Billing credits are how you keep your AI Receptionist handling real calls beyond your included 25 — and how you unlock paid features like live agent handling and appointment booking. Here's how the whole system works.
How billing credits work
Billing credits are a prepaid wallet. You add funds in advance, and those credits are drawn automatically when a paid feature is used on a call.
Credits are used for:
Extra Calls — AI-handled real calls beyond your included 25, at $3/call
Live agent features — human receptionist involvement on a call, at $3/call
Appointment booking — real-time calendar booking during a call, at $3/call
⚡ A single call using Extra Calls and any paid features is capped at $6 total — that's the maximum you'll ever be charged for one call on the Free Plan.
Step 1: Add credits
Before any paid feature can work, you need credits in your account.
Where to find it: Dashboard → Settings → Billing Credits → Add credits
Your available balance is shown on the same screen. Credits carry forward month to month — whatever you add stays in your wallet until used.
⚡ Add credits before you need them. If your balance hits $0, paid features pause and calls revert to your redirect setting. A small buffer keeps you covered. Add credits now →
Step 2: Enable Extra Calls
With credits in your account, switch to Extra Calls under Call Handling so your AI Receptionist keeps handling calls beyond your included 25. Each additional call is $3, drawn from your credits.
Where to find it: Dashboard → Call Handling → choose "Keep my AI Receptionist handling calls"
⚡ This is the most direct way to protect the caller experience. Without Extra Calls, call 26 redirects to you or a team member instead of being handled by your AI. At $3/call, one new client consultation comfortably offsets the cost of several extra calls. Enable Extra Calls →
Step 3: Enable other paid features
Once you have credits, you can also enable additional paid features under "What's Enabled" in your Billing Credits settings. Each is an independent toggle, all OFF by default.
You can toggle each on or off independently, any time. Changes take effect on the very next call.
Step 4: Enable Auto-Refill
Auto-Refill automatically tops up your billing credits when they run low — so your enabled features never stall because your balance hit zero.
Where to find it: Dashboard → Settings → Billing Credits → Auto-Refill → Manage
Auto-Refill is OFF by default. When enabled, set your preferred top-up amount and it runs automatically.
⚡ Credits + Extra Calls + Auto-Refill = hands-off AI call coverage. Your AI Receptionist keeps handling every call, every month, without manual check-ins or mid-month gaps. Set up Auto-Refill →
How credits are drawn on a call
Billing is prepaid — credits are checked before each call connects:
A call comes in
We check your available credits balance
Balance above $0: call connects and any enabled paid features run normally
Balance at or below $0: call follows your redirect setting and you're notified to add funds
A connected call always finishes — there are no mid-call interruptions. In rare cases a call may push your balance slightly negative (up to ~$6); that amount is applied when you next add credits.
Credits vs. upgrading: which makes more sense?
Credits are the right starting point. No commitment, no plan change — just add funds and enable what you need. If you find you're consistently relying on Extra Calls every month, that's a natural signal to compare Pro plans.
Compare plans →
Frequently asked questions
Do my credits expire? No. Credits carry forward month to month until used.
What happens if my credits run out? Paid features pause and calls revert to your redirect setting until you add more credits. Add credits →
Can I enable paid features before I've added credits? You can toggle them on, but they won't activate on a call until your balance is above $0.
What if my card is declined when adding credits? The credit purchase won't go through. Update your payment method under Payment Methods and try again.
Does the $6 cap apply per call or per month? Per call. A single call using Extra Calls and any combination of paid features is capped at $6. There's no monthly cap on total credit usage.
Can I get a refund on unused credits if I upgrade? Contact support@smith.ai for questions about credit balances during a plan change.
Next steps
Add credits and enable Extra Calls →
Set up Auto-Refill →
Never Miss a Call: Settings to Keep Your AI Receptionist Running →
Questions? Email support@smith.ai
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