InMail credits on LinkedIn allow you to directly contact other members, even if you are not connected. However, these credits do expire after a certain period of time. Here is a breakdown of how long InMail credits last on LinkedIn:
Overview of InMail Credits
InMail credits allow you to send direct messages to LinkedIn members you are not connected with. Some key things to know about InMail credits:
- InMail credits are purchased in packs (example: 5, 10, 20 credits)
- Prices range from $10 for 5 credits to $120 for 50 credits
- Credits can only be used to message LinkedIn members you are not connected to
- Each InMail message costs 1 credit
InMail credits provide a way to directly engage and build relationships with top talent and business contacts on LinkedIn. However, credits do expire so you want to use them within the allotted time.
Expiration of Purchased InMail Credit Packs
When you purchase an InMail credit pack, the credits have a 1 year expiration date. For example:
- If you purchase a 10 credit InMail pack on March 1st, 2023, it will expire on March 1st, 2024
- If you purchase a 20 credit InMail pack on August 15th, 2023, it will expire on August 15th, 2024
No matter when the credits are purchased, the expiration timeframe is always 1 year from purchase date.
Here are some key things to know about expiration of purchased credit packs:
- You have 1 year to use the number of credits in the pack
- Any unused credits expire after 1 year
- The expiration date is based on initial purchase date
- You cannot extend the expiration date of a credit pack
So if you purchase an InMail pack in January 2023, you would need to use up all those credits by January 2024 before they expire.
What Happens to Unused Credits at Expiration
If you have any credits left unused when the 1 year expiration date comes around, those credits unfortunately expire and are removed. A few things happen at expiration:
- All unused credits in the pack disappear
- You can no longer use those expired credits for InMail messages
- You forfeit the value of any unused credits – no refunds are given
- Your InMail credit balance immediately decreases by the expired amount
To avoid losing credits, you’ll want to make sure to use up all the credits in a pack before the 1 year mark. Some tips to help use credits in time:
- Track your credit expiration dates in a calendar or spreadsheet
- Set reminders for yourself as expiration dates approach
- Purchase smaller InMail packs if you won’t use larger amounts in a year
- Check your InMail credit balance monthly to monitor
InMail Credits Received Via Subscription
Now let’s discuss InMail credits you may receive through a paid LinkedIn subscription, like Premium Career or Sales Navigator. Here’s how expiration works for these subscription InMail credits:
- You are allotted a set # of credits per month with subscription
- Unused credits roll over month to month while subscription is active
- If you cancel subscription, unused credits expire immediately
So the expiration on subscription credits works differently than purchased credit packs. As long as your paid LinkedIn subscription stays active, credits roll over. But if you cancel, any accumulated credits disappear.
A few examples to illustrate:
- Premium Career gives 25 credits/month. If you use 10 credits in January, your remaining 15 roll over to February.
- If you accumulate 50 unused credits by June, and then cancel your subscription, all 50 credits expire.
- With Sales Navigator, if you use all 30 of your monthly credits in May, your balance resets back to 30 credits in June.
The key takeaway is that credits from paid subscriptions roll over monthly as long as you maintain an active subscription.
Checking Your InMail Credit Balance
Since InMail credits do expire, it’s important to monitor your available credit balance. Here are two ways to check your current InMail credit balance:
Check Via LinkedIn Website
On the LinkedIn website, click on the “My Network” dropdown menu at the top. Go to “Manage my network” and you will see your current InMail credit balance displayed.
Check on LinkedIn Mobile App
On the LinkedIn mobile app, tap the “Me” icon on the bottom toolbar. Then tap “Settings & Privacy” and scroll down to see your InMail credit balance.
Checking your balance regularly lets you track credits earned, used, expired, and remaining. This helps ensure you use all credits before they expire.
Extending Expiration on Unused Credits
Unfortunately, there is no way to extend the expiration date if you have unused InMail credits remaining. A few things to note:
- Credit packs always expire 1 year after purchase date
- You cannot get an extension on the expiration timeframe
- Unused credits cannot be transferred to a new credit pack
- You forfeit any remaining credits when a pack expires
Since extensions are not possible, you need to make sure to diligently use your credits within the 1 year expiration window. Buy only the amount you will actually use within a year, and proactively manage incoming expiration dates.
Using Credits Strategically Before Expiration
To maximize the value of your InMail credits and avoid losing any to expiration, use them strategically. Here are some tips:
- Identify your top outreach targets and priorities
- Track credit expirations so you know how much time remains
- Increase sending frequency as expiration dates near
- Focus on your most important outreach messages
- Remind colleagues to use team credits prior to expiration
With some planning, you can use 100% of purchased credits before they are removed at the 1 year mark.
Buying More Credits After Expiration
If you do lose some credits to expiration, you can always purchase additional InMail credit packs. There is no limit to how many credit packs you can buy.
When purchasing more credits after expiration:
- Buy only what you need for the next year
- Use new credits first before older credit packs
- Combine credits from multiple packs as needed
- Manage all credit expirations closely
Buying too many credits at once can lead to more unused expiring, so purchase conservatively based on your outreach needs.
Conclusion
To summarize key points:
- Purchased InMail credits expire 1 year after purchase date
- Unused credits are forfeited when packs expire
- Credits from paid subscriptions roll over monthly if membership stays active
- You cannot extend the expiration date of credit packs
- Monitor your credit balance and expiration dates closely
- Have a plan to maximize credit use before expiration
Understanding InMail credit expiration rules allows you to avoid losing credits and get the most value from your purchases. Be proactive about tracking balances and expirations dates. And focus on priority outreach in the months leading up to expiration deadlines.
With some diligent management, you can use 100% of purchased credits and get your money’s worth from InMail. It provides unmatched power to directly engage prospects and build relationships with key targets on LinkedIn.
