When a deal goes wrong
You bought at a store, so there's no free month
It's the most common referral surprise. The rule is firm, but you have a few real options, and keeping the kit is often the right one.
What you can do
The free month can't be added to a store kit: kits bought from retailers, resellers or through an account transfer don't qualify; credits are only issued when you sign up on starlink.com. Either keep the kit (you own it, which has real upsides) or, if you've never had Starlink and the store's return window is still open, compare returning it and ordering on starlink.com.
Your options
Keep it
You own the kit. No rental to return, and Standby works where some rental kits can't use it (not available on select rental kits). For a seasonal home this can be worth more than the free month.
Return it and re-order online
Only if you've never had Starlink, the store's window is open, and one month of your plan is worth the trip and any restocking fee. Store windows vary from about two weeks to 90 days; see each store.
Don't open a second account to "fix" it
Referral terms bar extra accounts to get around eligibility. It's not worth losing service over one month.
Avoid it next time
- Do the store vs starlink.com math with the shelf price before you buy.
- A gift card or store discount is the store's promotion; it doesn't bring the free month back.
Questions people ask
I bought Starlink at a store. Can I still get the referral free month?
No. Starlink issues the referral credit only for sign-ups on starlink.com; retail, reseller and transferred kits are not eligible. Support can't add it afterwards.
Should I return the store kit and re-order online?
Only if the numbers say so: a starlink.com order would get the free month (worth one month of your plan) if you've never had Starlink. Weigh that against the store's return rules, a possible restocking fee and your time.
Does a store kit cost more each month?
No. You pay the same plan price; you own the kit, so there's no rental to return.
Sources
- How do I use a referral link? (Starlink support)official · published Apr 9, 2026 · read Oct 5, 2026
- Returns and the 30-day policy (Starlink support)official · published Apr 9, 2026 · read Oct 5, 2026
- Standby Mode (Starlink support)official · read Oct 5, 2026