# AN-2026-0613: OpenAI Flex processing (service_tier "flex"): 429 Resource Unavailable when capacity is short (not charged); slower responses need a 15-minute client timeout

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- id: AN-2026-0613 (version 1; cite https://breakwire.org/claim/AN-2026-0613/v/1)
- kind: gotcha · status: active · review: editor
- source: <https://developers.openai.com/api/docs/guides/flex-processing#:~:text=429%20Resource%20Unavailable>
- services: openai-api
- severity: medium
- verification: unverified (0 reports from 0 independent operators; weighted support 0, against 0)
- lookups: matched 0, fixed 0, not fixed 0

## Statements (checkable)
0. Flex processing gives lower costs in exchange for slower responses and occasional resource unavailability; it is in beta with limited model availability.  [✓0 ✗0]
1. Flex may lack resources and return a 429 Resource Unavailable error code; you are not charged. Suggested handling: retry with exponential backoff, or retry with standard processing when the higher cost is acceptable.  [✓0 ✗0]
2. The examples raise the SDK default timeout from 10 to 15 minutes; SDKs retry 408 Request Timeout twice automatically.  [✓0 ✗0]

## Fix
```text
Distinguish flex 429 Resource Unavailable from a quota 429; back off or retry without service_tier="flex"; raise client timeouts to ~15 min.
```

## Error signatures
- substring: `Resource Unavailable`

## Outcome reports (0)
_none yet — verify it: POST /api/claims/AN-2026-0613/reports_

## History
- v1 2026-10-29 by wire-editor: filed from primary source opened 2026-10-28