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Top 10 Best Credit Card Affiliate Programs in 2024

Credit card is a thriving market, making it a significant opportunity for affiliates to push their income. Profitable as it is, this market is hugely competitive. Thus, if you decide to dive into the financial niche, ...

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Credit card affiliate programs

Credit card is a thriving market, making it a significant opportunity for affiliates to push their income. Profitable as it is, this market is hugely competitive.

Thus, if you decide to dive into the financial niche, ensure you’re well-prepared with your content and market insights.

You know what? Finding suitable credit card affiliate programs is one of the most crucial steps to start this journey.

Since you’ve arrived here, you’ll be given a curated list of ideal programs that might help you achieve your goals. Your mission is to read them carefully and see whether there is any good fit.

Are you ready to dip your toes into this world? We’re always here supporting you. Enjoy the list!

10 Credit Card Affiliate Programs for 2023

American Express

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American Express (Amex) is a globally recognized financial services company that operates in various sectors, including credit cards, payment processing, and travel-related services. Founded in 1850, it is one of the most valuable companies in the world and ranged no.7 on TIME Magazine’s World’s Best Companies in 2023.

Amex operates globally and has a significant presence in many countries. It is best known for its charge and credit card products, catering to various customer segments. Amex also partners with various financial institutions and merchants around the world.

With premium benefits, rewards programs, and vital customer service, Amex’s credit cards are widely trusted and used by customers worldwide.

For this reputation and quality service, it is a strong candidate in this competition of credit card affiliate programs. Again, joining its program is competitive, too.

But let’s acquire some basic information first. Actually, American Express’s affiliate program is available in just some countries. We’ve compiled them in a list below. Check it out!

In Netherlands:

  • URL: American Express affiliate program via Daisycon
  • Commission rate: € 2.50 – € 110
  • Cookie duration: 30 days

In India:

  • Commission rate: Up to ₹1000 (on successful card disbursal)
  • American Express SmartEarn Credit Card: ₹750
  • American Express Membership Rewards Credit Card: ₹1000
  • Cookie duration: 30 days
  • Payment details: minimum threshold of ₹10

In Canada:

  • Commission rate: $300 – $15.000 (Incentive based on “Estimated Annual Charge Volume” – an amount that your referred client will spend in the first year. Visit the link for a detailed commission.)
  • Cookie duration: unknown

Bankrate Credit Cards

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Have you ever heard of Bankrate? If you’re struggling with financial decisions, this company is helpful.

Why? Bankrate, founded in 1976, is a financial services company. It provides a huge resource and advice to help consumers make smart decisions about their personal finances.

Specifically, it offers a wealth of information on various financial topics, including banking, credit cards, mortgages, loans, investing, retirement planning, and more.

For credit cards, they provide detailed information in terms of articles, guides, and reviews. They also offer calculators and tools to help users compare credit card offers from various issuers. That’s why Bankrate is a trusted source for over 100 million people every year.

Bankrate has an affiliate program called Bankrate Credit Cards Network. This leading affiliate marketing network connects credit card issuers with potential customers through a network of financial publishers.

By joining this network, you’ll have a chance to access various credit card offers. These offers are from Bankrate itself and many other famous brands such as American Express, Capital One, Chase, and Citibank.

  • Commission rate: varies by advertisers
  • Cookie duration: varies by advertisers

 

Chase

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Chase is one of the largest and most well-known banking institutions in the United States. It’s a subsidiary of JPMorgan Chase & Co., a multinational financial service corporation.

Chase operates more than 15,000 ATMs and 4,700 branches nationwide. It also has offices in over 60 countries, proving its significant international presence.

This bank is known for its credit card offerings. You might spot some popular cards on its site, like the Chase Sapphire Preferred, Chase Sapphire Reserve, and Chase Freedom Unlimited. These credit cards often have rewards programs, travel benefits, and cashback incentives.

So how can you benefit from this company?

Chase offers a referral rewards program that allows existing customers to refer friends and family to open new credit cards. However, note that not all cards are applicable.

With each applicable card type, you’ll get a specific amount of cash back, bonus points, bonus Avios, or Disney rewards dollars.

For example, you can earn up to 75,000 bonus points per year for the successful referral of the Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card or up to $500 cashback per year for any participating Chase Freedom card.

