Provision record
OpenRouter · OpenRouter Terms of Service · View original document ↗

24-Hour Credit Refund Window

Medium severity High confidence Explicit document language Common · 230 of 352 platforms
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Document Record

What it is

The agreement limits refund eligibility for unused pre-paid Credits to a 24-hour window from the time of transaction processing, after which unused Credits become non-refundable. Platform fees are non-refundable in all cases, and cryptocurrency payments carry no refund eligibility under any circumstances.

This analysis describes what OpenRouter's agreement states, permits, or reserves. It does not constitute a legal determination about enforceability. Regulatory applicability and practical outcomes may vary by jurisdiction, enforcement context, and individual circumstances. Read our methodology

ConductAtlas Analysis

Why it matters (compliance & governance perspective)

This provision establishes a 24-hour refund window as the contractual limit for credit recovery, which is operationally narrow. Platform fees and cryptocurrency payments are categorically excluded from refund eligibility, creating financial terms that users should assess before purchasing, particularly for large credit transactions up to the $25,000 maximum.

Recent Activity

This document changed recently

Medium Aug 5, 2026

The updated terms establish that users are responsible for all account activity and charges occurring under their API credentials, with the exception of activity directly caused by OpenRouter's breach of the terms. Users are required to promptly notify OpenRouter of any actual or suspected compromise or unauthorized use of API credentials. OpenRouter reserves the right to suspend, revoke, or limit API credentials or account access if OpenRouter reasonably believes doing so is necessary to protect the service, the user, OpenRouter, or any third party. Additionally, promotional credits provided by OpenRouter have no cash value, cannot be refunded or exchanged except under specific conditions, are non-transferable between accounts, and expire on dates specified at issuance or in accordance with the terms. You can manage your API credentials through your account settings and should promptly contact OpenRouter if you suspect unauthorized access.

View change record →
Medium Jul 7, 2026

The updated terms clarify that enabling prompt logging automatically activates chat logging as well, and grant OpenRouter a perpetual, worldwide license to use your content for service provision and commercial purposes. This includes the explicit right to license or sell your user content in anonymized form. Users accessing Stealth Program models must now also agree to a separate End User License Agreement. You can disable prompt logging in your account settings if you do not wish to grant these permissions.

View change record →

Clause Stability Stable

0
Changes
3
Months Monitored
May 21, 2026
First Seen
May 22, 2026
Last Seen
This clause type exists across 2197 other provisions on other platforms.

Consumer impact (what this means for users)

Under this clause, unused Credits are refundable only within 24 hours of purchase via the self-service refund button at the Credits page; after that window, unused Credits are non-refundable. Credits purchased with cryptocurrency are non-refundable under any circumstances, and platform fees are non-refundable regardless of refund timing.

What you can do

⚠️ These actions may provide transparency or partial mitigation but may not fully address the underlying issue. Effectiveness varies by jurisdiction and individual circumstances.
  • Dispute a Fee
    Within 24 hours
    Navigate to the Credits page at https://openrouter.ai/settings/credits and use the refund button within 24 hours of your credit purchase. Only the unused credit amount is refundable; platform fees and cryptocurrency payments are not eligible.

How other platforms handle this

Google Cloud Medium

If Customer pays by credit card, debit card, or other non-invoiced form of payment, Customer will pay all Fees immediately at the end of the Fee Accrual Period or when otherwise charged by Google.

Google Maps Medium

If Customer elects to pay by credit card, debit card, or other non-invoiced form of payment, Google will charge (and Customer will pay) all Fees immediately at the end of the Fee Accrual Period.

Tinder Medium

If you do not timely cancel your subscription, your subscription will be renewed at the full price as indicated when the purchase was made, without any additional action by you, and you authorize us to charge your payment method for these amounts.

