Chase Sapphire Referral Program: Earn Up to 200K Points Annually

The Chase Sapphire referral program is one of the most lucrative ways to earn Ultimate Rewards points without spending a dollar. With the 2025 changes, you can now earn up to 200,000 Ultimate Rewards points annually through strategic referrals—that's enough for multiple business class flights or luxury hotel stays.

Chase increased the annual referral cap from 75,000 to 100,000 Ultimate Rewards points for personal cards, though individual bonuses decreased from 15,000 to 10,000 points per referral. Understanding these structural changes, leveraging cross-family referrals, and utilizing both personal and business cards can help you maximize your earning potential throughout the year.

How Does the Chase Sapphire Referral Program Work?

The Chase referral program allows existing Chase cardholders to earn bonus Ultimate Rewards points by referring friends and family to Chase credit cards. As an existing cardholder, you generate a unique referral link from your Chase account, and when someone applies and gets approved using your link, you earn bonus points.

The person you refer also benefits—they get the standard welcome bonus offer (and sometimes the referral offer is even better than the public offer). It's a win-win situation that rewards you for helping others discover valuable credit card products.

Your referral bonus typically posts to your account 6-8 weeks after your friend's account is opened and they meet any minimum requirements. You can track all your referrals and year-to-date earnings through the Chase Refer a Friend dashboard.

2025 Referral Bonus Structure

In 2025, Chase made significant changes to the Sapphire referral program. Both the Chase Sapphire Preferred and Chase Sapphire Reserve cards now operate under identical referral structures, which simplifies the program but requires understanding the new limits.

You earn 10,000 Ultimate Rewards points for each friend who gets approved using your referral link, with a calendar-year cap of 100,000 points. This means you can successfully refer up to 10 people annually before hitting the limit on personal card referrals.

Key Details of the 2025 Structure

• Per-referral bonus: 10,000 Ultimate Rewards points (down from 15,000 in previous years)
• Annual cap: 100,000 Ultimate Rewards points per calendar year (increased from 75,000)
• Maximum referrals: 10 successful approvals to reach the personal card cap
• Posting timeline: 6-8 weeks after the referred account opens
• Tracking: Monitor your progress via Chase's Refer a Friend dashboard
• Expiration: Points never expire as long as you keep a Chase card open

While the per-referral bonus decreased, the higher annual cap means you can potentially earn more total points if you have a network willing to apply for Chase cards throughout the year.

Comparison: Old vs. New Referral Structure

Which Chase Cards Can Refer to Which Cards?

One of Chase's most valuable but least-known features: you don't need to hold a specific Chase card to generate referral links for it. This is called cross-family referral capability within the Ultimate Rewards ecosystem.

If you have any Ultimate Rewards-earning card, you can often refer friends to OTHER cards in the Chase ecosystem. This flexibility means you can help friends find their ideal card while still earning referral bonuses, even if you don't personally hold that specific product.

Chase Ultimate Rewards Card Family

The following Chase cards all earn Ultimate Rewards points and can typically cross-refer within the family:

Personal Cards:

• Chase Sapphire Preferred®
• Chase Sapphire Reserve®
• Chase Freedom Unlimited®
• Chase Freedom Flex℠

Business Cards:

• Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
• Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
• Ink Business Cash® Credit Card

You don't need to have a specific card to refer someone to it. Cross-family referrals within the Ultimate Rewards ecosystem give you maximum flexibility to earn bonuses regardless of which card you personally hold.

— The Points Party

Referral Matrix: What Can Refer to What

Notice that business cards often offer 20,000 points per referral—double the Sapphire cards' 10,000-point bonus. This is why holding a business card can significantly boost your referral earnings.

How to Generate Chase Sapphire Referral Links

Chase makes it easy to generate referral links from your account. There are three main ways to create and share your unique referral link: through the Chase website, the Chase mobile app, or the dedicated Refer a Friend page.

