# Set AI Usage Limits Before You Use Pay-Per-Use (Protect Your Wallet)

> Pay-per-use AI is charged as it is used. Set spending limits in AI Suite → Plans & Limits for every pay-per-use sub-account so AI usage cannot empty the wallet.

- Source: https://docs.ghlcustomercare.com/docs/ai-employee/ai-suite-plans-seats-and-limits/set-ai-usage-limits-before-you-use-pay-per-use
- Section: AI Employee / AI Suite: Plans, Seats & Limits
- Reading time: 2 min
- Updated on Sat, 26 Sep 2026

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**Short answer:** before any sub-account uses Ask AI, AI Studio or Managed Agents on **pay-per-use**, set a spending limit for it in **AI Suite → Plans & Limits**. Without a limit, usage is charged as it happens with no ceiling, and the wallet can be emptied.

> **This is not optional.** If you do not want surprise AI bills on pay-per-use, you **must** set up limits. Otherwise your wallet can be emptied by AI usage you did not plan for.

## Why limits matter

-   Since September 1, 2026, Ask AI, AI Studio and Managed Agents are paid products.
-   On pay-per-use, every question, studio session and agent run is charged as it happens.
-   A single busy user, or an automated Managed Agent, can run up a large bill quickly.
-   Charges come out of the wallet. When the wallet is empty, other paid services that rely on it can stop too.

## How to set limits

1.  In the agency view, open **AI Suite**.
2.  Go to **Plans & Limits**.
3.  Find each sub-account on **pay-per-use**.
4.  Set a spending limit you are comfortable losing in a bad month, not your best-case estimate.
5.  Save, then check **Usage Dashboard** after a few days to see whether the limit fits real use.
6.  Repeat for every new sub-account you create on pay-per-use.

## Set limits on extra usage for AI Assistant Seats too

AI Assistant Seats include an allowance, and extra usage is **off by default**. If you turn extra usage on so users can keep working past their allowance, it is billed to the agency wallet or to the sub-account its rebilling settings point to. Put a limit in place first. See [AI Assistant Seats](https://docs.ghlcustomercare.com/docs/ai-employee/ai-suite-plans-seats-and-limits/ai-assistant-seats-per-user-ask-ai-and-ai-studio).

## Good practice checklist

-   Every pay-per-use sub-account has a limit. No exceptions.
-   Heavy users are moved to an AI Employee plan (usage included) instead of an ever-higher limit. Compare the options in [AI Suite plans and pricing](https://docs.ghlcustomercare.com/docs/ai-employee/ai-suite-plans-seats-and-limits/ai-suite-plans-and-pricing).
-   Staff who only need Ask AI and AI Studio across many clients get an AI Assistant Seat.
-   Keep the wallet topped up, with auto-recharge only if you also have limits.
-   Review the Usage Dashboard monthly.

## Frequently asked questions

### Do I really need limits on pay-per-use?

Yes. Pay-per-use is charged as it happens with no built-in ceiling. Without a limit, AI usage can empty the wallet.

### Where do I set AI spending limits?

In the agency view: AI Suite → Plans & Limits.

### What happens when a sub-account hits its limit?

The limit stops further paid AI usage for that sub-account until the limit resets or you raise it, so the wallet is protected.

### Do AI Employee plans need limits?

Usage on an AI Employee plan is included up to the plan allowance. Limits matter most for pay-per-use and for any extra usage you turn on.

### Can extra usage on an AI Assistant Seat drain the wallet?

Only if you turn extra usage on; it is off by default. When it is on, it bills the agency wallet or the sub-account, so set a limit first.

### How do I know which limit to choose?

Start from last month's figures in AI Suite → Usage Dashboard, set a limit slightly above normal use, and review it after a week.

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Documentation for GHL Customer Care. Support: support@ghlcustomercare.com