MyPoints Review: Legit Rewards or Outdated Platform in 2025?

MyPoints Review: Legit Rewards or Outdated Platform?

MyPoints has been around for a while, but is it still a good way to earn rewards in 2025, or are there better options? As someone who’s been navigating the online rewards landscape for years, I’ve watched platforms come and go, evolve and stagnate. MyPoints, one of the internet’s longest-running rewards programs, certainly has staying power—but longevity doesn’t always equal relevance.

Founded in 1996, MyPoints is now owned by Prodege, LLC, the same company behind popular rewards sites like Swagbucks and InboxDollars. The platform offers multiple ways to earn points through everyday online activities such as shopping, taking surveys, watching videos, reading emails, and more. These points can then be exchanged for gift cards, PayPal cash, or travel miles.

In this comprehensive MyPoints review, we’ll examine whether this veteran rewards platform still deserves your time and attention in 2025. We’ll analyze its earning potential, user experience, redemption options, and how it stacks up against newer competitors. By the end of this review, you’ll have a clear understanding of whether MyPoints is a legitimate way to earn rewards or if you should look elsewhere in today’s crowded rewards marketplace.

What is MyPoints? Background and Overview

Company Information

MyPoints was launched in 1996, making it one of the oldest rewards programs still operating today. After over 25 years in the industry, MyPoints has paid out millions in rewards to its members. In 2016, the platform was acquired by Prodege, LLC, a digital marketing and consumer polling company that also owns several other popular rewards sites including Swagbucks, InboxDollars, ShopAtHome, and Inbox Pays.

This acquisition marked a significant shift for MyPoints, integrating it into a larger ecosystem of rewards platforms. Prodege itself has a solid reputation in the industry, having paid out over $1 billion in rewards across its various platforms.

With headquarters in El Segundo, California, Prodege manages MyPoints alongside its other properties, which has implications for both the platform’s reliability and its distinctiveness compared to sister sites.

How MyPoints Works

At its core, MyPoints operates on a simple premise: users complete various online activities to earn points (called “Points”), which can later be redeemed for rewards. Here’s the basic process:

  1. Sign up for a free account – Registration requires basic information like your email address, name, and demographic details.
  2. Earn points through various activities – Browse available earning opportunities including:
    • Shopping through the MyPoints portal
    • Taking surveys
    • Watching videos
    • Reading promotional emails
    • Playing games
    • Printing and using coupons
    • Searching the web
  3. Accumulate points – Each completed activity awards a specific number of points based on its complexity, value to advertisers, and time requirement.
  4. Redeem rewards – Once you’ve reached the minimum threshold, exchange your points for gift cards, PayPal cash, or travel miles.

MyPoints earns revenue through partnerships with retailers, advertisers, and market research companies. When you shop through their platform or participate in surveys, MyPoints receives a commission or payment, which they share with you in the form of points.

Target Audience

MyPoints is designed primarily for:

  • Regular online shoppers who can benefit from cashback on purchases they’d make anyway
  • Survey takers looking for additional platforms to maximize their earnings
  • Individuals seeking passive earning methods through activities like email reading and video watching
  • Deal hunters who appreciate discounts, coupons, and promotional offers
  • Loyalty program enthusiasts who enjoy participating in multiple rewards programs

The platform particularly appeals to those who already shop online frequently, as the shopping portal provides the most substantial earning opportunities. Unlike some competitors that focus heavily on surveys, MyPoints positions itself more as a shopping rewards program with additional earning options.

Earning Methods on MyPoints (Detailed Breakdown)

Earning Methods on MyPoints

MyPoints offers diverse ways to earn, each with varying levels of effort and reward potential. Let’s examine each method in detail:

Surveys

MyPoints partners with various survey providers to offer opinion-sharing opportunities to its members.

Types of surveys available:

  • Consumer preference surveys
  • Product testing feedback
  • Advertisement effectiveness studies
  • Brand awareness research
  • Website and app usability testing

Payout rates: Surveys typically range from 50 to 500 Points ($0.30 to $3.00), depending on length and complexity.

Time investment: Most surveys take between 5 to 25 minutes to complete.

Disqualification risk: Like most survey platforms, MyPoints surveys come with a risk of disqualification if you don’t match the demographic profile being sought. MyPoints does offer 5 Points as consolation for disqualifications after answering at least one screening question.

Comparison to other Prodege sites: Survey offerings are similar across Prodege platforms, but MyPoints sometimes features unique surveys not available on Swagbucks or InboxDollars.

