Ways to Expedite OpenAI API Key Activation Process

Jessica A. · 2025-11-04T05:55:18.018Z

Is there any way to circumvent the 7 day waiting period to get our own OpenAI API key connected? I have a bunch of enrichments to run and hate to waste all those credits while waiting for my OpenAI API key to be activated

Ways to Expedite OpenAI API Key Activation Process | Clay

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Clay Support
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The 7-day waiting period is an OpenAI requirement, not a Clay limitation. To use your own OpenAI API key in Clay, you need a tier 2 API key from OpenAI.
You can check your current OpenAI usage tier and upgrade at OpenAI's usage tiers page. Once upgraded to tier 2, you can immediately connect your API key through Settings > Connections.
Clay Support
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Jessica A.
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Is there any way to be upgraded to Tier 2 without waiting for 7 days?
Clay Support
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Yes, you can potentially expedite the upgrade to Tier 2 by contacting OpenAI's support team directly. Make sure you have the minimum required amount in your OpenAI account balance to help speed up the process.
Clay Support
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Was that helpful?
1
Clay Support
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I understand the waiting period can be frustrating, and I’m here if you need any more help with your OpenAI API key or enrichments. Would you like to share more details about what you’re trying to accomplish so I can assist further?
Jessica A.
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want to run enrichments across a whole bunch of accounts without using 3 credits per enrichment per row.. it will become very expensive very quickly
Clay Support
APP
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You can significantly reduce costs by bringing your own OpenAI API key, which can cut AI costs by up to 90%. [1] Once you have a tier 2 OpenAI API key connected, you'll pay OpenAI's rates directly instead of Clay's 3-credit cost. [2]
Additionally, use conditional runs to only process rows meeting specific criteria - go to Run Settings and add conditions in the "Only run if" box. You can also use filtered views to ensure only visible rows are enriched.
Consider AI Formulas for data manipulation - they cost zero credits.
Clay Support
APP
·
·
Was that helpful?
Clay Support
APP
·
·
If you still need help managing your enrichments or reducing credit usage, I’m here to assist. Would you like to provide more details about your specific goals or challenges so we can explore solutions together?
Jessica A.
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are there any other more immediate API keys available that could help reduce the cost of AI web scraping?
Clay Support
APP
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Yes, you can connect your own Anthropic API key in addition to OpenAI for AI web scraping with Claygent. [1] Both OpenAI and Anthropic API keys can cut your AI costs by up to 90%, and 90% of Clay users input their own AI API keys. [2]
However, both providers require meeting their tier requirements - Anthropic may have different tier upgrade timelines than OpenAI's 7-day waiting period. [3] You can connect these through Settings > Connections once you meet the provider requirements.
Clay Support
APP
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Did that answer your question?
Clay Support
APP
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·
If you still need assistance with connecting API keys or managing your AI costs, I’m here to help. Would you like to share more about your specific use case or any challenges you’re facing so we can continue the conversation?

Clay Support
APP
·
·
The 7-day waiting period is an OpenAI requirement, not a Clay limitation. To use your own OpenAI API key in Clay, you need a tier 2 API key from OpenAI.
You can check your current OpenAI usage tier and upgrade at OpenAI's usage tiers page. Once upgraded to tier 2, you can immediately connect your API key through Settings > Connections.
Clay Support
APP
·
·
Was that helpful?
Jessica A.
·
·
Is there any way to be upgraded to Tier 2 without waiting for 7 days?
Clay Support
APP
·
·
Yes, you can potentially expedite the upgrade to Tier 2 by contacting OpenAI's support team directly. Make sure you have the minimum required amount in your OpenAI account balance to help speed up the process.
Clay Support
APP
·
·
Was that helpful?
1
Clay Support
APP
·
·
I understand the waiting period can be frustrating, and I’m here if you need any more help with your OpenAI API key or enrichments. Would you like to share more details about what you’re trying to accomplish so I can assist further?
Jessica A.
·
·
want to run enrichments across a whole bunch of accounts without using 3 credits per enrichment per row.. it will become very expensive very quickly
Clay Support
APP
·
·
You can significantly reduce costs by bringing your own OpenAI API key, which can cut AI costs by up to 90%. [1] Once you have a tier 2 OpenAI API key connected, you'll pay OpenAI's rates directly instead of Clay's 3-credit cost. [2]
Additionally, use conditional runs to only process rows meeting specific criteria - go to Run Settings and add conditions in the "Only run if" box. You can also use filtered views to ensure only visible rows are enriched.
Consider AI Formulas for data manipulation - they cost zero credits.
Clay Support
APP
·
·
Was that helpful?
Clay Support
APP
·
·
If you still need help managing your enrichments or reducing credit usage, I’m here to assist. Would you like to provide more details about your specific goals or challenges so we can explore solutions together?
Jessica A.
·
·
are there any other more immediate API keys available that could help reduce the cost of AI web scraping?
Clay Support
APP
·
·
Yes, you can connect your own Anthropic API key in addition to OpenAI for AI web scraping with Claygent. [1] Both OpenAI and Anthropic API keys can cut your AI costs by up to 90%, and 90% of Clay users input their own AI API keys. [2]
However, both providers require meeting their tier requirements - Anthropic may have different tier upgrade timelines than OpenAI's 7-day waiting period. [3] You can connect these through Settings > Connections once you meet the provider requirements.
Clay Support
APP
·
·
Did that answer your question?
Clay Support
APP
·
·
If you still need assistance with connecting API keys or managing your AI costs, I’m here to help. Would you like to share more about your specific use case or any challenges you’re facing so we can continue the conversation?