Everything You Need to Know About Getting Paid in Affiliate Marketing

If you’ve ever waited too long to get paid or lost money to extra fees, you’re not alone.

Many affiliates don’t realize how important the affiliate payment methods are to their success.

In this blog, we’ll help you understand how to:

• Choose the right way to get paid
• Reach your payout limits faster
• Learn how different affiliate platforms handle payments

So you can get your money on time and keep more of what you earn.

Why Affiliate Payment Methods Matter

Affiliate marketing is all about earning through performance but let’s be honest, what really keeps people going is getting paid on time, without any confusion or delay. Whether you’re just starting and making your first ₹1,000 or already earning ₹1 lakh+ every month, the way you get paid matters a lot.

Here’s why payment methods are super important:

Keeps Affiliates Motivated

Fast and smooth affiliate payments make affiliates happy and more likely to keep promoting and earning.

Works for Everyone

Not everyone uses the same platform. Some prefer Payoneer, others use PayPal, and many in India go for NEFT. The more options available, the better it is for everyone.

Saves on Fees

Some affiliate marketing payment methods charge high fees or convert currency at poor rates. Choosing the right method (like bank transfer) can help you keep more of your hard-earned money.

Helps Plan Your Income

When you know exactly when and how much you’ll get paid, it becomes easier to manage your monthly budget especially if this is your main source of income.

Builds Trust

A clear and reliable payment system shows that the affiliate platform is professional and trustworthy. That’s something every serious affiliate wants.

Popular Affiliate Payment Methods (With Pros & Cons)

In affiliate marketing, how you get paid really matters. Some methods are faster, some charge fewer fees, and some are easier to use. Let’s look at the most common ways affiliates get paid along with their good and bad sides.

1. Bank Transfer (NEFT, ACH, SEPA)

This is the most common method, especially in India. The money goes straight to your bank account using systems like NEFT (India) or ACH/SEPA (international).

Pros:

• Safe and reliable
• Low or no fees
• Great for large payments

Cons:

• Takes 2 to 5 days to process
• International transfers can be slow or costly

Best for: Indian affiliates and anyone who prefers money straight to the bank.

2. PayPal

PayPal is a popular online payment option accepted by many affiliate platforms.

Pros:

• Quick access to money
• Easy to set up
• Used by top platforms like ClickBank, JVZoo, etc.

Cons:

• High fees (3-5% sometimes)
• Not available in all countries
• Can freeze accounts suddenly

Best for: Freelancers and beginners working with global platforms.

3. Payoneer

Payoneer is great for global payments. You can receive money in USD, EUR, GBP, and more and transfer it to your local bank.

Pros:

• Lower fees than PayPal
• Works with CJ, ShareASale, Fiverr, and more
• Offers prepaid Mastercard

Cons:

• Account setup takes time
• Needs ID and bank verification

Best for: Indian and international affiliates working with US/UK companies.

4. Cheque

Old-school, but still used by a few US-based affiliate programs.

Pros:

• No need for online accounts
• Familiar for older users

Cons:

• Very slow (can take weeks)
• Can get lost in the mail
• You’ll need to go to the bank to deposit it

Best for: Rare cases with no digital options (not recommended anymore).

5. Cryptocurrency (Bitcoin, Ethereum, etc.)

Some new-age affiliate programs offer crypto payments.

Pros:

• Fast and borderless
• Low or no fees
• Private and decentralized

Cons:

• Prices keep changing (high risk)
• You need a crypto wallet and basic knowledge
• Not supported by most platforms

Best for: Tech-savvy affiliates and crypto users.

6. Gift Cards or Store Credit

Some brands offer payment as store credit or gift vouchers.

Pros:

• Delivered fast
• Good if you shop often from the brand
• May offer bonus value

Cons:

• Not real cash
• Can’t use outside that store
• Not useful for serious earners

Best for: Small influencers and fans of a specific brand.

7. Skrill / Neteller

These are e-wallets popular in gaming, forex, and betting.

Pros:

• Easy and fast
• Often faster than bank transfers
• Good for niche industries

Cons:

• Not as accepted as PayPal
• May charge high fees
• Limited options in India

Best for: Affiliates in gaming, forex, and casino-related fields.

8. Wise (formerly TransferWise)

Wise is known for transparent currency conversion and cheap international transfers.

Pros:

• Real market rates
• Very low fees
• Quick transfer (1-2 days)

Cons:

• Needs a Wise account
• Not accepted by all affiliate platforms
• No wallet, just direct transfers

Best for: Global affiliates who want fair rates and less money loss in conversions.

Payout Models: How Affiliates Get Paid

Affiliate marketers don’t all earn the same way. Different programs pay you for different types of results like a sale, a signup, or even just a click. Knowing how each payout model works helps you pick the best program based on your audience and niche.