Do you notice that we’ve mentioned Chase as one of the advertisers of the Bankrate Credit Card Network, as in the previous section?

So, there are two ways to promote Chase’s products: apply directly to their “Refer friends” program or sign up for Bankrate Credit Card Network and find Chase’s cards to promote.

  • Commission rate: varies by credit cards
  • Cookie duration: unknown

 

Capital Bank (OpenSky)

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For this program, you’re promoting the “OpenSky Secured Visa Credit Card.” It’s issued by the Capital Bank – a reputable commercial bank that offers business and consumer banking services in the greater Washington D.C. metropolitan area.

One advantage of the OpenSky Credit Card is that it typically doesn’t require a credit check. This makes it accessible to individuals with bad or no credit to build their credit history.

Unlike traditional credit cards, it’s a secured credit card. This means it requires a security deposit as collateral (between $300 and $3,000). This deposit helps establish your credit limit and ensures that the issuer has a source of funds in case you default on your payments.

The OpenSky Credit Card affiliate program is a great way for bloggers, influencers, and other content creators to earn passive income by promoting the OpenSky Secured Visa Credit Card to their audience. The program is operated through Commission Soup, a leading affiliate marketing network.

If you think this product is beneficial to your audience, create an account on Commission Soup and apply for this affiliate marketing program. You’ll earn $25 commission per approved credit card application, with a cookie duration of 30 days.

  • Commission rate: $25 per sale
  • Cookie duration: 30 days
  • Payment details: minimum threshold of $100

 

Commission Soup

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Looking for another comprehensive credit card affiliate network? Well, it’s time to get to know Commission Soup, a leading network specializing in financial services.

Founded in 2000 and is a division of Bulldog Media Group, Commission Soup is a great choice for affiliate marketers who are interested in promoting credit card affiliate programs.

This network offers a wide range of offers from some of the top credit card issuers in the world (Milestone, Bank of America, OpenSky, Premier Bankcard, and PayPal, to name a few). This means that you can find offers that align with your target audiences, whether they’re cashback seekers, travel enthusiasts, or individuals looking to build their credit.

Affiliate marketing networks like CommissionSoup often provide publishers with resources, such as marketing materials, best practices, and customer support, to help them succeed. Besides, Commission Soup is known for its reliable payments. You can expect to receive your commissions monthly when you earn at least $100 commission.

  • Commission rate: varies by advertisers
  • Cookie duration: varies by advertisers
  • Payment details: minimum threshold of $100

 

USAA Credit Cards

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This affiliate program is designed uniquely for a special niche.

USAA, short for the United Services Automobile Association, is a prominent financial services organization in the United States that primarily serves military members and their families.

USAA was founded in 1922. Over the years, it has expanded its range of financial services, including insurance, banking, retirement, investment, and advice.

The USAA affiliate program allows credit card affiliate marketers to earn commissions by promoting USAA products and services. The program is hosted by CJ Affiliate and offers a variety of commission rates for different products. By promoting USAA’s credit cards, you can earn up to $20 per successful sign-up.

If you have a channel or blog that is targeted to military members and veterans, this program offered by a well-respected financial institution is a wise option.

  • Commission rate: up to $20 per lead
  • Cookie duration: 30 days

 

Experian

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Experian is a multinational consumer credit reporting company. Along with TransUnion and Equifax, it’s one of the three major credit reporting agencies in the United States.

It operates globally (over 30 counties) and provides a wide range of services related to consumer and business credit. It offers tools and services to help individuals monitor and manage their credit profiles, including identity theft protection and credit monitoring.

The Experian Affiliate Program does allow affiliates to promote Experian’s business credit reports. It specifically targets website owners and publishers with a strong relationship with their small business customer base.

The fact is that you’ve worked hard to build trust with your small business audience. Now, you can provide even more value by providing them with the most complete credit analysis for their company.

This program is well-respected because of the company’s commitment to objectivity and independence. With over 40 years of experience and over 30,000 clients in North America, business credit reports from Experian are trusted sources that accurately reflect the company’s financial standing.

Small businesses can benefit greatly from credit reports, and you can do your part to contribute and earn yourself up to 20% of their revenue generated.

  • Commission rate: up to 20% of the revenue generated by your users
  • Cookie duration: 30 days

 

Credit Karma

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If you have an audience interested in personal finance and credit, then Credit Karma is a great company to refer them to.

