As an affiliate marketer, you can earn a lot by promoting credit cards in personal finance. The financial services industry offers some of the biggest commissions and payouts.
Yeah, there's a huge market for credit cards, and it's expected to grow to $106.67 billion in 2026 with a CAGR of 1.1%. Many people own multiple credit cards, with the average US consumer having 2.7 and 14% owning at least 10.
The credit card affiliate market is competitive, but the rewards are worth it. That's why I found some of the best credit card and payment service affiliate programs to feature in my list. These programs often sell themselves!
I also discovered that several of the sites on my list offer travel affiliate programs, especially luxury hotels, which can increase my earnings. By taking advantage of the dedicated support available on some of these programs, I can strategize to increase my sales and earnings.
American Express
| Program name | Network / Software | Commission | Cookie duration | Markets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Express Affiliate Program | Daisycon , Awin , CJ , Bankrate Credit Cards | €2.50-€110.00 Different fees per product, maximum of € 110.00 CPS (Daisycon), €0.00-€84.60 depending on the product (Awin), CA$0.00-CA$350.00 depending on the item list (CJ Affiliate), (Bankrate Credit Cards) | 30 days (Daisycon, Awin), 7 days (CJ Affiliate), Not listed (Bankrate Credit Cards) | Global (Daisycon), IT (Awin), CA (CJ Affiliate), Global (Bankrate Credit Cards) |
Promoting the American Express credit card as an affiliate was a successful venture for me. Here's how I did it and how you can too.
To promote the credit card, I utilized several marketing techniques. I wrote blog posts about the benefits of the card, created social media posts, and even used paid advertising like Google Ads.
As an affiliate, I had access to the most up-to-date marketing collateral, which I used in my promotions. I also made sure to disclose my affiliate status with every promotion to maintain transparency with my audience.
In terms of earnings, I was able to earn up to €110 or CA$350 per commission, depending on the specific item and the network. I found that the best way to earn commissions was to target people who were interested in travel and rewards programs.
One tip I would give to readers looking to promote this credit card is to highlight the unique benefits of the card, such as the collaboration with Air France/KLM and the early access to ticket sales. It's also important to provide value to your audience by offering helpful information and tips.
Chase
When I first started promoting Chase credit cards, I researched the different credit cards available and identified the ones that would resonate with my audience. I created blog posts and social media content that highlighted the features and benefits of these credit cards, such as cashback rewards and travel perks.
One of the biggest obstacles I faced was finding creative ways to promote credit cards without sounding too salesy. To overcome this, I tried to make my content informative and helpful, providing my audience with tips and advice on how to get the most out of their credit cards.
I also leveraged social media to reach a wider audience and used targeted ads to reach people who were likely to be interested in Chase credit cards. I included my referral link in all of my content, making it easy for people to apply for a credit card through my link.
Over time, I started to see the results of my efforts. I earned commissions for every credit card application that was approved through my referral link. While the amount varied depending on the credit card and promotional offer, I was able to earn a significant amount of money through Chase's affiliate program.
Some tips I would give to readers looking to promote Chase credit cards would be to:
- Focus on the credit cards that are most relevant to your audience
- Create informative and engaging content that highlights the benefits of the credit cards
- Leverage social media and targeted ads to reach a wider audience
- Be creative in your promotion, finding ways to make your content informative and helpful
- Stay up to date with the latest deals and promotions from Chase and promote them to your audience
Capital One
Capital One is not just limited to financial services. They offer alternative services that can incentivize your audience to buy. These include a Capital One Shopping Tool, which automatically scans for savings and applies them to the cart. Additionally, small businesses can use the free Capital One Spring facility to get group deals.
To earn from Capital One's programs, you must be a credit card holder in good standing. Eligible credit cards include Quicksilver, QuicksilverOne, Savor, SavorOne, Venture, VentureOne, Platinum, or Secured Mastercard®. Once you sign up and get approved, you will receive a personal referral link for promotions.
By driving signups, you have the potential to earn up to $500 annually in the referral program. Keep in mind that there's an initial sign-up and registration process. For more specific information, refer to the Capital One website. The referral link has a 30-day cookie duration, giving your audience enough time to complete their application.
If you're interested in promoting Capital One credit cards, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, make sure you're promoting to an audience that already has a Capital One credit card. Second, highlight the benefits of having multiple Capital One credit cards and the added benefits available through their alternative services.
To promote the credit cards effectively, use your personal referral link in all your content. You can leverage social media platforms such as Twitter and Facebook to reach a wider audience. Be creative in your promotion, finding ways to make your content informative and helpful.
CreditCards.com
CreditCards.com is a one-stop online resource for all things credit cards, developed and perfected by parent company Bankrate since 1976. Their credit card offerings have been honed for 17 years, providing a wide range of options.
