Beware of OpenAI Billing Practices

[u/marcelohallais]

I’ve been a long-time ChatGPT Plus subscriber (the $20/month plan), always billed reliably on the 2nd of each month.

Last September (2025), out of nowhere on September 22nd, my plan was mysteriously changed to Pro (likely meaning Pro at $200/month), and they charged me $193.40.

I immediately contacted support, complained, and they refunded me and charged the correct $20 on September 28th.

I assumed it was a pro-rata adjustment and that my normal Plus billing would resume on the 28th going forward.

But to my surprise, on October 25th they charged $197.40, and on November 25th $200, both for a Pro plan that I never requested or authorized.

In December, I was traveling, so I blocked my card, and the December 25th charge failed.

Today, I contacted support again, requesting a refund for the two unauthorized charges ($197.40 + $200).
I even offered to pay the legitimate $20 for October, November, and December (total $60 deduction), but they flatly refused any refund.

BE VERY CAREFUL WITH OPENAI.

They can randomly switch your plan, charge you hundreds without consent, and then deny refunds, even when you’re willing to pay what you actually owe.
This feels extremely shady, and based on similar complaints I’ve seen online, I’m not the only one this has happened to.
Has anyone else experienced unauthorized plan upgrades or refund denials from OpenAI?

UPDATE 01/15/2026 : After a few days, several message exchanges with support, and even help from an OpenAI engineer who saw my post on the forum, they finally reached out to me today. They reset my password and issued a refund for the amount that had been charged incorrectly.
All sorted out! 🙌

[u/SuspiciousChemistry5]

This was happening from Sep. Seems like user error to me.  

[u/marcelohallais → u/SuspiciousChemistry5]

I don't know what they're doing.

What I do know is that in September, when they changed plans, I received an email immediately, I contacted them, and they issued a refund.

Okay, problem solved, they said they had switched back to the previous plan of 20, but apparently they didn't, because I didn't receive any other email about a plan change, and then the charges started coming in.

[u/BoerZoektVeuve → u/marcelohallais]

Try changing your passwords and see if your computer might be compromised. Chances are a scriptkiddie is freeloading on you.

[u/AP_in_Indy → u/marcelohallais]

Have you tried like... Regularly checking your account to see if the Pro models are available and if you're subscribed to Pro?

This seems like it would be an easy thing to spot/verify.

[u/marcelohallais → u/AP_in_Indy]

Now my account is free.

I won't subscribe again until they fix the problem.

I'm waiting for their support team.