Chase's referral program pays you both when your friend opens a new account
Chase runs a referral program for checking accounts where you send a unique link or code to someone you know, they open an account using it, and both of you receive a cash reward. The reward amount changes depending on which checking product your friend opens and current promotion terms — it's not a fixed dollar amount across all offers.
The process itself is straightforward: you generate your referral link through your Chase online banking portal, share it with your friend, and they use it when they sign up. Chase tracks the referral automatically once they complete the account opening. You don't need to do anything after sending the link.
The key thing to understand upfront is that your friend must be new to Chase — they can't have had a Chase checking account in the past 90 days for the referral to count. If they're already a customer or recently closed an account, the referral won't trigger a reward.
Key Takeaways
- You generate a unique referral link through your Chase online banking account under the referral or rewards section, then share it directly with your friend.
- Your friend must be new to Chase checking (no account opened in the past 90 days) for both of you to receive the reward.
- The reward amount varies by promotion and account type, so check your referral offer before sharing to know what you're both getting.
- Your friend completes the full account opening process using your link, and Chase deposits the reward into both accounts within the timeframe stated in the offer terms.
- There is typically no limit to how many people you can refer, though Chase may cap the total rewards you can earn in a calendar year.
Where to find your referral link in Chase online banking
Log into your Chase online account on a computer or through the Chase mobile app. Look for a section labeled "Refer a Friend," "Rewards," or "Promotions" — the exact location varies slightly depending on your account type and whether you're on desktop or mobile.
On desktop, this is often found in the main navigation menu or under account settings. On the mobile app, swipe to the menu and look for a rewards or referral option. If you can't locate it when ready, use the search or help function within the app to search for "refer a friend."
Once you find it, Chase will display your unique referral link or code. You can copy the link directly, share it via email, text, or social media, or generate a QR code for your friend to scan. Do not share your login credentials — only the referral link itself.
What your friend needs to do to complete the referral
Your friend clicks your referral link or enters your referral code when they start the account opening process on Chase.com or in the Chase app. They must use your link before they finish setting up the account — using it after the account is already open won't count.
They'll then complete the standard account opening steps: providing personal information, verifying their identity, choosing a checking product, and funding the account with an initial deposit. Chase may require them to meet a minimum deposit amount or maintain a balance for a certain period to receive the reward, depending on the current promotion terms.
Your friend should check the specific offer details before they start, because some promotions require direct deposit setup, a certain number of debit card transactions, or account activity within a set timeframe. If they don't meet those conditions, neither of you will receive the reward.
When the reward appears in your account
Chase typically deposits referral rewards within 30 to 60 days after your friend completes all the requirements of the offer — not just after they open the account. If the promotion requires them to set up direct deposit or make a certain number of transactions, the clock starts after they finish those steps, not on day one.
You'll see the reward posted as a credit to your checking account. Chase sends a confirmation email when the reward is deposited, so check your email for proof if you want to verify it went through. If you don't see it within the stated timeframe, contact Chase customer service with your referral code and your friend's account information.
Limits on how many people you can refer
Chase does not publicly state a hard cap on the number of people you can refer in a single year, but most referral programs do limit total earnings. Some promotions may say you can earn rewards on up to 10 referrals per year, while others may be higher or lower — check the specific terms of the current offer.
You can refer people throughout the year, but if you hit the earning cap, additional referrals won't generate rewards even if your friends open accounts. The cap resets on January 1st of the following year.
What happens if the referral doesn't go through
If your friend opens a Chase checking account but you don't receive a reward, the most common reasons are: they didn't use your referral link during signup, they already had a Chase checking account within the past 90 days, they didn't meet the promotion requirements (like minimum deposit or direct deposit setup), or the offer has expired.
Ask your friend to confirm they clicked your specific link before they started the process. If they did and you still don't see the reward after 60 days, contact Chase customer service. Have your referral code and your friend's account number ready. Chase can investigate whether the referral was properly tracked in their system.
If your friend opened the account without using your link, Chase cannot retroactively explore the referral — you would need them to close that account and reopen it using your link. This is why it's important to send the link before they start the process, not after.
Referral offers change throughout the year
Chase updates its referral rewards periodically, so the amount you and your friend receive may be different from what someone else got three months ago. Before you share your link, check what the current reward is — it might be $50, $100, $200, or another amount depending on the promotion running that month.
Some offers are tied to specific checking products like Chase Total Checking or Chase Premier Plus Checking, so the reward your friend gets depends on which account they open. If you want to maximize the reward, confirm which account type qualifies for the highest payout before you send them the link.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I refer someone who already banks with Chase but doesn't have checking?
No. Chase's referral program requires your friend to be new to Chase checking specifically. If they have a savings account or credit card with Chase but no checking account, they still don't may have access to because they're an existing customer. They must have no Chase checking account opened in the past 90 days.
What if my friend uses my link but then closes the account before the reward posts?
If they close the account before meeting all the promotion requirements, the reward typically won't post. Chase tracks whether the account remains open and active through the reward period. Check the specific offer terms to see if the account must stay open for a certain number of days after opening.
Can I refer family members or just friends?
Chase's terms say you can refer anyone you know, including family members, as long as they meet the may be able to access requirements. The person must be new to Chase checking and must use your link during signup. There's no restriction on whether they're related to you.
Do I need to have a specific Chase checking account to refer people?
You need to have an active Chase checking account to access the referral program. The specific type of checking account (Total Checking, Premier Plus, etc.) usually doesn't matter, but confirm this in your account portal since some promotions may be limited to certain account holders.
What if my referral link expires?
Chase doesn't typically expire individual referral links, but the promotion itself can end. If the referral offer ends, Chase will stop accepting new referrals and won't pay rewards on accounts opened after that date. Your link will still work if the promotion is active, but check your account to confirm the offer is still running before you share it.