Method 1: From Your Chase Online Account

1. Log into your Chase account at chase.com
2. Navigate to your credit card dashboard
3. Scroll down to find the "Refer a Friend" or "Earn Bonus Points" section
4. Click on "Refer Now" or "Create a Referral Link"
5. Select which card you want to refer to (if multiple options are available)
6. Copy your unique referral link or choose to send via email
7. Share the link with friends, family, or on compliant platforms like Codiroo

Method 2: Through the Chase Mobile App

1. Open the Chase Mobile app on your smartphone
2. Select the credit card you want to refer from
3. Tap on "Account Services" or look for the referral banner
4. Select "Refer a Friend" or "Earn Bonus Points"
5. Choose your preferred sharing method (text, email, social media, or copy link)
6. Send your referral link directly through your phone's messaging apps

Method 3: Chase Refer a Friend Dashboard

Alternatively, you can visit the dedicated Chase Refer a Friend landing page. This centralized dashboard shows all your eligible cards and allows you to:

• View all cards you can generate referrals for
• Track your year-to-date referral earnings
• See how many more referrals you can make before hitting the cap
• Generate multiple referral links for different cards
• Monitor pending referrals and approval status

The dashboard provides transparency into your referral activity, making it easy to plan your strategy and track progress toward your annual 100,000-point goal.

Separate Business and Personal Limits Explained

Here's where the Chase referral program gets really powerful: Chase treats business and personal card referral programs as separate buckets. This creates an incredible opportunity for maximizing your annual earnings.

You can potentially earn up to 100,000 points from personal card referrals AND an additional 100,000 points from business card referrals—totaling 200,000 Ultimate Rewards points annually if you hold cards in both categories.

The Math: Personal + Business = 200K Points

Let's break down how you can maximize both caps:

• Personal cards (Sapphire Preferred or Reserve): 10,000 points × 10 referrals = 100,000 points
• Business cards (Ink Business Preferred): 20,000 points × 5 referrals = 100,000 points
• Total annual potential: 200,000 Ultimate Rewards points

Notice that business cards offer higher per-referral bonuses (20,000 points) but share the same 100,000-point annual cap. This means you only need 5 successful business card referrals to max out, versus 10 for personal cards.

Important Business Card Restriction (Effective October 7, 2025)

There's an important restriction effective October 7, 2025: Chase business card referral bonuses now only work for new Chase business card customers. If your friend already has any Chase business card, your referral won't generate a bonus for either party.

This makes timing crucial when referring business owner friends. Always ask if they currently hold or have previously held a Chase business card before sharing your referral link.

Example Scenario: Two-Player Mode

If you and your spouse/partner both have Chase cards, you can strategically split referrals to maximize household earnings:

• Partner A holds Ink Business Preferred and refers 5 business card applicants = 100,000 points
• Partner B holds Sapphire Reserve and refers 10 personal card applicants = 100,000 points
• Combined household earnings: 200,000 Ultimate Rewards points from referrals alone

This strategy is particularly effective for couples who share Ultimate Rewards points by transferring between accounts or by both having Sapphire cards to maximize redemption value.

How to Maximize Your Chase Referral Earnings

With up to 200,000 points on the line each year, it's worth strategizing around the Chase referral program. Here are proven tactics to maximize your earning potential while maintaining ethical practices.

Strategy 1: Prioritize Business Card Referrals

If you hold both personal and business Chase cards, always generate referral links from your Ink Business Preferred card first. Here's why:

• Business cards offer 20,000 points per referral (double the personal card bonus)
• You only need 5 successful referrals to hit the 100,000-point cap
• Business card referrals are separate from personal card referrals
• You can still earn another 100,000 points from personal card referrals

For example, if you refer someone to a Sapphire Preferred card from your Ink Business Preferred, you'll earn 20,000 points instead of the 10,000 you'd get from referring from a Sapphire card.

Strategy 2: Leverage Cross-Family Referrals

Don't limit yourself to referring only the exact card you hold. Use Chase's cross-family referral feature to match your friends with the best card for their needs:

• Friend wants premium travel benefits? Refer them to Sapphire Reserve
• Friend wants no annual fee? Refer them to Freedom Unlimited or Freedom Flex
• Friend has a business? Refer them to Ink Business Preferred
• You earn bonuses regardless of which card they choose (as long as it's in the Ultimate Rewards family)

This approach helps you provide value by recommending the right card rather than just pushing your own card type.

