diff --git a/config/config.example.js b/config/config.example.js
index 90e96a66a..25a4c97a6 100644
--- a/config/config.example.js
+++ b/config/config.example.js
@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
-/*@flow*/
 /*
     globals module
 */
@@ -251,6 +250,9 @@ module.exports = {
      */
     maxUploadSize: 20 * 1024 * 1024,
 
+    // XXX
+    premiumUploadSize: 100 * 1024 * 1024,
+
     /* =====================
      *    HARDWARE RELATED
      * ===================== */
diff --git a/lib/commands/upload.js b/lib/commands/upload.js
index 66868a65d..c64368949 100644
--- a/lib/commands/upload.js
+++ b/lib/commands/upload.js
@@ -12,9 +12,41 @@ Upload.status = function (Env, safeKey, filesize, _cb) { // FIXME FILES
     if (typeof(filesize) !== 'number' &&
         filesize >= 0) { return void cb('E_INVALID_SIZE'); }
 
-    if (filesize >= Env.maxUploadSize) { return cb('TOO_LARGE'); }
-
     nThen(function (w) {
+        // if the proposed upload size is within the regular limit
+        // jump ahead to the next block
+        if (filesize <= Env.maxUploadSize) { return; }
+
+        // if larger uploads aren't explicitly enabled then reject them
+        if (typeof(Env.premiumUploadSize) !== 'number') {
+            w.abort();
+            return void cb('TOO_LARGE');
+        }
+
+        // otherwise go and retrieve info about the user's quota
+        Pinning.getLimit(Env, safeKey, w(function (err, limit) {
+            if (err) {
+                w.abort();
+                return void cb("E_BAD_LIMIT");
+            }
+
+            var plan = limit[1];
+
+            // see if they have a special plan, reject them if not
+            if (plan === '') {
+                w.abort();
+                return void cb('TOO_LARGE');
+            }
+
+            // and that they're not over the greater limit
+            if (filesize >= Env.premiumUploadSize) {
+                w.abort();
+                return void cb("TOO_LARGE");
+            }
+
+            // fallthrough will proceed to the next block
+        }));
+    }).nThen(function (w) {
         var abortAndCB = Util.both(w.abort, cb);
         Env.blobStore.status(safeKey, w(function (err, inProgress) {
             // if there's an error something is weird
diff --git a/lib/historyKeeper.js b/lib/historyKeeper.js
index 19e2e7b6f..45668a1b6 100644
--- a/lib/historyKeeper.js
+++ b/lib/historyKeeper.js
@@ -43,6 +43,7 @@ module.exports.create = function (config, cb) {
         //historyKeeper: config.historyKeeper,
         intervals: config.intervals || {},
         maxUploadSize: config.maxUploadSize || (20 * 1024 * 1024),
+        premiumUploadSize: false, // overridden below...
         Sessions: {},
         paths: {},
         //msgStore: config.store,
@@ -70,6 +71,13 @@ module.exports.create = function (config, cb) {
         domain: config.domain
     };
 
+    (function () {
+        var pes = config.premiumUploadSize;
+        if (!isNaN(pes) && pes >= Env.maxUploadSize) {
+            Env.premiumUploadSize = pes;
+        }
+    }());
+
     var paths = Env.paths;
 
     var keyOrDefaultString = function (key, def) {
diff --git a/www/common/sframe-common-file.js b/www/common/sframe-common-file.js
index 2e2f47af0..1398e960b 100644
--- a/www/common/sframe-common-file.js
+++ b/www/common/sframe-common-file.js
@@ -158,10 +158,15 @@ define([
             });
 
             onError = function (e) {
+                // XXX if we included the max upload sizes in /api/config
+                // then we could check if a file is too large without going to the server...
                 queue.inProgress = false;
                 queue.next();
                 if (e === 'TOO_LARGE') {
                     $pv.text(Messages.upload_tooLargeBrief);
+                    // XXX translate
+                    // instead of "This file exceeds the maximum upload size"
+                    // use "the maximum upload size allowed for your account"
                     return void UI.alert(Messages.upload_tooLarge);
                 }
                 if (e === 'NOT_ENOUGH_SPACE') {