Here are the most common ways affiliates get paid in 2025:

1. Pay Per Sale (PPS) / Cost Per Sale (CPS)

You earn money only when someone makes a purchase through your affiliate link.

Example: If someone buys a ₹1,000 product using your link and the commission rate is 10%, you earn ₹100.

Pros: Big earning per sale, trusted by top brands
Cons: You only earn if someone actually buys

Best for: Promoting products like gadgets, clothes, beauty items (Amazon, Flipkart, etc.)

2. Pay Per Lead (PPL) / Cost Per Action (CPA)

You earn when a person takes an action like signing up, filling a form, or downloading an app.

Example: If someone signs up for a free trial using your link, you may earn ₹50-₹200 even if they don’t buy anything.

Pros: Easier to get leads than sales, quicker payouts
Cons: Lower income compared to actual sales

Best for: Finance, education, insurance, or SaaS tools (like Zerodha, Upstox, hosting sites)

3. Pay Per Click (PPC)

You earn every time someone clicks your affiliate link, no sale or signup needed.

Example: You may earn ₹1-₹5 per valid click.

Pros: Easy to earn from high traffic
Cons: Very low payout; not common; can be misused

Best for: High-traffic blogs, news websites, and publishers

4. Pay Per Impression (CPM – Cost Per 1,000 Views)

You get paid for every 1,000 views your ad or banner gets even if no one clicks.

Pros: Passive income from views
Cons: Very low income per 1,000 views; rare in affiliate marketing

Best for: Big websites, media platforms, or influencers with huge audiences

5. Two-Tier Affiliate Model

You earn money from your own referrals and also a small share of what your referred affiliates earn.

Example: You refer a friend who becomes an affiliate. If they earn ₹10,000, you might get ₹500 (5%) as bonus.

Pros: Extra passive income over time
Cons: You need to bring in and guide new affiliates

Best for: Experienced affiliates, team builders, or those working in MLM-style networks

Affiliate Payment Timelines & Thresholds

Getting paid as an affiliate doesn’t happen instantly. Most affiliate platforms follow fixed affiliate program payouts and only release your money once you earn a minimum amount (called a threshold). If you understand these rules, you can plan your income better and avoid surprises.

When Do Affiliates Get Paid? (Payment Timelines)

Different affiliate programs pay at different times. Here are the most common options:

Monthly Payments

You get paid once a month but there’s a delay.
Example: If you earn in June, you’ll be paid in August (after 30-45 days).
Used by: Amazon Associates, Awin, CJ

Bi-Weekly or Weekly Payments

Some platforms pay you every 7 or 15 days. These are usually CPA or lead-based networks.
Used by: MaxBounty, PeerFly, some SaaS tools

Instant or Same-Day Payments

Rare, but some platforms let you cash out the same day (or within 24 hours), once you reach the minimum payout.
Example: EarnKaro, Impact.com (FastPay feature)
Great for: New affiliates or influencers who need quick cash

Pending vs. Cleared Earnings

Even if someone buys or signs up using your link, your money may first go into a “pending” stage.
Why? Because of return periods, fraud checks, or advertiser approval.

Example: Awin holds your earnings for 30-45 days before they move to “cleared” and are ready to be paid.

How Much You Need to Earn (Minimum Payout Thresholds)

Most platforms won’t pay until you reach a certain earnings amount. This is called the payout threshold.

Here’s a simple breakdown:

If you don’t reach the limit, your balance rolls over to next month.

Tips for Getting Paid Faster

• Promote products with short refund periods (like eBooks or digital downloads).
• Choose platforms with low payout limits or fast payment cycles, perfect for beginners.
• Don’t just check your total earnings, track your cleared balance (that’s what gets paid).

Example: How EarnKaro Pays Affiliates

1. Someone buys using your affiliate link
2. Commission shows as “pending”
3. After 30-45 days → moves to “confirmed”
4. If you earn over ₹10 → they pay you via UPI or bank transfer

Best Practices for Managing Your Affiliate Payments

Whether you’re making ₹500 or ₹5,00,000 a month from affiliate marketing, handling your payments the right way helps you get paid faster, save on fees, and avoid mistakes. Here are some smart tips to manage your affiliate payouts like a pro:

1. Pick the Best Payment Option for Your Country

Not all payment methods work the same in every country.

Example: If you’re in India, bank transfer or Payoneer usually works better than PayPal (lower fees and faster payments).

Always compare fees, processing time, and exchange rates before choosing.

