With the rapid development of artificial intelligence technology, OpenAI's ChatGPT Plus and API interface have become the preferred tools for many domestic developers and users. Whether for personal learning, content creation, or enterprise-level applications, OpenAI's powerful features are impressive. However, for domestic users, registering an OpenAI account and subscribing to ChatGPT Plus or recharging the API interface is not an easy task, as payment channel restrictions often cause headaches. This article will detail how to start from scratch to register an OpenAI account, subscribe to ChatGPT Plus, and obtain GPT-4.1 API access, especially recommending the use of WildCard as a payment tool to help domestic users easily overcome payment barriers.
WildCard Official Website: https://leixue.com/go/yeka
1. Why Choose OpenAI's ChatGPT Plus and API?#
ChatGPT Plus is a paid subscription service launched by OpenAI, costing $20 per month. Compared to the free version, it offers faster response times, higher usage limits, and priority access to the latest models (such as GPT-4.1). For users who need to use ChatGPT frequently, the Plus version undoubtedly provides a smoother experience.
The OpenAI API, on the other hand, is an interface for developers that allows users to integrate the GPT model into their applications, such as building intelligent customer service or automated content generation tools. The GPT-4.1 API is favored by developers for its powerful multimodal capabilities and higher context processing ability. However, using the API requires a balance recharge, and domestic users often face payment issues.
2. Preparation for Domestic Users to Register an OpenAI Account#
1. Ensure Network Environment#
Since the OpenAI official website may be restricted in domestic access, it is recommended to use a stable overseas network environment. You can choose a scientific internet tool to ensure that your IP address is from a non-mainland China region (such as the United States, Hong Kong, etc.) when accessing the OpenAI official website. Note to choose nodes with fewer users or home network IPs to avoid being intercepted during payment due to IP reuse.
2. Prepare Email and Phone Number#
Registering an OpenAI account requires a valid email address, preferably using international email services like Gmail or Outlook to avoid verification issues that may arise with domestic email. Additionally, OpenAI requires a phone verification code during registration, and domestic phone numbers may not be able to receive it, so it is recommended to prepare an overseas virtual phone number (which can be purchased through service providers like Google Voice or TextNow).
3. Choose Payment Tool#
OpenAI only accepts international credit cards (such as Visa, MasterCard) for payment, and domestic UnionPay cards or some dual-branded cards may be rejected due to risk control. In this case, a virtual credit card is an ideal solution. Compared to the complex processes of recharging through USDT with Dupay, VCard, PokePay, WasabiCard, and LocalCard, WildCard is undoubtedly a more suitable choice for domestic users. It supports Alipay and WeChat recharges, requires no KYC verification, and is simple to operate while being stable and secure.
3. Detailed Steps to Register an OpenAI Account#
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Visit the OpenAI Official Website
Open your browser and go to the OpenAI official website, then click the "Sign Up" button in the upper right corner. -
Fill in Registration Information
Enter your email address and set a password. You can also choose to log in with a Google or Microsoft account. After completing email verification, the system will ask for your phone number for SMS verification. Use the prepared overseas phone number to receive the verification code and fill it in. -
Complete Account Creation
Once verified, your OpenAI account will be successfully created! At this point, you can log in and experience the basic features of ChatGPT for free, but to subscribe to ChatGPT Plus or use the API, you will need to bind a payment method.
4. Subscribe to ChatGPT Plus#
1. Go to the Subscription Page#
After logging into your OpenAI account, click on "Upgrade" or "Subscribe to Plus" in the left menu to enter the ChatGPT Plus subscription page and confirm the monthly fee of $20.
2. Bind Payment with WildCard#
On the payment page, OpenAI will ask for credit card information. At this point, open the WildCard official website and follow these steps:
- Register an Account: Visit the WildCard official website, click "Register," enter your phone number (mainland users select +86), and complete registration using the verification code. Don’t forget to enter the invitation code "LEIXUE" for card opening discounts.
- Open a Card: After logging in, go to the "My Cards" page, select the card opening duration (1 year for $11.99 or 2 years for $16.99, with an additional $1 discount using the invitation code). Pay the card opening fee via Alipay or WeChat by scanning the QR code.
- Recharge: It is recommended to recharge $25 for the first time (including a $5 pre-authorization fee and a $20 subscription fee). On the "Recharge" page, select Alipay or WeChat and scan the QR code to complete the recharge.
- Obtain Card Information: View the virtual card number, expiration date, and CVV code on the "My Cards" page, and copy this information to the OpenAI payment page.
3. Complete Subscription#
Enter the WildCard card information and confirm the payment. Once the payment is successful, your account will be upgraded to ChatGPT Plus, allowing you to enjoy advanced features like GPT-4.1.
5. Obtain GPT-4.1 API Access#
1. Go to the API Management Page#
Log into your OpenAI account and visit the OpenAI API platform. For first-time users, you need to create an organization by filling in the organization name and description.
2. Recharge API Balance#
API usage is billed based on consumption, and you need to recharge your balance first:
- Click "Billing" or "Add Payment Method" and enter the WildCard card information.
- Select the recharge amount (it is recommended to recharge $10-50 for the first time, adjusting based on needs).
- Confirm the payment, and the balance will be credited in real-time.
3. Create API Key#
On the API management page, click on the "API Keys" option and select "Create new secret key" to generate an API key. Keep this key safe and do not disclose it.
4. Test GPT-4.1 API#
Use the generated API Key to call the GPT-4.1 model through code or tools (such as Postman). OpenAI provides detailed API documentation that you can refer to for quick start examples.
6. Why Choose WildCard?#
Compared to virtual cards like Dupay, VCard, PokePay, WasabiCard, and LocalCard that require USDT recharge, WildCard has the following advantages:
- Convenient Payment: Supports Alipay and WeChat recharge, with a minimum single transaction of $5, making it easy to operate.
- Stable and Secure: Optimized specifically for domestic users, with tested payment channels to avoid OpenAI's risk interception.
- Applicable in Multiple Scenarios: Not only supports ChatGPT Plus and OpenAI API but can also be used for services like Claude, Midjourney, Google Play, and other overseas services.
- Promotional Activities: Register using the invitation code "LEIXUE" to enjoy card opening discounts, providing high cost-performance.
7. Precautions#
- Network Stability: Avoid frequently switching IPs during payment to prevent triggering OpenAI's security mechanisms.
- Balance Management: Regularly check your WildCard balance to ensure uninterrupted subscription or API usage.
- Account Security: Do not disclose your API Key or WildCard card information, and enable two-factor authentication to protect your account.
8. Conclusion#
By following the above steps, domestic users can easily register an OpenAI account, subscribe to ChatGPT Plus, and obtain GPT-4.1 API access. The key is to choose a stable and convenient payment tool, and WildCard is undoubtedly the best choice. Its Alipay/WeChat recharge methods, stable payment channels, and applicability in multiple scenarios allow domestic users to worry less about payment issues. If you are struggling with OpenAI's payment channels, consider visiting the WildCard official website and register using the invitation code "LEIXUE" to start your AI journey!