A referral code (or invite link) is a personal code that existing customers of a company can share. When you sign up with one, the company usually rewards both of you— you get a new-customer bonus, and the person who shared it gets a thank-you. It's the rare deal where using a friend's link beats shopping alone.
A sign-up bonus you can't get walking in cold — cash, credit, a discount, or a free month.
The company credits them for the introduction — their reward costs you nothing.
They'd rather pay customers for word-of-mouth than pay for ads. That's why the bonuses are real.
Referral programs are everywhere once you start looking. What they pay differs by industry:
Mattresses, skincare, and supplements — meaningful dollar discounts on big-ticket items, gift cards for the referrer.
Banks, brokerages, and money apps — usually straight cash, often $50–$300 for opening an account. Many pay both of you.
Pet food, gear, and insurance — first-order discounts for you, credit for them.
Clothing and eyewear brands — typically 10–20% off your first order, with store credit back for the sharer.
EVs and car services — charging credits, service perks, sometimes serious rewards.
Streaming services and subscription boxes — extended free trials and free months.
Apps, VPNs, and services — free months, account credit, or unlocked features for signing up through a member.
Meal kits, coffee, and grocery delivery — some of the biggest first-order discounts anywhere ($50+ off is common).
Gyms, trackers, and workout apps — free months, guest passes, or member pricing.
Stays, rides, and booking platforms — travel credit toward your first trip.
Resale and cashback platforms — sign-up bonuses and credit on your first purchase.
Energy, internet, and phone plans — bill credits, very often for both sides.
Courses and learning apps — free classes, months, or credit.
Gaming platforms and stores — in-game currency, skins, and perks.
The best code comes from someone you know — they earn their reward, and you know it's legit. That's the whole idea behind Perko:
No — a referral code is free to use and usually makes your deal better, not worse. The company funds the bonus for both sides out of its marketing budget, because a recommendation from a friend is worth more to them than an ad.
A coupon is issued by the company to everyone. A referral code belongs to a real customer — when you use it, that person gets credited for inviting you, and in most programs you get a better new-customer bonus than any public coupon.
Per company, almost always just one — it's tied to your first sign-up. Across companies, use as many as you like: every new bank account, meal kit, or app you were going to try anyway is a chance to grab a bonus with someone's code.
It's word-of-mouth they only pay for when it works. Instead of spending on ads, the company rewards an existing customer for bringing in a friend — cheaper for them, and both people walk away with something.