Here’s a breakdown of how AWS credits can help reduce your bill:
Understanding AWS Credits:
- Promotional Funds: AWS credits are essentially promotional funds that AWS provides to offset the costs of using their services. They are not a standard “discount” you can simply apply.
- Offsetting Costs: When you have AWS credits on your account, they are automatically applied to the charges for eligible AWS services, directly reducing the amount you need to pay.
- Eligibility: The services that AWS credits can be applied to depend on the specific terms and conditions of the credit you received. Generally, they apply to most core services like EC2, S3, and others, but might exclude things like upfront costs for Reserved Instances or Savings Plans, AWS Marketplace fees, and certain support plans. You can check the “Credits” section of your AWS Billing and Cost Management console to see which services your credits apply to.
- Automatic Application: AWS automatically applies the available credits to the eligible services with the highest charges first. You don’t need to manually select how they are applied.
- Expiration: AWS credits have an expiration date. Make sure to utilize them before they expire, as unused credits are typically forfeited. You can view the expiration dates in the Billing and Cost Management console.
- Non-Retroactive: Credits can only be used for current and future usage. They cannot be applied to past bills.
How Credits Lower Your AWS Expenses:
- Reduced Out-of-Pocket Payment: When your monthly AWS bill is generated, the system first applies any available and eligible credits. The remaining balance, after the credits are applied, is what you will need to pay.
- Free Usage: If your credit amount is equal to or greater than your usage for the month for eligible services, your bill could be entirely covered by the credits, resulting in no out-of-pocket expense.
- Experimentation and Development: AWS credits often allow you to experiment with new services or develop applications without incurring immediate costs. This can be particularly helpful for startups or teams exploring new cloud technologies.
How to Potentially Obtain AWS Credits:
- AWS Activate: If you are a startup, explore the AWS Activate program, which provides significant AWS credits, support, and training.
- AWS for Nonprofits: Nonprofit organizations can apply for AWS credits through the AWS Nonprofit Credit Program via TechSoup.
- AWS Educate: Students and educators can receive credits and access learning resources through AWS Educate.
- AWS Promotional Credit Program: AWS occasionally offers promotional credits for various events, research, or specific offers. Keep an eye on AWS announcements and your account notifications.
- AWS Marketplace: Some software and services on the AWS Marketplace might include AWS credits as part of their offering.
- AWS Partner Network (APN): Members of the APN may be eligible for credits based on their engagement and certifications.
- AWS Certifications: Achieving certain AWS certifications may grant you promotional credits.
Key Things to Remember:
- Redeem Your Credits: If you receive a promotional credit code, you need to redeem it in the AWS Billing and Cost Management console for it to be applied to your account.
- Monitor Your Usage: Keep an eye on your usage in the AWS Billing and Cost Management console to ensure you are making the most of your credits before they expire. Set up billing alerts to track your consumption against your credit balance.
- Understand the Terms: Always read the terms and conditions associated with the specific AWS credits you receive to understand which services they apply to and their expiration date.
In summary, AWS credits directly lower your AWS expenses by offsetting the cost of your cloud service usage. To maximize these benefits, understand the terms of your credits, ensure they are redeemed, and monitor your usage to utilize them effectively before they expire. Explore the various AWS programs that offer credits if you believe you might be eligible. 信息来源和相关内容