Refer a friend: 40 Best Referral Programs to Make Money and Earn Rewards

Maybe you want an easy way to make extra money online, you are saving up points for a dream vacation, or you’re just curious about what’s possible for a little extra moola. Either way, you’ve come to the right place. We are breaking down ways to earn extra bonuses by referring your friends, family, or general acquaintances to earn cash, earn points, and more using your referrals.
Why referrals? As Business New Daily reported, “92 percent of people trusted recommendations from friends and family above all other forms of advertising when making a purchasing decision”. This shows that you are in a great position to promote products and services you use and love. Chances are, you’re already sharing your positive experiences in conversations without getting paid or rewarded.
Earn Money by Referring Friends
What is a Referral Program?
How Referral Programs Work
Referral programs are marketing strategies where companies reward customers for referring new users to their products or services. These programs usually involve sharing a unique referral link or code with friends or family. When someone uses this link to sign up or make a purchase, both the referrer and the new customer may receive rewards. This is a cost-effective way for companies to acquire new customers and an easy way for you to get all kinds of rewards.
Types of Rewards
Referral programs offer various types of rewards to encourage sharing. These rewards can include:
- Points: Points can be redeemed for travel, products, gift cards, and more.
- Miles: Airline miles that contribute to free flights, upgrades, or other travel-related perks.
- Cash Back: Cash rewards are directly deposited into your account or as statement credits.
- Credits: Store credits or gift cards to use for future purchases.
- Discounts: Coupons or promotional codes to use on future purchases.
- Other Perks: There are many other unique ways that companies will reward you for referring a new customer – the possibilities are endless.
How to Earn Rewards Referring Friends, Family, and Acquaintances
Choosing referral programs
To maximize your referral earnings, start by looking at products and services you already use and love. Genuine enthusiasm for a product or service makes it easier to convince others to try it. Look for programs that offer attractive rewards and have a straightforward referral process. Keep a broad scope when you consider referral options; as you’ll see, there are many types of products and services with referral opportunities where you can pile up rewards.
Tips for Successful Referrals
Don’t be afraid to talk about the benefits you gain from these referrals, as your friends will also be rewarded with an extra bonus. They will appreciate being able to enjoy the same referral perks in the future. Everyone loves getting a little extra.
- Be Authentic: Share your personal experience with the product or service, and how you have used and benefited from it.
- Know Your Audience: Tailor sharing a referral to the interests and needs of an individual. Highlight the benefits that would appeal most to them. Don’t spam people with something they have no interest in or need for.
- Use Multiple Channels: Promote your referral links in various ways such as in-person conversation, email, text messaging, and social channels.
- P1/P2 method: In most cases, you can refer a spouse or family member who lives at the same address.
- Follow Up: Gently remind your friends and family about the referral opportunity or answer any questions they have.
- Stay Informed: Keep up-to-date with the latest promotions and bonuses offered by the referral programs you participate in.
40 Best Referral Programs to Make Money (by Category)
We’ve rounded up the top referral programs across different categories to help you get paid for sharing your referrals. There are many, many referral programs out there, so while this is a great start, you should also look at opportunities anywhere you’re already a customer. Referral offers come and go, and terms and rewards tend to change or expire, so be sure to check for the latest offer.
Banking | Credit Cards | Investing | Shopping | Travel | Dining and Grocery | Cash Back Apps | Utilities
Banking
Referral promo |
You get |
Friend gets |
---|---|---|
$100 |
$100 |
|
Earn $75 for each friend who opens an account and completes requirements. Your friend will get $25. |
$75 |
$25 |
Earn $50 for each friend who opens an account and completes requirements. They’ll get $50 too. |
$50 |
$50 |
Earn $50 for each friend who opens an account and completes requirements. Your friend will also get $50. |
$50 |
$50 |
Earn $50 for each friend who opens a qualifying account and completes requirements, up to $500 per year. Your friend can get the current welcome offer. |
$50 |
Varies |
Credit Cards
Referral promo |
You get |
Friend gets |
---|---|---|
Chase Ink Business (Any) Earn 40,000 bonus points for each friend who gets approved for the card, up to 200,000 points per year. Your friend can get the current welcome offer. |
20,000 pts ($400) |
Varies |
The Platinum Card® from American Express Earn up to 25,000 bonus points for each friend who gets approved for the card, up to 100,000 points per year. Your friend can get the current welcome offer. |
25,000 pts ($500 value) |
Varies |
Earn up to 20,000 bonus miles for each friend who gets approved for the card, up to 50,000 miles per year. Your friend can get the current welcome offer. |
20,000 pts ($360 value) |
Varies |
Earn 10,000 bonus points for each friend who gets approved for the card, up to 100,000 points per year. Your friend can get the current welcome offer. |
