More Updates

iRazoo has offered pay-to-watch videos for some time, but alas has reduced the payouts from said videos yet again. Initially 2 points per video (or approximately $0.03 per 9 videos), the payout was reduced some time ago to 1 point per video and has now been reduced again to 1 point per 2 videos. On the plus side, they don't seem to mind the use of autowatchers, though I can't officially endorse their use (and I certainly don't use them).

Swagbucks videos remain at 3 Swagbucks ($0.03) per 10 videos, but they've redesigned the video page. It's perfectly functional but I think the old one was a little more convenient. Unlike iRazoo, Swagbucks explicitly forbids the use of autowatchers and actually does ban people for using them, so don't. They also offer pay-to-play games (as in, you get paid for playing, not you have to pay to play them) and recently redesigned that page as well. The redesigned page worked for awhile but of late I'm having problems getting credited for games, at least using Chrome. Perhaps Firefox would be a better choice.

Wincash247 (no link due to bad practices) has promised my overdue payment will arrive by the end of March, but I tend to doubt as much; unless the payment is received I will consider them to be in default. On the plus side, I discovered they have an office in Delaware, so I can sue them for payment if need be.

Memolink has stopped offering games. However, it took me awhile to notice because their games paid next to nothing; it was possible to earn a mere 0.6¢ per day from games, so I rarely bothered to play them.

Some Updates

1. Swagbucks has just celebrated another birthday with another revamp of the site. Personally, I think the old one was better.

2. Wincash247 (no link due to bad practices) has defaulted on the cashout I was due... naughty! I've emailed their support, but considering it uses a gmail address, I'm not hopeful.

3. Superpoints continues to default on everyone's cashout due to their sudden closure, and I have yet to convince a lawyer to take up a class action suit against them.

4. Free Awesome has resumed their practice of emailing free tokens to all members, and now I have $0.50 in my account again. Still a long way from cashout, but we'll see.

5. Ibid2save has returned to their former practices. It was nice while it lasted. Pity I didn't win anything. :(

6. You can still earn free gift cards with InstaGC.

Advertising disclaimer: I was paid 25 Points (25¢) by InstaGC for this post.

InstaGC Amazon Cashback

As I've already made very clear, you can earn free gift cards easily from Insta GC; just complete offers and redeem the points.

However, InstaGC is now offering cash back shopping, just like Swagbucks and Memolink. The eligible merchants on InstaGC is comparatively limited, but one key feature sticks out: InstaGC offers 2% cash back for Amazon, making them the only shopping rewards company I've seen which does.

Advertising disclaimer: I was paid 25 Points (25¢) by InstaGC for this post.

Swagbucks Redemption Rates

As a longtime Swagbucks user, I was pleased to discover that until the end of December, their redemption rates have changed so that 1 Swagbuck = $0.01 for all gift cards— and all monthly limits are removed!

Of course, on InstaGC, you can get instant gift cards at that redemption rate all the time.

So now there are two great sites to sign up with!

Advertising disclaimer: I was paid 25 Points (25¢) by InstaGC for this post.

Swagbucks

The site name: Swagbucks

The Currency: Swag Bucks

Their Value: 1 Swagbuck = $0.01 for cash and gift cards.

Redemption Options: Paypal, Amazon gift cards, myriad other gift cards, merchandise.

Reliability: I have been paid consistently and on time.

Earning: Swag bucks can be earned by watching videos (max 75/day), playing games (max 10/day), using their search engine (search wins vary), and trading in old electronics, as well as the usual options.

Surveys: Yes, via Surveyhead.

Offerwalls: Trialpay, RadiumOne, Paymentwall, Superrewards, Peanutlabs, Sponsorpay

Cash Back Shopping: Yes.

Crowdflower Tasks: Yes

Bonuses: 4 Swagbucks daily via poll/toolbar/ad-click path, 2-30 Swagbucks free on occasion through redeemable "swag codes," bonuses for meeting daily earning goals, occasional random awards for social network posts.

Cashout Threshold: 450 Swagbucks (earns a $5 Amazon gift card)

Cashout Fees: None

Cashout Limits: 2 redemptions per day, limit of 5 $5 Amazon gift cards per month.

Referrals: Unlimited referrals. Referrals earn matching swag bucks from search wins ONLY up to a maximum of 1,000 Swagbucks. No invite necessary to join.

Tricks: Video and game rewards are both calculated by the amount of time the page is open without regard for whether it's interacted with or even whether the flash file actually loads. However, timed-refresh autoloaders are easily caught and the resulting account banned, and some rewards may require surprise CAPTCHAs so it's impossible to earn these swagbucks without some babysitting even if you don't actually watch/play.

PTC Recommendation: Excellent

Your host has earned $415 in Amazon gift cards and $150 cash from Swagbucks thus far.