Earn rewards with Chase’s Refer-A-Friend program
Editor's Note
A referral bonus is a win-win. When you refer a friend to a new card, you earn bonus points, miles or cash back without making any purchases. Your friend can also earn a substantial welcome offer after meeting a spending requirement.
Chase's Refer-A-Friend program is generous. If you hold certain Chase credit cards (including Chase's suite of cobranded cards with United, Hyatt, Southwest, IHG, Marriott and Disney) and are eligible, you can earn bonus points, miles or cash-back for successful referrals.
So, how do Chase card referrals work? Let's walk through the process in this guide.
How to refer a friend to a Chase card
It's easy to refer someone. Here's how to generate the link to refer your friends, family members and colleagues.
On a computer, navigate to Chase's dedicated landing page for all referral links. This page features a drop-down box of all your Chase cards and an option to generate a link on the spot to send to a friend.
You'll need to sign in to your Chase account to access this page.
You can also find this feature in the mobile app. Log in to the Chase app, navigate to the "More" tab and select "Refer a friend."
From there, you can share your unique link via text message or social media, or simply copy it.
Related: Refer friends to Sapphire cards for bonus points per application
How to earn a Chase referral bonus
To earn a referral bonus, you'll need to generate a unique application link for someone to use. Then, the person you're referring must access the application through your link and be approved for a card. You can refer a friend, family member or co-worker.
You'll earn the bonus after the person you referred is successfully approved for the card.
Depending on the card, you'll receive anywhere from 10,000 to 40,000 bonus points or miles per referral. This includes cobranded cards.
You can also earn cash bonuses when referring friends to the Chase Freedom Flex® (see rates and fees), Chase Freedom Unlimited® (see rates and fees) or a Chase checking account.
You can repeat these referrals multiple times, but your earnings are capped between 50,000 to 200,000 bonus points or miles or $500 cash back (in the case of Freedom cards and checking accounts) per calendar year.
Chase cards with referral bonuses
The card your friend successfully applies for determines how many bonus points or miles or how much cash back you'll receive, and how much you can receive before you reach the limit.
| Chase card | Referral bonus for each referral | Referral bonus limit per year |
|---|---|---|
15,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points | 100,000 points | |
$50 cash back | $500 cash back | |
20,000 Southwest Rapid Rewards points | 100,000 points | |
10,000 United MileagePlus miles | 100,000 miles | |
40,000 Marriott Bonvoy points | 200,000 points | |
Disney® Visa® Card (see rates and fees) and Disney® Premier Visa® Card (see rates and fees) | 100 Disney Rewards Dollars | 500 Disney Rewards Dollars |
20,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points | 100,000 points | |
10,000 IHG One Rewards points | 50,000 points | |
10,000 Hyatt points | 50,000 points |
You can find a full list of each individual Chase card eligible for a referral bonus on this page.
Remember, your friend must use your personalized link for you to earn your bonus.
*Chase will soon implement a new rule that will restrict you to only earning a referral bonus for referring new Ink Business cardholders: "Effective October 7th, 2025, you will be eligible to receive referral bonus awards for new Chase Business card customers only. Referrals of individuals with existing Chase business card accounts will no longer qualify for the referral bonus."
If you want to refer an existing Chase Ink Business card customer (cobranded Chase business cards are excluded for now), it's important that you do so before Oct. 7. This doesn't affect welcome bonus eligibility, just referral bonuses that you may earn.
**Some cardholders are not eligible to receive bonuses for referrals to the World of Hyatt Business card. Check your account to see if you can earn bonus points.
This news comes on the heels of Chase updating its welcome bonus eligibility rules for the personal Sapphire cards.
Related: Can I refer someone to a business credit card from a personal credit card?
What to know about Chase referral bonuses
There are additional considerations to be aware of when you're referring Chase cards.
You don't have to have the card to refer it
You can refer your friends to cards you don't hold. For instance, I only have the Sapphire Preferred, but my referral link also mentions that I'll earn bonuses for those who are approved for the Sapphire Reserve.
You also don't necessarily have to be friends with your referral partner. Just make sure they follow the proper steps to be approved with your personalized link.
Ensure your friend is getting the best welcome offer
It's important to note that your friend might not receive the highest available welcome bonus if they apply through a referral link.
Not everyone will see the same bonuses, so be a good friend and be sure the people you refer know where they can find the best targeted welcome bonus offer for themselves.
For instance, the Chase Sapphire Preferred is currently offering 75,000 bonus points after $5,000 in spending within the first three months of account opening. You'll want to check this offer against the one that appears through your referral link to ensure they're getting the best deal.
Your bonus could take a while to arrive
It could take up to eight weeks for you to see bonus points, miles or cash back posted to your account from a referral.
You may have to pay taxes on referral bonuses
Finally, keep in mind that some banks have sent out 1099s for referral bonuses in the past.
Keep in mind that your referral bonuses may be considered income, especially if you max out your earnings with referral bonuses. Speak to a tax professional if you're uncertain about owing taxes on referral bonuses.
Related: If I cash out my points and miles, do I have to claim it on my taxes?
Bottom line
Referral bonuses are an excellent way to earn bonus points and miles without making additional purchases.
The most important factor to remember is to ensure your friends go through your personalized link when they apply. Otherwise, you won't get a referral bonus.
Related: The best time to apply for these popular Chase credit cards based on offer history
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.