This free online financial service provides users with access to their credit scores and reports, as well as a variety of other financial tools and resources. It’s one of the most popular credit monitoring services in the United States, with over 100 million members.

Credit Karma is a legitimate company whose services are generally considered to be accurate and trustworthy. It allows users to monitor their financial states from two major credit bureaus in the US: Equifax and TransUnion.

Additionally, Credit Karma also offers reliable financial tools and resources, such as personal loans, mortgage calculators, online savings, and tax.

Found this service beneficial to your audience? Then, consider joining its affiliate program managed by Impact.

The Credit Karma affiliate program offers a $6 commission per new user signup. The cookie duration is 30 days. It means that you will earn a commission if your audience clicks on your affiliate link and signs up for a Credit Karma account within 30 days.

  • Commission rate: $6 per new user signup
  • Cookie duration: 30 days

 

Capital One

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Here’s another bank that offers an affiliate program for you to promote their credit cards.

Capital One is a well-known American bank holding company specializing in financial services and products. Founded in 1994, it has become one of the largest financial institutions in the United States, with over 100 million customers. Capital One also has a growing presence in the United Kingdom and Canada.

Capital One is known for its innovative products and services, strong customer service focus, and commitment to financial inclusion.

In terms of credit cards, it offers a wide range of choices across different audience needs. For example, they have credit cards for building credit (Platinum Mastercard, QuicksilverOne Rewards), credit cards with travel points (Venture X Rewards, Venture One Rewards), credit cards with dining & entertainment rewards (Savor Rewards, Savor One Rewards), and more.

To monetize your presence and earn extra income, join the Capital One affiliate program via the Bankrate Credit Cards network. Once approved, you can find products that are a good fit for your audience to promote.

  • Commission rate: a one-time $150 cash bonus (when the visitor spends $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening)
  • Cookie duration: unknown

 

TransUnion

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TransUnion has been mentioned several times in this post, so you may already have a general understanding of what it does. This section will delve a little more into the company and its lucrative credit card affiliate program.

To remind you, TransUnion is one of the three major credit reporting agencies in the United States, alongside Experian and Equifax.

This is a global information and insights company with a powerful presence in more than 30 countries. It collects and maintains data on consumer credit history and provides a wide range of information-based solutions to businesses and consumers.

Much like other companies in the field, TransUnion offers basic financial products and services such as credit reports, credit monitoring, fraud alerts, personal loans, identifying theft protection, etc.

  • Commission rate: CA$49 – CA$73 per order
  • Cookie duration: 45 days

Credit Card Affiliate Program: How Does It Work?

Like many others, credit card affiliate programs allow affiliates to promote offers of credit cards or related products and services and earn commissions for successful referrals.

Here’s a detailed progress. Take a look!

  • Affiliate enrollment: First, you need to sign up for a credit card affiliate program.
  • Promotion and marketing: Once accepted, start creating or editing content for promotion. You might choose to promote on your website, blog, social media accounts, streaming platforms, email newsletters, or other online channels.
  • Affiliate Links: Include unique affiliate tracking links in your content. Based on the presence you choose in the previous step, there are specific ways to inform your audience about these affiliate links. Besides, you’ll gain access to other materials, such as banners, text ads, and marketing collateral, to assist your promotion.
  • Application: When your audience clicks on the affiliate links, they’re encouraged to apply for the credit card or related services.
  • Tracking: Each credit card affiliate program has a tracking system that monitors the application process. When a visitor successfully applies for and is approved for the credit card, the referral is attributed to you as the affiliate.
  • Commission Earnings: You’ll earn a commission once the referral is successful. Commissions can be a fixed amount or a percentage per approved application.
  • Payment: Affiliate commissions are typically paid out regularly (weekly, monthly, or quarterly). The payment method and threshold (minimum earnings required before payment) vary by program. Make sure to read the payment details carefully before applying for any program.

Benefits of Joining Credit Card Affiliate Programs

How have you acquired this credit card niche so far? Let us wrap up some benefits when joining these programs to help you make a final decision.

  • Competitive commission rates:

Credit card company typically offers competitive commission rates to their affiliates. So you can earn a significant amount of money, especially if you attract many applicants.

