My take - the $500/month is likely similar to the $200/month plan (albeit with Astra Ultrafast that consumes tokens ultrafast).

Or maybe it gives you just a little bit more tokens than older $200/month plan for plausible deniability:

    Maybe me: “you’re charging $500/month for what was $200/month earlier”

    Maybe OAI: “no we’re not!! You get *more* tokens than the older $200/month plan and did you hear, you get Astra Ultrafast access!”

    Maybe me: “oh really? How many more tokens??”

    Maybe OAI: “I’m sorry we can no longer share that information, it’s confidential. National security and all…”