Update 3/26/25: I’m bumping this post since readers have been asking about this lately.
Original Post 12/21/20:
Reader Vic noticed that in the terms on Capital One referrals it states that the bonus for referrer is only valid if you bring in a completely new Capital One customer who does not have any Capital One cards. If you refer a friend to get their second Capital One card, you will not get a referral bonus.
The stated signup bonus on the new card would be valid, regardless; it’s just the referrer bonus that won’t be eligible.
Reader Vic also lets us know that based on anecdotal evidence business and personal cards are considered separate, and so:
- If your friend has a business card you can still refer them to become a personal cardholders and you’ll get the referrer bonus.
- If your friend has has a personal card: one data point tells us that you will not get a bonus when referring them for a business card as they are not considered a new member. Another data point tells us that you will get a bonus as they are considered new. YMMV
- Separately, I’d think that if you bring back an old Capital One customer – who previously had a credit card but no longer has one – you would be valid for the referrer bonus as well. But again, not certain.
- (A report suggests that legacy cardholders who signed up many years ago are not recognized as cardholders by the system since they did not sign up recently, even though they currently still hold the card.)
You can see the details at the link you use to refer a friend:
No referrals in the comments below.
View Comments (37)
Does anyone know of another Cap One product that is referable? I only see Venture X & Spark and don't see any other. The checking & Savings don't seem to have links either.
Quicksilver and Savor cards are refer-able (had the former, did a product change to the latter). Maybe you need to have the specific card you’re referring for it to work?
I have QS. Don’t see ref link
My DPs on this from a couple of years ago:
This is true. Had 2 personal cards, one was very recent, and referrer still got the biz referral bonus
What is also true that legacy cards do not count. Had a very old Cap One card, which was converted to Quick Silver (but originally was something else many years ago), and still the referral bonus was awarded.
Good luck.
@guest_2032261 can you confirm, that previous card holders are eligible? Is there time-frame, for example, if person closed the card 6 months ago, they are eligible if they apply and will be approved now?
I do not have any DPs for people who cancelled some time ago and reapplied. My 2 DPs are
@6 so as this DP and rep confirmed personal and business should be counted as separate now...
Can you earn the referral for someone who has cap1 bank accounts but no cap1 CC ?
"If your friend has has a personal card, I’d guess that you can still refer them to become a business cardholder and get the bonus, but I’m not certain on this."
I tried this a few years ago. The customer service representative said that it doesn't work. The person I referred to a business card (for the crazy $1500 bonus) already had a personal CapOne card, and I was denied the referral bonus because they weren't considered a new CapOne customer.
This was just one phone rep though, I didn't bother trying to call again.
My DP was 2 years ago, and we did not need to call, my friend got the bonus from my Venture X Biz application. I had both Venture and Venture X personal at that time.
can someone recently confirm if it's still true?
thanks for the info. looks like more things to consider before having friends and families burn that 3 Horse Power
If I have Venture X and my partner is an AU. Will i get referral bonus if I refer her for her new Venture X card? (She only has Venture X as AU, no any other C1 cards)
From my experience about two years ago: P2 was an AU on Venture X and no other C1 cards, P1 got the referral bonus
thanks, I remember i was told the same from C1 rep 2 years ago but not sure if rule is still applying.
I’m not sure if this is the rule that applies, but I have never received a referral bonus for referring my wife. Wondered if the addresses are the same if it was a no go. Might be this rule though. Not entirely sure.
Do referrals make it easier to get approved? If I've been denied for the Venture card 5 times, maybe this is the way.
The referrals now have the pre-approval tool on them, I doubt they differ from normal underwriting
I wasn't aware it had anything to do with it but maybe others have different experience with it.
Never of heard of a referral making a difference. I’d say check the pre approval tool. If you are pre approved with a firm interest rate and not a range, probably good to go.
Is there a thread started that allows us to post our links?
Yes but it was locked the same day it was opened due to abuse: https://www.doctorofcredit.com/capital-one-venture-100000-points-referral-offer-share-your-referrals/
Got it. That’s unfortunate.
Does the friend you refer to have to have good credit in order to be accepted?
They have cards from bad/no credit up to excellent credit. Approvals aren't straight forward.