As an affiliate marketer, CreditCards.com can be highly appealing because it's not limited to a specific company or credit card. By redirecting your audience to purchase credit cards via CreditCards.com, you offer them more choices, enhancing their ability to find the best-fit credit card. Their Card Match tool is an added bonus, helping customers find their ideal credit cards.
Affiliate marketers can enjoy access to offers from the largest card issuers, top monthly payouts, user-friendly tracking and reporting, creatives, and marketing collateral available online, and great customer support. Although specific commissions and cookie durations aren't visibly listed on their landing page, the Bankrate website provides detailed information.
To effectively promote CreditCards.com, it's crucial to create informative and helpful content. Highlight the benefits and features of CreditCards.com, such as the wide range of options and the Card Match tool. Use creatives and marketing collateral available online to enhance your promotions.
M1
M1's credit card affiliate program offers several commission options, including $70 for qualified funding, $50 for initial funding, and $25 for account creation and initial funding. Cookie duration is 30 days for Impact and FlexOffers but not listed for Skimlinks, Sovrn, and FlexOffers.
As an affiliate marketer, M1 is a great option because they provide clear and transparent information on their website. M1 is primarily focused on wealth-building and management powered by automation. They offer an app called The Finance Super App for mobile users. M1 provides investment options and borrowing against investments. They have three credit card options with varying entry requirements and benefits, including the M1 and M1 Plus credit cards and the Owner's Rewards Program card for investors.
As an affiliate marketer, you can start earning as soon as you get approved. M1 also offers extra boosts and commissions throughout the year, access to their inner circle newsletter, one-on-one support, creatives, marketing assets, and in-person face time at live events. You can add SubIDs under your main referral link to help you track your promotions and earnings.
To promote M1 effectively, create informative content that highlights the benefits and features of the program. Use creatives and marketing assets provided by M1 to enhance your promotions. Stay up to date with the latest offers and promotions from M1 and their partners, and promote them to your audience to encourage signups.
Barclays
Through their Barclaycard affiliate program, you can promote two of their best credit card offerings - the Barclaycard Arrival Plus World Elite Mastercard and the Barclaycard CashForward World Mastercard - to a global audience.
Whether you're targeting high-net-worth individuals or cost-conscious savers, these credit cards offer benefits that can appeal to a wide range of buyers. And as an affiliate marketer, you'll enjoy several benefits when signing up for the program, including commissions on approved applications for either or both credit cards, access to marketing collateral in the form of text links and banner ads, and redemption bonuses that you can use for future redemptions.
So what exactly do these credit cards offer to buyers? The Barclaycard Arrival Plus World Elite Mastercard provides double miles on all purchases, making it a great option for frequent travelers. Additionally, users can earn extra miles by sharing their travel stories in the mobile-friendly Barclaycard Travel Community.
For those who prefer cash rewards, the Barclaycard CashForward World Mastercard offers 1.5% cash rewards on every purchase. And if you make qualifying purchases, you can earn a $200 cash rewards bonus.
Upgrade - broaden your reach beyond credit cards
If you're an affiliate marketer looking to broaden your reach beyond credit cards, consider promoting Upgrade's affordable loans. While not a credit card product per se, Upgrade's loans can be used to pay off high-interest credit cards, making them a great addition to any financial services portfolio.
With loans available up to $35,000 and attractive low and fixed interest rates that never change, Upgrade provides a valuable service to customers looking to manage their finances more effectively. And as an affiliate marketer, you can earn commissions on every personal loan issued through the program.
Currently available through Impact and FlexOffers, Upgrade's affiliate marketing programs offer commissions in the range of 2% per personal loan issued, with additional commissions ranging from $75 to $200 on Impact and $60 to $160 on FlexOffers. The cookie duration is 30 days, giving you plenty of time to earn commissions on any referrals you generate.
Chime - innovative financial products to promote
If you're an affiliate marketer looking for innovative financial products to promote, consider Chime. This financial technology company was created to meet the needs of underserved customers with lower-cost financial products that are not just better but also more accessible than what's already available in the market.
While Chime is not a credit card offer, it's a great product for creative affiliate marketers looking to expand their audience and earn extra commissions. Customers may find Chime's financial offerings more attractive than high-interest credit cards, especially since they offer value-added services such as the ability to overdraw up to $200 on debit card purchases and cash withdrawals without paying a fee (with conditions).
Other benefits of Chime include no minimum balance requirements, no monthly service fees, no foreign transaction fees, and no transfer fees. And there are many more benefits worth exploring on the Chime website.
As an affiliate marketer, you can earn flat commissions per successful enrollment through Chime's affiliate marketing programs. Expect to earn $8 on FlexOffers and $10 on CJ Affiliate. Sovrn has not listed its commission rates. It's worth noting that CJ Affiliate offers a 1-day cookie duration on their program.
To promote Chime effectively, highlight the benefits and features of their financial products, including the low fees and value-added services. Use marketing collateral provided by Chime to enhance your promotions, and stay up to date with the latest offers and promotions from Chime and their partners. By doing so, you can encourage signups and earn commissions while providing your audience with a valuable financial services option.
