Yes—but “expired” can describe four different things
A referral link or code can stop being recognized, but that is only the first deadline. A working code does not prove the signup offer is active, the new user still has time to complete the required action, or an earned reward is still claimable.
When someone asks “How long is a referral code valid?” the useful answer is a four-date timeline.
The four deadlines to record
| Deadline | What closes | Typical trigger | What to save |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Code or link validity | The referral identifier stops being accepted | Code replacement, campaign end, account status, program closure | The exact link or code and date checked |
| 2. Signup or enrollment | The new user can no longer attach the referral or promotional offer | Offer end date, account creation, first app use | Signup confirmation and displayed offer |
| 3. Qualifying action | The purchase, deposit, transfer, receipt, trip, or other milestone no longer counts | A fixed number of days after signup or campaign date | Action date, amount, type, and status |
| 4. Reward redemption | An earned reward can no longer be claimed or used | A period after qualification or posting | Reward notice and claim-by date |
The earliest deadline controls the next step
A code that lasts indefinitely cannot revive a signup campaign that ended yesterday. Record each deadline rather than relying on one “expiration date.”
A simple timeline example
Imagine a code remains valid until its owner changes it. A newcomer uses it on September 10. The signup offer requires enrollment by September 15, a qualifying transaction within 30 days after signup, and reward redemption within 90 days after it posts.
- September 10: The code is accepted and attribution begins.
- September 15: The public enrollment deadline closes, but the already-attached referral can continue.
- October 10: The newcomer’s qualifying-action window closes.
- After posting: A separate 90-day redemption period begins.
Those dates are illustrative, not a real provider offer. The important point is that each clock starts from a different event.
How current programs separate the deadlines
These official sources were checked September 12, 2026. Always use the dates in the live offer assigned to your account.
Fetch: code validity can depend on which code you use
Fetch says that when an eligible user changes a custom referral code, the previous custom code remains active for 90 days, while the original autogenerated code remains active indefinitely. That describes code validity; the new user still must meet the referral requirements. Official Fetch custom-code guide.
Wise: campaign qualification and reward claiming are separate
Wise says limited invite campaigns require guests to qualify within the campaign timeframe and cannot be extended. Separately, Wise says a qualified invite reward must be claimed within one year. Official Wise invite-campaign guide and reward-claim guide.
Chime: one offer can contain multiple action windows
Chime’s standard referral help currently states that an eligible friend must receive the qualifying direct deposit within 45 days of account opening and activate the physical card within 14 calendar days of that deposit. The live offer controls, but this shows two action deadlines inside one referral. Official Chime referral overview.
When a referral only looks expired
An error does not always mean the identifier expired. The code may be mistyped, intended for new users only, restricted to another country, already attached to a different account, or incompatible with the selected product. A tracking redirect can also fail even while a manually entered code remains valid.
To check an older referral safely, return to the official account that issued it and compare the current invite value with the saved one. Then open the provider’s terms directly, not through an old marketing email. If the identifier still matches but the advertised benefit has changed, describe only the current benefit. A valid referral identifier does not preserve an older reward amount.
Use the ordered checks in Referral Code Not Working? before deciding that age is the cause. If signup already occurred, read Can You Add a Referral Code After Signing Up?
Before you use or share an older referral
- Open the provider’s current invite page and confirm the code or link shown for that account.
- Read the offer end date and the new-user eligibility definition.
- Write the qualifying-action deadline as a calendar date, not just “within 30 days.”
- Check for a separate posting, claim, use, or redemption deadline.
- Confirm regional eligibility and who receives each reward.
- Save the live terms and do not promise that a reward is guaranteed.
Everette Affiliate can help you discover a community-submitted referral. The provider’s current offer page determines whether it is still usable and which dates apply.