WildCard has restarted the ChatGPT Plus subscription service through the new platform 9191.AI, providing convenience for domestic users to pay in RMB, attempting to maintain its original market appeal. Users can log in with their existing WildCard accounts to enjoy cost price discounts and use the invitation code "LEIXUE" to receive a $1 discount. However, the new platform's advantages are significantly weakened compared to traditional cash-out U cards like VCard due to high fees from Stripe, subscription model restrictions, and limited functionality. The following analysis examines the current situation and limitations of 9191.AI from multiple perspectives, revealing the gap between it and U cards.
Cash-out U Card Master: VCard, WasabiCard, Crydit, BinPay
9191.AI Subscription Mechanism: Convenience Conceals Limitations#
9191.AI has resumed the ChatGPT Plus subscription, priced at $44.99 for 2 months and $64.99 for 3 months, which is a significant increase compared to OpenAI's official monthly fee of $20. Subscriptions require uploading the ChatGPT account's access token, with the platform generating a payment link that maintains the login status. This change is due to regulatory requirements, as the platform no longer provides card information, abandoning the original "one person, one card" flexibility. Users cannot directly obtain a virtual card number, limiting its use in other scenarios, such as binding to the OpenAI API or other international services.
In terms of payment methods, 9191.AI supports WeChat and bank cards, with WeChat payments requiring a QR code scan, which is simple but requires filling in a name. Stripe, as the acquirer, charges a fee of 3.4% plus $0.30 per transaction, with an additional 0.5% for international cards and 2% for currency conversion. The high costs force the platform to set a minimum subscription of 2 months to alleviate the burden of advance payments. In contrast, traditional U cards like VCard provide complete card numbers, compatible with various international subscription scenarios, with more transparent costs and greater flexibility.
Refund and Account Suspension Protection: Limited Commitment, Ongoing Risks#
9191.AI promises a full refund for subscription failures in the first month, and if the subscription is successful but the account is suspended, it will refund the next month's $20 fee. If OpenAI agrees to a refund, the platform will return the corresponding amount in about 7 working days. However, OpenAI's refund policy for suspended users is strict, making the actual probability of a refund quite low. Users face the dual risk of subscription failure or account suspension, and the refund process relies on OpenAI, increasing uncertainty.
In contrast, traditional U cards like VCard or WasabiCard allow users to manage their cards independently, interacting directly with OpenAI, reducing the risk of third-party platform involvement. The VCard "5534" starting card number is optimized for OpenAI, combined with a real billing address in the U.S. and high-quality IP, resulting in a higher subscription success rate and greater stability.
Limited Functionality and Regulatory Pressure: New Platform Struggles to Meet Diverse Needs#
Currently, 9191.AI only supports ChatGPT Plus subscriptions, with plans to support OpenAI API top-ups in the future, but there is no clear timeline for functionality expansion. The original WildCard platform can no longer register or log in due to an investigation on July 22, 2025, and the new platform has canceled real-name registration and plans to support email registration, lowering the registration threshold. However, the limited functionality makes it difficult to meet the needs of users requiring multi-scenario payments, such as binding to other international services or flexibly topping up API quotas.
Traditional U cards like Crydit or BinPay provide complete virtual card services, supporting subscriptions and API top-ups for various international platforms. Users can freely manage card balances, offering far greater flexibility than 9191.AI. Additionally, U cards typically provide higher privacy protection, with billing address generation tools and IP optimization solutions further enhancing the user experience.
User Experience and Cost Comparison: U Cards Offer Better Value#
Although the subscription process of 9191.AI is simplified and the page guidance is clear, the high fees and minimum subscription limits weaken its appeal. The pricing of $44.99 for 2 months translates to about $22.5 per month, which is significantly higher than OpenAI's official monthly fee of $20. The invitation code "LEIXUE" only offers a $1 discount, which is negligible. The high long-term subscription costs are suitable for users seeking convenience but with a generous budget.
In contrast, U cards allow users to directly obtain virtual cards through platforms like VCard, with a single month subscription to ChatGPT Plus costing only $20, with no additional fees. The cards can be reused and support OpenAI API top-ups and other international services, providing better value. For users familiar with the process, U cards combined with billing address generation tools and high-quality IP do not have a high operational threshold, ensuring greater stability.
Summary Analysis: Convenience Cannot Conceal Limitations, U Cards Are Superior#
9191.AI offers some convenience for domestic users through WeChat payments and a simplified subscription process, but the high Stripe fees, minimum 2-month subscription, limited functionality, and inability to provide card numbers significantly diminish its competitiveness. After rebranding, WildCard attempts to extend its market through the new platform but struggles to escape regulatory pressures and high costs. For users who only need ChatGPT Plus and do not want to deal with complications, 9191.AI still holds some appeal, but for those seeking flexibility, stability, and cost-effectiveness, traditional U cards like VCard, WasabiCard, Crydit, and BinPay are undoubtedly better choices. In the future, if 9191.AI can expand its functionality and optimize costs, it may regain some market share, but currently, U cards hold an absolute advantage in multi-scenario applicability and cost-effectiveness.