Strategy 3: Time Your Referrals Strategically

Since the cap resets each calendar year on January 1st, timing matters:

1. Q1 (January-March): Focus on reaching your cap early in the year when friends are making New Year's resolutions about finances
2. Q2-Q3 (April-September): Maintain steady referral activity and help friends who are planning summer travel
3. Q4 (October-December): Final push before year-end, especially targeting holiday spending categories
4. December: Don't waste referrals if you've already hit your cap—save them for January

Strategy 4: Build a Referral Network

Rather than mass-spamming links, build genuine relationships with people interested in travel rewards:

• Share your own travel experiences and how you used Ultimate Rewards points
• Create educational content about credit card strategies (like this guide!)
• Join travel rewards communities and provide helpful answers to questions
• Use platforms like Codiroo that connect you with users actively researching referral codes
• Maintain a simple spreadsheet tracking your referrals and follow up with referees

People are more likely to use your referral link if they trust your expertise and feel you're genuinely helping them, not just trying to earn points.

Strategy 5: Track Your Progress Quarterly

Set calendar reminders to check your referral dashboard every quarter:

• March 31: Review Q1 referrals, adjust strategy if needed
• June 30: Check halfway progress toward 100K goal
• September 30: Final quarter push if you're behind
• December 15: Final check to see if you've maxed out or have room for more

This prevents you from accidentally exceeding the cap (wasting referrals) or missing opportunities to hit your goal.

Public vs. Referral Offer Comparison

Ethical referral sharing means always comparing public sign-up bonuses against referral bonuses before sharing your link. Your reputation and trust are worth more than a single 10,000-point referral bonus.

Occasionally, Chase runs elevated public promotions (like the 100,000-point Sapphire Preferred offer from 2021) that exceed what someone receives through a referral link. In these cases, tell your friend to skip your referral and take the better public offer.

How to Check Current Offers

1. Visit trusted resources like Doctor of Credit, The Points Guy, or Codiroo blog
2. Check Chase's official website for current public offers
3. Generate your referral link and note the offer it shows
4. Compare the welcome bonuses side-by-side
5. If the public offer is better, share that information with your friend
6. If the referral offer is better or equal, share your link

Current Offer Comparison (As of 2025)

Note: These offers change frequently. Always verify current offers before sharing referral links.

When to Skip Your Own Referral

It might seem counterintuitive, but here's when you should tell someone NOT to use your referral:

• Public offer is 20,000+ points higher than referral offer
• Chase is running a limited-time elevated bonus (like 100K on Sapphire Preferred)
• You've already hit your annual referral cap for the year
• The person doesn't qualify for the card and you know they'll likely be denied
• They would be better served by a different card entirely (even from another bank)

Being transparent about better offers builds long-term trust and credibility, which can lead to more referrals over time as people recognize you're genuinely trying to help.

Best Platforms for Sharing Chase Sapphire Referrals

Where you share your referral links matters just as much as how you share them. Target audiences genuinely interested in premium travel cards and Ultimate Rewards strategies.

Recommended Platforms

1. Codiroo

Codiroo connects you with users actively researching Chase Sapphire cards and comparing benefits. Users come to the platform specifically looking for referral codes, making this one of the highest-quality audiences for Chase card referrals.

• Create a profile with your Chase Sapphire referral code
• Add helpful tips about how you use Ultimate Rewards points
• Share your travel experiences and redemption strategies
• Connect with users interested in premium travel cards

2. Travel Rewards Communities

• FlyerTalk forums (follow posting rules)
• Reddit's r/churning and r/CreditCards (read rules carefully—some restrict referral links)
• Award travel Facebook groups (with permission from moderators)
• Miles and points Discord servers

3. Personal Network

Your friends and family are often your best referral sources because they trust you:

• Share your travel photos and mention you used points
• Offer to help friends who ask about your travel strategies
• Send personalized messages (not mass emails) when appropriate
• Create a simple one-page guide about Chase cards to share

Platforms to Avoid or Use Cautiously

• Facebook Marketplace: Often banned or flagged as spam
• Instagram DMs to strangers: Considered spam and can get your account restricted
• Random blog comments: Looks like spam and damages your credibility
• Mass email blasts: Low conversion rate and annoys recipients
• Twitter/X unsolicited replies: Violates platform etiquette and terms

Focus on adding value—explain card benefits, share your experience, and provide honest comparisons rather than just dropping links everywhere.

Compliance and Disclosure Requirements

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) mandates clear disclosure of material connections when you share referral links. This isn't just about following rules—it's about building trust with your audience.

