Using GPT-5 Mini API: Concerns Over Credit Usage

Willy H. · 2025-12-18T19:48:42.936Z

Is there a reason why we cannot use GPT-5 mini with our own API key? I'm running a project for a client, and this is very disheartening as we need to do a very basic search for the name of a company, and we don't want to use up credits because it will consume what they have currently across 10,000 credits that they are allotted...

Using GPT-5 Mini API: Concerns Over Credit Usage | Clay

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Clay Support
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You can absolutely use your own OpenAI API key with Clay to avoid consuming credits! When you connect your own API key, you won't be charged any Clay credits for AI actions.
To set this up, go to the "Use AI" feature, select your desired model from the dropdown, then click the Account dropdown and select "+ Add account" to connect your OpenAI API key. [1] This can cut your AI costs by up to 90% compared to using Clay's managed API. [2]
You'll need to be on at least a Starter plan to use your own API keys. [3] The only thing to keep in mind is that you'll need to monitor your OpenAI usage and upgrade tiers manually since price breakdowns won't appear in Clay's UI. [4]
Clay Support
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Is that what you were looking for?
Willy H.
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Clay Support
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You can absolutely use GPT-5 Mini with your own OpenAI API key! When you connect your own API key, you won't be charged any Clay credits for AI actions. [1]
To set this up: select GPT-5 Mini from the model dropdown, then click the Account dropdown and select "+ Add account" to connect your OpenAI API key. [2] You'll need to be on at least a Starter plan to use your own API keys. [3]
This way you can run your company searches without consuming your client's 10,000 Clay credits - you'll just pay OpenAI directly through your own account. [4]
Clay Support
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Did that answer your question?
Willy H.
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it does not work...
Clay Support
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I'm sorry to hear that it's not working as expected. I'll connect you to a human agent who can assist you further.
Clay Support
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Our support team has got your message and we'll get back to you soon!
If you’re dealing with a specific table, drop the URL below so we can help you quicker. Otherwise, someone from our team will be in touch soon!

image.png(93 kB)
Willy H.
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like this?
Michael A.
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Hi Willy - thanks for reaching out!
It seems like you connected your own ChatGPT API key to the integration. Let me know if thats working or not.
Willy H.
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Michael A. Okay, it was just a bit confusing because I don't know whether ChetGPT is charging me credits here or if it's an API key. It looks like I set it up correctly. Is that right?
Michael A.
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Yup - from the screenshot you showed it is configured correctly. You can also send me the table URL and I can confirm 100% if you'd like.
👍🏼1
Clay Support
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We haven't heard back from you here, so we're going to go ahead and close this thread out.

Still need help here? Reply back and someone will jump back in.

Have a question thats not related to this thread? We recommend kicking off a new ticket in the support channel!

Clay Support
APP
·
·
You can absolutely use your own OpenAI API key with Clay to avoid consuming credits! When you connect your own API key, you won't be charged any Clay credits for AI actions.
To set this up, go to the "Use AI" feature, select your desired model from the dropdown, then click the Account dropdown and select "+ Add account" to connect your OpenAI API key. [1] This can cut your AI costs by up to 90% compared to using Clay's managed API. [2]
You'll need to be on at least a Starter plan to use your own API keys. [3] The only thing to keep in mind is that you'll need to monitor your OpenAI usage and upgrade tiers manually since price breakdowns won't appear in Clay's UI. [4]
Clay Support
APP
·
·
Is that what you were looking for?
Willy H.
·
·
Clay Support
APP
·
·
You can absolutely use GPT-5 Mini with your own OpenAI API key! When you connect your own API key, you won't be charged any Clay credits for AI actions. [1]
To set this up: select GPT-5 Mini from the model dropdown, then click the Account dropdown and select "+ Add account" to connect your OpenAI API key. [2] You'll need to be on at least a Starter plan to use your own API keys. [3]
This way you can run your company searches without consuming your client's 10,000 Clay credits - you'll just pay OpenAI directly through your own account. [4]
Clay Support
APP
·
·
Did that answer your question?
Willy H.
·
·
it does not work...
Clay Support
APP
·
·
I'm sorry to hear that it's not working as expected. I'll connect you to a human agent who can assist you further.
Clay Support
APP
·
·
Our support team has got your message and we'll get back to you soon!
If you’re dealing with a specific table, drop the URL below so we can help you quicker. Otherwise, someone from our team will be in touch soon!

image.png(93 kB)
Willy H.
·
·
like this?
Michael A.
·
·
Hi Willy - thanks for reaching out!
It seems like you connected your own ChatGPT API key to the integration. Let me know if thats working or not.
Willy H.
·
·
Michael A. Okay, it was just a bit confusing because I don't know whether ChetGPT is charging me credits here or if it's an API key. It looks like I set it up correctly. Is that right?
Michael A.
·
·
Yup - from the screenshot you showed it is configured correctly. You can also send me the table URL and I can confirm 100% if you'd like.
👍🏼1
Clay Support
APP
·
·
We haven't heard back from you here, so we're going to go ahead and close this thread out.

Still need help here? Reply back and someone will jump back in.

Have a question thats not related to this thread? We recommend kicking off a new ticket in the support channel!