Square - influencers' choice
If you're an influencer or industry expert teaching people how to build and grow an affiliate business online, Square's affiliate program is definitely worth checking out. With a range of services ideal for entrepreneurs looking to start, run, and scale a business online, Square offers a variety of products that can appeal to a wide range of potential buyers.
From Square payments and financial hardware solutions to Square Payroll and Square for Retail, there are many products to choose from, and commission structures can vary depending on the product. On Impact, expect to earn up to $233 per activation and "select sales." With a longer-than-average cookie duration of 45 days, there is plenty of time for potential buyers to make a purchase and for you to earn commissions.
Square is not strict about the type of website as long as it's related to their services and the content isn't objectionable, offensive, or from a prohibited industry. Plus, as a promoter, you'll have access to a dedicated program manager and marketing assets to place on your website.
Whether you're an influencer in the e-commerce space or a niche industry expert, Square's affiliate program can be a great addition to your portfolio. With global markets available through Sovrn and CA and US markets available through Impact, there's a wide range of potential buyers to target. Check out their landing page for more information and to get started promoting their products today.
SumUp - cashless payments
If you're an affiliate marketer looking for a product that offers solutions for cashless payments, SumUp's affiliate program is worth exploring. SumUp specializes in card readers for credit, debit, and contactless payments, making it a great allied product to promote alongside credit card sales.
The commissions offered by SumUp are attractive, with the potential to earn over £2,000 a month if you sell a minimum of 20 card readers during a period. Commission structures can vary depending on the network you choose. On Post Affiliate Pro, you can earn up to €35.00 per sale, with a minimum balance of €250 required for payout. On Rakuten, commissions range from $15 to $25 depending on the product.
The card readers offered by SumUp are simple to use and affordable, with no monthly fees or binding contracts. As an affiliate, you'll have access to a professional affiliate platform and personal support from the SumUp team.
With global markets available through Post Affiliate Pro and BR available through Sovrn, SumUp's affiliate program offers a wide range of potential buyers to target. Rakuten's program is available in the US. While cookie durations are not listed on Post Affiliate Pro and Sovrn, Rakuten offers a 30-day cookie duration.
To promote SumUp effectively, highlight the benefits and features of their card readers, including their simplicity, affordability, and lack of monthly fees or contracts. Use marketing collateral provided by SumUp to enhance your promotions, and stay up to date with the latest offers and promotions from SumUp and their partners. By doing so, you can encourage signups and earn commissions while providing your audience with a valuable cashless payment solution.
Credit Karma - free service with less friction in the promotion process
While Credit Karma's commission of $2.00 per new signup may be lower compared to other financial products, it's a great option for affiliate marketers looking to promote a free service with less friction in the promotion process. Instead of convincing your audience to buy anything, you can simply show the benefits of Credit Karma's free credit tools.
Credit Karma's affiliate program cookie duration is 30 days, and all your lead needs to do is create an account for you to get paid. This makes the process relatively simple compared to other financial services that require users to deposit or spend money for affiliates to receive a payout.
In addition, you can recommend Credit Karma alongside other similar financial affiliate products, such as credit cards or banks that offer loans. This creates a unique cross-sell opportunity that can maximize earnings.
With markets available in the US, UK, and CA, Credit Karma offers a wide range of potential customers to target. To promote Credit Karma effectively, highlight the benefits and features of their free credit tools, such as credit monitoring, personalized recommendations, and tax filing assistance. Use marketing collateral provided by Credit Karma to enhance your promotions, and stay up to date with the latest offers and promotions from Credit Karma and their partners. By doing so, you can encourage signups and earn commissions while providing your audience with a valuable free financial service.
Credit Sesame
Credit Sesame and Credit Karma are similar products, but Credit Sesame offers additional value with their free membership, including $50,000 of identity theft insurance alongside free credit reports. As both products are free and offer slightly different value propositions, you can promote both products as complements to one another.
Credit Sesame program offers a commission of $3.00-$6.00 per signup, with the possibility to increase. With a cookie duration of 30 days and markets available in the US, there is a wide range of potential customers to target. It is worth noting that Credit Karma offers a commission of $2.00 per new signup.
While Lifelock may offer a higher commission rate, it's important to note that your audience has to pay for it, which generally requires a longer sales funnel for affiliates. It takes more time to convert an audience to a paid product than a free one, so it's important to find the optimal balance between conversion volume and commission rates.
To promote Credit Sesame effectively, highlight the benefits and features of their free membership, including $50,000 of identity theft insurance and free credit reports. Use marketing collateral provided by Credit Sesame to enhance your promotions, and stay up to date with the latest offers and promotions from Credit Sesame and their partners. By doing so, you can encourage signups and earn commissions while providing your audience with a valuable free financial service.
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