Google announced on November 13, 2026 (local time) that it has built a way to claim Google Cloud credits into Google AI Studio (hereafter AI Studio), its tool for developers. Subscribers to the paid Google AI Pro and Google AI Ultra plans can set up billing, claim their credits, and start using the Gemini API without leaving AI Studio. The company laid out the change on its official blog.
Claiming Credits and Setting Up Billing Now Happen on One Screen
The update adds four features. All of them run inside AI Studio, and Google says there is no need to move to a separate console.
| Feature | What it does |
|---|---|
| Credit alerts | On sign-in, unclaimed credits and balances appear in the left navigation |
| In-product redemption | Creating a Google Developer Program profile and claiming credits happen in one dialog |
| Billing setup and auto-apply | A Cloud billing account is set up in the same flow. The earliest-expiring credits are spent first, and future monthly grants are applied automatically |
| Paid API keys and spend tracking | Paid-tier API keys are attached on redemption. Balance and usage can be checked on the AI Studio billing page |
The handling of subscribers who have no profile is worth noting. The Google Developer Program is a no-cost membership, and an active profile is required to use its benefits. Under the new flow, Google says a profile is created automatically when credits are redeemed.
In the screenshot included in the announcement, the redemption dialog shows a "Redeem and Continue" button.
The Credits Are a Monthly Benefit Already Included With AI Pro and Ultra
According to Google, Google AI Pro and Google AI Ultra subscriptions already come with recurring monthly Google Cloud credits through the Google Developer Program. The grant scales with the plan tier, and upgrading to a higher plan automatically increases the monthly grant, the company says.
Each monthly credit is valid for 12 months from issue. Because grants stack month to month, Google explains that people who have subscribed for a few months and have a profile likely have credits waiting to be claimed. The amount for each plan is listed in a table in the announcement.
A Prepayment of at Least $5 Is Required
The conditions matter as well. Using the Gemini API with Cloud billing and drawing down promotional credits requires a minimum prepayment and balance of $5. Subscribers cannot simply claim the credits and keep using them without registering a payment method.
In addition, only the primary plan subscriber can use the credits. Google says they cannot be shared among family members. The announcement does not say which countries or regions are covered, or what the terms are in currencies other than the dollar.
Credits Pick Up Where the AI Studio Quota Runs Out
The credits are for Gemini API usage from AI Studio. Google explains that subscribers can keep working on credits after their subscription quota runs out in AI Studio. As examples, it cites creating generative media and solving complex tasks with the Gemini 4 Carbon model, generating videos with Omni, and deploying with Google Cloud Run.
Besides monthly Cloud credits, Google Developer Program benefits include higher Google Antigravity quotas and Google Skills credits. Step-by-step details are in the company's guide.
Our Take
It is no small thing that a benefit already included in the subscription now shows up directly on the screen where the work happens. Once unclaimed balances are flagged, subscribers who did not know the credits existed should notice them.
That said, the $5 minimum prepayment should not be overlooked. For individual developers who would rather not register a payment method, this is a different thing from a free trial allowance. With a billing account in place, usage beyond the credits may also lead to charges.
Even so, a 12-month validity period and a design that spends the earliest-expiring credits first do not work against users. For people who already subscribe to AI Pro or AI Ultra and want to try the API as well, this will likely be an entry point with little added cost.
Summary
The monthly Google Cloud credits included with Google AI Pro and Google AI Ultra can now be claimed inside AI Studio. The change concerns developers who subscribe to either plan and want to build apps with the Gemini API. A $5 minimum prepayment and a primary-subscriber-only rule apply, and because the covered regions have not been disclosed, subscribers will need to check what their own account shows to see whether they can use it.
