This Year’s Best Referral Programs: Examples From Every Industry
Get inspired by referral program examples from top brands across industries, including:
- Retail & e-commerce referral programs
- Consumer services referral programs
- Financial services referral programs
- Telecom referral programs
The Best Retail & eCommerce Referral Programs in 2025
Are retailers ditching the algorithm? In 2025, many retail brands opted for community over virality by leaning into customer engagement and leveraging word-of-mouth growth. These brands had some of the most memorable referral and engagement programs this year, thanks to creative rewards, fun branding, and eye-catching promotional placements:
1. Ollie’s Referral Program Was a Treat for Dog Lovers
With Ollie’s generous referral program, referred friends got 70% off their first box of fresh dog food from Ollie, while advocates earned $40 to use towards future purchases. The seamless in-app experience is the real hero, though: just by opening the app, Ollie customers were given the opportunity to become advocates with just a few clicks. Thanks to the eye-catching homepage banner, it’s an opportunity that no one is likely to miss.
2. Asics Made Rewards Membership Worthwhile
There’s not just one way to earn with OneASICS membership, and the brand made sure its customers knew that. In addition to their detailed member portal, prominent CTAs on product pages and in promotional emails amplify the benefits of joining–including free shipping, referral rewards, and early product access.
3. Nuts.com’s Referral Program Stayed Playful and On-Brand
Staying true to your brand identity is key in any context, even when it comes to referral program fine-print. Nuts.com’s referral page is every bit as playful as the rest of the snack shopping experience, thanks to smiling cartoon almonds and vibrant product imagery. Even the referral promotion copy perfectly captures the brand voice–so it feels like your “snack besties” are speaking directly to you.
4. Heyday Made Referrals The Clear Choice
Glowy skin is at the center of Heyday’s brand mission, and their referral program page is a clear example of that. The hero imagery Heyday chose highlights the real reward customers receive when they refer a friend: not just a $40 credit, but a beauty buddy who appreciates clear skin as much as they do. The opportunity to earn more for different tiers of actions is also a great way to drive more high-value conversions.
5. Quince’s Referral Program Tapped into Their Most Loyal Customers
Viral retailer Quince has captured the attention of shoppers with its high-quality products, free from designer markups. Now, they’re leveraging that customer loyalty to drive growth with a referral program that rewards loyal customers the more friends they refer. A dedicated rewards portal makes it easy to track referral progress, redeem points, and earn more, all with the click of a button.
6. Abercrombie’s Rewards Program Treated Customers Like Royalty
Since they made their Gen Z resurgence, Abercrombie has boosted efforts to keep their hard-won customers engaged. Their top-notch rewards program offers multiple tiers, each with its own set of perks that make membership feel truly special – less like retail rewards and more like airline loyalty status. Unique perks, such as exclusive product access and special pricing, are just some of the benefits Abercrombie offers its members and VIPs.
7. Shiseido Bundled Seasonal Bonuses Into Their Referral Program
Cult-favorite Japanese beauty brand Shiseido is poised to drive last-minute holiday growth with a seasonal referral bonus wrapped into their evergreen Give 20%, Get 20% offer. The limited-time offer of an exclusive gift with purchase drives urgency, encouraging advocates and their referred friends to seize the deal before it expires.
8. Brooklinen’s Referral Program Felt As Natural As Its Linens
This NYC-based retailer revolutionized the bedding industry with its affordable D2C model and emphasis on sustainability. Brooklinen’s minimalist branding is reflected in their referral program page, which has a muted color palette and a straightforward approach to conveying information. The message is clear: Brooklinen trusts that customers will be excited to share the brand without much cajoling.
9. ESET Heated Things Up With a Summer Reward Burst
Loyal customers of ESET’s cybersecurity solutions were treated to double the rewards during the retailer’s July reward burst campaign, driving up conversions as advocates took advantage of the hot deal. Surprise deals like ESETs keep customers engaged, ensuring they never miss an opportunity to participate.
