Yes, you can refer someone to Chase checking, and Chase pays you both
Chase has a referral program that lets you send a link or code to someone, and if they open a new checking account through your referral, you both get money. The amount varies depending on which account they open and which promotion is running at the time. You do not need to be a Chase employee — any Chase customer with an may be able to access account can refer.
The mechanics are straightforward: you find your referral link in the Chase mobile app or online banking, share it with the person you want to refer, they click it and open an account, and Chase deposits the bonus into both accounts once they meet the requirements. The person you refer does not pay anything extra — the bonus comes from Chase, not from their deposit.
Key Takeaways
- You can refer anyone to Chase checking through a unique link or code that appears in your Chase app or online banking portal.
- Both you and the person you refer receive a bonus once they open the account and meet Chase's requirements, usually a minimum deposit or direct deposit within a set timeframe.
- The bonus amount changes based on which checking account they open and which promotion Chase is running, so check your referral link for current terms.
- The person you refer must be new to Chase or have been inactive for a certain period, and they typically have 30 to 60 days to meet the requirements after opening the account.
- Referral bonuses are taxable income, and Chase will report them on a 1099 form if the total exceeds $600 in a calendar year.
Where to find your Chase referral link
Your referral link lives in the Chase mobile app under a menu labeled "Refer a friend" or "Invite friends," usually found in the account menu or under settings. If you use online banking at chase.com, look for the same option in the main menu or account section. The exact location shifts occasionally as Chase updates its interface, but the feature is always available to customers with active checking accounts.
When you find it, Chase generates a unique link that includes your customer ID. You can copy this link and send it via text, email, or any other way. Some versions also let you generate a code instead of a link — both work the same way. The person you refer clicks the link or enters the code when they start the account opening process, and Chase tracks that the referral came from you.
What the person you refer needs to do
The person you refer clicks your link and starts a new Chase checking account process. They will need to provide their Social Security number, address, and other standard identity information. Chase will run a credit check and verify their identity through ChexSystems, which is Chase's internal checking account history system.
After they open the account, they have a window — usually 30 to 60 days depending on the current promotion — to meet the bonus requirements. These typically include making a direct deposit of a certain amount, or maintaining a minimum balance, or both. Once they meet the requirement, Chase deposits the bonus into their account. Your bonus arrives separately into your account, usually within a few business days after theirs.
Bonus amounts and what changes them
Chase does not publish a single referral bonus amount. Instead, the bonus depends on which checking account the person opens and which promotion is active when they explore. A basic checking account referral might pay $50 to $100 to each person, while a premium account like Chase Premier Plus might pay more. Chase also runs seasonal promotions that increase the bonus for limited periods.
To know the exact amount before you refer someone, check your referral link in the app — it will show the current bonus for each account type. If the person you want to refer is interested in a specific account, you can look up that account's referral bonus before sharing your link. The bonus terms also specify what they need to do to earn it, so you can tell them upfront what Chase expects.
Who can be referred and who cannot
The person you refer must be new to Chase, or they must not have had a Chase checking account for a certain period — usually at least 12 months. If they already have an active Chase checking account, they are not may be able to access, and the referral will not work. Chase checks this when they explore, so there is no way around it.
You can refer as many people as you want, and there is no limit on how many referral bonuses you can earn in a year. However, the person you refer can only be referred once — they cannot use multiple referral links to get multiple bonuses. Chase also reserves the right to cancel the referral program or change the terms at any time, though they typically give customers notice before doing so.
How the bonus is taxed
Referral bonuses are taxable income to you. If you earn $600 or more in referral bonuses in a calendar year, Chase will send you a 1099-INT or 1099-MISC form reporting the total. You will need to include this on your tax return. Even if the total is under $600, the income is still taxable — you just will not receive a 1099 form.
The person you refer also receives a 1099 form for their bonus if it exceeds $600. Chase reports the bonuses separately to each person, so you do not have to worry about coordinating tax reporting with the person you referred.
What to do if the referral does not work
If you shared your link but the person did not receive a bonus, or if the bonus did not appear after they met the requirements, contact Chase customer service. You can call the number on the back of your debit card or use the message feature in the Chase app. Have the person's name and the date they opened the account ready, so Chase can look up whether the referral was properly linked.
Common reasons a referral fails include the person using an old link that expired, opening the account without clicking the link first, or not meeting the bonus requirements within the time window. Chase customer service can see whether the referral was recorded in their system and can sometimes manually add the bonus if there was a technical error on Chase's end.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I refer someone who already banks at Chase but wants to open a second checking account?
No. The referral program requires the person to be new to Chase or inactive for at least 12 months. If they already have an active Chase checking account, they cannot use a referral link, even if they are opening a different type of checking account. Chase's system will reject the referral during the process process.
What happens if the person I refer does not meet the bonus requirements in time?
If they do not meet the requirements within the specified window — usually 30 to 60 days — neither of you receives a bonus. The account stays open and active, but the referral bonus is forfeited. They can still use the account normally; they just will not earn the promotional money.
Can I refer someone to Chase if I do not have a Chase checking account myself?
No. You must have an active Chase checking account to access the referral program and generate a referral link. If you have a Chase savings account or credit card but no checking account, you cannot refer. You would need to open a Chase checking account first.
Do I get the bonus if the person I refer closes their account after opening it?
This depends on Chase's current terms, which can vary. Some promotions state that the account must remain open for a certain period after the bonus is deposited. Check the specific terms on your referral link to see whether account closure affects your bonus. If you are unsure, ask Chase customer service before referring someone.
Can I refer the same person multiple times if they close and reopen an account?
No. Once a person has been referred through the program, they cannot be referred again, even if they close the account and reopen it later. Chase tracks this at the customer level, not the account level, so a second referral from you or anyone else will not work.