How do I qualify for Chime's $100 bonus?

Chime offers a referral bonus where you can get $100 if you open a new Chime account through a referral link sent by a friend and then put in a qualifying direct deposit of $200 or more within the first 45 days of opening the account. If you do, you and the person who referred you can earn $100.

Can existing Chime customers earn bonuses?

Though existing Chime users can't get the sign-up bonus, you can refer a friend to Chime through a referral link, and if they open an account, you both get $100.

Can I combine Chime bonuses with other bank offers?

No, Chime currently doesn't have any sign-up bonuses or new customer promotions you can combine, but existing and new bonus and promotion offers, such as the referral or SpotMe bonus, are subject to change.

How long does it take to get the Chime referral bonus?

Once your referred friend meets the deposit requirement, the $100 bonus is usually posted to both accounts within a few days.

Does Chime offer limited-time promotions or expire bonuses?

Chime occasionally offers limited-time promotions that may expire without notice. These deals typically come with specific eligibility requirements and aren't always available to all users.

Does Chime offer a sign-up bonus for new users without a referral?

At this time, Chime’s sign-up bonus requires a referral link.

Are SpotMe bonuses the same as the referral bonus?

No. SpotMe bonuses are temporary boosts to your overdraft protection limit and are based on your account activity, not referrals.

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Chime® Bonus Offers: How To Qualify and Claim Your Reward in 2025

September 2, 2025

8 min Read

Written by Caitlyn Moorhead

Edited by Elizabeth Constantineau

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Looking for a Chime®* bonus? Right now, new users can earn a $100 referral bonus when they sign up and meet direct deposit requirements. Eligible members may also qualify for a SpotMe®¹ bonus that boost their overdraft limit. While Chime’s larger offers have expired, this ongoing referral perk is still a solid deal. Check your referral eligibility today to get started.

At a Glance: Chime Bonus Summary

Account Type	Bonus Amount	Offer Expiration
Chime Referral Bonus	$100 per referral	Ongoing
Chime SpotMe Bonus	Up to $50	Ongoing — based on account history

Current Chime Promotions: September 2025

$100 Chime Referral Bonus

How it works: This Chime bonus is a sign-up bonus and refer-a-friend bonus all in one. If you’re a Chime customer and refer a friend — and they open a new account and meet the direct deposit requirement — you’ll both get $100.

Steps to qualify:

You refer a friend using your unique Chime referral link.
Your friend opens a new Chime account through that link.
They receive a qualifying direct deposit of $200 or more within 45 days of account opening.

Timeline: Once your friend meets the direct deposit requirements, the $100 bonus will be deposited into both accounts shortly after. Timing may vary, but Chime typically posts the bonus within a few days.

Limits: You can earn up to $1,000 in referral rewards per year.

Chime SpotMe Bonus: Up to $50

How it works: SpotMe bonuses are temporary boosts to your SpotMe limit. You can earn them by participating in Chime promotions or based on your account history.

Steps to qualify:

Be enrolled in Chime SpotMe
Maintain eligibility during promotional periods
Stay active and meet any promo-specific terms

Timeline: Most SpotMe Bonuses last 30 days, but durations can vary. Once your bonus expires, the next one in your bonus queue is applied automatically.

Limits: You can only have up to $50 at one time.

Expired Chime Bonuses

What Happened to the Chime $350 Bonus?

Chime previously ran a limited-time $350 promotion that required new users to complete qualifying activities. This offer has expired and is no longer available, as of September 2025.

What About the Chime $15 Bonus With No Deposit?

Some users may have seen or received offers for a $15 sign-up bonus from Chime. These offers were typically short-lived promotional campaigns that are not currently active, as of September 2025.

How To Get Your Chime Personalized Referral Link

If you want to start earning those $100 referral bonuses, you’re going to need to get your personalized referral link to send to your friends and family members. To get started, follow these steps:

Open your Chime app and make sure you are logged in.
Click on the settings gear icon and select “Invite Friends, Get Paid.”
Send your referral link through social media, text or email.
If someone you send it to qualifies and opens a new Chime account, you both get the $100 bonus.

Chime Account Options

While the $100 referral bonus isn’t tied to a specific Chime account type, qualifying new customers can open either a Chime savings or checking account using a referral link from an existing Chime member. Here’s a quick look at each option and its key features:

Chime Checking Account

No overdraft fees
No monthly maintenance fee²
No minimum deposit requirement
Large network of free ATMs³

Chime High-Yield Savings Account

Variable annual percentage yield (APY) of ⁴
No monthly fees or minimum deposit requirements
You can have 10% of your paycheck automatically directly deposited into your savings to help you meet your savings goals.⁵
You can enroll in Round Ups to have transactions made with a debit card rounded up to the nearest dollar and have the difference sent directly to your Chime savings account.
You must have a Chime Checking Account to be eligible for a High-Yield Savings Account.