The Best Consumer Services Referral Programs in 2025
When it comes to major decisions, such as choosing a therapist, a tax accountant, or a home warranty, the social proof of a friend’s recommendation holds significant weight. That’s what makes referral programs so effective in the consumer services industry. Here are our favorites of 2025:
10. Rula’s Referral Program Approached Mental Health With Compassion
As a mental health platform, Rula is attuned to the importance of broaching challenging topics with care. Their referral program is more than an opportunity to earn rewards–it is also a way to gently reach out to someone struggling to find the right therapist or psychiatrist. The imagery and messaging on their referral pop-up emphasize the importance of accessible mental health care, rather than focusing on what a user can earn from a referral. Framing your referral program is all about understanding your audience and their needs, and Rula hits the nail on the head here.
11. Zipcar’s Referral Program Was Something to Be Thankful For
If you want to stand out from the crowd, lean into a holiday that gets overlooked by most brands amidst the chaos of BFCM: Thanksgiving! Zipcar gave its customers something to be truly thankful for with a special referral reward perfect for sharing with friends over turkey and cranberry sauce. The timing of the promo–on the busiest travel weekend of the year–makes the $25 driving credit extra impactful.
12. Rewards Were Key With First American Home Warranty’s Referral Program
The rewards practically jump off the page of First American Home Warranty’s referral program: a $100 Amazon gift card to advocates and referred friends after a successful referral. For a program with a high barrier to entry, especially when consumers are weighing options from multiple providers, a referral from a friend, combined with a compelling reward, can really seal the deal. In this instance, leaning into reward value is the perfect choice.
13. The SimplePractice Referral Program Helped Customers Commit
Another player in the mental health space, SimplePractice, seeks practitioners who could benefit from a more streamlined booking, billing, and note-taking experience. The SimplePractice referral program is designed not for quick and easy conversions, but for attracting lifetime customers. They offer referred friends multiple options for free trials before they choose a plan, ensuring the customers who stick around will be loyal ones.
14. Taxes Were Actually Fun With The TurboTax Referral Program
Even TurboTax knows that taxes aren’t fun–unless they come with a $25 gift card attached. Much like their streamlined tax filing experience, the referral process at TurboTax is pared down to just three simple steps: link, share, reward. Paired with breezy imagery of laughing friends, the referral program page is an expertly curated consumer experience.
15. Uber’s Referral Program Had Uber-Cool UX
It’s hard to imagine there’s anyone out there who hasn’t used Uber, but the rideshare company still made sure its in-app referral experience was ready for action. With its sleek UX and recognizable iconography, the referral page seamlessly integrates into the user journey, prompting quick action.
16. Alaska Airlines’ Referral Program Got Straight to the Point(s)
Frequent fliers these days are obsessed with maximizing their points–it’s what keeps them loyal to their favorite airline when they’re traveling, and in some cases, it even drives financial decisions. Alaska Airlines has tapped into its customers’ needs with its Signature Visa that lets users earn miles as they spend–and when they refer. When a successful referral comes with the possibility of status upgrades, it is that much more compelling to the savvy traveler.
The Best Finserv Referral Programs of 2025
In 2025, financial institutions and their members faced some of the most challenging economic conditions in recent memory, making growth an uphill battle for many. The banks and credit unions that thrived were those that focused their efforts on engaging their existing customers and fostering word-of-mouth growth through referrals. Here’s exactly how they did it:
17. Bar Harbor Bank Put Friendship on Display
The prominent referral promotion on Bar Harbor Bank’s login page is just one of many high-visibility placements both on and offline, encouraging members to refer their friends. The hard-to-miss promos plus a generous $100 reward make this a highly effective referral program that other finserv organizations should be running to replicate.
18. MSGCU’s Referral Program Went Offline
Credit unions with a strong in-branch presence, like MSGCU, are the ideal candidates for in-branch referral promotions such as referral cards, mailers, and posters. The referral cards pictured here contain just the right amount of information to motivate members to scan the QR code and learn more about the offer. Cards like this can be handed out to members or used as part of an employee ambassador program that rewards CU employees for each successful referral they make.
