Are You Billed for Fuel Pricing API Calls That Return No Data?

Symptoms / Triggers:

Seeing Fuel Prices API calls in usage metrics but receiving no pricing data.
Being unsure if API calls count toward billing when no fuel data is returned.
Considering whether to disable the API calls in regions where fuel pricing is not available or not expected.

Quick Answer: You may be billed for Fuel Prices API calls even if no fuel pricing data is returned. Calls are metered by usage and are subject to billing thresholds after the free tier is reached. To reduce risk, avoid calling the API in regions with no expected coverage and monitor usage.

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### Step-by-Step Actions

Understand How API Billing Works:

HERE meters usage of the Fuel Prices API based on consumption, not on whether data is returned. Free tiers apply first, and charges begin only after those limits are exceeded.

Check If Fuel Prices Are Available in the Region:

Review available documentation or APIs to verify whether fuel pricing data is provided in a specific region (like South America). If fuel pricing is not available, it is likely due to limited data coverage, not rate limits or API restrictions.

Add Regional Filters Before API Calls:

Implement logic in your application to prevent Fuel Prices API calls in regions where fuel price data is not expected. This can help reduce unnecessary usage and prevent billable consumption.

Monitor API Usage in the HERE Platform Dashboard:

Use the HERE usage dashboard to keep an eye on API call metrics. Look for unexpected or unnecessary calls and adjust your implementation accordingly.

Protect or Disable API Credentials Where Appropriate:

If your application should not be using the Fuel Prices API in specific regions or at all, consider protecting or deactivating the credentials associated with that API.

Keep the API "Enabled" but Conditional:

Leaving the Fuel Prices API enabled is acceptable for future expansion. Just be sure to control when and where it’s called, depending on regional data coverage.

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### Applies To

HERE Platform users with a Fuel Prices API entitlement
Developers who are monitoring or controlling API costs
Applications integrating HERE Fuel Prices API in regions with limited or no data
* Organizations using HERE Platform for fuel pricing integration in South America or other low-data regions

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Resources

HERE GIS Data Suite: https://docs.here.com/gis-data-suite/docs/gis-data-suite-introduction

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### Tags

fuel-prices-api, billing, api-usage, regional-data-coverage, api-entitlement, south-america, here-platform, cost-optimization