Investment app Lightyear has launched a refreshed “invite a friend” promotion giving both existing customers and new sign-ups the chance to earn up to £100 in free stocks.
Is it worth it?
Lightyear customers can invite friends to join the app and, if the friend qualifies, both the referrer and the new user receive a free stock reward worth between £10 and £100.
You do get to chose which stock to buy, but the reward value is randomly allocated, with most users likely to receive an amount closer to the lower end. Lightyear’s probability table shows an 80% chance of receiving between £10–£20, while only 2% of referrals will trigger the full £75–£100 reward.
For existing customers inviting friends privately, the scheme is a decent perk and a low-effort way to earn a small stock bonus. For new investors, it may be a nice extra, but it shouldn’t be the main reason to open an account. Investing can generate significant returns in the long term, but if you are planning on risking money in the stock market in the short term to try and get some free shares there are a few things to watch out for.
The offer is designed to encourage more people to start investing through the platform, which provides access to thousands of UK shares, US stocks and ETFs via a General Investment Account (GIA) and Stocks & Shares ISA.
How can you claim your free shares from Lightyear?
To qualify, the new customer must:
- Sign up using a referral link
- Complete the onboarding process
- Fund their account with at least £100 within 30 days
- Open a General Investment Account (GIA), as rewards are paid into GIAs only
Rewards are usually credited within 10 business days.
What’s the catch?
While the headline figure is £100, most users will receive a smaller amount due to the random allocation system. There is also a six-month withdrawal restriction, meaning the reward (or its cash value) cannot be withdrawn until that period has passed.
The bonus is issued as a fractional share, and standard fees such as FX conversion charges may apply depending on the asset chosen.
Lightyear also prohibits referral links from being shared publicly online, with misuse potentially leading to rewards being revoked. So if you’re a finfluencer, think twice before sharing it on your socials…
Richard is the founder of the Good Money Guide (formerly Good Broker Guide), one of the original investment comparison sites established in 2015. With a career spanning two decades as a broker, he brings extensive expertise and knowledge to the financial landscape.
Having worked as a broker at Investors Intelligence and a multi-asset derivatives broker at MF Global (Man Financial), Richard has acquired substantial experience in the industry. His career began as a private client stockbroker at Walker Crips and Phillip Securities (now King and Shaxson), following internships on the NYMEX oil trading floor in New York and London IPE in 2001 and 2000.
Richard’s contributions and expertise have been recognized by respected publications such as The Sunday Times, BusinessInsider, Yahoo Finance, BusinessNews.org.uk, Master Investor, Wealth Briefing, iNews, and The FT, among many others.
Under Richard’s leadership, the Good Money Guide has evolved into a valuable destination for comprehensive information and expert guidance, specialising in trading, investment, and currency exchange. His commitment to delivering high-quality insights has solidified the Good Money Guide’s standing as a well-respected resource for both customers and industry colleagues.
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