Why can't I access GPT-4 models via API, although GPT-3.5 models work?

Question

I'm able to use the gpt-3.5-turbo-0301 model to access the ChatGPT API, but not any of the gpt-4 models. Here is the code I am using to test this (it excludes my openai API key). The code runs as written, but when I replace "gpt-3.5-turbo-0301" with "gpt-4", "gpt-4-0314", or "gpt-4-32k-0314", it gives me an error

openai.error.InvalidRequestError: The model: `gpt-4` does not exist

I have a ChatGPT+ subscription, am using my own API key, and can use gpt-4 successfully via OpenAI's own interface.

It's the same error if I use gpt-4-0314 or gpt-4-32k-0314. I've seen a couple articles claiming this or similar code works using 'gpt-4' works as the model specification, and the code I pasted below is from one of them.

Is it possible to access the gpt-4 model via Python + API, and if so, how?

openai_key = "sk..."
openai.api_key = openai_key
system_intel = "You are GPT-4, answer my questions as if you were an expert in the field."
prompt = "Write a blog on how to use GPT-4 with python in a jupyter notebook"
# Function that calls the GPT-4 API

def ask_GPT4(system_intel, prompt): 
    result = openai.ChatCompletion.create(model="gpt-3.5-turbo-0301",
                                 messages=[{"role": "system", "content": system_intel},
                                           {"role": "user", "content": prompt}])
    print(result['choices'][0]['message']['content'])

# Call the function above
ask_GPT4(system_intel, prompt)

Answer 1

Currently the GPT 4 API is restricted, Even to users with a Chat GPT + subscription.

You may need to join the Waitlist for the API.

Answer 2

TL;DR: There's no waitlist anymore. Since July 6, 2023, the GPT-4 8k models have been accessible through the API to those users who have made a successful payment of $1 or more through the OpenAI developer platform. Generate a new API key if your old one was generated before the payment.

As stated in the official OpenAI article:

If you've made a successful payment of $1 or more, you'll be able to access the GPT-4 8k API.

Can I get instant access to GPT-4 8k models via API even if I haven't spent at least $1 in the past?

Accounts created after August 18, 2023, can get instant access to GPT-4 8k models via API after purchasing $0.50 worth or more of pre-paid credits. You can read about prepaid billing here.

Why don't I get access to the GPT-4 8k models via API even though I paid $20 for my ChatGPT Plus subscription?

OpenAI API usage is not included in the ChatGPT Plus subscription, as stated in the official OpenAI article:

11. Is the ChatGPT API included in the ChatGPT Plus subscription?

    a. No, the ChatGPT API and ChatGPT Plus subscription are billed separately. The API has its own pricing, which can be found at https://openai.com/pricing. The ChatGPT Plus subscription covers usage on https://chat.openai.com/ only and costs $20/month.