Balance / Subscription / Redemption Code: What's the Difference

This is the set of concepts beginners mix up most often, and choosing wrong leads to "having quota but calls still failing".

Three Concepts in One Table

Concept	Essence	How to Get It	How It's Consumed	Typical Scenario
Balance	The "money" (USD) in your account	Top-up / redemption code	Deducted in real time based on Token usage	Pay as you go, suited to low-frequency users
Subscription	A "time-based package" for a group	Purchase / redemption code	Consumed against a daily/weekly/monthly quota, void on expiry	High-frequency use, wanting a stable quota
Redemption Code (card code)	A string of characters you can redeem	Issued by the site admin / purchased	Redeemed one time into balance or a subscription	A top-up method when online payment isn't available

Deciding Which One You Need

• I only use it occasionally → top up a little balance and pay as you go
• I use it heavily every day → buy a subscription package; the quota is a better deal
• I have a card code issued by the site admin → redeem it directly, and see whether it redeems into balance or a subscription

Why Do I Get an Error When I "Have Quota"?

The three most common reasons:

1. Balance is 0: you have only a subscription and no balance, while that group bills against balance → top up your balance
2. Subscription bound to the wrong group: the subscription is for group A, but the key is bound to group B → align the groups
3. Quota used up: the daily quota of the daily card / weekly card is exhausted → wait for the reset or upgrade your plan

TIP

On the "API Keys" page, use the "First Call Check" feature to pinpoint in one go which of the group, model, balance, or API address is the problem.

Redemption Code Validity Notice

A redemption code may have a validity period set (e.g. valid within 7 days). Redeem the card code as soon as you get it to avoid it expiring and becoming void; especially during periods of price fluctuation, be careful not to stockpile codes.