How do I get Meta ad credits, and why isn't my ad credit code working?
TofuAnswer by the Tofu team · checked
Meta ad credits come from ad refunds, Meta's in-product or email promotions and partner offers, and a code can fail if it's expired, already used or meant for new advertisers only. Meta lists no way to buy them. To claim a code, go to Payment settings, click Add payment method, choose Ad credit and enter the 16-digit code. Other reasons Meta lists: it was used on another account that shares your card, the offer ran out of uses, or your account used a credit before. You also need full access to the business portfolio plus finance access to manage.
As of November 2026.
Where do Meta ad credits come from?
Meta's help center lists three ways to get one:
- An ad refund. A refund for ads can come back as a credit.
- In-product promotions or emails. Offers show up in Meta's tools or arrive from facebookmail.com, including priority.facebookmail.com.
- Partnerships. Meta works with other sites and companies that hand out credits.
Buying a code from a reseller isn't on that list. Treat "free Meta ad credit" emails with care too. Meta says its emails only come from fb.com, facebook.com, facebookmail.com, instagram.com, meta.com, metamail.com and global.metamail.com (and their subdomains). To check one, open Accounts Center, Password and security, then Recent emails under Security checks.
Does Meta give free ad credits to new advertisers or startups?
Sometimes, but there's no standing public offer on Meta's help pages. Meta's troubleshooting page mentions credits that are "for new advertisers only," so some offers target new accounts. They arrive the ways listed above: in Ads Manager, by email or through a partner.
Meta's 2026 startup program isn't a credit offer either. Meta Startup School, announced in August 2026 for early-stage consumer brands in India, offers training and agency advice, and its announcement doesn't mention ad credits.
If you work with a Meta rep or an agency, ask them whether an offer applies to your account.
How do I redeem a Meta ad credit code?
Check two things first:
- Your access. Meta says you need full access to the business portfolio (its older name is full control) and finance access to manage. Finance access is granted on top of full or partial access, so a marketer can have one without the other. If the option is missing, ask whoever owns billing.
- A payment method on the ad account. Meta charges anything the credit doesn't cover to it.
Then:
- Open Payment settings in Ads Manager.
- Under Payment methods, click Add payment method.
- Select Ad credit, then click Next.
- Enter your 16-digit alphanumeric ad credit code and click Claim.
- When the confirmation appears, click Done.
Meta's claim steps don't require a campaign first. The credit then applies to eligible costs on that ad account automatically, before your default payment method. Meta suggests setting an account spending limit equal to your credit balance so you don't spend past it.
Why isn't my Meta ad credit code working?
The first six rows are the reasons on Meta's "Troubleshoot Meta ad credits" page. The last comes from its claim steps.
| What you see or suspect | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| "Something went wrong, and there was an error applying the ad credit to your account" | A technical error | Check you have a valid payment method in Payment settings. Meta also suggests canceling your ad, waiting a few hours and trying to redeem the credit again |
| The credit is invalid or expired | The code isn't valid, or it's past its date | Check the code and its validity. Meta's ad credits overview says expired credits can't be reactivated, even if they weren't used in full |
| The credit was already used | It was redeemed on your account, or on another account that shares a credit card with yours | This can catch teams that use one company card on several ad accounts. Ask whoever gave you the code for a new one |
| The offer's free uses ran out | A promotion with a fixed number of uses is full | Wait for a new offer |
| Your account used an ad credit before | The offer is limited to accounts that haven't used one | This code won't work on this account |
| The credit is for new advertisers only | Your ad account is too old for this offer | Ask the issuer whether another offer fits |
| You can't add the credit at all | You may lack the access above | Get full access plus finance access to manage, or ask an admin to claim it |
Meta also asks you to read the terms that came with your credit, since each offer can have its own rules.
Why didn't my credit pay for my ads?
A claimed credit can still leave charges on your card. Meta says a credit:
- can't pay for costs from before you added it,
- stops when it's used up or expires,
- won't cover charges beyond its amount, which go to your default payment method.
If your card gets charged on a set threshold, see why Meta charges your card every few days.
When does a Meta ad credit expire?
Each credit has its own date. Go to Payment settings and look under each credit in the Ad credits section for Expires on. With more than one credit, open the dropdown (one Meta page calls it View more) at the right of that section to see each balance and date. Used or expired credits are under See more at the bottom of Payment methods.
Meta's help pages don't give a standard length, so trust the date in your account.
Can I put a credit on one campaign only?
Yes, if you pay by monthly invoicing. Meta lets those accounts assign credits to an account or to campaigns:
- In Payment settings, under Ad credits, click Options next to Account credits.
- Select the credit, click Options, then Assign to campaigns.
- Pick the campaigns and save.
Those campaigns use their credit first. If they keep running after it's gone, they draw on account credits or your default payment method. For some credits, you can move it back with Edit campaigns and Apply to ad account. Meta says campaign-level credits may not be available to all advertisers.
Who do I contact if it still doesn't work?
Meta's troubleshooting page points to Chat with Meta AI support assistant under Other ways to get help. If a partner or your Meta rep gave you the code, ask them too, since they issued it.
Sources (9)
- About Meta ad credits (Meta Help Center), checked November 2, 2026
- Claim a Meta ad credit (Meta Help Center), checked November 2, 2026
- Troubleshoot Meta ad credits (Meta Help Center), checked November 2, 2026
- View when your ad credit expires (Meta Help Center), checked November 2, 2026
- View your ad credit balance (Meta Help Center), checked November 2, 2026
- Assign campaign-level ad credits (Meta Help Center), checked November 2, 2026
- About business portfolio and business asset permissions in Meta Business Suite (Meta Help Center), checked November 2, 2026
- Check if an email is really from Facebook (Meta Help Center), checked November 2, 2026
- Launching Meta Startup School to accelerate growth for early-stage startups (Meta Newsroom, August 19, 2026), checked November 2, 2026