Realistic earning example: Completing 2 surveys daily (approximately 30 minutes) might earn you about 150-200 Points daily, or about $25-30 per month from surveys alone.

Shopping

Shopping is arguably MyPoints’ strongest feature and where the platform originated.

How it works:

  • Shop through the MyPoints portal at partner retailers
  • Earn Points for every dollar spent (varies by retailer)
  • Receive bonus Points for meeting certain spending thresholds

Popular retail partners:

  • Amazon
  • Walmart
  • Target
  • Best Buy
  • Macy’s
  • Home Depot
  • And hundreds more

Earning rates: Most retailers offer 1-5 Points per dollar spent, though rates can go as high as 25 Points per dollar during promotions.

Special offers: MyPoints frequently features special promotions like “Score More” events with increased point values for specific retailers.

Potential restrictions: Points from shopping typically take 30 days to become available in your account to allow for return periods.

Realistic earning example: A user spending $500 monthly through the MyPoints portal at an average of 3 Points per dollar could earn 1,500 Points ($9-10) monthly through shopping alone.

Watching Videos

MyPoints offers points for watching short videos across various categories.

Types of videos:

  • Entertainment clips
  • News segments
  • Advertorial content
  • Product demonstrations
  • Recipe tutorials

Payout rates: Video watching typically yields 1-2 Points per video clip.

Time investment: Most videos range from 30 seconds to 3 minutes.

Platform limitations: Video availability varies by region and device.

Realistic earning example: Watching videos for an hour might earn approximately 10-20 Points ($0.06-$0.12), making this one of the lower-paying activities on MyPoints.

Reading Emails (BonusMail)

MyPoints’ BonusMail program rewards users for opening and engaging with promotional emails.

How it works:

  • Opt in to receive BonusMail emails
  • Open emails and click on the specified link
  • Earn 5 Points per BonusMail opened and clicked

Frequency: Members typically receive 3-5 BonusMail emails per week.

Additional benefits: Some BonusMail messages contain special offers that can lead to more points through shopping or other activities.

Realistic earning example: Opening all BonusMail messages might earn around 60-100 Points monthly ($0.36-$0.60), making this a low-effort but also low-reward activity.

Playing Games

MyPoints offers points for playing casual games on their platform or through partner sites.

Types of games:

  • Card games
  • Puzzle games
  • Match-3 games
  • Word games
  • Arcade-style games

Earning methods:

  • Points for time spent playing (usually 1-2 Points per few minutes)
  • Points for in-game achievements
  • Points for in-game purchases (significantly higher return)

Realistic earning example: Playing games for an hour daily might earn about 10-20 Points ($0.06-$0.12), though making in-game purchases dramatically increases this rate.

Local Deals and Coupons

MyPoints offers points for using printable coupons and local deals.

How it works:

  • Browse available coupons and deals
  • Print coupons or access digital deals
  • Earn points when the coupon is redeemed or deal is purchased

Earning rates:

  • 10-25 Points for each coupon redeemed
  • Points based on purchase amount for local deals (similar to shopping rates)

Realistic earning example: Using 5 coupons monthly could earn 50-125 Points ($0.30-$0.75), with additional savings from the coupons themselves.

Referral Program

MyPoints rewards members for bringing new users to the platform.

How it works: Share your referral link with friends and family.

Commission structure:

  • 25 Points when your referral creates an account
  • 750 Points when your referral makes a qualifying purchase of $20 or more through the shopping portal

Realistic earning example: Successfully referring 5 active shopping members could earn 3,875 Points ($23.25) in referral bonuses.

Other Earning Opportunities

Daily Poll: Quick one-question polls worth 5 Points each day.

Search the Web: Earn up to 170 Points monthly by using the MyPoints search engine.

Print Grocery Coupons: Earn 10 Points for each coupon printed and 25 Points for each one redeemed.

Magic Receipts: Upload receipts from grocery stores to earn points on specific product purchases.

Rewards and Redemption (Detailed Explanation)

Reward Options

MyPoints offers a diverse range of redemption options to accommodate different preferences:

Gift cards:

  • Amazon
  • Walmart
  • Target
  • Best Buy
  • Starbucks
  • iTunes
  • Google Play
  • And dozens more retailers

Cash equivalents:

  • PayPal transfers
  • Visa prepaid cards

Travel rewards:

  • United MileagePlus miles
  • Hotel points for certain chains

Other options:

  • Charitable donations
  • Merchant-specific certificates

Point Values

MyPoints uses a point system where the value per point varies slightly depending on the redemption option. Here’s how the conversion typically works:

Reward TypePoints RequiredCash ValuePoints per Dollar
Amazon Gift Card1,590$10.00159
Walmart Gift Card1,550$10.00155
PayPal Cash1,590$10.00159
Visa Prepaid Card1,590$10.00159
Starbucks Gift Card790$5.00158
United MileagePlus3,5001,000 milesVaries

The average value hovers around 150-160 Points per dollar (approximately $0.006 per point), though some redemption options offer slightly better values than others.