19. Greenlight’s Referral Program Stayed Fresh and Creative
Greenlight has made a splash as a debit card and money management tool for kids and families. The fintech innovator’s referral program branding leans into its younger demographic with playful imagery and a gamified rewards system that gives users a chance to win a major prize by referring their friends. Limited-time offers like this one keep Greenlight’s referral program fresh so its young customers stay excited to open the app and see what’s new.
20. Salal CU Put Their Referral Program Front & Center
You know a referral program is a hit with members when it’s the first thing you see on the online banking homepage. Salal’s simple messaging and bright colors are more than enough to draw attention to the credit union’s $50 referral offer, which comes in the form of an easy-to-use Visa gift card.
21. We Loved This PSA from SF Fire Credit Union
In-branch referrals were a hit for credit unions in 2025, and this one in particular caught our eye! SF Fire CU’s cheeky message inviting members to “rescue” their friends from banks is memorable and persuasive, proving that low-tech promotions can still be high-impact.
22. SoFi’s Referral Program Promised Big Value
SoFi’s referral program page leaned into the numbers, showing customers just how much they stand to earn from sharing SoFi’s banking products with friends. The $20 million figure puts into perspective how much SoFi has already rewarded its members, providing social proof behind the referral program and urging members not to miss out. With so many distinct opportunities to earn, SoFi makes a compelling case for advocacy.
23. Chime Gave Us Compelling CTAs
Chime, a trending new payments app, immediately captured users’ attention with its generous referral offer, which it emphasized throughout multiple clickable CTAs. Minimal copy and imagery help the simple message of “Get $100” stand out even more–plus, embedded, one-click sharing means sharing is a no-brainer.
24. Pacific Service CU Celebrated Giving Season
A limited-time seasonal referral offer helped brighten up the holidays for members of Pacific Service CU. Timing is key when it comes to maximizing referral conversion, and the holidays are the perfect opportunity to capture CU members looking to earn some extra gift-buying cash.
25. BECU’s Referral Program Fostered Lifelong Friendships
BECU’s referral program is designed to foster long-term relationships with members who intend to stick around for the long haul. The credit union’s qualification requirements make it clear that they want advocates to refer friends who can truly benefit from joining BECU–which means advocates and new members are likely to be loyal and engaged for life.
The Best Telecom Referral Programs of 2025
The telecom industry, where subscriber loyalty is paramount, is the ideal venue for referral and engagement programs that reward customers for their advocacy. Top telecom providers across the country embraced this low-cost growth channel in 2025, but there are a few mobile carriers and ISPs that truly stood out:
26. IQFiber Leaned Into Social Proof
IQFiber’s vibrant branding is eye-catching, but it’s the social proof that makes this referral program really stand out. A featured review from an existing customer/advocate goes a long way to encourage other customers to start referring, especially if they aren’t typically inclined to participate in rewards programs.
27. Zentro’s Referral Program Played on Gamification
Zentro’s referral program put a spin on referral sweepstakes: instead of choosing a random winner, they offered $1,000 to the advocate who completed the most successful referrals, generating an extra incentive for customers to participate. Even customers who didn’t win still got $50 for each referral, ensuring that everybody had something to celebrate.
28. Mint Mobile Made Referrals Cool
Ryan Reynolds’ wireless company, Mint Mobile, is already cool by virtue of its celebrity ownership, but it has done a great job maintaining that chill vibe in all of its marketing messaging, including its referral program. Playful imagery and messaging (“bask in the glow of your renewal credit”) sends a clear signal to their youthful target demo that they are the right choice for your phone plan.
29. The Cricket Wireless Referral Program Had an Anniversary Twist
Cricket Wireless is all about the unexpected, from their funky mascots to their unique referral program, which offers a bonus reward for every referral completed during a customer’s “service anniversary month.” The extra celebration of its customers makes Cricket feel like a more tight-knit, engaged community.
30. US Mobile’s Referral Program Mastered Tiered Rewards
US Mobile promised customers more rewards for every referral, motivating advocates to stay engaged beyond the initial referral. Giving customers multiple goals to work towards also introduces an element of gamification for those who are motivated by challenges more than incentives.
31. Quantum Fiber Added Charitable Donations To Every Referral
Quantum Fiber’s referral program came with a heartwarming bonus: the ISP gave $10 to charity for every successful referral–on top of the standard reward. This commendable program transformed referrals into something much more impactful, allowing customers to contribute to a good cause simply by sharing with friends and family.
