Yes, you can refer someone to Chase checking, and both of you may receive a bonus
Chase runs a referral program for its checking accounts. You can share a referral link or code with someone, and if they open an account using your referral, you both may receive a cash bonus. The bonus amount and the account type may be able to access for the offer change depending on which Chase checking product you hold and which one the referred person opens.
The referral link is personal to you and tied to your Chase online banking login. You find it in the Chase mobile app or on Chase.com by going to your account settings or rewards section. You can share it via text, email, or social media — Chase does not limit how many people you refer, but the bonus is paid only once per new customer who opens an account.
The person you refer must be new to Chase (or meet specific criteria Chase sets for that offer period) and must complete the account opening using your link. If they open an account without your referral code, neither of you will receive the bonus.
Key Takeaways
- You access your referral link through the Chase mobile app or Chase.com under account settings or rewards.
- Both you and the person you refer receive a bonus only if they open an account using your personal link.
- The bonus amount varies by account type and changes periodically; check your referral offer to see the current amount.
- The referred person must be new to Chase or meet the may be able to access rules Chase lists for that specific offer.
- Chase does not limit the number of people you can refer, but each bonus is paid only once per new account.
Where to find your referral link
Log into the Chase mobile app and tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines). Look for a section labeled "Refer a Friend," "Rewards," or "Promotions" — the exact label shifts between app versions. Tap it and you will see your unique referral link, often displayed as a clickable URL or a button that says "Share" or "Copy Link."
On Chase.com, sign in and navigate to your account settings or the rewards section. The referral offer is usually listed under "Promotions" or "Offers." Copy the link or use the built-in share button to send it via email or text.
If you do not see a referral offer in either place, the program may not be active for your account type at that moment, or you may not meet the current may be able to access rules. Chase periodically pauses or changes referral offers.
What happens when someone uses your referral link
When the person you refer clicks your link, it takes them to a Chase page that shows they were referred by you. They then complete the account opening process online or in a branch. Chase tracks the referral through that link and credits both accounts once the new account meets the requirements — usually opening the account and completing an initial deposit or direct deposit within a set timeframe.
The bonus typically appears in your account within one to two weeks after the referred person meets all the conditions. Chase will send you a confirmation email when the bonus is posted. The referred person receives their bonus on the same timeline.
If the referred person does not complete the account opening through your link, or if they do not meet the deposit or activity requirements, neither of you will receive the bonus. Chase does not send a notification if a referral fails — you may only notice if the bonus does not appear after the expected timeframe.
Bonus amounts and account types
Chase offers different bonuses depending on which checking account the new customer opens. A referral for a basic checking account may pay less than a referral for a premium account like Chase Premier Plus or Chase Sapphire. The bonus for you (the referrer) may also differ from the bonus for the new customer.
Bonus amounts have ranged from $50 to $300 or more in the past, but these figures change frequently and vary by region and offer period. Check your referral link or the current offer details on Chase.com to see what the bonus is right now.
Some offers require the new customer to maintain a minimum balance or complete a certain number of transactions within a set period. If they do not meet those conditions, the bonus may not post. The referred person should read the full offer terms before opening the account.
Tax reporting for referral bonuses
Referral bonuses are considered taxable income by the IRS. Chase will send you a 1099-INT or similar tax form if your bonus reaches the reporting threshold (usually $10 or more). You must report this income on your tax return.
Keep records of any referral bonuses you receive, including the date and amount. If you refer multiple people and receive multiple bonuses, add them all together when you file your taxes. The bonus is not a deduction or a credit — it is ordinary income.
What to do if the referral bonus does not appear
Wait at least two to three weeks after the referred person opens the account and meets all the conditions. Bonuses sometimes post slowly, and Chase may need time to verify that the account was opened through your link and that all requirements were met.
If the bonus does not appear after three weeks, contact Chase customer service. Have your referral link and the date the referred person opened their account ready. Chase can check whether the referral was tracked correctly and whether the new account met all the bonus conditions.
If Chase confirms that the referral was not tracked or that the new customer did not meet the requirements, you will not receive the bonus. If the referred person opened the account without using your link, Chase cannot add the referral retroactively.
Limits and restrictions on referrals
Chase does not publish a maximum number of referrals you can make, but the program is designed for personal use, not for commercial referral schemes. If Chase detects unusual referral activity — for example, opening many accounts in a short period or referring accounts that are quickly closed — it may suspend your referral privileges or deny bonuses.
The referred person must be a new Chase customer or meet specific criteria for that offer period. If they have held a Chase checking account within the past year or two (the timeframe varies by offer), they may not be may be able to access. Chase will state the may be able to access rules on the referral offer page.
Referral bonuses are separate from other Chase promotions. You cannot combine a referral bonus with another new-account bonus for the same account, but you can refer someone to one account type while you hold a different one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I refer someone who already has a Chase account?
No, the referred person must be new to Chase or meet the specific may be able to access rules for that offer. If they have held a Chase checking account recently, they are not may be able to access for the referral bonus. Check the offer details on your referral link to see the exact may be able to access window.
What if the person I refer opens the account in a branch instead of online?
If they use your referral link or provide your referral code when opening in a branch, the referral should still be tracked. Make sure they mention the referral or use the code before completing the account opening. If they open without the referral, Chase cannot add it later.
Do I get the bonus if the referred person closes their account after opening it?
Most offers require the account to remain open for a set period (often 60 to 90 days) after the bonus posts. If the referred person closes the account before that time, Chase may claw back the bonus. Check the terms of your specific offer.
Can I share my referral link on social media or a public website?
Technically yes, but Chase's terms of service are designed for personal sharing, not public promotion. Posting your link on a blog, forum, or social media page where strangers can use it repeatedly may violate the terms and could result in Chase suspending your referral privileges.
What if my referral link expires?
Chase referral links do not have a published expiration date, but the offer itself may end. If Chase discontinues the referral program or changes the offer, your link may stop working. You can always generate a new link through the app or website if the current offer is still active.