Capital One Refer a Friend: Earn up to $500

Written by

Erin Bendig,

Edited by

Claire Dickey,

Reviewed by

Liliana Hall,

Expert verified

Published on March 23, 2022 | 3 min read

Bankrate is always editorially independent. While we adhere to strict , this post may contain references to products from our partners. Here's an explanation for . The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer. Our is to ensure everything we publish is objective, accurate and trustworthy.

Franek Strzeszewski/Getty Images

You can earn up to $500 a year by using the Capital One Refer a Friend program. All you have to do is send someone a referral for a Capital One credit card, and if they’re approved, you’ll be eligible to earn a bonus. Keep reading to find out more details about the program.

What is Capital One Refer a Friend?

Capital One Refer a Friend is Capital One’s referral program for its credit cards. It rewards current cardholders for telling their friends and family (and even total strangers, if you feel like it) about Capital One.

If your friend signs up through your referral link, you’ll get a bonus. Note that only new cardholders are eligible, so if your friend already has a card open with Capital One, they aren’t eligible. You’ll also only earn the referral bonus if they apply for a card you currently have.

How does the Capital One Card referral program work?

To refer someone you know, you’ll send them a unique link that they can use to sign up for the card. It will redirect them to the card’s application.

Here’s how to refer a friend on Capital One:

Sign in to your Capital One account and find your account summary page.
Select the option that says, “I Want To” which gives you a list of options to choose from.
Click “Refer and Friend” from the list, and your account-specific link will appear.
Send this link to your friends.

If they apply and are approved, you get a referral bonus. However, if they don’t use your referral link to apply, you won’t earn a reward—even if you were the one who told them all about the card.

How much is the bonus?

The Refer a Friend Capital One bonus amount varies by card, but the referral bonuses are limited to $500 (or 50,000 miles) per year. Capital One doesn’t put a limit on how many times you use Refer a Friend, but once you reach the $500 limit, you will no longer be rewarded for referrals.

When do I receive the bonus?

It can take some time (up to eight weeks) for the rewards to hit your account.

Who is eligible for Capital One Refer a Friend?

You have to have a Capital One credit card in good standing in order to participate in the Refer a Friend program. So, if your account is in default, you won’t have the option to share a referral link. Also, only certain Capital One cards are eligible:

The bottom line

Capital One Refer a Friend is a great way to maximize your credit card rewards while sharing card benefits with friends. Once you share your referral link with someone who is not currently a Capital One customer, they’ll need to use the link to sign up for a card that you already own in order for you to receive the referral bonus. Keep in mind that you’ll have to make sure your specific credit card is eligible for the program before you can participate.

All information about the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card and Spark 1% Classic has been collected independently by Bankrate and has not been reviewed or approved by the issuer.