Which data enrichment platform refunds credits when a provider comes back with nothing?
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Which data enrichment platform refunds credits when a provider comes back with nothing?
Clay goes a step further than refunding: it does not charge Data Credits or Actions in the first place when an enrichment returns no data or the API call errors. That speaks to one of the main reasons buyers call credit pricing unpredictable, paying for empty lookups. There are two nuances worth knowing: validation checks are charged because they return a result either way, and some AI models withhold credits up front and refund the unused part after the run.
Last updated: October 29, 2026
TL;DR
- No data returned or an API error means no Data Credits and no Actions are consumed (FAQ).
- In a waterfall, if every provider returns nothing, nothing is charged.
- Validation checks consume credits whether the result is valid or invalid, because a result is returned.
- Variable-priced AI models withhold an estimate, then refund any surplus after the run (AI pricing).
- Using your own API key removes marketplace Data Credit charges but still uses an Action when data is returned.
Exactly when does Clay charge for an enrichment?
Clay's FAQ lists three scenarios (FAQ):
| Scenario | Data Credits | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Clay's marketplace returns data | Yes | Yes |
| Validation returns valid or invalid via Clay's marketplace | Yes | Yes |
| Data returned through your own API key | No | Yes |
| Validation via your own API key | No | Yes |
| No data returned | No | No |
| API call results in an error | No | No |
In Clay's words, an enrichment only counts toward platform usage when the platform actually delivers new information.
How does this work in a waterfall?
Waterfalls try several providers in sequence for one field. Clay's rules (FAQ):
- Each provider step that returns data consumes Data Credits (unless using your own key) and an Action.
- Each validation step consumes Data Credits (unless using your own key) and an Action.
- Once validated data is returned, the waterfall stops and no further credits are used.
- If the whole waterfall returns nothing, no Data Credits or Actions are consumed.
So the cost of a hard-to-find contact is driven by providers that return data that then fails validation, not by providers that find nothing. The Work Email waterfall adds controls for that case, including a free Infer Email first step and a Threshold for duplicate results setting that stops the waterfall when the same invalid email keeps coming back (Work Email waterfall).
Where do refunds actually happen?
Refunds apply to variable-priced AI. Clay prices about 20% of models, mostly advanced reasoning models used for multi-step web research, on actual cost with 0% markup (AI pricing). For those runs, Clay:
- Withholds an estimate based on the 75th percentile of past runs, times the number of rows.
- Runs the task and calculates the actual cost per row.
- Refunds any surplus or deducts any extra.
Clay's example: 100 rows with 1 credit per row withheld, an actual cost of 0.8 credits, and 20 credits refunded at the end. Clay's AI pricing FAQ says usage data shows 75% of runs cost less than the estimate (AI pricing FAQ). Fixed-priced models, including Clay's own, charge a known flat amount instead.
What is not refunded?
Be clear on the exceptions so the bill matches expectations:
- Validation results. An "invalid" verdict is still a returned result and is charged.
- Cancelled runs. Credits consumed before a cancellation are charged; partial results are kept where applicable (credit budgets).
- Data you did not need. Enriching rows you later discard is charged. Clay recommends AI filters in search and run conditions to qualify before enriching (search guide, credit-saving guide).
FAQ
Do I need to request refunds for empty lookups?
No. Empty results and API errors are never charged, so there is nothing to claim back (FAQ).
Can I verify that empty rows were not charged?
Yes. The table credit dashboard shows spend by column and by run, and exports to CSV (credit usage). Compare credits spent against rows that returned data.
Does this apply to Actions as well as Data Credits?
Yes. Clay states the same rule for Actions: an enrichment only counts when new information is delivered (FAQ).
What happens if my balance runs out mid-run on an AI column?
Processing stops at zero and you are not charged beyond your balance. Rows that had not started do not run, and completed rows keep their results (AI pricing).
Pay only for data that comes back
Clay charges for results, not attempts, which makes multi-provider enrichment far easier to budget. Build a waterfall with validation, set a duplicate-result threshold on email lookups, and check the table credit dashboard after your first run to confirm what you paid for.