How to Use AWS Free Tier Credits with Claude on Amazon Bedrock

Use AWS Credits with Claude on Bedrock

The FREE reel setup guide for eligible new AWS customers

AWS offers new customers up to $200 in credits: $100 at sign-up and up to $100 more from eligible activities. Use the steps below to check your offer and try a supported model through Amazon Bedrock. Credits cover eligible AWS usage; they do not buy a Claude Max or consumer ChatGPT subscription.

Check the offer first

1. 1
   Open aws.amazon.com/free and choose Create a free account. Review the Free and Paid plan choices before continuing. Existing or previous AWS customers do not qualify for the new-customer Free Tier credits.
2. 2
   In the AWS console, check the Cost and Usage widget and Billing and Cost Management credit details. Confirm the balance, expiration date and eligible services in your own account. The Free plan closes after six months or when its credits run out, whichever comes first. A Paid plan can charge beyond eligible credits.

Try one supported model

1. 1
   Search for Amazon Bedrock in the AWS console. Open its model catalog, select a Claude model available in your region, and open it in the playground. Availability depends on your account, region, model and service permissions.
2. 2
   Complete the Anthropic first-time-use form if prompted. If access is denied, review the message, your Bedrock permissions and account restrictions. If the model requires a Paid plan, check its pricing and whether your credits cover it before deciding to upgrade.
3. 3
   Enter a short test prompt, keep the output limit small, and submit it. For example: Explain Amazon Bedrock in three short sentences for a beginner. Confirm a response, then inspect your usage and credit balance. This is metered model usage, even when eligible credits pay for it.

Earn the remaining credits

1. 1
   Return to the Explore AWS widget on Console Home. It lists the activities available to your account, which can earn up to another $100. AWS includes a Bedrock playground activity among its documented options. Complete only the activities you want to learn; some create resources that keep accruing charges until deleted.

Keep the experiment under control

1. 1
   Set an AWS Budget alert, check usage after testing, and remove resources created for other credit activities. A budget alert is a notification, not a hard spending stop. Verify the remaining credit balance rather than assuming every model call is covered.

What the video means by other AI models

Bedrock provides access to models from multiple providers, including Anthropic and OpenAI. Choose the specific model shown in your catalog. The video uses ChatGPT as shorthand for OpenAI models; this setup does not automatically include a ChatGPT app subscription or all of its features.

A model appearing in the catalog does not guarantee that your account can use it immediately or that a particular credit offer covers every charge. Check the access screen, applicable terms and pricing before running a larger job.

If the first request fails

Access error: finish any required use-case form and review your AWS role permissions. Region error: select a region supported by that exact model. Quota error: inspect Service Quotas or contact AWS Support. Credit question: stop the experiment and check Billing and the offer terms before continuing. Do not create extra accounts to bypass eligibility rules.

Official sources

Offer and account plan details https://aws.amazon.com/free/free-tier-faqs/

Credit earning activities https://docs.aws.amazon.com/awsaccountbilling/latest/aboutv2/free-tier-plans-activities.html

Bedrock console instructions https://docs.aws.amazon.com/bedrock/latest/userguide/getting-started-console.html

Model access and Anthropic form https://docs.aws.amazon.com/bedrock/latest/userguide/model-access.html

Available model providers https://aws.amazon.com/bedrock/model-choice/

Checked September 15 2026. Recheck the account offer and model terms when you sign up.