TITLE: OpenAI Offers Free Month of ChatGPT Plus to Select Users

OpenAI has begun offering a complimentary one-month extension of its ChatGPT Plus subscription to select users who initiate cancellation requests. The service, priced at $20 per month, provides enhanced access to advanced AI features beyond the free version.

The initiative came to light on January 1, 2026, when users reported encountering the promotion during the cancellation process. Instead of immediate termination, OpenAI prompts eligible subscribers with an option for free access through the end of the following month. After this period, the account defaults to the basic free plan at $0 per month, though users must monitor settings to prevent automatic reversion to the paid tier around late February 2026.

This retention tactic appears targeted, available in various regions and deployed gradually. It aligns with OpenAI's broader strategies to maintain user engagement amid competition from rivals like Anthropic's Claude. Developers and heavy users, in particular, have noted the offer when downgrading due to shifting preferences or cost considerations.

To access the promotion, subscribers navigate to the payment management section in their ChatGPT account and select cancellation. The system then presents the free month incentive. OpenAI has not publicly detailed eligibility criteria or the full scope of the rollout, but reports indicate it affects a subset of existing Plus members.

The move occurs as OpenAI continues to evolve its offerings, including recent updates to mobile interfaces and experimental features like thinking time toggles and skill-based integrations. However, the company has faced scrutiny over potential ad integrations in paid plans, which it has denied implementing.

ChatGPT Plus subscribers benefit from priority access during peak times, faster response generation, and exclusive tools such as data analysis and image creation via DALL-E. With millions of users worldwide, such promotions could help stabilize revenue streams projected to exceed billions annually.

Industry observers view this as a standard subscription retention practice in the tech sector, similar to tactics employed by streaming services and software providers. OpenAI, valued at over $80 billion, relies heavily on these premium tiers to fund ongoing AI research and development.

As of early 2026, no end date has been announced for the offer, and users are advised to review their account status regularly through the Manage Subscription button to avoid unintended charges.