Capital One Refer a Friend program: How it works

As a Capital One cardholder, you’re probably familiar with rewards and bonuses. But did you know using your card isn’t the only way to get them? Thanks to the Refer a Friend program, you can earn rewards if you refer friends and they’re approved for and open Capital One cards of their own.

What you’ll learn:

• Capital One Refer a Friend rewards cardholders for telling friends, family, co-workers or anyone else all about Capital One.

• Cardholders get rewarded with bonuses when one of their referrals applies, gets approved and opens a credit card account.

• Cardholders can sign in to their account to see the amount of their referral bonuses.

• Cardholders can send referrals via a unique link. To earn a bonus, all referrals must apply using the link.

The Capital One Refer a Friend program rewards cardholders for sharing the message about opening a Capital One credit card account. The program offers cardholders bonuses for every eligible friend who’s approved for and opens a Capital One credit card. Referral bonuses are typically capped at $500 per calendar year.

Capital One’s Refer a Friend program allows existing cardholders to earn a bonus when they refer new cardholders. Cardholders can share a unique referral link with friends. If that friend uses this link to apply for and is approved for a Capital One credit card, the original cardholder earns a bonus.

Applications are confidential. So if you refer a friend, Capital One won’t provide information about whether your friend has applied—or whether they’re approved.

To be eligible to participate in the Capital One referral program, you must:

• Be a Capital One cardholder in good standing. Overdue or closed accounts are ineligible.

• Be the primary cardholder. Authorized users are ineligible.

• Have an eligible Capital One credit card. Sign in to your Capital One account for details.

The amount of the referral bonus depends on the specific Capital One personal credit card. 

It doesn’t take much time or effort to refer a friend to Capital One. The key to everything is your unique referral link. That’s the link you’ll send out to your referrals. In order for you to get credit for your referrals, they’ll need to use that link when they apply for a Capital One credit card.

Here is a step-by-step walk-through of the entire Refer a Friend process.

Sign in to your Capital One account to get your personalized link. 

Copy your unique referral link and share it with your friend. Just make sure the people you refer use your link to apply.

If your referral is approved and opens a Capital One credit card account, your bonus will automatically appear in your account.

The Capital One Refer a Friend program rewards cardholders with cash back or miles bonuses. You earn the bonus when someone who is new to Capital One uses your referral link to apply for a credit card, gets approved and opens a new account. 

Not a cardholder? Don’t have a referral link? No problem. If you’re new to credit or searching for your next credit card, Capital One can help: 

• See if you’re pre-approved for credit cards without harming your credit scores. 

• If you’re looking to build your credit with responsible use, explore cards for people with fair credit. 

• Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day, with a cash back rewards card. 

• If you’re a business cardholder, learn how it works to refer people from your professional network.