10,000 pts ($200 value) |
Varies |
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Earn $150 for each friend who gets approved for the card, up to $500 per year. Your friend can get the current welcome offer. |
$150 |
Varies |
Investing
Referral promo |
You get |
Friend gets |
---|---|---|
Masterworks |
$200 |
$200 |
Earn a $75 bonus when you refer a friend and they sign up and complete requirements. Your friend also gets a $75 bonus. |
$75 |
$75 |
Fundrise |
$50 |
$50 |
Earn a $50 Amazon gift card for each friend who signs up and completes requirements, up to $500. Your friend also gets a cash reward. |
$50 |
Varies |
Earn up to $10 worth of stocks for each friend who signs up and completes requirements, up to $1500 per year. Your friend also gets up to $10 worth of stocks. |
$10 |
$10 |
Shopping
Referral promo |
You get |
Friend gets |
---|---|---|
Earn a $75 Amazon gift card when you refer a friend and they complete requirements. They’ll get 15% off their first order. |
$75 |
15% off |
Earn a $20 gift card when you refer a friend and they complete requirements. Your friend will get 25% off their first order. |
$20 |
25% off |
Earn $20 off your purchase for each friend who makes a first purchase. Your friend gets 15% off their first order. |
$20 |
15% off |
Earn a $10 Sam’s e-gift card for each friend who becomes a member. Your friend will get a $20 Sam’s e-gift card. |
$10 |
$20 |
Earn $5 credit when your friend completes requirements. You might also Your friend will also earn a $5 credit. |
$5 |
$5 |
Travel
Referral promo |
You get |
Friend gets |
---|---|---|
Earn up to 10,000 pts for each friend who signs up and completes up to 5 stays (2,000 pts per stay). Your friend will get a match of 2,000 pts per stay (up to 5 stays). |
10,000 pts ($80) |
10,000 pts ($80) |
Earn up to $100 credit when you refer a friend and they complete requirements. They’ll get $50 off their first trip. |
$100 |
$50 |
Earn 2,000 pts when your friend signs up and completes requirements. Your friend will get 2,000 pts too. |
2,000 pts ($30) |
2,000 pts ($30) |
Earn $25 credit when your friend signs up and completes requirements. Your friend also gets a $25 credit. |
$25 |
$25 |
Earn $20 credit when your friend signs up and completes requirements. They will also get a $20 credit. |
$20 |
$20 |
Dining and Grocery
Referral promo |
You get |
Friend gets |
---|---|---|
Earn a $50 credit when you refer a friend and they complete requirements. Your friend will also get a $50 credit. |
$50 |
$50 |
$25 |
$25 |
|
$10 |
$10 |
|
Earn $10 credit for each friend who signs up and completes requirements. Your friends will get a $10 credit. Don’t have an account? Sign-up |
$10 |
$10 |
$10 |
$5 |
Cash Back Apps
Referral promo |
You get |
Friend gets |
---|---|---|
$30 |
$30 |
|
Earn $40 for each friend who signs up and completes requirements. Your friend gets a $10 bonus. Don’t have an account? Sign-up |
$40 |
$10 |
Earn $20 for each friend who signs up and completes requirements. Your friend will get 2x points for 15 days. Don’t have an account? Sign-up (use code 600559) |
$20 |
2x pts for 15 days |
15¢ off per gallon |
15¢ off per gallon |
|
300 SB ($3) + 10% |
$0 |
Utilities
Referral promo |
You get |
Friend gets |
---|---|---|
Earn $180 credit ($15 per mo for 12 mo) when your friend signs up for Verizon services. Your friend also gets $180 credit over 12 mo. |
$180 |
$180 |
Earn $50 for each friend who completes requirements, up to $500 per year. Each friend will also get $50. |
$50 |
$50 |
$50 |
$50 |
|
Earn a $50 gift card when you refer a friend and they complete requirements. Your friend will also get a $50 gift card. |
$50 |
$50 |
Earn $25 credit for each friend who signs up for AT&T Wireless or Fiber. Your friend will get a $75 credit. |
$25 |
$75 |
Offers subject to change and have not been reviewed by the issuers. Consult each issuer to find the latest refer a friend bonus offers and related requirements.
Refer a friend: How to Share and Promote Referrals
In-Person Conversations
It’s natural to talk to friends, family, and acquaintances about your favorite products and services. If it’s something you think they’ll benefit from, why not text or email them your referral? You’ll get rewarded, and they might also get an extra incentive from your referral.
Email and Messaging
If you want to share a referral with someone you don’t see in person often, why not shoot them an email or text? You could explain to them why you love the product or service, why you thought it would be a good fit for them, and what they might get out of it for a sign-up bonus.
Using Social Media
Social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram are great tools to reach beyond family and friends with your referrals. In the same way, you might share something in person, you can explain what you like about the product or service and add a call to action with your referral link where followers can learn more and sign up.
Get Started Making Extra Money Online with Referral Bonuses
Referral programs offer a great opportunity to earn money and rewards by sharing products and services you love. By understanding how you can share and benefit from these bonuses, you can make alternate income that really adds up. Referrals can easily contribute to your next vacation, discounts on things you’re already buying, or more money back in your pocket. Happy referring!
These are our recommendations but it isn’t financial advice. We may receive a commission if you click through any of the links in this article.
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