Redeeming a gift from a creator

This article covers how fans can redeem complimentary memberships gifted by creators. For resources on how fans can redeem memberships gifted by other fans, see this article.

How gifting works

Here are some key things to remember about how gifts from creators work as a fan:

• If a creator gifted you a membership, you can redeem it by visiting their unique gift link. You must have or create a Patreon account in order to redeem the gift
• People with an active paid membership can now redeem gifted memberships without disrupting their current subscription
• At the end of the gift period, you will lose access to the paid benefits unless you choose to stay on as a paid member of the creator. You will only be charged after your gifted membership ends
• Gift redemption is available on desktop or mobile web. Mobile app redemption is not yet available
• You must be 18 years or older to receive a gift from an Adult/18+ creator

Gifted Membership Scenarios

Use the toggles below to explore common scenarios and see how gifted memberships affect access and billing:

• Let's say someone who is already a member of a creator in their entry-level tier is gifted a membership to the same creator, at the same tier. In this case, the gift will apply as soon as it's redeemed, and the paid period pauses.

  For example:

  • Original Billing Date: 15th of every month.
  • Gift Redemption Date: 25th.
  • Gift Coverage Period: 25th to the 25th of the following month.
  • Remaining Paid Access: 20 days left on the original subscription when the Gift was redeemed, which runs immediately after the Gift period ends.
  • Next Billing Cycle: Starts after the remaining 20 days are finished (on the 15th).
  • Specific Access Period (Gift + Remaining Days): Paid access runs from the 25th (end of gift) to the 14th (the day before the original billing date).

• Someone who is already a member of a creator in their entry-level tier is gifted a membership to the same creator at the higher tier. In this case, the gift will apply as soon as it's redeemed, granting access to the high-tier benefits immediately and pausing the paid period.

  For example:

  • Original Billing Date: 15th of every month
  • Gift Redemption Date: 25th
  • Gift Coverage Period: 25th to the 25th of the following month
  • Remaining Paid Access: If the member doesn't upgrade, they will drop back to their prior tier when the gift period ends and will still have 20 days of paid access left on the original subscription when the Gift was redeemed, which runs immediately after the Gift period ends.
  • Next Billing Cycle: Starts after the remaining 20 days are finished (on the 15th).
  • Specific Access Period (Gift + Remaining Days): Paid access runs from the 25th (end of gift) to the 14th (the day before the original billing date).

• Someone who is already a member of a creator at the middle-tier is gifted a membership to the same creator at a lower tier. In this case, the gift will apply as soon as it's redeemed, granting access to the tier benefits immediately and pausing the paid period.

  For example:

  • Original Billing Date: 15th of every month
  • Gift Redemption Date: 25th
  • Gift Coverage Period: 25th to the 25th of the following month
  • Remaining Paid Access: If the member doesn't upgrade, they will revert to their prior tier when the gift period ends and will still have 20 days of paid access left on the original subscription when the Gift was redeemed, which runs immediately after the Gift period ends.
  • Next Billing Cycle: Starts after the remaining 20 days are finished (on the 15th).
  • Specific Access Period (Gift + Remaining Days): Paid access runs from the 25th (end of gift) to the 14th (the day before the original billing date).
• When a member cancels a Gift before the gifting period ends, they lose access right away. If a paid membership exists, billing resumes immediately, using the remaining days of paid access from the original subscription when the Gift was redeemed.
• You can only have one gifted membership per tier at a time. If you try to redeem a second gift for the same creator, regardless of tier, you'll receive an error message. You can either wait for the current gift to expire or cancel it in Membership Settings.

Redeeming a gift from a creator

Gifting has been simplified, making it easier to claim a gift. When you click a gift link, you’ll see a clear “Claim now” button and can start accessing the membership immediately.

To redeem a gift, please create or log in to your Patreon account on desktop or mobile web. Mobile app redemption is not currently supported.

1. Click on the creator’s gift link, and click Claim now
2. You’ll be prompted to log in to your Patreon account or create one if you don’t already have one
3. You’ll see a confirmation message that your gift period has started
4. You can opt to stay on as a free member after your gift period ends or choose to uncheck the box if you don’t want to stay on as a free member
5. Now you’re ready to access your paid membership benefits!

Viewing your membership expiration date

You can see how much time you have left on your gifted membership by clicking on the Settings link from the left-side menu and accessing your Memberships tab. You can also see this on the Membership tab of each creator’s page.

At the end of the gift period, you will lose access to the membership unless you choose to stay on as a paid member.

You will receive a reminder notification 3 days before the gift expires, including an option to add payment details to turn your gift into a paid membership. You won’t be charged until after the gift period concludes.

Converting to a paid membership

If a creator has gifted you a membership and you want to continue receiving paid benefits after the gifted period ends, you'll need to complete the membership process by adding a payment method and opting into a paid membership. You will be charged once the gift period expires.

1. Click on your Settings from the left menu
2. Click on the Membership tab and view Gifted memberships
3. Select Extend for the membership you want to extend
4. You will see your monthly or annual payment amount, which you can choose to increase. Learn more about increasing your membership here
5. Fill in your payment information, if you don’t already have a payment method saved
6. Click the Subscribe now button to complete the checkout process

Your gifted membership will convert to a paid membership, and your payment method will be charged when the gift period ends.

FAQ

• You will be unable to claim a gift if:
  • The gift was purchased over 90 days ago and has expired
  • You’re attempting to claim a gift on the Patreon mobile app, which is not currently supported yet. You’ll need to switch to desktop or mobile web
  • You’re attempting to claim a gift for an Adult/18+ Creator, having indicated that you are not 18 years or older
• Creator-to-fan gifts are given by the creator. Please do not forward a gift link unless asked by the creator who gifted it.
• Your gifted access starts as soon as you claim the gift and expires at the end of the gift period, which is between 1 and 12 months. The creator sets the gift availability redemption period, gift length, and number of gifts that can be claimed. You will receive a notification and email 3 days before your gifting period ends.