The terms if the coupons are set by DigitalOcean and not GitLab. But as GitLab CEO I understand that they have these terms in order to make it cost effective for them. We'll certainly mention the feedback that existing customers would also like to enjoy the same coupons.
You'd probably get more mileage at complaining to DO than you would to GitLab.
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EDIT:
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=11529949
> @fweespee_ch: if they're not reading HN, they're doing it wrong anyway.
Fair enough. I just think trying to force a response out of GitLab employees is the wrong route to take when they have no power over the coupon.