Signup bonuses from SoFi and Chime are common examples. They often appear on Rakuten or Swagbucks as well as through referral links.
Who this is for
This is for you if:
- You already plan to open the bank account for its bonus.
- You have a shopping portal account, or don't mind making one.
- You can do the signup on a computer in one sitting.
Skip it if:
- You want a sure thing. The extra portal bonus is a maybe, not a promise.
- You don't want to read two sets of terms.
- You would open the account only for the portal bonus. If the bank bonus alone isn't worth it to you, this won't change that.
Is this allowed?
It depends on two sets of terms, and you need to check both before you start.
- The portal's terms. Some portals pay only if their link is the last thing you click before you sign up. Some say the offer is void if you use another link, code, or promotion.
- The bank's terms. Some referral and signup offers say they can't be combined with other offers. Some limit who can earn the bonus.
If either set of terms says no, don't stack. The likely result is that one bonus is denied. In some cases a bank or portal can take back a bonus or close your account.
Everything else stays the same: open a real account, give true information, and meet the requirements the bank publishes.
What you need
- A computer. Phones and banking apps often open links in ways that lose tracking.
- Chrome or Edge, with ad blockers and tracking blockers turned off for this session.
- A clean browser window. Many people use a private window so old links don't interfere. Some portals say private windows can block tracking, so read your portal's tracking tips first.
- Your portal or offer wall login.
- The bank's referral or signup link, and the bank's official terms.
- About 10 minutes to finish the signup in one sitting.
Steps
- Check both sets of terms. Read the portal offer terms and the bank's offer terms. Stop if either one says the offers can't be combined.
- Open a clean browser window. Close other tabs that show the bank's website.
- Log in to your portal. Use Rakuten, Swagbucks, or the portal or offer wall you chose.
- Open the portal link (Tab 1). Find the bank offer in the portal. Click the portal's link to go to the bank's website. Take a screenshot of the portal offer page.
- Open the referral or signup link (Tab 2). Open a new tab in the same window. Paste the referral or signup link and load the page.
- Sign up on Tab 2. Complete the whole application on the referral or signup page. Do it in one sitting. Do not close the window.
- Save your records. Take a screenshot of the confirmation page. Save the confirmation email.
- Meet the bonus requirements. Do exactly what the bank's official terms require, for example a qualifying payroll direct deposit of the stated amount. Check the bonus page for the current amount and deadline.
- Watch both accounts. Check the portal for a pending credit within the time it states. Check the bank for the bonus by its stated payout date.
Why it fails, and what to do
The most common result is that one bonus tracks and the other does not.
- The portal credit doesn't show up. The referral link may have replaced the portal's tracking, or a blocker stopped it. Wait for the portal's stated tracking time, then file a missing-credit claim with your screenshots.
- The referral bonus doesn't show up. The bank may have credited the portal instead, or the offers may not combine. Contact the bank with your confirmation and the referral link you used.
- Both show as pending, then one is denied. This usually means the terms didn't allow both. You keep the one that was approved.
- Neither tracks. Check that you finished the requirements by the deadline. If you did, contact the bank first, since its bonus is usually the larger one.
Always keep your screenshots until both bonuses post or are denied.
Each SoFi and Chime bonus page shows the current amount, requirements, deadline, and official terms.
Keep going with RefDecks
This is one of many guides on RefDecks. Sign up free for RefDecks to see every bonus page, guide, and tip in one place.
With an account, you can:
- Add bonuses to your own deck and track each requirement.
- See deadlines and payout dates side by side.
- Find new guides and tips as they're published.
Sources: each portal's offer terms and each bank's official bonus terms, linked from the bonus pages above.