To use Bluehost AI Credits in n8n, create an API key in the Bluehost Portal, then open Settings > Chat in n8n, edit the provider you want, create a credential, paste the AI Credits key, and set the base URL to https://gateway.ai.bluehost.com. Model usage is then billed against your credit balance instead of a separate provider account, according to Bluehost’s n8n guide. The details below cover prerequisites, the exact steps, costs, and what to check when it fails.
What you need first
- A Bluehost Self-Managed VPS or VDS. Bluehost says AI Credits is available on those plans only, and its guide assumes n8n is installed there.
- n8n installed and opened for its first login.
- A purchased AI Credits balance. The key is created after credits are added.
- An AI Credits API key (not a key from Anthropic or another provider directly).
Step 1: Create the API key in Bluehost
In the Bluehost Portal, open the AI Tooling area and create a key once credits are on the account. Bluehost says the full key is shown only once, so copy it into a password manager immediately. If you lose it, create a replacement. Usage is tracked per API key, so a separate key per project makes spending easier to trace.
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Step 2: Add the credential in n8n
- In n8n, go to Settings > Chat.
- Edit the provider you want to configure. Bluehost’s example uses Anthropic.
- Create the provider’s credential.
- Enter the Bluehost AI Credits key as the API key.
- Set the base URL to
https://gateway.ai.bluehost.com, with no trailing slash in this credential setup. - Save the credential and confirm the provider.
Configuration is per provider. Repeat the steps for each other provider you want routed through the gateway and that is supported there. Bluehost’s separate API-key article lists the endpoint with a trailing slash (https://gateway.ai.bluehost.com/) for general SDK use; for n8n, use the format in the n8n guide for the provider you are setting up.
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Bluehost’s n8n blog post describes two routes: native per-provider credentials, and an OpenAI-compatible gateway option. The step-by-step guide above documents only the per-provider method. When choosing, weigh:
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- whether you need provider-specific features;
- how many credentials you are willing to manage;
- whether the model supports the request type your workflow uses;
- what your installed n8n version’s credential screen offers.
Bluehost cautions that not every model supports every feature and that the credential interface may differ by n8n version. Don’t assume the two routes are interchangeable for every model; test with a simple workflow first.
Which models are available
Bluehost says the gateway covers Anthropic, Google and OpenAI models, plus groups including Grok, DeepSeek, Mistral, Kimi, GLM and MiniMax. Exact model identifiers and per-token credit costs are on Bluehost’s AI Models and Credit Pricing resource, which you should consult for current values; model names and rates change.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Costs and credit terms
Per Bluehost’s AI Credits article (updated September 16, 2026), each credit has a retail value of $0.010, and packs were priced as follows. Bluehost says prices may change; check the AI Tooling tab.
Quick Recap
| Credits | Price |
|---|---|
| 500 | $5.00 |
| 1,000 | $10.00 |
| 5,000 | $50.00 |
| 10,000 | $100.00 |
- Credits are prepaid, do not auto-renew, and are non-refundable.
- The balance stays valid for 12 months after your most recent purchase; any new purchase resets the window for the whole balance.
- If credits expire, the balance goes to zero, but API keys and the workspace remain.
- Each model has its own credit cost per token.
Troubleshooting
- Authentication or connection errors: confirm the base URL is spelled exactly as above with no trailing slash, and that the key is the AI Credits key rather than a direct provider key.
- One model fails on a specific request: check whether that model supports the feature (for example, a particular request type) before blaming the credential.
- Screens don’t match these steps: your n8n version may label things differently; follow your version’s UI.
- Lost key: create a new one in AI Tooling and update the n8n credential.
- Calls stop working after a long gap: check whether the 12-month validity has lapsed and the balance reset to zero.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
