Recruit a friend rewards question

[Niwashi]

It counts when the actual payment is made, not when you set up the way you plan to pay for it. With a recurring credit card or crysta payment, the card or crysta balance isn't actually charged until the payment is due, so that's when you get credit for it. (This affects both the Recruit a Friend program and the Veteran Rewards.)

Some people get around this delay by purchasing game time cards. Since for those payment is already made by the time you add them to the account, the RaF and Vet Rewards kick in immediately. But otherwise, yes, it should apply once your initial 30 days is done and payment is needed for the next 90-day block.