2. Reach the Minimum Payout Limit Before the Deadline

Every platform needs you to hit a certain earning level (like ₹1,000 or $50) before they pay you. Track your “cleared” balance, not just your total earnings. If you don’t meet the threshold on time, you’ll have to wait till the next month.

3. Use a Tracker or Spreadsheet

Keep a simple sheet or dashboard to track:

• How much you’ve earned
• What’s pending
• What’s cleared
• When the next payment is due

4. Double-Check Your Bank Details & Tax Info

Most payout issues happen because of wrong bank info or missing tax documents. Complete your PAN, GST, or W-8BEN (for international programs) as soon as you sign up. This avoids payment delays later.

5. Use Platforms with Auto-Payout

Some networks pay you automatically on schedule (like Tipalti or UpPromote). If not, set calendar reminders to request your payments manually.

6. Save on Fees with Smart Withdrawals

Using PayPal or Payoneer? Withdraw bigger amounts in one go instead of small ones. This reduces the number of times you pay currency conversion or transaction fees. Also, check if your bank takes extra charges on foreign payments.

7. Understand Pending vs. Cleared Earnings

Just because someone made a purchase through your link doesn’t mean you’ll get paid right away. Most platforms hold your money for 30-45 days to check for refunds or fraud. Keep an eye on when your earnings move from “pending” to “cleared.”

8. Stay Updated with Policy Changes

Affiliate programs may change their payout cycle, threshold, or payment methods any time. Read their emails or check your affiliate dashboard regularly so you’re not caught off guard.

Common Challenges with Affiliate Payments (And How to Deal with Them)

Affiliate marketing can be a great way to earn money but getting paid isn’t always quick or easy. Many beginners (and even experienced affiliates) face problems like payment delays, high fees, or account issues. Let’s look at the most common problems and how you can handle them smartly:

1. Delayed Payments (Pending Commissions)

Most affiliate programs don’t pay you right after someone buys or signs up. Your earnings stay in a “pending” stage for 30-60 days to cover things like refunds or fraud checks. Promote brands with short refund windows or choose platforms that approve commissions faster.

2. High Minimum Payout Limits

Some platforms won’t pay you until you earn ₹1,500, $50 or more. If you’re just starting out, it might take months to reach that amount. Start with programs that have low payout limits or offer gift cards/store credits as payment options.

3. Verification & Tax Form Delays

If your profile is not fully verified or you haven’t submitted your PAN, GST, or tax forms (like W-8BEN), your payments may be put on hold. Finish your KYC and tax form submissions as soon as you join any affiliate program to avoid delays later.

4. Hidden Fees & Currency Charges

If you’re using services like PayPal or Payoneer, they may take a cut for currency conversion and transfer fees especially for international payments.

5. Limited Payment Options in Some Countries

Some global platforms don’t support Indian bank transfers or UPI, which can make it harder to get your money. Use affiliate networks that offer Payoneer or Wise if PayPal doesn’t work well or charges too much.

6. Poor or Slow Support

If your payment is delayed or goes missing, it can be tough to get help especially if the platform doesn’t have good customer support. Work with platforms known for strong support (like Awin or Impact) or try to connect with an affiliate manager if available.

7. Account Freezes or Payment Holds

Sometimes, your account may get frozen due to suspicious clicks, fraud, or policy violations and your payments stop without warning. Always follow the rules, avoid spammy tactics, and use genuine traffic sources to keep your account safe.

Final Tips: Which Affiliate Payment Method Should You Choose?

There are many ways to get paid as an affiliate but not all of them will work best for you. The right method depends on where you live, how much you earn, and how fast you want your money. Here’s a simple guide to help you choose smartly:

1. If You Live in India:

Go with bank transfer (NEFT/IMPS) or Payoneer. They’re safe, low-cost, and let you get money in rupees (INR).

2. If You’re Outside India (International):

Payoneer or Wise (TransferWise) are great options. They support multiple currencies, have better exchange rates than PayPal, and send money to your local bank faster.

3. If You’re a Beginner (Just Starting Out):

Try PayPal (if the affiliate platform allows it). It’s easy to set up and great for small earnings. Just keep an eye on the transaction and currency fees.

4. If You Want Fast & Frequent Payments:

Go for platforms that offer auto-payouts like UpPromote, impact.com (FastPay), or Tipalti systems. These save time and get your money quickly without manual work.

5. If You Want Passive or Long-Term Income:

Choose networks that pay every 2 weeks or once a month, like Awin or CJ Affiliate. They’re reliable and good for full-time or long-term affiliate marketers.

Conclusion

Whether you’re earning ₹500 or ₹50,000 a month, how you get paid really matters.

The right payment method can help you save money and give you peace of mind.

So keep trying what works best, stay updated, and stick with affiliate platforms that respect your time and hard work.

FAQs