How to pay for OpenRouter with a VirtCardPay card
- Open @VirtCardPaybot in Telegram and press Start.
- Top up your balance with USDT (TRC-20 or BEP-20) or TON.
- Issue a Visa card in US dollars (USD): OpenRouter is on the list of services it works with.
- Buy credits on the Credits page (openrouter.ai/settings/credits), either one-off or with auto top-up when your balance drops below a threshold.
- If a 3-D Secure confirmation is requested, the code arrives as a message in the bot.
Card pricing
| Card issue | $6 / €6 + 4% |
|---|---|
| On the card at issue | from $30 / €30 |
| Total to start | from $37.50 / €37.50 |
| Card top-up | 4%, from $30 / €30 |
The exact amount is shown in the bot before you confirm.
Paying for OpenRouter: what to know
- Card purchases carry a 5.5% fee with a $0.80 minimum, so tiny top-ups aren't worth it.
- Buying at least 10 credits ($10) raises the free-model limit from 50 to 1,000 requests a day.
- Card-funded credits can take up to an hour to appear. If they still don't show up, contact support@openrouter.ai.
- Unused credits can be refunded only within 24 hours, using the button on the Credits page, and the platform fee isn't returned.
- OpenRouter reserves the right to expire unused credits a year after purchase, so don't load far more than you need.
If the payment fails
- Check the balance of the card itself, not the main balance in the bot: the charge goes to the card.
- Re-enter the number, expiry date and CVC: a typo is a common reason for a decline.
- Don't retry many times in a row: payment systems may temporarily decline frequent attempts. Wait and try again.
- Still not working? Message support at @VirtCardPaySupportbot and we'll sort it out.
FAQ
Does OpenRouter mark up model prices?
No, provider prices are passed through without markup. OpenRouter charges a fee on credit purchases instead: 5.5% on the standard plan and 8% on Business.
Can I use OpenRouter without paying?
Yes, free models work without buying credits, limited to 50 requests a day.
Is there a fee for bringing my own provider keys (BYOK)?
On pay-as-you-go, the first $25,000 of monthly usage has no BYOK fee. Above that, a 5% fee is deducted from your credits.
How much do I need to put on the card?
At issue, from $30 / €30 goes straight onto the card. After that, top up from $30 / €30; the top-up fee is 4%. Keep the charge amount on the card plus a small margin.
Is it safe?
Only you see the card details — in the bot and your dashboard. 3-D Secure codes arrive in Telegram, and you can freeze the card in one tap.
Other services — AI assistants
A card for online payments
Visa and Mastercard in USD and EUR, top up with USDT or TON.