Minimum Payout Threshold

The minimum threshold to redeem rewards varies by reward type:

  • Most $3 gift cards: 480 Points minimum
  • Most $5 gift cards: 790 Points minimum
  • PayPal cash: 1,590 Points ($10) minimum
  • United miles: 3,500 Points (1,000 miles) minimum

MyPoints occasionally offers discounted redemption rates for certain gift cards as promotional offers, reducing the points required.

Processing Time

Processing times for rewards redemption are as follows:

  • Gift cards:
    • Digital gift cards: Typically 24-48 hours
    • Physical gift cards: 7-10 business days for delivery
  • PayPal transfers: 3-5 business days
  • Visa prepaid cards:
    • Digital cards: 5-7 business days
    • Physical cards: 10-14 business days
  • United MileagePlus miles: Up to 30 days to appear in your frequent flyer account

During high-volume periods like holidays, processing times may be longer than the stated averages.

Fees and Charges

MyPoints does not directly charge fees for redeeming rewards, but there are some considerations:

  • PayPal transfers: No additional fees from MyPoints, but PayPal’s own fees may apply in certain circumstances.
  • Physical gift cards: No shipping fees for standard delivery.
  • Visa prepaid cards: May carry inactivity fees if not used regularly.

User Experience and Interface (Practical Assessment)

Website Navigation

MyPoints’ website has a functional but somewhat dated interface:

Positive aspects:

  • Clear categorization of earning opportunities
  • Prominently displayed point balance
  • Logical organization of main features

Areas for improvement:

  • Cluttered appearance with numerous promotions
  • Some sections are buried in multiple menu layers
  • Occasional slow loading times for certain pages

Navigation score: 6.5/10 – Functional but showing its age compared to more streamlined modern reward sites.

Website Design

The overall design aesthetic of MyPoints reflects its long history with incremental updates rather than complete overhauls:

Positive aspects:

  • Consistent branding throughout
  • Reasonable text contrast for readability
  • Mobile responsive (though not optimally)

Areas for improvement:

  • Dated visual design compared to newer competitors
  • Dense information presentation can be overwhelming
  • Limited customization for user preferences

Design score: 5.5/10 – Functional but noticeably outdated compared to more visually appealing competitors like Swagbucks or newer entrants to the market.

App Availability and Functionality

MyPoints offers a mobile app for iOS and Android devices:

Positive aspects:

  • Access to most earning opportunities
  • Push notifications for new offers
  • BonusMail accessible through the app

Areas for improvement:

  • Lower user ratings than competitor apps (3.2/5 on Google Play, 3.5/5 on App Store)
  • Occasional stability issues reported by users
  • Limited functionality compared to the website
  • Less intuitive navigation than newer reward apps

App score: 6/10 – Provides basic functionality but lags behind competitor apps in design and stability.

Customer Support

MyPoints offers several support channels:

Available support options:

  • Help center with FAQs
  • Support ticket system
  • Email support

Response times:

  • Ticket system: Typically 2-3 business days
  • Email: 1-5 business days

Quality of assistance:

  • Generally helpful for basic issues
  • Mixed reviews for complex problems
  • Limited phone support availability

Support score: 6.5/10 – Adequate but slower than industry leaders.

Advertising and Spam

On-site advertising:

  • Moderate ad presence throughout the platform
  • Some surveys lead to additional marketing materials
  • Pop-up promotions for featured offers

Email communications:

  • BonusMail program is opt-in but can be frequent
  • Regular newsletters with offers and promotions
  • Partner marketing emails can be numerous unless settings are adjusted

Ad intrusiveness score: 5.5/10 – More advertising than ideal, requiring active management of email preferences.

Accessibility

Device compatibility:

  • Functions on all major browsers
  • Mobile responsive website, though not optimal
  • Dedicated mobile app available

Accessibility features:

  • Limited screen reader compatibility
  • No specific accommodations for visually impaired users
  • Standard text sizing options only

Accessibility score: 5/10 – Meets basic requirements but lacks modern accessibility features.

