Where to find the username change option

Secret Benefits stores your username settings in your account page, not in a separate settings menu. Log in to your account, then look for your profile icon or name in the top right corner of the screen — this is usually a small circle with your initial or a generic avatar. Click it to open a dropdown menu.

From that menu, select "Account Settings" or "Profile Settings" (the exact wording varies slightly depending on when your account was created). You'll land on a page that shows your email, password options, and username field. The username field is where you make the change.

Key Takeaways

  • Your username change option lives in Account Settings, accessed through the profile icon in the top right corner of the site.
  • Secret Benefits allows you to change your username once every 30 days, so plan the change if you want to switch again later.
  • Your new username must be between 3 and 20 characters, contain only letters, numbers, and underscores, and cannot be in use by another account.
  • The change takes effect when ready across the entire site, including your profile, messages, and any public activity.
  • If your desired username is taken, the system will tell you during the change process — you cannot reserve a name or request it from another user.

What usernames Secret Benefits will and won't accept

Secret Benefits has specific rules about what characters and length your username can be. Your new username must be at least 3 characters long and no more than 20 characters. You can use letters (uppercase and lowercase both work), numbers, and underscores. You cannot use spaces, hyphens, periods, or special characters like @ or #.

The system checks in real time whether your chosen username is already taken. If someone else has it, you'll see a message saying the name is unavailable. There is no waitlist or reservation system — if you want a specific username and it's taken, your only option is to choose a different one. You cannot contact Secret Benefits to request that another user change their username or give up theirs.

The 30-day waiting period between changes

Secret Benefits enforces a 30-day cooldown between username changes. This means once you change your username, you cannot change it again for 30 days. The timer starts the moment you confirm the change, not when you first visit the settings page.

If you try to change your username before 30 days have passed, the system will show you a message telling you when you'll be able to change it next. Plan your username carefully before you make the switch, because you're locked into it for a month. If you realize when ready after changing it that you made a typo or chose something you dislike, you'll need to wait the full 30 days before you can fix it.

How the change affects your profile and activity

When you change your username, the new name appears everywhere on your account when ready. Your profile page shows the new username, your messages display it as the sender, and any public activity tied to your account (such as reviews or forum posts, if the site has those features) will show the new name going forward.

Old messages you sent before the change will not retroactively update to show your new username — they will still display the old name, because they were sent when that was your active username. Anyone who has you bookmarked or saved your profile will see your new username the next time they visit your profile page. Your account ID and all your account data remain the same; only the display name changes.

Troubleshooting a username change that won't go through

If you click "Save" or "Confirm" and the change doesn't take effect, the most common cause is that the username you chose was taken by someone else between the time you typed it and the time you submitted it. Try the change again with a different username. Refresh your browser first to make sure you're seeing the current state of the system.

If the system tells you that your username contains invalid characters, double-check that you used only letters, numbers, and underscores. Spaces, hyphens, and periods will be rejected. If you're still stuck after trying a different username and refreshing, you may need to clear your browser cache or try a different browser. If the problem persists across multiple browsers and usernames, contact Secret Benefits support through the help section of the site.

What happens if you forget your username

Your username is not the same as your email address or password. If you forget what username you chose, you can find it by logging in with your email and password — once you're logged in, your username appears on your profile page and in the Account Settings menu. You do not need to contact support to recover it.

If you cannot remember your password, use the "Forgot Password" link on the login page to reset it using your email address. Once you've reset your password and logged back in, you can see your username again and change it if you want to.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username back to what it was before?

Yes, but only after 30 days have passed since your last change. If you changed your username and want to revert to the old one, you'll need to wait the full cooldown period. After 30 days, you can change it back to the previous username as long as no one else has claimed it in the meantime.

What if someone else is using a username that looks like mine?

Secret Benefits usernames are case-sensitive, so "JohnSmith" and "johnsmith" are two different usernames. If someone is using a name very similar to yours, you can report it to Secret Benefits support if you believe it's impersonation. Otherwise, you cannot force another user to change their username.

Does changing my username affect my matches or messages?

No. Your account ID stays the same, so all your matches, conversations, and saved profiles remain connected to your account. People you've messaged will see your new username the next time they check the conversation, but the message history itself doesn't change.

Can I use special characters like @ or # in my username?

No. Secret Benefits only accepts letters, numbers, and underscores. Spaces, hyphens, periods, and special characters like @, #, $, or ! will cause the system to reject your username during the change process.