  • Diverse Product Selection:

Though credit card is a specific niche, it still offers diverse products and services for affiliates, ranging from credit cards with different features, benefits, and rewards programs to related services such as credit monitoring and reports.

This diversity allows affiliates to choose and promote cards that align with their target audience’s preferences and financial needs.

  • Easy to get started:

Starting with a credit card affiliate program is relatively easy. Most companies have simple sign-up processes. Besides, they provide their affiliates with various marketing resources for promotion leverage.

  • Educational Value:

Affiliates have the opportunity to provide valuable information for their audience about credit cards, financial literacy, and more, which can help them a lot in financial management.

  • Networking Opportunities:

Joining credit card affiliate programs might help you meet other people working in the affiliate marketing, which could open doors to future partnerships and collaborations.

Factors to Consider to Choose the Best Credit Card Affiliate Program

There are several factors to consider when selecting a credit card affiliate program to ensure a good fit with your target audience and business objectives. Keep in mind the following details:

  • Reputation of the company

It’s crucial to research the company associated with the affiliate program. Choose programs that partner with reputable and well-known financial institutions to enhance your trustworthiness as an affiliate. Plus, you want your referrals to be treated fairly, right?

  • Commission rates

Each credit card affiliate program offers a different commission rate, so it’s important to compare the rates offered by these programs before you sign up. If possible, choose a program with a competitive commission rate.

  • Cookie Duration:

Besides commission rates, cookie duration is a critical factor to consider. This indication refers to the length of time your affiliate link remains active in a visitor’s browser, allowing you to earn commissions for future purchases. Mark that longer cookie durations can lead to more conversions.

  • Target audience and product selection

Consider your target audience when choosing products for promotion. Since programs offer certain types of credit cards or credit services, you need to choose the ones that are relevant to your audience’s needs and interests.

  • Payment Period and threshold

Examine how often the program pays commissions (for example, monthly or quarterly) and the minimum earnings required to receive payment (minimum threshold). Programs with flexible payment options are preferable.

  • Tracking System:

Tracking your affiliate performance is essential. Thus, review the program’s tracking and reporting capabilities to see whether they’re reliable and easy to use.

  • Terms and Conditions:

Finally, don’t forget to read the terms and conditions carefully before joining any program. Essential information to focus on includes eligibility requirements, disclosure requirements, restrictions on marketing methods, prohibited practices, and so on.

FAQs

How much can I expect to earn as a credit card affiliate?

Actually, the earnings potential as a credit card affiliate can vary since it depends on several factors. The commission structure of the program you’re joining is one of them. For example, you can receive as little as $6/sale for Credit Karma’s affiliate or a much higher rate of $25/sale for OpenSky Credit Cards.

Besides, the more successful referrals you make, the more money you’ll earn. For instance, with ten sales of Credit Karma’s products, you’ll get $60. But with the same amount of OpenSky program, you’ll get $250. Much higher, right?

In case you want to earn more money when joining easy programs (like the $6 one), ensure that you attract more traffic and have a high conversion rate.

How to promote credit card affiliate programs?

After choosing the right programs, it’s time to perform marketing practices to promote them. While there are many ways to help you achieve your goals, here are some basic ideas you might refer to:

  • Write related articles:

If you have a blog or website, you can write blog posts or articles about credit cards. For example, educate them about the different types of credit cards available or their benefits. Then, include your affiliate links in your blog posts.

  • Social Media Promotion:

Share your financial content on social media platforms where your target audience hangs out. Plus, engage with your followers and respond to their questions and comments.

  • Create related videos:

Streaming platforms are perfect for engaging your audience and teaching them about credit cards in a creative way. You can create videos about topics such as how to choose the right credit card or how to use credit cards responsibly.

Conclusion

To sum up, choosing suitable credit card affiliate programs is key to profitable promotion. There’s no need to hurry. The more carefully you research, the higher your chance of being successful.

We hope our list above and additional tips greatly help your decision.

This is important: Don’t forget to consider your content and audience before joining any financial program (and all others). It’s always necessary to know your own limits.

Anyway, we wish you the best with your choice!

Joan, a creative mind and author behind UpPromote blog. Writing has always been my sanctuary, a place where I can explore my imagination and share my unique perspective on the world of eCommerce. Through my words, I strive to explain the complexities of the digital world and showcase its potential for innovation, growth, and limitless opportunities.