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Key findings
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Credit card referrals allow you to earn rewards by recommending a card to family and friends.
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The average credit card referral bonus is between $50 and $150, and many credit card issuers allow you to receive multiple bonuses.
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Referral programs are subject to change, so take advantage of credit card referrals while they’re available.
Want to earn more credit card rewards? While most people already know how to earn points, miles or cash back by making purchases, booking travel or using shopping portals, you may not know that some credit card issuers allow you to earn rewards through credit card referrals.
Credit card referrals aren’t exactly an industry secret, but many people don’t take advantage of this quick and easy way to earn extra rewards. If you can get a friend, family member or colleague to apply for one of your favorite credit cards, you may be able to earn valuable points, miles or cash back. Here’s what you should know about credit card referrals.
What is a credit card referral bonus?
A credit card referral bonus is an incentive offered by credit card issuers to cardholders who invite their friends or relatives to apply for a card. It is usually given in the form of a certain amount of cash back, points or miles.
The rules for receiving a referral bonus vary by credit card issuer. Some offer a standard offer, while others personalize it for you. But the process is generally the same: A cardholder shares a link that their friend can use to apply for the card. Once the friend is approved, the cardholder receives the bonus—and some issuers reward the friend as well.
The average credit card referral bonus is between $50 and $150, but keep in mind that you can often earn multiple bonuses for multiple credit card referrals. Most credit card issuers limit the number of bonuses you can earn in a calendar year, often capping you at $500 in referral bonuses per year.
When recommending credit cards to friends, be sure to mention the recommended credit score—especially if you’re not sure your friend has good credit. Many of today’s top credit cards require good to excellent credit.
Referral Bonus Programs by Publisher
If you’re looking to earn more points this year and think you could get a friend or loved one to do the same, you should first find out which of your cards offer referral programs and how much you could earn.
Here is an overview of the major card issuers and their referral programs:
| Credit card issuers | Referral bonus program |
|---|---|
| American Express | Amex provides you with a unique referral link that you can send to family and friends. If they apply through your link and are accepted, you will receive a bonus that varies by card type. |
| Bank of America | N/A |
| Capital One | Capital One will provide you with a unique referral link that you can send to family and friends. To receive the bonus, they must be new Capital One cardholders who apply and are accepted. You can earn up to $500 total before Capital One stops rewarding you for referrals. |
| chase | Chase lets you select specific cards to recommend to friends and family. When they apply through your unique link and it’s accepted, you’ll receive a bonus that applies specifically to the card or card family you recommended to them. |
| City | N/A |
| Discover | Discover will provide you with a unique referral link that you can send to family and friends. You and your friend will receive a referral bonus if your friend is approved and makes a purchase with their new card within a certain time period after account opening. |
| Wells Fargo | N/A |
How to get access to each publisher’s referral bonus program
To benefit from each publisher’s main referral bonus program, you should follow these steps:
American Express
- Go to the Amex Refer a Friend program and sign up to see your offers.
- Send your individual referral link to friends and family via email or SMS.
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When your friend or family member applies for an American Express credit card using your referral link, he/she can choose from all eligible Amex personal and business credit cards.
Capital One
- Visit the Capital One Refer a Friend program page and log in to your account.
- If you are eligible, receive your personal referral link and share it with your friends and family.
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Once your friend is approved, you’ll receive a bonus amount that depends on your credit card. Capital One referral bonuses are only available if the friend or family member you’re referring is a new Capital One cardholder. This means that if the person receiving the link already has a Capital One credit card, they won’t be eligible to help you receive a referral bonus, although they may still qualify for a new card.
chase
- Visit the Chase Refer a Friend page and log in to your account.
- Click on the tile with the corresponding card that you would like to recommend.
- If you are eligible, get the personalized link specific to this card and send it to friends and family.
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Because Chase offers different bonuses for certain credit card referrals, there are additional rules you must follow to earn a bonus. Some of these bonuses are only valid for the recommended credit cards, while others can be earned when your friend or family member applies for a card within a specific Chase group — for example, the Chase Freedom credit card group or the Chase Ink business credit card group.
In most cases, you must own a Chase credit card within the corresponding Chase group before you can refer another card within that group. So if you want to take advantage of unique credit card referral offers, such as Chase Ultimate Rewards bonus points that you can earn by referring the popular Chase Sapphire Preferred® credit card, you may need to be a Chase Sapphire Preferred cardholder yourself.
Discover
- Go to the Discover Refer a Friend program page and log in to your Discover account.
- Get your unique referral link and send it to family and friends so both you and your friend can receive account credits after a successful referral.
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Account credits range in value from $50 to $100, and you and your friend can only earn the reward if your friend makes a purchase within the first 90 days of having their new Discover credit card.
Co-branding and retail credit card referral programs
Referral programs aren’t just limited to popular rewards cards and travel cards. Some co-branded credit cards, including retail credit cards, may offer referral rewards to cardholders who can successfully recommend a card to a friend, family member or colleague. These referral bonus programs are often limited-time offers, so be sure to keep an eye out for referral programs you may be eligible for when you first sign up for the card. Your co-branded or retail card issuer will also likely email you when a referral bonus is available, and you may also see notifications in your online account or app.
The conclusion
Credit card bonus referral programs are one of the underrated ways to earn credit card rewards. These referral programs make it possible to earn more points and miles without applying for a new credit card or overspending to earn more points, miles or cash back. Referral programs also allow you to share your favorite credit cards with your family and friends, giving more people a chance to earn rewards on everyday purchases.
If you have a travel or rewards credit card that you can’t stop raving about, you can also treat yourself a little extra when your friends and family follow your advice and sign up. After all, more rewards is always a good thing – both for you and your friends.
