OpenAI simplifies five paid API usage tiers into Build, Launch and Grow, cutting the top-tier qualification threshold to $500

What changed

OpenAI updated its API usage tiers on October 6, reducing five paid tiers to three: Build, Launch and Grow. The official developer-community announcement says the new highest tier, Grow, can be reached after $500 in total API payments, down from $1,000 for the previous highest tier. Existing paid organizations are moved automatically with no action required. The API changelog confirms the same change and points developers to per-model rate and monthly usage limits. This is an account and rate-limit qualification change rather than a model-price reduction.