credits, and I just can't afford more.
It just seems strange to me that I'm required to buy API credits on top of my Pro subscription. What does my Pro subscription actually give me if I still can't use the main features without spending extra? I initially thought API credits were independent, mainly for deployed apps or things like that. Am I out of luck now after paying for the Pro subscription without the funds for more API credits? Any insight would be really helpful!
4 Answers
If you use MCP servers, you can handle file reading/editing and run bash commands with the Claude Desktop app, which could save you API credits. There are detailed guides available online about this, and it might help you maximize your Pro subscription without burning through those API credits.
I don't really think it's that bad. I recently upgraded to the max plan, and already Claude Code has helped with so many tasks I needed done. It’s quite efficient and definitely worth the investment.
Honestly, if you were to hire a freelancer, you'd likely spend a lot more than what this service costs. High-quality coding is valuable. Given your situation, maybe you should consider using Claude Desktop with MCP—it’s a more affordable option without those extra fees.
Think of it this way: you pay for a gym membership, but if you want a personal trainer, that's going to cost extra. Claude Code is like that trainer. Depending on how much you want to use it, it could end up being a lot more. Some places are bundling these services now, but currently, you’re paying separately for access to both.
I get what you mean! It's frustrating when they break things down like this. When I had a job, we used to build apps like Claude internally for our team, and the idea of extra costs on top of everything feels like we're being nickel-and-dimed now. Appreciate your explanation.
Thanks for the suggestion! I’ve been in coding for over 40 years, so I know the value of these services, but it feels unfair when you’ve already paid for something. Just discovered I don’t even need that Pro subscription—I just need to pay for the API calls! None of this was clear upfront.