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

best referral programs to make money

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. 

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

Chime

Earn $100 for each friend who opens an account and completes requirements, up to $1000 per year. Your friend will also get $100.

Don’t have an account? Sign-up

$100

$100

SoFi

Earn $75 for each friend who opens an account and completes requirements. Your friend will get $25.

$75

$25

TD Bank

Earn $50 for each friend who opens an account and completes requirements. They’ll get $50 too.

$50

$50

Axos

Earn $50 for each friend who opens an account and completes requirements. Your friend will also get $50.

$50

$50

Chase

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

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

Capital One Venture Rewards

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

Chase Sapphire Preferred®

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

Masterworks
Earn a $200 bonus for each friend who signs up and completes requirements, up to $500 per year. Your friend also gets a $200 bonus.

$200

$200

M1 Finance

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
Earn a $50 bonus when you refer a friend and they sign up and complete requirements. Your friend will get a $50 bonus, too.

$50

$50

E*Trade

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

Robinhood

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

Casper

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

Moo

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

Spanx

Earn $20 off your purchase for each friend who makes a first purchase. Your friend gets 15% off their first order.

$20

15% off

Sam’s Club

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

Quip

Earn $5 credit when your friend completes requirements. You might also Your friend will also earn a $5 credit. 

$5

$5

Travel

Marriott Bonvoy

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)

Outdoorsy

Earn up to $100 credit when you refer a friend and they complete requirements. They’ll get $50 off their first trip.

$100

$50

Virgin Red

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)

Hopper

Earn $25 credit when your friend signs up and completes requirements. Your friend also gets a $25 credit.

$25

$25

Getaround

Earn $20 credit when your friend signs up and completes requirements. They will also get a $20 credit.

$20

$20

Dining and Grocery

Hungryroot

Earn a $50 credit when you refer a friend and they complete requirements. Your friend will also get a $50 credit.

$50

$50

InKind

Earn $25 credit when you refer a friend and they complete requirements. They’ll also get a $25 credit.

Don’t have an account? Sign-up

$25

$25

Instacart

Earn $10 when you refer a friend and they complete requirements. They’ll get $10 too.

Don’t have an account? Sign-up

$10

$10

Imperfect Foods

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

DoorDash

Get a $10 credit when a friend signs up and places their first order, up to $100. Your friend will get a $5 credit off their first order.

Don’t have an account? Sign-up

$10

$5

Cash Back Apps

Rakuten

Earn $30 for each friend who signs up and completes requirements. Your friend also gets a $30 bonus.

Don’t have an account? Sign-up

$30

$30

Top Cashback

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

Pepper Rewards

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

Upside

Earn a one-time extra 15¢ off per gallon of gas, plus 1¢ for every gallon your friend(s) buy for life! Your friend also gets a one-time 15¢ off per gallon.

Don’t have an account? Sign-up

15¢ off per gallon

15¢ off per gallon

Swagbucks

Earn 300 swagbucks ($3) for each friend who signs up and completes requirements. You’ll also get 10% off anything they earn for life!

Don’t have an account? Sign-up

300 SB ($3) + 10%

$0

Utilities

Verizon

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

Direct Energy

Earn $50 for each friend who completes requirements, up to $500 per year. Each friend will also get $50.

$50

$50

T-Mobile

Earn a $50 bonus for each friend who completes requirements, up to $500 per year. Your friends also get a $50 bonus.

$50

$50

Constellation Energy

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

AT&T

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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