Research shows* 92% of us trust recommendations from people we know — more than online reviews or websites, more than articles or TV ads. Smart companies understand this and harness the power of 'word of mouth' marketing through their referral schemes! Customers acquired through word of mouth promotion spend 200% more than the average consumers do, according to Yougov. So next time you find yourself singing the praises of your talented hairdresser to a friend or recommending your new banking app, you could be in line for a referral reward
Here are just some of the deals we've found where referring a friend can net you money. Our advice is don't chase this as a side hustle, the rewards vary and you are dependent on the friend you refer following through and meeting all the criteria. But refer whenever possible (if you like the service!) and any money coming back to you will be a welcome bonus. Your friend will usually benefit too, so it's a win win!
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TV and mobile
Sky TV: earn up to £125 in vouchers each when a friend you’ve referred joins Sky. The amount depends what they’re signing up to – for instance, it’s £100 for Sky Glass, £60 for Sky full fibre broadband and £15 for Sky Mobile. You get the vouchers when they’ve paid their first bill and can spend them through Sky’s rewards portal at a wide range of retailers.
Three Mobile: refer a friend and you’ll both get up to £40 cash when they place their order. The amount depends on the device they buy, so to get £40 you need to recommend one of the latest 4G or 5G phones on a contract. Get £5 cash when you recommend one of their free pay as you go sims.
Virgin Media: refer a friend and if they make a purchase using your link or code, you will both get a cashback reward worth up to £50 for Virgin Media.
BT Broadband: you each get £50 Amazon gift cards once a referred friend has had BT Broadband installed and paid their first bill.
Hairdressers
Most chains and some independents offer discounts or free services for introducing a friend, so ask next time you're there. Among the best are Rush (£20 off for them, £20 off for you when you next come in for an appointment), Headmasters where you both get 40% off a cut and blow-dry, and Regis (£10 off for you).
Banking
Windows for these opportunities tend to come and go so keep an eye out if your bank or credit card provider is offering one via their website or if you are signed up to a money saving portal. Here are the ones that are still active:
The Co-operative Bank - refer a friend and you will both receive £125. Your friend must set up 2 direct debits, pay in £800 and make 5 card payments within 60 days of account opening to meet the criteria.
Starling Bank - send a referral link to a friend and if they open an account, you’ll both earn a free day out at a National Trust site of your choice.
Monzo - share the referral link with anyone you'd like to invite and you both get £5 (as long as they sign up and make a card payment within 30 days).
Paypal - Get a friend to sign up and spend at least £5 each within 30 days of sign up, and you'll both earn a £20 reward to use when you check out with PayPal. Refer up to ten friends and you can earn up to £200 in rewards. This current offer ends 4 July 2023.
Vanquis - both the existing account holder and new account holder receive £25 each. Qualifying criteria apply.
GoHenry - refer a friend via the app, once the parent has signed up and activated the child's account, each will get a £10 referral bonus, paid into the parent account.
American Express - if your friend applies for an Amex card via your link, you can earn up to a maximum of 90,000 Avios, Membership Rewards®, Nectar Points or bonus points per calendar year. You can earn up to £150 cashback per calendar year if you hold a cashback product.
Capital One have a scheme - a successful referral will land you a bonus in your accoun but what you get is based on which product you have.
Some the money management apps also pay out for referrals.
Chip - you both receive a £25 bonus when your friend has signed into Chip, made a single deposit of £5,000 and held the account for at least 180 days.
Plum - use the invite tab in your app and you can earn £15 for each 3 successful referrals.
Utilities
During the cost of living crisis switching energy providers died a death and referring a friend along with it. However, as the market recovers and comparing and switching returns, expect to see more providers offering up incentives for recommendations.
Octopus - if a friend switches to Octopus Energy using your unique referral link, you’ll both get £50 energy credit
EDF - share the link and you both get £50 off your bill. Sign up as many friends as you like.
Utility Warehouse - save your friends and family up to £150 when they sign up for two or more UW services, and you'll get £50 credit on your bill. To get a referral bonus, your friend must be a homeowner and sign up to at least two eligible services from energy, broadband, mobile, and insurance (boiler & home cover or income protector only).
British Gas - refer a friend and you’ll both get an Amazon gift card worth up to £50 when they switch both electricity and gas, and £25 if switching just one.
Cashback websites
Quidco - there's a £5 cashback bonus for each friend that joins Quidco and earns their first £5 of confirmed cashback.
Topcashback - invite someone to join TopCashback via the tell-a-friend link, and once they've earned their first £10 cashback, you'll receive up to £30 free cashback.
Breakdown services
AA - encourage your friends to take out breakdown cover and get a £20 M&S or Amazon.co.uk gift card for both of you when they join.
RAC - it's a £25 M&S gift card for both you and the friend you referred with the RAC!
Work referrals
Happy in your work? Check your employer’s policy as many firms reward current staff for introducing new people to the business. You could earn up to £1,000. Make sure your friend mentions you right at the start of their recruitment journey. An email exchange showing you introduced your friend before any recruitment advertising went live would be the ideal.
*Global Trust in Advertising report -Nielsen
