Points program timelines: seasons, snapshots, and claim windows (what to watch)

December 30, 2025 · 5 min read

A practical map of points program timelines: what usually happens, where scams cluster, and what to record so you don’t miss exits or claims.

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Table of contents

Neon calendar and camera snapshot icon on a dark grid background

Points programs feel continuous while you’re farming, but rewards (if they happen) tend to arrive in discrete moments: season ends, snapshots, eligibility checks, and claim windows.

Those moments are also when scams spike. Fake claim pages, lookalike domains, and “urgent” posts show up because users are already primed to click fast.

This guide maps the common timeline and gives you a checklist for each stage so you can stay calm and avoid missing exits or getting phished.

Browse sourced campaigns here: points directory.

Quick take

Assume timelines can change; record dates from primary sources.
Treat “snapshot rumors” as unverified until confirmed by official sources.
Claim windows are phishing season; verify domains and bookmarks every time.
Keep recordkeeping so you can prove what you did and unwind fast.
If a program’s rules change without dated updates, reduce trust.

Nothing here is financial advice. This is operational safety.

The common points program lifecycle

Not every program follows this exactly, but the pattern repeats as of 2025-12-30.

1) Announcement

What happens:

a program is announced
vague claims spread
copycat pages appear

What to do:

verify the program from primary sources
bookmark the official domain

Use this workflow: how to verify a points program is real.

2) Earning period (season)

What happens:

points accrue over time
scoring details may be partially opaque
boosts and quests appear

What to do:

identify what’s verified vs unverified
write an exit plan before you scale

Read: points program scoring patterns and points farming exit plan.

3) Snapshot or cutoff

What happens:

eligibility is measured at one or more points in time
programs may apply filters after the fact

What to do:

don’t assume you “made it” because you see points in a UI
keep records of positions and actions

Read: sybil checks in points programs.

4) Eligibility and allocation

What happens:

programs compute eligibility and allocations
documentation may be limited

What to do:

look for official, dated announcements
treat “community allocation calculators” as unverified unless the project endorses them

5) Claim window (highest phishing risk)

What happens:

claim links spread quickly
scammers race to clone UIs
users connect wallets and sign messages under pressure

What to do:

start from the official domain you bookmarked
verify the claim UI from multiple official sources
treat any “connect wallet to check eligibility” prompt as high risk until proven otherwise

Approvals matter here: token approvals and Permit2.

The timeline checklist (copy this)

Use this table to stay organized.

Stage	What to verify from primary sources	What to record
Announcement	Official docs/UI and official domain	Official links and “as of” date
Season	Scoring model and exit constraints	Actions, approvals, exit path
Snapshot	Snapshot timing and what is measured	Positions held at the time
Eligibility	Published rules and exclusions	Any rule changes and dates
Claim	Official claim domain and instructions	Claim tx hash and final status

This is not busywork. It’s how you avoid “I clicked the wrong claim link.”

Where to get timeline updates safely

When you’re looking for snapshot or claim dates, prefer sources that the project controls:

the official docs site (dated pages)
the official app UI (linked from docs)
official announcement channels (with links back to docs/UI)

If the only “date” you can find is a screenshot, treat it as unverified.

How to avoid missing the window without rushing

The paradox is real: you want to act in time, but rushing gets you drained.

A safer approach:

build slack into your schedule; don’t wait until the last hour
verify from primary sources, then act
if you can’t verify, don’t force it

If you’re tempted to rush, stop and re-read the link verification workflow: how to verify a points program is real.

Recordkeeping: your safety net when rules change

When timelines shift, recordkeeping prevents confusion. It lets you answer:

what you did
when you did it
what approvals you granted
how to unwind

Use the template: questing recordkeeping.

FAQ

Are points programs required to announce snapshots?

No. Some do, some don’t. That’s why you should avoid strategies that only work if you time something perfectly.

Are claim pages always safe if they’re “official”?

Official pages are safer than random pages, but safety still depends on verification and what you sign. Treat unexpected signature requests as high risk.