See all platforms with this clause type →
▸ View Original Clause Language DOCUMENT RECORD
"
Once purchased, refunds for unused Credits may be requested within twenty-four (24) hours from the time the transaction was processed. If no refund request is received within twenty-four (24) hours following the purchase, any unused Credits become non-refundable. To request a refund within the eligible period, you can use the refund button on the Credits page. The unused credit amount will be refunded to your payment method; the platform fees are non-refundable. Cryptocurrency payments are never refundable.

Excerpt from OpenRouter's Terms of Service

ConductAtlas Analysis

Institutional analysis (regulatory & governance intelligence)

1) REGULATORY LANDSCAPE: The 24-hour refund limitation and absolute non-refundability of cryptocurrency payments may warrant evaluation under the FTC Act's unfair or deceptive practices standards, particularly regarding prominence of disclosure at point of purchase.

Insight

Unlock the full institutional analysis

Enforcement risk, jurisdiction flags, contract triggers, and due diligence action items.

Applicable agencies

  • Federal Trade Commission (ftc)
    Oversees unfair or deceptive business practices and can investigate companies that mislead consumers about data collection, sharing, or use.
    Who can file: Anyone affected by the company's practices (US or international)
    What you need: Your account details, a timeline of relevant events, and a description of the specific issue
    What to expect: Complaints inform FTC enforcement priorities and investigations but do not result in individual resolution or compensation
    File a complaint →
  • State Attorney General
    State AGs in California, New York, Texas, and other states can investigate violations of state consumer protection and privacy laws, including CCPA (California), SHIELD Act (New York), and equivalents.
    Who can file: Residents of states with comprehensive privacy laws — primarily California, Virginia, Colorado, Connecticut, and Utah
    What you need: Evidence of the violation, explanation of how your state rights were affected, and your account or contact information with the company
    What to expect: Outcomes vary by state. May result in investigation, enforcement action, or requirement for the company to change practices. No direct individual compensation in most cases.

    Search "[your state] attorney general consumer complaint" to find your state's direct complaint form

Provision details

Document information
Document
OpenRouter Terms of Service
Entity
OpenRouter
Document last updated
May 12, 2026
Tracking information
First tracked
May 21, 2026
Last verified
May 21, 2026
Record ID
CA-P-012767
Document ID
CA-D-00810
Evidence Provenance
Source URL
Wayback Machine
Content hash (SHA-256)
d22aa40bd1da8ba43c39e2622b935e1df3d8acb5d7abfae7670c288b44c0e544
Analysis generated
May 21, 2026 01:17 UTC
Methodology
Evidence
✓ Snapshot stored   ✓ Hash verified
Citation Record
Entity: OpenRouter
Document: OpenRouter Terms of Service
Record ID: CA-P-012767
Captured: 2026-05-21 01:17:28 UTC
SHA-256: d22aa40bd1da8ba4…
URL: https://conductatlas.com/platform/openrouter/openrouter-terms-of-service/provision/CA-P-012767/24-hour-credit-refund-window/
Accessed: Aug. 26, 2026
Permanent archival reference. Stable identifier suitable for legal filings, compliance documentation, and research citation.
Classification
Severity
Medium
Categories

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does OpenRouter's 24-Hour Credit Refund Window clause do?

This provision establishes a 24-hour refund window as the contractual limit for credit recovery, which is operationally narrow. Platform fees and cryptocurrency payments are categorically excluded from refund eligibility, creating financial terms that users should assess before purchasing, particularly for large credit transactions up to the $25,000 maximum.

How does this clause affect you?

Under this clause, unused Credits are refundable only within 24 hours of purchase via the self-service refund button at the Credits page; after that window, unused Credits are non-refundable. Credits purchased with cryptocurrency are non-refundable under any circumstances, and platform fees are non-refundable regardless of refund timing.

How many platforms have this type of clause?

ConductAtlas has identified this type of provision across 230 platforms. See the full comparison.

Is ConductAtlas affiliated with OpenRouter?

No. ConductAtlas is an independent monitoring service. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by OpenRouter.