Pros and Cons of MyPoints (Balanced Perspective)

Pros

Long-established company with 25+ years of operation
Multiple earning methods to suit different preferences
Strong shopping portal with competitive cashback rates
Low minimum redemption threshold (starting at $3 for some gift cards)
Wide variety of gift card and redemption options
United MileagePlus miles redemption option (unique among many reward sites)
Consistent payment history with verified delivery of rewards
Both website and mobile app available
Daily earning opportunities through polls and search
Owned by reputable parent company (Prodege) with billion-dollar payout history

Cons

Dated website interface and user experience
Lower point values for some activities compared to newer competitors
Mobile app has stability issues and lower ratings than competitors
Processing times longer than some competitors, especially for PayPal and Visa rewards
Survey disqualifications can be frequent and frustrating
Video watching and games offer very low returns for time invested
High volume of promotional emails unless settings are carefully managed
Limited unique features compared to sister sites under Prodege
Customer service response times slower than industry leaders
Search function and other tools feel outdated compared to modern alternatives

MyPoints vs. Competitors (Key Comparison)

To provide context for how MyPoints performs against similar platforms, here’s a comparative analysis with leading competitors:

FeatureMyPointsSwagbucksInboxDollarsSurvey Junkie
Founded1996200820002011
Parent CompanyProdegeProdegeProdegeSpectrum Insights
Minimum Payout$3 (gift cards)$3 (gift cards)$15$5
Value per Point~$0.006~$0.01N/A (dollar value)~$0.01
Shopping Cashback1-5+ pts/$1-20+ SB/$1-10%None
Survey QualityGoodGoodGoodExcellent
Mobile App Rating3.3/54.2/54.0/54.3/5
Unique FeatureUnited milesSearch engine$5 sign-up bonusHigh survey focus
Processing Time1-10 days1-10 days3-10 days1-3 days
User InterfaceDatedModernModerateClean, modern

Where MyPoints excels:

  • Longer history and established reputation than most competitors
  • Strong shopping portal with competitive rates
  • Lower minimum redemption threshold than InboxDollars
  • United MileagePlus miles redemption (unique among most reward sites)

Where competitors have an edge:

Comparison with other Prodege platforms: Since MyPoints, Swagbucks, and InboxDollars share the same parent company, there’s significant overlap in their offerings. The primary differences are:

  • MyPoints focuses more on shopping rewards and has the longest history
  • Swagbucks offers a more modern interface and better search rewards
  • InboxDollars uses a cash value system rather than points
  • Each platform occasionally has exclusive offers not found on sister sites

Is MyPoints Still Relevant in 2025? (Addressing the Core Question)

After thorough analysis, the question of MyPoints’ relevance in 2025 comes down to several key factors:

Unique Value Proposition

MyPoints’ primary unique feature is its long history and established shopping portal. However, this advantage has eroded as competitors have developed equally robust shopping features, often with more modern interfaces.

The United MileagePlus redemption option remains truly unique among reward sites and provides value for frequent travelers. However, this appeals to a niche audience rather than the general user base.

Competitive Reward Values

MyPoints’ point values have remained relatively stagnant while some competitors have improved their offerings. At approximately $0.006 per point, the value is below the industry standard of $0.01 per point found on leading platforms like Swagbucks and Survey Junkie.

For shopping rewards specifically, MyPoints remains competitive, but its survey, video, and game rewards lag behind market leaders in terms of return on time invested.

User Experience and Technology

This is perhaps where MyPoints shows its age most clearly. Despite incremental updates, the platform’s interface and technology stack feel outdated compared to newer entrants in the market:

  • The website design hasn’t had a major overhaul in years
  • The mobile app lags behind competitors in ratings and functionality
  • Search and navigation tools don’t match modern UX standards
  • Video and game platforms use older technology

Market Position

As part of the Prodege family, MyPoints has secured its continued existence but faces the challenge of differentiation. Many users report signing up for multiple Prodege platforms (MyPoints, Swagbucks, and InboxDollars) and simply using whichever offers the best rate for a particular activity or purchase.

This strategy works for savvy rewards maximizers but indicates that MyPoints lacks a compelling reason to be a user’s primary rewards platform.

Conclusion on Relevance

Is MyPoints still relevant in 2025? Yes, but with significant qualifications. It remains a legitimate platform with a proven payment history and continues to offer competitive rates for online shopping rewards. However, it has failed to evolve at the pace of the industry and now represents a supplementary option rather than a market leader.

For existing users familiar with its systems, MyPoints continues to provide value. For new users entering the rewards space in 2025, there are more user-friendly and rewarding options available.

