This article explains how to enable and use extra usage on your paid HackerAI plan (Pro, or Ultra), allowing you to continue working with HackerAI after reaching your plan's usage limits by switching to pay-as-you-go pricing.
What is extra usage?
Extra usage allows individuals subscribed to paid HackerAI plans (Pro and Ultra) to continue using HackerAI seamlessly after reaching their included usage limits. Instead of being blocked when you hit your daily or weekly limits, you can switch to consumption-based pricing and continue your work without interruption.
How extra usage works
When you reach your plan's usage limit with extra usage enabled:
You'll see a notification that you've reached your usage limit.
If extra usage is enabled and you have funds available, you can choose to continue working.
Your subsequent usage will be billed from your prepaid balance at standard rates.
Your session limits reset every five hours as usual.
Note: Extra usage is charged separately from your paid HackerAI subscription. You must prepay for extra usage credits before using them.
Enabling extra usage
To enable extra usage on your paid HackerAI plan:
1. Navigate to Settings > Usage in your HackerAI account.
2. Locate the Extra usage section.
3. Click "Enable" to turn on extra usage.
4. Set up your payment method if not already configured.
5. Configure your monthly spending limit (default is $20/month). You can also select "Set to unlimited" if you prefer no spending restrictions.
6. You’ll then need to prepay to cover usage beyond your plan limits. Click “Buy extra usage,” enter the amount you want to purchase in the modal, then click “Purchase.”
7. You can also enable auto-reload to automatically make a purchase when your balance falls below a threshold you set:
Setting spending controls
Control your extra usage spending with:
- Monthly spending cap: Set a maximum amount you're willing to spend on extra usage each month (resets on the 1st of each month).
- Auto-reload settings: Automatically purchase credits when your balance drops below your configured threshold.
- Balance monitoring: View your current extra usage balance at any time in Settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I disable extra usage after enabling it?
Yes, you can turn off extra usage at any time through Settings. Once disabled, you'll only have access to your plan's included usage.
How quickly do my regular usage limits reset?
Your plan’s included usage limit will reset every five hours once you reach it. Extra usage doesn’t affect this reset timing.
When does my monthly spending cap reset?
Your monthly spending cap resets on the 1st of each month.
Can I track extra usage separately from my included usage?
Yes, the Settings page clearly shows your extra usage balance and monthly spending separate from your plan's included usage.
Will I get a warning before switching to extra usage?
Yes, you'll see a clear notification when you reach your included usage limits, with an option to continue using your prepaid extra usage balance.
Why was I able to exceed my extra usage limit?
It's possible to slightly exceed your defined monthly spending limit. Our system checks if you're within your limit before processing a request. Once the request completes, we calculate your token consumption, which means you may slightly exceed your limit with that final request. Subsequent requests will be blocked until the next month.