---
title: How Do I Apply a TikTok Promotional Code in Ads Manager?
description: "Applying a TikTok promotional code (also called a coupon or voucher) in Ads Manager takes less than two minutes, but only the spending that happens after activation counts toward the qualifying threshold.…"
url: "https://getadcredit.com/question/how-do-i-apply-a-tiktok-promotional-code-in-ads-manager/"
date: "2026-05-17T06:20:18+06:00"
modified: "2026-05-17T06:20:18+06:00"
author: Shaddam Hossain
type: article
site: GetAdCredit
language: en-US
---

# How Do I Apply a TikTok Promotional Code in Ads Manager?

Applying a TikTok promotional code (also called a coupon or voucher) in Ads Manager takes less than two minutes, but only the spending that happens *after* activation counts toward the qualifying threshold. If you activate a code after spending money, that prior spend won’t be credited.

TikTok offers two activation paths: automatic and manual. Most new advertiser accounts get their promo code activated automatically. Manual activation applies mainly to self-service customers in Vietnam, Japan, Taiwan, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand who receive a code directly.

## How Promotional Codes Work Before You Activate

A TikTok promotional code is a credit token tied to a spend condition. It doesn’t add money to your account the moment you redeem it; instead, it tracks your real cash spend after activation and issues the credit once you meet the threshold.

For example, a “Spend $200, Get $200” offer means TikTok counts your out-of-pocket spend from the moment the code is activated. Once you hit $200 in qualified spend, the credit appears in your account, typically within one day. Spend before activation doesn’t count, even if the code was already in your possession.

## Method 1: Automatic Activation (Most New Advertisers)

When TikTok runs promotions for newly registered accounts, your promo code activates automatically the moment your account is created. You don’t need to enter anything manually.

To confirm the code is active after signing up:

1. Log in to [TikTok Ads Manager](https://getadcredit.com/visit/tiktok-ad-credit)
2. Look for a **progress bar** on the Ads Manager homepage — this appears when an active promo is tracking your spend
3. Or click the **ticket icon** in the upper-right corner of the dashboard to view your coupon status

If the progress bar is visible, your code is active, and spend is already being tracked.

## Method 2: Manual Activation (Promo Code Received Directly)

If you received a promotional code via email, a TikTok sales representative, or a partner program, you need to redeem it manually within 14 days of receiving it.

1. Log in to [TikTok Ads Manager](https://getadcredit.com/visit/tiktok-ad-credit)
2. Go to the **Tools** tab at the top of the screen
3. Under **Settings**, click **Payments**
4. Click **Redeem Coupon** in the upper-right corner of the Payments page
5. Enter your promotional code in the field
6. Click **Activate**

Once activated, the progress bar will appear on your homepage, and spend tracking begins immediately.

**Note:** TikTok only issues promotional codes to advertisers who preload their ad accounts. Your account needs a funded balance before your ads can run, and ad spend can count toward the offer threshold.

## After Activation: Assigning a Coupon to a Campaign

Not all promo codes work the same way. Some credits apply automatically to all eligible campaigns (free credits), while others, called assignable coupons, must be manually linked to specific campaigns before they activate.

To check which type you have and assign it if needed:

1. Log in to TikTok Ads Manager
2. Hover over **Tools** at the top
3. Click **Payments** under the Settings column
4. Click the **Promotions** tab on the left
5. Find your coupon under the **Available** tab
6. Check the **Credit type** column; if it says “Assignable,” you need to assign it
7. Click **View/Assign** next to the coupon
8. Click **Assign campaign**, select the relevant campaign(s), and click **Confirm**

Assignable coupons can be linked to a maximum of 10 campaigns (or 30 campaigns for credits issued after July 31, 2024). You must be an **admin** on the ad account to assign coupons, if the pencil icon is greyed out, you don’t have the required permissions.

Your ad account must also maintain a **positive cash balance** for ads to run and for the coupon to be applied.

## How to Check Your Promotional Code Progress

Once your code is active, you can track spend progress and credit status at any time:

- **Homepage progress bar**: shows real-time qualifying spend vs. the threshold
- **Ticket icon (top-right of Ads Manager):** opens the coupon card with spend and reward details
- **Tools → Payments → Promotions → Earning tab** — shows current spend and credits earned for all activated codes

The Promotions page also shows:

- **Unused amount**: credit remaining to spend
- **Valid dates**: when the credit expires
- **Percent spent**: how much of the credit has already been consumed

## Important Rules to Know

- Only **out-of-pocket (real cash) spend** counts toward your qualifying threshold — ad credits already received do not count
- Spend must occur **after** the code is activated, not before
- Promotional credits are **non-transferable** and have **no cash value**
- Credits can only be used in the **same currency** as your Ads Manager account
- Credits apply to **new advertising only** — they cannot be used to settle existing unpaid balances
- If your account violates [TikTok’s advertising policies](https://ads.tiktok.com/help/article/tiktok-ads-policy-ad-format-and-functionality), TikTok may withhold or revoke issued credits

## Frequently Asked Questions

### Why isn’t my promotional code working?

Check that you’re activating it within 14 days of receiving it — codes expire if not redeemed in time. Also confirm your account is in good standing and that the code is being entered on an eligible self-serve SMB account (not an Agency or Business Center account).

### Does spending before activating my promo code count?

No. TikTok only counts spend that accrues after the code is activated. Any spend made before entering the code doesn’t contribute to the qualifying threshold.

### How long does it take for the credit to appear after I hit the spend threshold?

Credit typically appears within **one business day** of meeting the spend requirement, though TikTok notes it can take several hours for spend calculations to finalize.

### Can I apply a promotional code to an existing campaign?

Yes, if the coupon is assignable. Use the **View/Assign** option in the Promotions tab to link it to existing campaigns. Free credits apply automatically without assignment.

### What happens to my credit if I don’t use it before it expires?

Unused credits expire on the expiration date shown in the Promotions tab. TikTok does not extend expiry dates, and expired credits cannot be recovered.

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***Source:** [How to Activate TikTok Ads Promotional Codes](https://ads.tiktok.com/help/article/how-to-activate-tiktok-ads-promotional-codes) | [How to Allocate Assignable Coupons to Campaigns](https://ads.tiktok.com/help/article/how-to-allocate-assignable-coupons-to-campaigns) | [TikTok Ads Promotional Codes FAQ](https://ads.tiktok.com/help/article/promotions-credits-faq) | [About Coupons](https://ads.tiktok.com/help/article/about-coupons)*