Cashback Rewards Programs: How Swagbucks and MyPoints Work
In the era of influencer sponsorships and referral codes, cashback and loyalty programs have become ubiquitous. But are these point and click freebies worth your time? Let’s break down two of the most popular options – Swagbucks and MyPoints.
A Brief History of Loyalty Programs
Loyalty programs took off in the 1980s as airlines like American AAdvantage introduced rewards to entice travelers. Hotels and retailers soon followed suit. Fast forward to today: in 2022, U.S. consumers belonged to almost 17 loyalty programs on average but only actively used a little less than half of those.
As consumers became overloaded with points, brands had to get creative. Cashback apps took off, rewarding engagement as opposed to just transactions. Here’s how two leading programs work:
Swagbucks – Earn Gift Cards for Daily Activities
Founded in 2008, Swagbucks pioneered getting paid to surf the web. Users can earn Swagbucks (SB) points from activities like:
- Online shopping
- Completing surveys
- Playing games
- Watching videos
- Using the search engine
Rack up points to redeem for free gift cards or cash. The $25 and $50 gift card denominations offer the best rates.
Members also get access to coupons, promos, and bonuses like the daily “To-Do List” for extra earnings. Ways to earn and redeem continue to expand with in-app offers, in-store cashback, and pay with points options at partners like PayPal.
MyPoints – Big Welcome Bonus and Daily Email Clicks
Launched in 1996 (yes, it’s been around that long), MyPoints rewards users for online shopping as well as engaging with sponsored content. You can earn points for:
- Shopping at partner stores
- Completing surveys
- Watching videos
- Clicking emails
- Playing games
MyPoints draws new members in with bonuses like a $10 welcome offer. Members also earn for daily clicks in the desktop and mobile email newsletter. Redeem points for gift cards or transfer to United MileagePlus miles. You can sign up through my link as well and we all get bonuses!
The site has a dated interface but offers cash rewards if you put in consistent effort clicking on emails and deals. Beware though – earned points DO expire after three years of inactivity.
Weigh the Pros and Cons Before Diving In
Cashback apps offer easy rewards but eating up time clicking around for pennies isn’t always worthwhile. Make sure to calculate estimated hourly earnings and compare payout rates before committing. Stay selective about which activities you complete and set a time budget to avoid burnout.
Moderation and smart goal-setting is key to maximize earnings from loyalty programs. While rewards can certainly add up over time, resist the urge to waste too much time on activities that don’t provide you any real value.
Disclosure: Some of the links on this post are affiliate links. That means if you click n one of the product links and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products or services that I believe in and have used myself, and the extra change helps support the maintenance of this site and my love for Philz!
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