What you get when you refer someone to a Chase credit card

When you refer someone to open a Chase credit card, both you and the person you refer typically receive a bonus. The bonus you receive is usually cash back or points added to your account, while the person you refer gets the card's standard welcome offer. Chase calls this its referral program, and it runs on most of their consumer credit cards — though not all cards participate, and the bonus amount changes.

The referral bonus is separate from the welcome bonus the new cardholder receives for opening the account. You don't have to spend anything to earn your referral reward — the person you refer just has to open the card and meet the card's spending requirement to trigger the welcome offer. Once they do, your bonus posts to your account within a few weeks.

Chase does not limit how many people you can refer, so if you refer five people who all open cards and meet the spending requirement, you earn five referral bonuses. There is no cap on the total bonus you can earn in a year, though Chase reserves the right to change or end the program at any time.

Key Takeaways

  • Your referral bonus posts after the person you refer opens the card and meets the spending requirement, usually within two to four weeks.
  • Not every Chase card offers referral bonuses — you can check whether your card participates by logging into your Chase account online.
  • The person you refer gets the card's standard welcome bonus, and you get a separate bonus; both are not reduced or changed because of the referral.
  • You can refer as many people as you want, and there is no annual cap on how much you can earn through referrals.
  • Chase referral links are unique to you and your card, so the person you refer must use your link or enter your referral code for you to receive credit.

How to find your referral link or code

Log into your Chase account online or through the Chase mobile app. Look for a section labeled "Refer a Friend," "Share & Earn," or "Refer & Earn" — the exact name varies by card. Click or tap that section, and Chase will show you a unique link you can copy and send to someone, or a referral code they can enter when they explore.

If you don't see a referral option in your account, your card does not participate in the referral program. You can also call the customer service number on the back of your card and ask whether referral bonuses are available for your specific card.

The link or code is tied to you and your account. If someone uses your link or code, Chase knows to credit the bonus to your account once they open the card and meet the spending requirement. If they explore without using your link or code, you will not receive a referral bonus, even if you tell them later that you referred them.

Which Chase cards offer referral bonuses

Chase's most popular cards — the Chase Sapphire Preferred, Chase Sapphire Reserve, Chase Freedom Unlimited, and Chase Freedom Flex — all offer referral bonuses. Business cards like the Chase Ink Business Preferred and Chase Ink Business Unlimited also participate. However, some cards, including certain co-branded cards and older products, do not have a referral program.

The easiest way to know whether your card has a referral program is to log into your Chase account and look for the referral section. If it is not there, the card does not participate. You can also visit Chase's website and search for your specific card's terms, which will mention whether referral bonuses are available.

Referral bonus amounts vary by card and change over time. A card might offer 10,000 points for a referral one month and 15,000 points the next. Chase does not announce these changes in advance, so the bonus you see today may not be the same next week.

What happens after someone uses your referral link

When someone clicks your referral link or enters your code and opens the card, Chase tracks that they came from your referral. They then need to meet the card's spending requirement — for example, spend $500 in the first three months — to trigger their welcome bonus. Once they do, your referral bonus is usually posted to your account within two to four weeks.

You will see the bonus appear as points or cash back in your account, depending on what the referral program offers for your card. Chase sends a notification when the bonus posts, either through your online account or by email. The bonus is yours to keep even if the person you referred later closes the card or cancels it.

If the person you referred does not meet the spending requirement, neither of you receives a bonus. The welcome bonus and the referral bonus both depend on that spending threshold being met.

Limits and rules you should know

Chase does not allow you to refer yourself or use your own referral link to open a new card and earn a bonus. If you try, Chase will deny the bonus. You also cannot refer someone who is already a Chase cardholder for that specific card — they have to be a new customer to that card.

Some people ask whether they can refer someone who is a Chase customer but has never held that particular card. The answer is yes — if they have a Chase Sapphire Preferred but have never opened a Chase Freedom Unlimited, you can refer them to the Freedom Unlimited and earn a bonus if they open it and meet the spending requirement.

Chase reserves the right to change or end the referral program at any time, and it can adjust bonus amounts, rules, or which cards participate without notice. If you refer someone and the program changes before their bonus posts, they will still receive their bonus under the rules that were in place when they opened the card.

How referral bonuses compare to other ways to earn

A referral bonus is usually worth less than the welcome bonus the new cardholder receives. For example, if a card offers a 75,000-point welcome bonus, the referral bonus might be 10,000 or 15,000 points. However, referral bonuses are pure bonus — you earn them without spending your own money, which makes them valuable if you refer people regularly.

Referral bonuses are also different from the ongoing rewards you earn by using the card. Every time you use your card to make a purchase, you earn points or cash back at the card's standard rate. Referral bonuses are a one-time payment for each person who opens the card through your link.

If you want to maximize rewards, you can combine referral bonuses with the card's regular earning rate and welcome bonus. For instance, you could refer someone to a card, earn the referral bonus, open that same card yourself and earn the welcome bonus, then use both cards to earn ongoing rewards on your purchases.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to spend money to earn a referral bonus?

No. You earn the bonus when the person you refer opens the card and meets the spending requirement. You do not have to spend anything yourself. The person you refer is the one who has to meet the spending threshold to trigger both their welcome bonus and your referral bonus.

What if the person I refer doesn't meet the spending requirement?

Neither of you receives a bonus. The welcome bonus and the referral bonus are both tied to meeting the card's spending requirement. If they open the card but don't spend enough in the required timeframe, no bonus posts to either account.

Can I refer someone who already has a Chase credit card?

Yes, as long as they don't already have that specific card. If they have a Chase Sapphire Preferred but have never opened a Chase Freedom Unlimited, you can refer them to the Freedom Unlimited. They have to be new to that particular card for you to earn a referral bonus.

How long does it take for my referral bonus to show up?

Usually two to four weeks after the person you refer meets the card's spending requirement. Chase sends a notification when the bonus posts. If more than a month has passed and you don't see it, contact Chase customer service with the referral code or link you used.

Can I refer the same person to multiple Chase cards?

Yes. If you refer someone to the Chase Sapphire Preferred and they open it and meet the spending requirement, you earn a referral bonus. You can then refer that same person to the Chase Freedom Unlimited, and if they open it and meet its spending requirement, you earn another referral bonus. Each card is a separate referral.