Chase does offer referral bonuses for some checking accounts, but the offer changes by account type and is not always active
Chase runs referral programs on certain checking products, most commonly the Chase Total Checking and Chase Premier Plus Checking accounts. When a referral bonus is active, you and the person you refer can each receive money—typically $50 to $200 depending on the account and the current promotion. The catch is that these offers are not permanent. Chase turns them on and off, and the amount and terms shift several times a year.
Whether you can use a referral bonus right now depends on which account you have, whether Chase is currently running the promotion, and whether the person you refer meets the account requirements. This matters because you cannot force a bonus to exist, and the terms when it does exist are strict about timing and deposit amounts.
Key Takeaways
- Chase referral bonuses are usually $50 to $200 per person, but only when Chase is actively running the promotion—they are not always available.
- Both you and the person you refer must open a new account and meet deposit or direct deposit requirements within a set timeframe to receive the bonus.
- The person you refer typically needs to complete actions like setting up direct deposit or maintaining a minimum balance within 60 to 90 days of opening the account.
- You can check whether a referral offer is currently active by logging into your Chase account online or calling Chase customer service.
- Referral bonuses are separate from new account promotions, which sometimes offer higher amounts but have different may be able to access rules.
How Chase referral bonuses work when they are active
When Chase is running a referral program, the structure is straightforward: you share a unique referral link or code with someone, they open a new account using that link, and if both of you meet the requirements, you each get the bonus. The person you refer does not need to be an existing Chase customer, but they do need to be new to the specific account type you are referring them to.
The requirements for the person you refer usually include opening the account and then completing a may have access to action—most often setting up direct deposit of at least $500 within 60 to 90 days, or maintaining a minimum balance like $1,500 for a set period. You typically receive your bonus within a few weeks after they complete their requirement. The person you refer gets their bonus on the same timeline or slightly after.
Chase does not advertise referral bonuses heavily, and many customers do not know they exist. The easiest way to learn about one is active is to log into your Chase account online, look for a "Refer a Friend" or "Referral Bonus" link (usually in the account menu or under promotions), or call Chase at the number on the back of your debit card and ask directly.
Referral bonuses versus new account promotions
Chase often runs two different types of offers at the same time, and they are not the same thing. A new account promotion is an offer you get just for opening an account yourself—you might see "$200 bonus when you open Chase Total Checking and set up direct deposit." A referral bonus is what you get for bringing someone else in, and it is usually smaller or has stricter requirements.
If Chase is running both at once, the person you refer might be able to use the new account promotion instead of the referral bonus, which could be worth more. However, they cannot stack both. They get whichever one is larger or whichever one they may have access to for first. This is worth asking Chase about before you send a referral link, because you want to make sure the person you refer gets the best deal available to them.
When referral bonuses are not available
Chase turns off referral programs regularly. There are stretches of weeks or months when no referral bonus exists for any checking account. This happens because Chase manages these offers based on how many new accounts they are opening and how much they want to spend on promotions in a given quarter.
If you check your account and there is no referral option, it does not mean the program is gone forever—it usually comes back. You can ask Chase when they expect the next referral promotion to launch, though they may not have a specific date. In the meantime, if someone you know wants to open a Chase account, they may still be able to use a new account promotion, which is separate from the referral program.
What happens if the person you refer does not meet the requirements
If the person you refer opens the account but does not complete the may have access to action—for example, they do not set up direct deposit within the important date—neither of you gets the bonus. Chase will not pay a partial bonus or extend the important date. This is why it matters to be clear with the person you refer about what they need to do and when they need to do it.
If they miss the important date by a day or two, it is worth calling Chase and asking if they can make an exception, especially if the delay was caused by a processing issue on Chase's end. Chase customer service sometimes has discretion to adjust the timeline, but there is no may provide. The safest approach is to make sure the person you refer understands the important date and completes the requirement well before it expires.
How to find and share your referral link
If a referral bonus is active on your account, you can find your link by logging into Chase online and looking for a "Refer a Friend," "Share and Earn," or similar option. It is usually in the account menu, under promotions, or on the main dashboard. You can also call Chase and ask them to send you the link via email or text.
Once you have the link, you can share it however you want—text, email, social media, or in person. The person you refer clicks the link, opens the account, and the system tracks that they came from your referral. Make sure they use your link before they open the account, because Chase cannot add a referral retroactively if they open an account first and then you send the link.
Referral bonuses and taxes
Chase referral bonuses are considered taxable income by the IRS. If you receive a bonus of $600 or more in a calendar year, Chase will send you a 1099-INT or similar tax form in January. Even if the bonus is less than $600, you are technically required to report it as income on your tax return. Most people report it as miscellaneous income.
This does not mean you owe a lot of extra tax—a $100 or $200 bonus will only add a small amount to your tax bill, depending on your tax bracket. But it is something to know about, especially if you are referring multiple people and the bonuses add up.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I refer someone who already has a Chase account?
No. The person you refer must be new to that specific account type. If they already have a Chase Total Checking account, they cannot use a referral to open another one. They can open a different account type (like Premier Plus Checking) and use a referral for that, as long as they have never held that account before.
What if I do not have a may have access to account?
Referral bonuses are usually only available on certain Chase checking accounts, most commonly Total Checking and Premier Plus Checking. If you have a different account type, you may not have access to a referral program. You can call Chase and ask whether your account is may be able to access, or check online if the referral option appears in your account menu.
How long does it take to get the bonus after the person I refer opens their account?
The timeline depends on when they complete the may have access to action. Once they do—usually setting up direct deposit or maintaining a balance—Chase typically deposits the bonus within 2 to 4 weeks. If it takes longer, contact Chase and ask them to check the status of the referral.
Can I refer the same person to multiple accounts?
No. Once someone opens an account using your referral, they cannot use another referral link from you or anyone else for a different account type. They can only receive one referral bonus per person, per account type, ever.
What if Chase is not running a referral bonus right now?
You can still refer people to Chase, but neither of you will receive a bonus. If someone you know wants to open a Chase account, ask them to check whether a new account promotion is active instead—those are often available even when referral bonuses are not.