I paired Microsoft Excel with Claude, and it beats Copilot at its own game

Even saying that AI companies are dropping new models left and right feels like an understatement at this point. A quick scroll through Reddit or Discord shows that some releases are far more anticipated than others, and Claude’s newest model has been one users have been waiting on for a while. To mark the much-anticipated launch of Claude Opus 4.5, Anthropic is offering users $50 in free usage credits for a limited time.

Opus 4.6 brings smarter coding and a 1M-token context

Includes $50 free credits to try out the new model

Anthropic announced Claude Opus 4.6 on February 5, describing it as an upgrade to its smartest model yet. According to the company, Opus 4.6 improves on its predecessor’s coding abilities, with better planning, longer-lasting agentic workflows, and more reliable performance in large codebases. The more exciting bit, though, is that the model features a 1M context window (currently in beta). For context, Claude Opus 4.5 supported a 200K-token context window, meaning the jump to a million is a 5× increase for the Opus lineup! T

The model is available today on Claude, its API, and all major cloud platforms. To celebrate the launch, Anthropic is offering eligible Claude Pro and Max users $50 in free usage credits. Effectively, this means this is the perfect chance to explore Opus 4.6’s expanded context, improved coding skills, and multitasking capabilities without dipping into your own plan limits.

You can use the credits for Claude, Claude Code, and its Cowork feature. While Anthropic is giving the credit away as an opportunity to test out its newest model, you can also use it on all models and features available on your plan.

To be eligible for this offer, you must have started your Pro or Max subscription by the end of Wednesday, February 4, 2026 (11:59 PM PT). If you meet this condition, the only other requirement is that you need to enable the Extra Usage feature by the end of Monday, February 16th, to claim the credit. In other words, new subscriptions started after February 4 are not eligible — this offer is only for existing subscribers.

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For those not in the know, the Extra Usage feature allows paid Claude users to continue using it after reaching their usage limits. Instead of being blocked when you hit your session limits, you can switch to consumption-based pricing at standard API rates and continue your work without interruption.

If you’ve already hit the limit and already have Extra Usage enabled, the $50 credit will be applied automatically to your account. If not, simply enable Extra Usage in Settings > Usage, and the credit will be added once it’s active. Keep in mind that the Extra Usage setting cannot be enabled through the Claude mobile apps and can only be done through the web version.

Alternatively, when you head to the Usage page, you’ll see an Explore Opus 4.6 with extra wiggle room banner with a Claim button — clicking it will enable Extra Usage and automatically apply your $50 credit.

The promotion will run through Monday, February 16, 11:59 PM, and the $50 credit can be used for 60 days after the date you claim it. If you have any credit remaining after that period, it will expire and will not carry over, though Extra Usage will remain enabled on your account for future use at standard rates.

So, if you’re claiming the credit, make sure to monitor your usage or disable Extra Usage afterward to avoid being charged once the $50 runs out! After all, let’s be real: it’s no fun waking up to a surprise bill.