Why does OpenAI decline my credit card even though it works elsewhere?

Below are some troubleshooting steps you might try:

Verify Your Card Details

• Double-check error-prone fields. Make sure that the card number, expiration date, CVC, and billing address are entered exactly as they appear on your billing statement.
• Confirm supported card types. Some cards (or card-issuing banks) might not be accepted due to regional or card type restrictions.

Card Restrictions & Bank Checks

• Fraud protection or security blocks. Sometimes banks automatically flag transactions with a new provider as unusual. It may help to notify your bank that you’re trying to set up a recurring service with OpenAI.
• Limits or restrictions. Ensure your card isn’t subject to spending limits or other restrictions that might block transactions with international vendors.

Try Alternative Options

• Use a different card. If available, try another card to see if the issue persists.
• Temporary issue on the payment gateway. Although less common, there might be transient issues with the payment processing system. Waiting a short time and then trying again can help.

Follow Up with Support

• Escalate your issue. Since you mentioned that OpenAI support hasn’t provided detailed guidance so far, consider asking for escalation or providing additional transaction details (such as the exact error message and the time of the attempt). This extra context might help them investigate further.
• Billing page review. Double-check your billing information and account status on OpenAI’s billing dashboard to ensure everything is set up correctly.

By following these steps, you should be able to narrow down the cause of the decline. If the problem continues after verifying these details, it could be beneficial to ask your bank for additional insights (e.g., any hidden filters on international transactions) or request that OpenAI support re-investigates your specific case.