Claude AI is handing out free credits to existing subscribers, a move that looks like a goodwill gesture after a rocky few weeks for Anthropic and its AI assistant. Depending on your plan, you may see bonus usage added to your account at no extra cost, plus an additional discount if you need even more capacity.
Here’s what’s on offer based on subscription tier. Pro subscribers can receive $20 in free credits (around €17). Max subscribers can get $100 (around €85). Users on the highest tier may receive $200 in credits (around €170). Alongside the freebies, Anthropic is also running a promotion that can knock up to 30% off the price of buying additional usage.
The timing is notable. Claude has been in the spotlight following a major leak involving Claude Code source code. Anthropic also drew criticism for a wave of DMCA takedown notices that reportedly swept up thousands of legitimate repositories, which many observers saw as heavy-handed. Against that backdrop, the free-credit rollout reads like an attempt to rebuild trust and keep customers from drifting away.
If you use Claude AI for coding help, drafting and rewriting content, brainstorming, or speeding up repetitive work, it’s worth checking your account to see whether the credits have been applied or whether you need to claim them. For many users, this could be a handy way to extend usage without immediately paying more.
One important catch is being reported by some subscribers who originally signed up through PayPal. To claim or use the free credits, Anthropic requires “Extra Usage” to be enabled, and at the moment that setup appears to require a credit card on file. If you don’t have a card added, you may be blocked from accessing the bonus credits for now.
Another key tip: once you’ve used up the free credits, consider turning off “Extra Usage.” The feature is designed to continue your work by charging automatically once you hit your included limits, which can lead to unexpected costs if you forget it’s enabled.
The deadline matters as well. Requests or claims for these credits must be submitted by 11:59 PM local time on 17 April 2026. As with most promotions, pricing and availability can change, and the offer may be limited or time-sensitive.