32. “Visibucks” Built Brand Loyalty Through Referrals
Visible’s referral program revolves around “Visibucks,” essentially turning a standard service credit into a fun way for customers to feel more engaged with the brand. The language of “Bring a friend” does a good job of conveying the familial culture of the mobile carrier, as if one customer is welcoming another into a special community.
33. Brightspeed Brought Neighbors Together
Brightspeed urged customers to “tell a neighbor” about their ultrafast fiber connectivity and earn a reward for doing so. This messaging is perfect for an ISP referral program because it drives home the authenticity of word-of-mouth marketing: it’s no different from two neighbors chatting with each other about their internet. The only difference is that Brightspeed lets its customers earn money for doing so!
Elevate Your Referral Program With Extole’s Automated Customer Referral and Engagement Solutions
Inspired by these referral program success stories? You can build your own. Extole’s enterprise-grade referral platform powers acquisition and engagement programs for leading brands by delivering seamless integration, smart reward logic, and real-time insights. Whether you’re aiming to boost acquisition, deepen engagement, or spark organic advocacy, Extole gives you the tools to make it happen.
Book a demo to see Extole in action.
FAQ: Referral Program Examples
What makes a great referral program example?
The best referral program examples share a few traits: clear incentives,
simple steps for sharing, strong brand alignment, and a seamless customer
experience. In 2025, the standout programs emphasized personalization,
mobile-first design, and rewards that feel genuinely meaningful to customers.
Which industries have the best referral program examples in 2025?
Retail, telecom, fintech, travel, and consumer services delivered some of
the strongest referral program examples this year. These industries excel
because they naturally foster trust, which makes referrals more compelling
and more likely to convert.
How do referral programs help brands grow?
Successful referral programs turn satisfied customers into powerful advocates.
Strong referral program examples consistently show higher conversion rates,
reduced customer acquisition costs, and stronger loyalty, making referrals
one of the highest-performing organic growth channels available.
What rewards work best in referral program examples?
Top-performing referral programs use rewards that match customer motivations.
These can include cash bonuses, service credits, discounts, loyalty points,
charitable donations, or tiered incentives. The most effective referral
program examples tailor their rewards to their audience and the value of the
product or service.
What features should I look for when building a referral program?
A high-performing referral program should offer:
- Easy link and code sharing
- Automatic reward fulfillment
- Fraud protection and validation
- Personalized messaging and targeting
- Clear tracking, reporting, and attribution
Many of the referral program examples in this article demonstrate how these
features increase engagement and drive results.
How do I replicate the success of these referral program examples?
Start by studying what these programs do well: prominent placement across
channels, compelling incentives, seamless onboarding, and a strong, consistent
brand voice. Then tailor those strategies to your own audience. A platform
like Extole helps you launch and optimize a referral program that mirrors
the sophistication and performance of the top examples in this list.
Can small businesses use the same strategies as big-brand referral programs?
Absolutely. Many of the best referral program examples rely on principles
that apply to any size business: simplicity, authenticity, and repeatable
rewards. With the right tools and a clear strategy, even small teams can
launch referral programs that look and feel enterprise-grade.
How can Extole help me build a referral program like these?
Extole powers referral programs for leading brands across retail, telecom,
fintech, travel, and more. With built-in personalization, segmentation,
automated rewards, and advanced fraud prevention, Extole makes it easy to
design a referral experience that looks and performs like the best referral
program examples of 2025—without rebuilding everything from scratch.
Are referral programs still effective in 2025?
Yes—arguably more than ever. As ad costs rise and tracking becomes more
complex, brands are leaning into word-of-mouth and customer advocacy. The
referral program examples featured in this post show how companies are using
referrals to drive sustainable, low-cost acquisition and long-term loyalty.
Where can I find more referral program examples or strategies?
You can explore more strategies, referral program examples, and best practices
on the Extole blog, including tips on customer engagement, loyalty, and advocacy.
You can also
request a demo to see how Extole can help you design your dream referral
program.
