What the Chase Sapphire Preferred referral program does
The Chase Sapphire Preferred referral program lets current cardholders earn bonus points when someone they refer opens the card and meets the spending requirement. The person referred gets the standard welcome bonus that new cardholders receive. Both the referrer and the referred person benefit, but the rewards come from Chase, not from a third party.
You can find your personal referral link in your Chase online account or mobile app under the rewards or account section. The link is unique to you and tracks who you referred. When someone uses your link to open the card, Chase records the connection and credits both accounts once the referred person meets the spending threshold — usually within the first few months of account opening.
The bonus points you earn from a referral are the same type of points you earn from purchases. They go into your existing Sapphire Preferred points balance and can be redeemed for travel, cash back, or transfers to Chase travel partners.
Key Takeaways
- You find your referral link in your Chase account online or in the mobile app, and it's unique to you.
- Both you and the person you refer earn bonus points — you get a referral bonus and they get the standard new cardholder welcome offer.
- The referred person must meet the card's spending requirement for both bonuses to post to your accounts.
- Referral bonuses are regular points that work like any other points you earn from the card.
- There is no limit to how many people you can refer, but Chase may change the bonus amount or program terms.
How to find and share your referral link
Log into your Chase account at chase.com or open the Chase mobile app. Look for a section labeled "Refer a Friend," "Share and Earn," or "Referrals" — the exact name varies depending on which version of the app or website you're using. Tap or click that section and your unique referral link will appear.
You can copy the link and send it directly to someone via text, email, or messaging app. Some versions of the app also let you share through social media or generate a QR code that someone can scan with their phone camera. The link works the same way regardless of how you send it — the person just needs to click it before they start the process.
Keep your link handy if you plan to refer multiple people. You don't need a new link for each person; the same link works for everyone. Chase tracks each referral separately, so you'll earn a bonus for each person who opens the card through your link and meets the spending requirement.
What happens after someone uses your referral link
When someone clicks your link and applies for the Sapphire Preferred, they see the standard process and welcome offer. They proceed through the normal approval process. If approved, they receive their card and have a set timeframe — usually three months — to spend a certain amount to earn their welcome bonus.
Once they meet the spending requirement, Chase credits their welcome bonus points to their account. At the same time, Chase credits your referral bonus to your account. Both bonuses typically post within a few days of each other, though it can take up to two weeks depending on when the spending threshold is confirmed.
You can check the status of your referrals in your Chase account. Some versions show pending referrals, completed referrals, and the bonus amounts earned. If you don't see a referral you expected, contact Chase customer service with the name and approximate date the person applied.
Referral bonus amounts and what they're worth
Chase does not publicly state a fixed referral bonus amount. The bonus varies and can change without notice. Historically, referral bonuses for premium cards like Sapphire Preferred have ranged from 10,000 to 20,000 points, but this is not may provide and may differ based on your account status or current promotions.
The value of your bonus depends on how you redeem the points. If you redeem through Chase's travel portal, Sapphire Preferred points are worth 1.25 cents per point for travel purchases, so 15,000 points would be worth $187.50. If you transfer points to airline or hotel partners, the value can be higher or lower depending on the partner and how you use them. If you redeem for cash back, points are typically worth 1 cent each.
You can see your current point balance and redemption options in your Chase account. The referral points are added to your total balance and work exactly like points you earned from purchases or other bonuses.
Limits and restrictions on referrals
Chase does not publish a maximum number of referrals you can make in a year or lifetime. However, the program terms state that Chase reserves the right to change or cancel the referral program at any time, and may limit referral bonuses if it detects unusual activity.
The person you refer must be new to the Sapphire Preferred card — they cannot have held it in the past 24 months. If they've had the card before, they won't be may be able to access for the welcome bonus and you won't earn a referral bonus. Chase verifies this when they explore.
Your referral link is personal to you. You should not share it publicly on social media, forums, or websites where strangers can use it, because Chase's terms prohibit commercial use of the referral program. Sharing with friends and family is the intended use.
How referral bonuses compare to other ways to earn points
Referral bonuses are typically larger than the points you earn from a single purchase, but smaller than the welcome bonus a new cardholder receives. For example, if the welcome bonus is 60,000 points and the referral bonus is 15,000 points, you're earning about one-quarter of the new cardholder bonus per referral.
The Sapphire Preferred also earns points on purchases: 5 points per dollar on travel and dining, 2 points per dollar on other purchases. Over a year, a cardholder who spends $10,000 on the card might earn 40,000 to 50,000 points from purchases alone. A referral bonus of 15,000 points is meaningful but not a replacement for regular spending.
If you're trying to maximize points, referring people you know who genuinely want the card is a straightforward way to earn extra points without spending more yourself. But the primary value of the Sapphire Preferred is the points you earn from your own purchases and the card's benefits, not the referral program.
What to know before you refer someone
Make sure the person you refer actually wants the card and can meet the spending requirement. If they explore but don't spend enough in the timeframe, neither of you gets the bonus. This can damage your relationship if they feel pressured to spend money they weren't planning to spend.
The person you refer will have a new credit inquiry on their credit report, which can lower their credit score slightly. If they're planning to explore for a mortgage or loan soon, they may want to wait. Explain this before you send them your link so they can decide whether the timing is right.
Chase may change the referral bonus amount, the spending requirement, or the program terms at any time. The bonus you see today may not be the bonus someone receives next month. If you're planning to refer multiple people, don't assume the bonus will stay the same.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I refer someone who already has a Chase credit card?
Yes. They can have other Chase cards. The only restriction is that they cannot have held the Sapphire Preferred specifically in the past 24 months. If they've never had the Sapphire Preferred or had it more than two years ago, they're may be able to access to open it and you can earn a referral bonus.
What if the person I refer gets denied for the card?
If they're denied, neither of you earns a bonus. The referral link itself doesn't may provide approval — it just tracks who referred them. Chase still evaluates their credit and income the same way it would for any applicant. If they're denied, they can contact Chase to ask why and may be able to reapply later.
Do I have to spend money to earn a referral bonus?
No. The referral bonus is earned when the person you refer meets their spending requirement, not based on your own spending. You don't need to use your card at all to earn referral bonuses. However, you do need to be an active cardholder — if your account is closed, you won't be able to refer people.
Can I use my referral link on my own process if I'm a new cardholder?
No. Your referral link is for other people to use, not for yourself. If you're explore for the Sapphire Preferred for the first time, you receive the standard welcome bonus automatically. You cannot explore through your own referral link or another cardholder's link and receive both the welcome bonus and a referral bonus.
How long does it take to receive the referral bonus after someone applies?
The bonus posts after the referred person meets the spending requirement, which is usually within the first three months. Once they hit that threshold, the bonus typically appears in both accounts within a few days to two weeks. You can check your account to see pending referrals and their status.