Required Disclosures

When sharing Chase referral links, include simple, clear statements like:

• "I earn 10,000 bonus points if you're approved using this link."
• "Full disclosure: I'll receive a referral bonus if you apply through my link."
• "This is a referral link—I earn Ultimate Rewards points when you're approved."
• "Referral link: I benefit if you apply, but you get the same great offer."

The disclosure must be:

• Clear and conspicuous: Don't hide it in fine print or at the bottom
• Near the link: Place disclosure immediately before or next to the referral link
• In plain language: Avoid jargon or confusing terms
• On every platform: Include disclosure everywhere you share the link

What You Cannot Claim

Avoid misleading claims that could get you in trouble with Chase or the FTC:

• ❌ "Guaranteed approval" (you can't control Chase's approval decisions)
• ❌ "Limited time offer" (unless Chase officially states it's limited)
• ❌ "Best credit card ever" (subjective and not factual)
• ❌ "100,000 point bonus" (if the actual offer is 60,000)
• ❌ "No credit check required" (false—Chase always checks credit)
• ❌ "I'm a Chase representative" (unless you actually work for Chase)

Stick to factual information verified through Chase's official materials. If you're unsure about a claim, don't make it.

Example Compliant Social Media Post

Just booked a trip to Japan using Chase Ultimate Rewards points! If you're interested in the Chase Sapphire Preferred (60K point welcome bonus), I have a referral link in my bio. Full disclosure: I earn 10,000 bonus points if you're approved using my link. Happy to answer any questions about the card!

— Example compliant post

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I refer myself to another Chase card?

No, you cannot refer yourself. Chase's terms explicitly prohibit self-referrals. If you try to refer yourself using a different email address or household member's name without their knowledge, Chase can claw back your points and potentially close your accounts.

Can I refer someone in my household?

Yes, you can refer household members (spouse, partner, adult children) as long as they are genuinely applying for their own card with their own credit profile. This is a common and accepted practice.

What happens if my referral is denied?

You won't receive any referral bonus if the application is denied. The referral bonus only posts when the applicant is approved and their account is opened. There's no penalty to you if someone is denied.

Do referral bonuses count toward my annual 100K cap?

Yes, all referral bonuses count toward the 100,000-point annual cap. Once you hit the cap, you won't earn additional referral bonuses until the next calendar year, even if people continue using your links.

Can I stack referral bonuses with other Chase promotions?

Referral bonuses are separate from welcome bonuses, spending bonuses, and other promotions. You earn referral bonuses independently of your own card usage and rewards.

How long are referral links valid?

Chase referral links typically expire after 30 days. It's best to generate fresh links regularly rather than using the same link for months. Check your Refer a Friend dashboard to see when your current links expire.

What if I close my card after referring someone?

If you close your Chase card after someone uses your referral but before they're approved, you likely won't receive the referral bonus. Keep your card open until all pending referrals are processed (6-8 weeks after application).

Can I refer international applicants?

No, Chase referral links only work for U.S. residents with a valid Social Security Number. International applicants cannot use referral links even if they're eligible for Chase cards through other means.

Conclusion

The Chase Sapphire referral program offers cardholders an incredible opportunity to earn up to 200,000 Ultimate Rewards points annually—enough for multiple international business class flights, luxury hotel stays, or other premium travel experiences—without spending a single dollar.

By understanding the 2025 structure changes (10,000 points per referral, 100,000-point annual cap), leveraging cross-family referral capabilities, maintaining separate business and personal card buckets, and sharing ethically on platforms like Codiroo, you can maximize your referral earnings while helping friends discover valuable Ultimate Rewards cards.

Remember these key strategies:

• Prioritize business card referrals (20,000 points vs. 10,000 points)
• Use cross-family referrals to match friends with their ideal card
• Always compare public offers vs. referral offers before sharing
• Disclose your material connection clearly and conspicuously
• Track your progress quarterly to stay on pace for your 100K goal
• Build genuine relationships rather than spamming links
• Focus on adding value and helping others make informed decisions

The next time someone asks you about premium travel credit cards, see it as an opportunity to earn referral bonuses while genuinely helping them discover the benefits of Ultimate Rewards points. With strategic planning and ethical practices, you can turn the Chase Sapphire referral program into a consistent source of tens of thousands of bonus points every year.

Ready to start earning referral bonuses? Share your Chase Sapphire referral code on Codiroo and connect with users actively looking for premium travel credit cards.