Tesla has relaunched its referral program in the U.S., an initiative through which customers and their friends earn credits for buying Tesla solar products. As is the case with any referral program, Tesla's strategy is to solidify its current relationship with patrons and also tap into new sections of the market. Interestingly, the program has witnessed several transformations since it was first established. The program previously included referral credits for vehicles, but this was discontinued in 2021.
The Tesla referral program is currently only limited to those who buy a Tesla solar roof or solar panel. This means that users will not get any credits for buying a Tesla vehicle. Any solar items purchased will give users 6,000 credits. These can then be redeemed for Tesla merch in the Loot Box section of the Tesla app. According to Not A Tesla App, some of the available products include the J1772 Wall Connector (11,000 credits), the regular Wall Connector (6,000 credits), CCS Combo 1 Adapter (5,000 credits), 2,000 Supercharger miles (4,800 credits), Model S/3/Y Pet Liner (2,900 credits), Tesla Short Shorts (1,469 credits), and Let the Sun Shine Tee (700 credits), among others.
How Tesla's Referral Program Works
Any Tesla product owner who encourages someone else to buy a qualifying solar item can earn credits. The Tesla user gets Referral Credits, while the friend receives Buyer Credits. Meanwhile, Tesla customers can also gain Loyalty Credits when they purchase more eligible products. The automaker claims that all the credits have equal value and accumulate under a single balance in the Loot Box. They can be cashed in for Tesla Referral rewards in the Referral Shop section of the Loot Box. Interested participants should note that they won't be able to redeem their rewards until the grant date, which is when their solar power system is activated. The credits expire 12 months after the grant date, though getting extra credits extends the expiration date.
As previously mentioned, there are three kinds of credits to be earned in the Tesla Referral program — Referral, Buyer, and Loyalty. To earn the first, customers need to share a referral link with their friends and family through their Loot Box. The guidelines for gaining Buyer credits are similar to Referral credits. When buyers use a referral link to buy a Tesla product, they also get credits. Loyalty Credits can be earned when existing customers buy eligible products through their Tesla account.
It's worth noting that all credits earned in the Tesla referral program will appear with the 'Pending' tag in the Loot Box until the grant date. Through the Loot Box, participants can view referral links, eligible products, the referral shop, credit history, and expiration dates. To access the Loot Box, the Tesla mobile app needs to be downloaded. While the referral program may have undergone significant changes since its inception, it remains a viable option for customers to get more out of buying Tesla products.
Source: Tesla, Not A Tesla App