What the Chase referral program does
Chase lets you refer friends and family to certain credit cards and earn rewards when they open an account. The person you refer gets a welcome bonus (the same one available to new cardholders), and you receive a referral reward—usually cash back or bonus points—if they meet the card's spending requirement.
The specifics depend on which Chase card you're referring. Some cards offer $50 to $100 per successful referral; others offer bonus points. There's no limit to how many people you can refer, though Chase does monitor for abuse. Both you and the person you refer must meet Chase's terms to receive rewards.
You don't need to do anything special to become a referrer. If you hold an may be able to access Chase card, you can access your referral link through your online account or the Chase mobile app.
Key Takeaways
- You can refer friends and family to Chase cards through your online account or mobile app, and both of you receive rewards if they open the card and spend the required amount.
- The referral reward varies by card—some offer cash back, others offer bonus points—and you should check your specific card's terms to see what you'll earn.
- The person you refer gets the standard welcome bonus for new cardholders, not a separate referral bonus.
- Chase has anti-abuse policies and may deny rewards if it detects fraud or manipulation, such as opening accounts solely to collect referral bonuses.
- You can find your referral link in your Chase online account under the rewards or referral section, or in the mobile app.
How to find and share your referral link
Log into your Chase online account at chase.com. Look for a section labeled "Refer a Friend," "Share & Earn," or "Referrals"—the exact name varies by card and changes periodically. Click it to view your unique referral link.
In the Chase mobile app, go to your account menu, find the card you want to refer, and look for a referral or sharing option. Tap it to see your link and sharing options. You can copy the link and send it via text, email, or social media, or use the app's built-in sharing buttons.
Your referral link is personal to you and your card. If someone clicks your link and opens the card, Chase tracks that they came from your referral. Make sure you're sharing the correct link for the card you want them to open—different cards have different links.
What happens after someone uses your referral link
When someone clicks your referral link and opens a new account with that card, Chase verifies they are a new customer to that specific card. They are not required to have been a Chase customer before, but they cannot have held that particular card in the past (rules vary slightly by card).
The person you referred receives the standard welcome bonus for that card—for example, a sign-up bonus of points or cash back after they spend a certain amount in the first few months. This is the same bonus anyone opening the card would receive; the referral doesn't change it.
Once they meet the card's spending requirement and the welcome bonus posts to their account, Chase then credits your referral reward to your account. This usually happens within 1 to 3 billing cycles after their bonus is awarded. You'll see the reward (cash back or points) added to your account.
Referral rewards by card type
Chase's referral rewards differ based on the card. Premium cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve and Chase Sapphire Preferred often offer higher referral bonuses—sometimes 10,000 to 15,000 bonus points per referral. Business cards may offer different amounts than consumer cards.
Some cards offer cash back instead of points. For example, a card might credit $50 or $75 to your account for each successful referral. A few cards offer no referral program at all, so check your specific card's terms before you start referring.
Chase may change referral rewards without notice, and the reward you earn might differ from what someone else earns for the same card if they referred at a different time. Check your account regularly to see the current reward amount for your card.
Limits and restrictions on referrals
Chase does not publish a maximum number of referrals you can make, but the company reserves the right to deny referral rewards if it detects patterns of abuse. Opening accounts primarily to collect referral bonuses, using multiple accounts to refer the same person, or other forms of fraud will result in forfeited rewards.
The person you refer must be a new customer to that specific card. If they've held the card before, even if they closed it years ago, they won't be treated as a new customer and neither of you will receive rewards. Chase's system checks this automatically.
Your referral link is tied to your account. If you close the card or your account, your referral link stops working. Existing referrals that have already been credited won't be reversed, but you won't be able to make new referrals from that card.
Comparing referral rewards to other ways to earn
Referral bonuses can be valuable, but they're not a replacement for the card's regular rewards. A $75 referral bonus is a one-time payment; you earn ongoing cash back or points every time you use the card. If you're considering whether to refer a card, think about whether the people you know would actually benefit from holding it, not just whether you'll earn a bonus.
Some cards offer higher welcome bonuses to new cardholders than they do referral rewards. For example, a card might offer 100,000 bonus points to a new customer but only 10,000 points per referral. In that case, the person you refer gets the better deal than you do.
If you're looking to maximize rewards, focus first on using your own card's cash back or points structure. Referral bonuses are a secondary benefit, not the primary way to earn on a card.
What to do if your referral reward doesn't appear
After the person you referred meets the spending requirement and receives their welcome bonus, your referral reward should post within 1 to 3 billing cycles. If it doesn't appear after that time, log into your account and check the referral section to see if there's a status update.
Common reasons a referral reward doesn't post include: the referred person didn't meet the spending requirement, they didn't use your referral link (they opened the card through a different channel), they were not a new customer to that card, or Chase flagged the referral for review due to suspected abuse.
If you believe your referral should have been credited, contact Chase customer service through your online account or call the number on the back of your card. Have your referral link and the details of the person you referred ready. Chase will review the referral and explain why the reward was or wasn't credited.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I refer someone who already has a Chase account?
Yes. They don't need to be a new Chase customer overall—they just need to be new to the specific card you're referring. If they've never held that particular card before, your referral will count.
What if the person I refer doesn't meet the spending requirement?
Neither of you will receive a reward. The referral bonus is only paid after the referred person meets the card's spending requirement and receives their welcome bonus. If they don't spend enough, the welcome bonus doesn't post, and your referral reward won't either.
Can I refer the same person to multiple Chase cards?
Yes, but only if they don't already hold those cards. You can refer them to one card, and once they open it and meet the requirements, you can refer them to a different Chase card later. Each referral is separate.
Do I have to be a cardholder to use a referral link someone sent me?
No. Anyone can click a referral link and open the card, regardless of whether they're already a Chase customer. The link just tells Chase where the new process came from so both you and the new cardholder receive your rewards.
What happens if someone opens the card but doesn't use my referral link?
Chase won't credit your referral reward. The system tracks which referral link was used, so if they open the card through a different method—by searching online, visiting a branch, or using a different referral link—your link won't be connected to their account.