Journal · July 18, 2026 · updated July 13, 2026
Model 3 vs Model Y: Same Tesla Referral Code Value
It's a fair question and it comes up constantly: is a Tesla referral code worth more on a Model 3 or a Model Y? Rather than reason from list prices, the answer here comes from what the reward table actually specifies for each.
The dollar value is identical
Both Model 3 and Model Y currently qualify for the same referral reward: 3 months of free Full Self-Driving (Supervised), priced at roughly $99 a month, so about $297 either way. There is no per-model tier in the current program — Tesla doesn't give Model Y buyers a longer trial or Model 3 buyers a shorter one. Cybertruck (Premium AWD and Cyberbeast trims) gets the same reward too. See the full breakdown in what a code is worth in 2026.
So why does the question keep coming up?
The assumption likely comes from the fact that Model 3 and Model Y have different list prices, and it's natural to assume a bigger purchase gets a bigger reward — that's how most loyalty or referral programs elsewhere are structured, scaled to the transaction. Tesla's referral program isn't scaled that way. It's a flat reward tied to the FSD (Supervised) subscription price, not to the price of the car you're buying it on.
Where a real difference does show up
The one genuine difference between a Model 3 buyer and a Model Y buyer is proportional, not absolute: because Model 3 generally lists for less than Model Y, a fixed $297 value naturally represents a slightly larger share of the total purchase on the less expensive car. The dollar figure doesn't change; how far it stretches relative to what you're spending does, a little. That's a rounding-error consideration, not a reason to let it influence which car you buy.
Cybertruck is the actual outlier — not Model 3 vs Model Y
If there's a model-based distinction worth remembering, it's not between Model 3 and Model Y — it's Cybertruck trim. Premium AWD and Cyberbeast get the standard 3-month trial; the Cybertruck Dual Motor AWD trim is currently excluded from the referral program entirely, same as Model S and Model X. That's a bigger gap than anything separating Model 3 from Model Y.
| Model / product | 2026 referral benefit (US) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Model 3 | 3 months free FSD (Supervised) | All trims eligible in the US. |
| Model Y | 3 months free FSD (Supervised) | All trims eligible in the US. |
| Cybertruck | 3 months free FSD (Supervised) | Premium AWD & Cyberbeast only — Dual Motor AWD is excluded. |
| Tesla Solar | $400 off | Solar Panels & Solar Roof. Counts as a separate referral from a car. |
| Model S | None | Removed from the US referral program in March 2026. |
| Model X | None | Removed from the US referral program in March 2026. |
Values reflect Tesla's US program as of July 13, 2026. FSD (Supervised) lists at about $99/mo, so 3 months ≈ $297. Tesla adjusts terms often — always confirm the reward in your order summary before you pay.
The practical answer
Order whichever car fits your life — the referral reward shouldn't be a factor in Model 3 vs Model Y at all, because it's the same trial either way. What does matter for either car is getting the mechanics right: click the referral link before you configure (it can't be added after an order number exists), and confirm the FSD-trial line on your order review screen before you pay. The full sequence is in how to apply a code at checkout, and the price-versus-benefit distinction is covered separately in does a code affect the price?
One honest caveat
Tesla adjusts program terms without much notice, so this table is re-checked before every update to this site (last verified July 13, 2026). If a per-model tier is ever introduced, this page gets updated on the day it's confirmed — with the date moved forward, not backdated.
Sources:
- Tesla Support — Refer and Earn
- Electrek — Tesla referral program guide
- Not a Tesla App — referral FSD incentives