MyPoints is another old and very reputable program. I've belonged to this site almost as long as FreeRide. The difference with MyPoints is that they have never gone through a period of unsustainability and downtime. The site has been active and paying since day one, and has every appearance of continuing to do so in the future. They claim mainstream businesses like Avon, Home Depot, and many others as their advertisers, which adds additional clout to the site. MyPoints is a very professional program and is one of my favorites.

The web site is clean and easy to navigate. The account section is chock full of information, including the status on completed offers. Even individual emails are listed, with full information. They put up gift guides for every season and holiday, which I find very helpful. They also have free mini games and jackpots for random holidays which is fun.

The currency at MyPoints is - as you may have guessed from the name - points. A single point is worth between 0.6-0.8 cent, depending on the level of gift card reward you choose. They offer gift cards to a wide range of merchants including Old Navy, Bloomingdale's, Macy's, and Target, amongst many others. You can even donate to the American Red Cross.

There are many different ways to earn points with MyPoints, including the usual shopping, survey-taking, emails, etc. that you expect from these programs. On the front page of the web site there are usually a few poll-type surveys, which lead you to a sponsored link worth five points. There is usually an offer associated with the link as well. For example, there may be a quick poll asking if you enjoy magazines, then a link will appear offering five points for visiting a magazine seller and 200 points for each magazine subscription. There is usually at least one of these every day, though it varies.

MyPoints typically sends one email a day, sometimes several. About 95% of the emails offer five points for visiting the sponsoring advertiser, and an additional bonus for taking advantage of the offer. MyPoints also sends emails inviting you to take surveys, usually hosted by OTX. The surveys are usually worth 50 points, sometimes up to 75 points. If you do not qualify for the survey MyPoints rewards 10 points just for trying, which makes the process of applying for a survey much more rewarding. It gets tiring applying for surveys at other sites, getting through 15 pages of demographic questions only to be told you did not qualify. At least MyPoints gives you a little something for your time.

The shopping section at MyPoints is huge and well-organized. They offer up to ten points per dollar spent, and usually have specials - like double points days - around holidays, or just because. They are constantly adding new merchants to this section.

Additional ways to earn points include filling out profile surveys, worth five points a piece; 100 points for downloading and using their search Toolbar, plus additional points per search; and ten points for printing and using coupons. MyPoints offers a credit card, which when used garners a certain number of points per dollar. In the Easy Points section there are trial offers, registrations, and games, as well as a MaxPoints area which allows you to earn more points for completing multiple offers at once. You can refer your friends to MyPoints, via an onsite email, for 250 points per friend who joins, up to a limit of five friends per month. There is also a one time sign-up bonus of 100 points.

In mid May, 2009 MyPoints added a new way to earn. They teamed up with BzzAgent to creat the MyPoints Frog Pond. You click on a "Frog" which takes you to an internal MyPoints page with info on a web site. From this page, you can then visit the web site, review the web site, take a poll, and tell a friend. By submitting reviews you can earn 25 points. The review has to be at least 50 characters, and they are checked for usefulness before being approved. You do not receive your points unless your review is approved. I've filled out a couple reviews now and it takes a few days before your review is approved. Right now there is a limited number of sites, and while there doesn't seem to be a limit on the number of sites you can review daily you will run out quickly. I hope they add more soon! Note: according to a couple forums I found, if you belong to both MyPoints and BzzAgent you only get credit on one of those sites for your reviews. They don't transfer.

I have received several payments from MyPoints over the years, too many to count. I just recently (April, 2009) received a $50 gift card to Old Navy, within two weeks of requesting it. I have no qualms in recommending MyPoints to friends and family, and I look forward to being a member for many years to come.