This article is for affiliates in programs powered by Affonso.
Affonso tracks your referrals, commissions, and payout status, but each brand sets its own payout rules. That means the exact timing depends on the program you joined.
What has to happen before you get paid
Most programs follow the same sequence:
1. You need enough approved commissions to reach the payout threshold
Each program sets a minimum payout threshold such as $50 or $100.
If your approved earnings are below that amount, no payout is created yet. Your balance usually rolls over until you reach the threshold.
Example: If the threshold is $50 and you have $45 in approved commissions, you'll need at least $5 more before the program can generate a payout.
2. Your commissions need to clear the hold period
New commissions are usually not payable immediately. They often stay Pending for a hold period so refunds, disputes, or chargebacks can be handled before money goes out.
Only commissions that have moved from Pending to Approved count toward your payout threshold.
Example: If a commission is created on May 1, 2026 and the program has a 30-day hold period, that commission becomes eligible on May 31, 2026 if it was not refunded or rejected.
3. The next payout cycle needs to run
After you reach the threshold with approved commissions, the program still waits for its next scheduled payout check.
Common schedules are:
- Weekly: checked every Monday
- Monthly: checked on the 1st of each month
Example: If you cross the threshold on Thursday, June 11, 2026 and the program pays weekly, your payout would normally be created on Monday, June 15, 2026.
4. The payout needs to be processed
After a payout is created, it still needs to be sent.
- Some brands pay payouts manually
- Some brands use Managed Payouts
If the program uses Managed Payouts, the brand can pay the commission invoice to Affonso from the 1st of the new month. Once that payment is received, Affonso processes the payout within 7 business days.
You can usually see whether Managed Payouts are being used in the program's Success Hub under /success-hub#payment-terms.
5. Your payout details may need to be complete
No one can send money if they do not know where to send it.
Make sure you have added the required payout details, such as:
- PayPal email
- Bank or wire details
- Tax or invoicing details, if requested by the brand
If the brand is waiting on missing payout information, your balance will remain unpaid until that is completed.
If the program uses Managed Payouts, this matters even more: Managed Payouts run on a monthly cycle and are considered from the 1st of the month. If no valid payment method is on file when that new cycle starts, that payout will not be processed in that month. Once you add the missing details, your balance can be considered again in the next payout cycle.
Why you may not have been paid yet
If you expected a payout and nothing has arrived, one of these is usually the reason:
- Your approved balance is still below the payout threshold
- Your commissions are still inside the hold period
- The next weekly or monthly payout run has not happened yet
- A payout was created, but the brand has not processed it yet
- The program is using Managed Payouts and the current payout cycle is still being settled
- Your payout method or tax details are missing, incomplete, or were added too late for the current cycle
- Some commissions were refunded, rejected, or reversed before payout
What to check in your affiliate portal
Before contacting the brand, check:
- whether your commissions are still Pending or already Approved
- whether your approved balance has reached the threshold
- whether a payout is shown as pending or paid
- whether your payout method details are filled in correctly
Who to contact about payout questions
If you see Managed Payouts mentioned in the program's Success Hub under /success-hub#payment-terms, Affonso processes the payout after the brand's payment reaches us.
If you do not see that information there, the brand handles payouts itself.
For payout status, commission disputes, missing payment details, or payout timing, contact the brand running the affiliate program.
Their contact details are usually shown:
- in your affiliate portal
- in your acceptance email
- on the brand's website
Affonso provides the infrastructure. The brand controls the payout rules and, unless Managed Payouts are explicitly shown, handles the payout process itself.
