---
name: account-credit-types
title: Types of codes and credits
description: IBM Cloud® provides credit opportunities for customers to access more than 130 unparalleled services at a reduced cost. You can easily manage your billing and credits. For more information, see Centrally managing billing and usage with enterprises.
last-updated: 2026-03-04
---

> ## Documentation Index
> The table of contents for this documentation set is at https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/account?format=markdown
> The index for all IBM Cloud docs is at: https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/llms.txt
> Use these files to discover more information as needed.

# Types of codes and credits
{: #codes-credits}

IBM Cloud® provides credit opportunities for customers to access more than 130 unparalleled services at a reduced cost. You can easily manage your billing and credits. For more information, see [Centrally managing billing and usage with enterprises](https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/enterprise-management?topic=enterprise-management-enterprise&format=markdown).

IBM Cloud offers a variety of codes and credits. A code is shared with the customers, when applied they receive credits, a certain amount that can be spent for IBM Cloud services and support.

## Onboarding credits
{: #onboard-credits}

IBM Cloud credits enable customers and Business Partners to use, learn, and build IBM Cloud infrastructure and platform skills and solutions at a reduced cost.

### Upgrade credits
{: #upgrade-credits}

You can create an account and use a myriad of software products with no time limit. Your account comes with a $200 USD upgrade credit that is valid for 30 days and it can be applied to any product in the IBM Cloud catalog. If your upgrade includes a promotional credit, the credit might take a few hours to appear in your account. For more information, see [IBM Cloud free tier](https://www.ibm.com/products/cloud/free){: external}.

## Billing codes
{: #types-of-codes}

### Promo code
{: #promo-code-credits}

Promo codes are provided on a limited basis by IBM Cloud sales to customers with billable accounts, such as Pay-As-You-Go and Subscription accounts. Promotions provide specific discounts for a set amount of time. For more information, see [Applying promo codes](https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/account?topic=account-applying-promo-codes&format=markdown).

### Feature code
{: #feature-credits}

Feature codes are provided for online courses and certain events, such as educational sessions or conference workshops. For more information, see [Applying feature codes](https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/account?topic=account-codes&format=markdown).

### Subscription code
{: #sub-codes-credits}

Subscription codes are provided when you purchase a subscription for a platform or support credit. Use the [IBM Partner Plus](https://www.ibm.com/partnerplus) to manage subscriptions. For more information, see [Applying subscription codes](https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/account?topic=account-subscription_code&format=markdown).