Tips and Tricks for Maximizing Earnings (Actionable Advice)

If you decide to use MyPoints, here are proven strategies to optimize your experience and earnings:

1. Focus on Shopping Rewards

MyPoints’ strongest feature is its shopping portal. To maximize value:

  • Always check MyPoints before making online purchases – Even occasional use can accumulate substantial points
  • Watch for “Score More” events – These limited-time promotions offer boosted point values for specific retailers
  • Stack rewards with credit card points – Use rewards credit cards for purchases through MyPoints to double-dip on benefits
  • Set up browser extensions – Install the MyPoints Score extension to get alerts when visiting partner retailers

2. Be Strategic About Surveys

To improve your survey experience:

  • Complete your profile thoroughly – This improves matching for surveys you’re likely to qualify for
  • Try surveys with higher point-to-minute ratios – Aim for at least 5 points per minute of estimated time
  • Attempt surveys early in the day – Quotas fill up as the day progresses, increasing disqualification risk
  • Be consistent with profile questions – Survey platforms track response patterns for quality control

3. Optimize Email and Daily Activities

For low-effort, consistent earnings:

  • Open all BonusMail messages – Quick 5 points per email adds up over time
  • Complete the daily poll every day – Another easy 5 points daily
  • Use the search feature for daily points – Limited monthly earnings but requires minimal effort
  • Check the homepage for flash deals – Occasional high-value, limited-time offers appear randomly

4. Leverage Special Promotions

  • Follow MyPoints on social media – They announce special promotions and point multipliers
  • Check for seasonal offers – Holiday periods often feature boosted point values
  • Look for reactivation bonuses – If you haven’t used the platform recently, log in to check for return bonuses

5. Redeem Rewards Strategically

  • Compare redemption values – Some gift cards offer slightly better point-to-dollar ratios
  • Watch for discounted gift cards – MyPoints occasionally reduces point requirements for specific cards
  • Consider United miles if you fly – This can offer better value for frequent travelers
  • Redeem smaller amounts more frequently – Protects against potential account issues or program changes

6. Set Realistic Expectations

  • Calculate your effective hourly rate – Track time spent and points earned to evaluate efficiency
  • Use MyPoints as part of a broader strategy – Combine with other platforms for maximum rewards
  • Focus on passive earning methods – Shopping you’d do anyway, BonusMail, and referrals offer the best return on time
  • Treat MyPoints as supplementary income – Not a replacement for traditional employment

Conclusion (Final Verdict and Recommendation)

After thoroughly examining MyPoints from multiple perspectives and comparing it with alternatives, here’s our nuanced recommendation:

MyPoints is a legitimate rewards platform with a long history of reliable payments. It’s not a scam and continues to function as advertised, delivering the rewards it promises. However, legitimacy doesn’t automatically make it the optimal choice in 2025’s competitive rewards marketplace.

MyPoints is best suited for:

  • Regular online shoppers who want to earn rewards on purchases they’d make anyway
  • Casual rewards earners who prefer a platform with multiple earning options
  • Existing users already familiar with the MyPoints system
  • United Airlines frequent flyers who value the unique MileagePlus redemption option
  • Users who prioritize company longevity over having the latest features

MyPoints may not be ideal for:

  • New rewards site users seeking the most modern and intuitive experience
  • Heavy survey takers who would benefit from platforms with better qualification rates
  • Those seeking highest point values across all activity types
  • Users prioritizing fast processing times for cash redemptions
  • Mobile-first users who want a top-rated app experience

With reasonable expectations and strategic use focusing on its strengths (primarily shopping rewards), MyPoints can provide modest supplementary income worth $10-50 monthly for dedicated users. This makes it a viable option in the rewards site ecosystem, though not necessarily the leader it once was.

If MyPoints doesn’t seem right for you based on this review, consider exploring alternatives like Rakuten Review for pure cashback shopping, Fetch Rewards Review for receipt scanning, Ibotta Review for grocery rewards, for a more modern interface with similar functionality.

Have you tried MyPoints or similar rewards sites? We’d love to hear about your experiences in the comments below. And if you found this review helpful, please share it with others who might be wondering if MyPoints is still worth their time in 2025.

Disclaimer: Earnings potential varies based on demographics, location, available time, and strategy. The figures mentioned in this review represent typical experiences but are not guaranteed. Always exercise caution with personal and financial information when using any online service. For more information about online rewards programs and consumer protection, visit the Better Business Bureau or the Prodege company website.

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