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how come cancelling api keys with left over prepaid credit isn't refunded?

Refund policies are clearly documented in our terms. We actually DO offer refunds within 24hrs of credit purchase, which is significantly more flexible than most companies that operate in a similar way. And we try to use good judgement when there are extenuating circumstances.

I understand that the refund policy is documented. But “clearly documented” and “fair to the customer” are separate questions.

If a user cancels API access while still holding prepaid credits, that unused balance represents compute they never consumed. Unlike a shipped physical product or a fixed one-time service cost, unused API credit does not seem to impose much marginal cost on OpenRouter to reallocate or refund.

So the issue isn’t whether the policy is disclosed. It’s whether keeping unused prepaid credit after cancellation is the right default, especially when the user is no longer able or willing to use the service.

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