Chase offers referral bonuses on some checking accounts, but the amount and availability depend on which account you open and current promotions
Chase runs referral programs on certain checking products, most commonly the Chase Total Checking and Chase Premier Plus Checking accounts. When you refer someone who opens one of these accounts and meets the bank's requirements, both you and the person you referred typically receive a bonus. The bonus amount varies—it can range from $50 to $300 or more per referral, depending on which account is being promoted and what promotion is currently active.
The catch is that Chase changes these offers frequently. A bonus available this month may not exist next month, or the amount may shift. You need to check your own Chase account or visit Chase.com directly to see what referral offer is live right now for your specific account type.
Key Takeaways
- Chase referral bonuses are real but temporary—the amount and which accounts may have access to change several times per year.
- Both the person who refers and the person who opens the account usually receive a bonus, but the amounts may differ.
- The referred person typically must meet a deposit or direct deposit requirement within a set timeframe (often 20 to 60 days) to trigger the bonus.
- You can find your current referral offer by logging into your Chase account or calling Chase customer service at the number on your debit card.
- Referral bonuses are separate from new account promotions, which may offer different amounts for opening an account without a referral.
How Chase referral bonuses actually work
When Chase runs a referral program, you receive a unique referral link or code tied to your account. You share this with someone who doesn't yet have a Chase checking account. When that person uses your link to open an account and meets the bank's conditions—usually a minimum deposit and sometimes a direct deposit within 20 to 60 days—the bonus posts to both accounts.
The referred person's bonus typically arrives first, within a few weeks of meeting the requirements. Your bonus follows, often within one to two billing cycles after theirs posts. Chase deposits these bonuses directly into the checking account, not as a separate check or transfer.
There is no limit to how many people you can refer, so if you refer five people and all five meet the requirements, you receive five bonuses. However, the person being referred can only receive a referral bonus once—they cannot use multiple referral links to stack bonuses.
What you need to do to get the bonus
First, confirm that your account is may be able to access for referrals. Not every Chase checking account has an active referral program at any given time. Log into your Chase account online or through the mobile app and look for a "Refer a Friend" or "Referrals" section, usually found under account settings or rewards. If you don't see it, call the customer service number on the back of your debit card and ask whether your account qualifies.
Once you confirm may be able to access, Chase will provide you with a unique referral link or code. Share this link via email, text, social media, or however you prefer. The person you refer clicks the link and opens a new Chase checking account using that referral.
The referred person must then complete the bank's requirements, which typically include depositing a minimum amount (often $500 or more) and sometimes setting up a direct deposit within the specified window. Once they meet these conditions, both bonuses post automatically. You do not need to do anything else.
Checking current bonus amounts and terms
Chase does not publish a master list of referral bonuses on a single page. Instead, the offer appears in your account dashboard when a program is active. The most reliable way to check is to log into your Chase account and navigate to the referrals section. If nothing appears there, the program is not currently running for your account type.
You can also call Chase at 1-800-935-9935 (the general customer service line) and ask a representative what referral bonus, if any, is available for your specific account. Have your account number ready. The representative can tell you the exact bonus amount, which accounts may have access to, and what the referred person must do to trigger it.
Keep in mind that Chase often runs different referral offers for different account types at the same time. Chase Total Checking might offer $100 per referral while Chase Premier Plus Checking offers $200. The offer you see may also differ from what someone else sees, because Chase sometimes targets promotions to specific customer segments.
The difference between referral bonuses and new account promotions
Chase frequently runs two separate promotions: a referral bonus (which you get for referring someone) and a new account bonus (which the new customer gets for opening an account, whether or not they use a referral). These are not the same offer, and the amounts do not stack.
For example, Chase might offer you $100 for each person you refer, while simultaneously offering new customers $200 for opening an account and meeting requirements. The person you refer receives the $200 new account bonus, not the $100 referral bonus. You receive your $100 referral bonus. The two bonuses do not combine.
This matters because sometimes the new account bonus is larger than the referral bonus. In that case, the person you refer is actually better off opening the account without using your referral link—they get more money. Always tell the person you're referring to check both offers before they open the account, so they can choose the path that benefits them most.
What happens if the referred person doesn't meet the requirements
If the person you refer opens an account using your link but does not complete the bank's requirements—for example, they don't deposit the minimum amount or don't set up direct deposit within the deadline—neither of you receives a bonus. Chase does not issue partial bonuses or extend deadlines.
The referred person's account remains open and active; they simply do not trigger the bonus. You can refer them again later if Chase runs another promotion, but they would need to use a new referral link and meet the new requirements.
If you believe the referred person met all the requirements but the bonus did not post, contact Chase customer service with the details: the referral link used, the date the account was opened, and the date the requirements were met. Chase can review the account and determine whether the bonus should have posted. If there was an error, they can manually add the bonus.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I refer someone who already has a Chase account?
No. The person you refer must be new to Chase checking accounts. If they already have or recently had a Chase checking account, they are not may be able to access for the referral bonus, even if they closed it years ago. Chase's terms typically exclude anyone who has held a Chase checking account within the past 90 days.
Do I have to use direct deposit to get the bonus?
It depends on the current promotion. Some Chase referral offers require the referred person to set up a direct deposit; others only require a minimum deposit. Check the specific terms of the promotion before you refer someone. The requirements are usually listed in the referral section of your account or when you generate your referral link.
What if I refer someone and they open the account but then close it before the bonus posts?
If the referred person closes the account before meeting all the requirements, neither of you receives a bonus. If they close it after meeting the requirements but before the bonus posts, the bonus may still post to their account—contact Chase to confirm. If the account is already closed, Chase typically cannot deposit the bonus.
Can I refer someone who lives in a different state?
Yes. Chase checking accounts are available nationwide, and referral programs have no geographic restrictions. The referred person can live anywhere in the United States and still use your referral link to open an account.
How often does Chase change its referral bonus amount?
Chase adjusts referral offers multiple times per year, sometimes monthly. There is no set schedule. The best practice is to check your account before you refer someone, so you know the current bonus amount and can tell the person you're referring what they will receive.