Starlink now pays cash to new subscribers with referral globally

Starlink has overhauled its customer referral program, and this time the rewards are real money for everyone involved. Instead of service credit that only shrinks your next bill, SpaceX is now offering $100 in cash to both the referrer and the person who signs up.

Until now, the incentive was service credit or cash with direct bank transfer to the referrer's bank account of choice and service credit for the new subscriber. That was credited roughly 30 days after the new customer activated their kit and stayed subscribed. In Europe, that free month was later swapped for service credit, which made the deal a bit more enticing, as it could be used for anything else in Starlink's portfolio of goods and services.

How to get Starlink referral cash 

The new cash option for both sides involved is valid globally, too, and the amount varies depending on the country. Instead of nudging a monthly invoice down, the payout can land directly in the bank account that the referring and the new subscribers choose.

For subscribers who already have a satisfied household and no use for stacking credits, that would be a far more tempting reason to share a link, while new Starlink clients could use this to buy a Starlink dish on Amazon to own instead of renting or get the Mini kit that just dropped to a record low price of $149.

Service credit is still the default setting, though. To get cash, one needs to open the Referral Reward Types menu in their Starlink account and switch the option before they send out your link. If they miss this step, they'd be stuck with credit instead.

The usual conditions still apply, as the referred person must be a new customer who buys a Starlink service directly from the company through the unique referral link and remains a paying subscriber for two months after activation. The offer covers the Residential and Roam plans in areas where Starlink is immediately available, so waitlisted regions are excluded.

Cash referrals are no longer a US affair, too, as in most countries subscribers can choose how the $100 or the local amount is paid out. If the referring subscriber chooses service credit, the referred customer can still choose cash payouts, too.

There is a catch for the more entrepreneurial, as Starlink's terms still frown on spamming links or turning referrals into a side business, and doing so can get an account suspended. Still, a $100 cash reward on both ends is a clear push to grow the subscriber base through word of mouth, and it makes a Starlink dish an easier sell between friends and neighbors.