diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index bdb67d1..4adb5ef 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@ The format is based on [Keep a Changelog](http://keepachangelog.com/) and this p
 
 ### Fixed
 
+- Fixes [#2798](https://github.com/gitkraken/vscode-gitlens/issues/2798) - Improve response from OpenAI if key used is tied to a free account
 - Fixes [#2785](https://github.com/gitkraken/vscode-gitlens/issues/2785) - Remote Provider Integration URL is broken — thanks to [PR #2786](https://github.com/gitkraken/vscode-gitlens/pull/2786) by Neil Ghosh ([@neilghosh](https://github.com/neilghosh))
 - Fixes [#2791](https://github.com/gitkraken/vscode-gitlens/issues/2791) - Unable to use contributors link in README.md — thanks to [PR #2792](https://github.com/gitkraken/vscode-gitlens/pull/2792) by Leo Dan Peña ([@leo9-py](https://github.com/leo9-py))
 - Fixes [#2793](https://github.com/gitkraken/vscode-gitlens/issues/2793) - Requesting username change in contributors README page — thanks to [PR #2794](https://github.com/gitkraken/vscode-gitlens/pull/2794) by Leo Dan Peña ([@leo9-py](https://github.com/leo9-py))
diff --git a/src/ai/openaiProvider.ts b/src/ai/openaiProvider.ts
index f4de771..b0fa226 100644
--- a/src/ai/openaiProvider.ts
+++ b/src/ai/openaiProvider.ts
@@ -76,7 +76,12 @@ export class OpenAIProvider implements AIProvider {
 
 		if (!rsp.ok) {
 			debugger;
-			throw new Error(`Unable to generate commit message: ${rsp.status}: ${rsp.statusText}`);
+			if (rsp.status === 429) {
+				throw new Error(
+					`Unable to generate commit message: (${this.name}:${rsp.status}) Too many requests (rate limit exceeded) or your API key is associated with an expired trial`,
+				);
+			}
+			throw new Error(`Unable to generate commit message: (${this.name}:${rsp.status}) ${rsp.statusText}`);
 		}
 
 		const data: OpenAIChatCompletionResponse = await rsp.json();
@@ -133,7 +138,12 @@ export class OpenAIProvider implements AIProvider {
 
 		if (!rsp.ok) {
 			debugger;
-			throw new Error(`Unable to explain commit: ${rsp.status}: ${rsp.statusText}`);
+			if (rsp.status === 429) {
+				throw new Error(
+					`Unable to explain commit: (${this.name}:${rsp.status}) Too many requests (rate limit exceeded) or your API key is associated with an expired trial`,
+				);
+			}
+			throw new Error(`Unable to explain commit: (${this.name}:${rsp.status}) ${rsp.statusText}`);
 		}
 
 		const data: OpenAIChatCompletionResponse = await rsp.json();