Is Chime Right for You?

Yes — if you do most of your banking online, Chime makes a lot of sense. For one thing, you’ll save money on bank fees. You’ll also be able to pay most of your bills and transfer money between accounts through the Chime mobile app, and if you’re eligible, you can take advantage of the mobile check deposit⁶ feature.

No — if you need to regularly make cash deposits⁷, Chime probably wouldn’t be right for you. Chime offers no-fee cash deposits at Walgreens. Deposits made at other locations may be subject to a transaction fee charged by that retailer.

Chime Bonus Offers and Promotions FAQ

Got questions about Chime’s promotions? This FAQ covers everything you need to know about current bonuses, how to qualify and what to expect.

How do I qualify for Chime's $100 bonus?
- Chime offers a referral bonus where you can get $100 if you open a new Chime account through a referral link sent by a friend and then put in a qualifying direct deposit of $200 or more within the first 45 days of opening the account. If you do, you and the person who referred you can earn $100.
Can existing Chime customers earn bonuses?
- Though existing Chime users can't get the sign-up bonus, you can refer a friend to Chime through a referral link, and if they open an account, you both get $100.
Can I combine Chime bonuses with other bank offers?
- No, Chime currently doesn't have any sign-up bonuses or new customer promotions you can combine, but existing and new bonus and promotion offers, such as the referral or SpotMe bonus, are subject to change.
How long does it take to get the Chime referral bonus?
- Once your referred friend meets the deposit requirement, the $100 bonus is usually posted to both accounts within a few days.
Does Chime offer limited-time promotions or expire bonuses?
- Chime occasionally offers limited-time promotions that may expire without notice. These deals typically come with specific eligibility requirements and aren't always available to all users.
Does Chime offer a sign-up bonus for new users without a referral?
- At this time, Chime’s sign-up bonus requires a referral link.
Are SpotMe bonuses the same as the referral bonus?
- No. SpotMe bonuses are temporary boosts to your overdraft protection limit and are based on your account activity, not referrals.

More About Chime

Caitlyn Moorhead, Elizabeth Constantineau, Cynthia Bowman and Julia Gordon contributed to the reporting for this article.

Rates are subject to change; unless otherwise noted, rates are updated periodically. All other information on accounts is accurate as of Sept. 2, 2025.

Editorial Note: This content is not provided by any entity covered in this article. Any opinions, analyses, reviews, ratings or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author alone and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any entity named in this article.

*Chime is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services provided by, and debit card issued by, The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A., Members FDIC.

¹SpotMe® on Debit is an optional, no fee overdraft service attached to your Chime Checking Account. To qualify for the SpotMe on Debit service, you must receive $200 or more in qualifying direct deposits to your Chime Checking Account each month and have activated your physical Chime Visa® Debit Card or secured Chime Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card. Qualifying members will be allowed to overdraw their Chime Checking Account for up to $20 on debit card purchases and cash withdrawals initially but may later be eligible for a higher limit of up to $200 or more based on Chime Account history, direct deposit frequency and amount, spending activity and other risk-based factors. The SpotMe on Debit limit will be displayed within the Chime mobile app and is subject to change at any time, at Chime’s sole discretion. Although Chime does not charge any overdraft fees for SpotMe on Debit, there may be out-of-network or third-party fees associated with ATM transactions. SpotMe on Debit will not cover any non-debit card transactions, including ACH transfers, Pay Anyone transfers, or Chime Checkbook transactions. SpotMe on Debit Terms and Conditions.

²There’s no fee for the Chime Savings Account. Cash withdrawal and Third-party fees may apply to Chime Checking Accounts. You must have a Chime Checking Account to open a Chime Savings Account.

³Out-of-network ATM withdrawal and over the counter advance fees may apply. See here for details.

⁴The Annual Percentage Yield (“APY”) for the Chime Savings Account is variable and may change at any time. The disclosed APY is effective as of May 29, 2025. No minimum balance required. Must have $0.01 in savings to earn interest.

⁵Save When I Get Paid automatically transfers 10% of your direct deposits of $500 or more from your Checking Account into your savings account.

⁶Mobile Check Deposit eligibility is determined by Chime in its sole discretion and may be granted based on various factors including, but not limited to, a member’s direct deposit enrollment status.

⁷Once the retailer accepts your cash, the funds will be transferred to your selected Chime Account. Barcode and debit card cash deposits land in the Checking Account. Credit Builder card cash deposits first go through your Card Account and then land in your Secured Account. Cash deposit fees may apply if using a retailer other than Walgreens and Duane Reade.