Yes. Some programs let unused points expire after inactivity, while others deduct a maintenance fee from the rewards balance. Check what counts as activity before taking a break. Logging in, checking your balance and making an eligible purchase can have different effects depending on the program.
Fetch, Ibotta and Rakuten inactivity rules
| Program | When the rule applies | What can happen | Example of qualifying activity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fetch | After 90 consecutive days of inactivity | Unused points can expire. | Snap a qualifying receipt or redeem a reward. See Fetch’s help page for other activities. |
| Ibotta | After at least 180 days of inactivity | Ibotta says it deducts $3.99 from accumulated earnings for every 30 days the account remains inactive. The fee comes from the Ibotta balance. | Complete an offer redemption and receive the cash back, or receive credit for a referral bonus. Check the current help page for other qualifying activities. |
| Rakuten | More than 12 consecutive months without shopping or starting a shopping trip | Its terms allow a $5 monthly deduction from the account balance where permitted, up to the amount available in the account. | Shop or start a shopping trip through the service as described in its terms. |
These rules apply to the U.S. versions reviewed here. Check your account and the provider’s current terms before relying on a deadline. Fetch expiration help · Ibotta maintenance fees · Rakuten account activity terms
Check whether your rewards are pending, available or already redeemed
A pending reward may need to clear before you can withdraw it. An available balance can still be below the payout minimum. A redeemed gift card or transferred partner points may follow the issuer’s own rules. Read the status and terms for the balance you actually have.
Suppose an inactive Ibotta account has $8 available. If the program deducts two full $3.99 maintenance fees and nothing else changes, the balance drops to $0.02. Check your account for the date of any actual deduction.
A short checklist before you stop using a rewards app
- Check your available balance and the minimum for a redemption you would use.
- Look up the provider’s definition of qualifying activity and check your recent history. Confirm that an action actually posted.
- Redeem an eligible balance if a useful option is available. If you’re below the minimum, weigh the value left in the account against the cost of doing anything extra.
- Before closing an account, check how closure affects pending rewards and unclaimed payouts.
If points are already missing, review the transaction history and notifications first. Ask the provider about the specific deduction or expiration. It may help to have the date of your last completed activity and the type of balance that changed.
How we checked
We reviewed the provider help and terms linked above on November 7, 2026. We did not test what happens to an inactive account.