Version 296: Does Activating the Paid Tier in Gemini API Billing Remove the Free Usage Limit?

Understanding Gemini API Billing: Free Tier Usage and Paid Plans

As I explore the features of the Gemini API, I’m contemplating enabling the billing options due to recent changes in the free tier, particularly the discontinuation of pro model access. However, I have some pressing questions regarding how the paid tier affects free usage.

Key Inquiry: When I enable billing for the Gemini API, does it include any allowance for free usage? Specifically, I’d like to know if the free tier rate limits are still applicable, meaning I would only incur charges for usage that exceeds those limits, or if all activities become billable immediately upon enabling billing.

Understanding these details is crucial for effectively managing my costs while leveraging the benefits of the Gemini API. If anyone has insights or has navigated similar considerations, your experiences would be incredibly helpful!