/ Documentation

Usage & Billing

Understand Veila's transparent credit system, manage your usage, and optimize costs while maintaining your privacy. Our pay-as-you-go model ensures you only pay for what you use.

To understand credits and our free tier system, visit our Credit System & Pricing page.

Purchasing Credits

Credit Packages

Starter Package - 1'000 Credits ($10.00)

  • Perfect for: New users exploring Veila
  • Approximate usage:
    • ~200 simple questions with GPT-5 Mini
    • ~50 complex conversations with GPT-5
    • ~100 typical mixed-usage sessions
  • Best for: Light usage, testing different models
  • Value: 1'000 credits = $10.00

Standard Package - 2'000 Credits ($20.00) ⭐ Popular

  • Perfect for: Regular users with consistent usage
  • Approximate usage:
    • ~400 simple questions with GPT-3.5-turbo
    • ~100 complex conversations with GPT-4o
    • ~200 typical mixed-usage sessions
  • Best for: Most users' monthly needs
  • Value: 2'000 credits = $20.00

Premium Package - 5'000 Credits ($50.00)

  • Perfect for: Heavy users, professionals, developers
  • Approximate usage:
    • ~1000 simple questions with GPT-3.5-turbo
    • ~250 complex conversations with GPT-4o
    • ~500 typical mixed-usage sessions
  • Best for: Business use, extensive projects
  • Value: 5'000 credits = $50.00

Purchasing Process

Secure Checkout

  1. Click "Purchase Credits" in Settings > Credits or when you run low
  2. Select your package - Starter, Standard, or Premium
  3. Redirected to secure payment - processed by our payment provider
  4. Complete purchase - payment handled securely, not by Veila
  5. Credits added instantly - available immediately after payment

Payment Security

  • Veila never sees your payment information
  • Our external payment processor handles all financial data
  • Secure redirect - you leave Veila temporarily for payment
  • Return automatically after successful purchase

Monitoring Your Usage

Credit Balance Display

In Chat Interface

  • Bottom of message input: Shows current balance
  • Real-time updates: Balance updates after each AI response
  • Precise tracking: Shows 2 decimal places for accuracy
  • Quick link: Direct access to credit management

In Settings

  • Settings > Credits: Detailed balance and history
  • Transaction history: See every credit usage and purchase
  • Balance trends: Understand your usage patterns

Live Cost Preview

Model Pricing Display

Each model shows its cost structure:

  • Input pricing: Cost for your messages (per A4 page or per 1M tokens)
  • Output pricing: Cost for AI responses
  • Cached pricing (technical view): Discounted rate for repeated content

Pre-Message Cost Estimates

  • Model comparison - see different costs for different AIs
  • Input length awareness - longer messages cost more

Transaction History

Detailed Usage Tracking

Access via Settings > Credits to see:

  • Every AI conversation with specific costs
  • Credit purchases with timestamps
  • Free tier usage tracked separately
  • Model-specific cost breakdowns

Transaction Types

  • 🔴 API Usage: Credits spent on AI conversations
  • 🟢 Free Credits: Daily free tier allowance
  • 🟣 Purchase: Credits bought via payment
  • 🔵 Admin Credit: Manual adjustments (rare)

Cost Optimization Strategies

Conversation Techniques

Context Building

  1. Start with cheaper models to establish context
  2. Build your requirements with cost-effective questions
  3. Switch to premium models for the final analysis or creative work
  4. Use context efficiently - avoid repeating information

Message Optimization

  • Combine questions instead of sending multiple separate messages
  • Be specific to get focused responses (avoid unnecessarily long AI output)
  • Use bullet points for multiple questions in one message
  • Edit before sending to ensure clarity and completeness

Smart Model Switching

Within Conversations

Conversation Flow Example:
1. GPT-5 Mini: "I need to plan a marketing campaign for a tech startup"
2. GPT-5 Mini: "What are the key elements I should consider?"
3. [Switch to GPT-5]: "Based on our discussion, create a detailed 6-month campaign strategy"

Project-Based Approach

  • Research phase: Use cost-effective models for information gathering
  • Planning phase: Switch to mid-tier models for organization
  • Execution phase: Use premium models for final deliverables

Managing Your Account

Credit Alerts and Warnings

Low Balance Warnings

  • Automatic notification when credits run low
  • Suggested top-up amounts based on your usage patterns
  • Direct purchase links for quick credit addition

Insufficient Credits Error

When you run out of credits:

  • Clear error message explaining the situation
  • Direct link to purchase more credits
  • Free tier information about when it resets
  • No data loss - your conversation is saved, just can't continue until you add credits

Usage Analytics

Understanding Your Patterns

Track your usage to optimize costs:

  • Daily/weekly usage trends
  • Model preference analysis
  • Cost per conversation averages
  • Peak usage times identification

Budget Planning

  • Historical data helps predict future needs
  • Monthly estimates based on current usage
  • Cost projection for different usage scenarios

Troubleshooting Billing Issues

Common Questions

"My credits disappeared"

  1. Check transaction history - credits are precisely tracked
  2. Review recent conversations - ensure you're seeing the full usage
  3. Time zone considerations - free tier resets at midnight UTC
  4. Contact support if transactions don't add up

"Unexpected charges"

  1. Review model costs - premium models cost significantly more
  2. Check conversation length - longer AI responses cost more
  3. Input vs output costs - output (AI responses) typically cost more
  4. Transaction details show exact usage breakdowns

"Free tier not working"

  1. Check timezone - resets at midnight UTC, not your local time
  2. Previous usage - ensure you haven't already used today's allowance
  3. Account status - verify your account is in good standing

Getting Help

Self-Service Options

  • Settings > Credits: Complete transaction history
  • Pricing tooltips: Hover over model prices for details
  • Real-time displays: All costs shown before and after usage

Support Channels

  • Feedback form: In-app support for billing questions
  • Email support: Direct contact for complex billing issues
  • Transaction disputes: Clear process for resolving payment issues

Next Steps

Now that you understand the usage and billing:

  1. Explore settings - Customize your credit and pricing displays
  2. Learn about chat organization - Maximize efficiency to optimize costs
  3. Get support - Help with billing questions or issues
  4. Review model selection - Choose cost-effective models for your tasks

← Chat Organization | Settings & Preferences →

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