Affiliate Program FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Do I need an existing TrekMail account to apply?

Yes. The affiliate dashboard lives inside the TrekMail platform. You need a registered account to submit an application. The account does not need to be on a paid plan.

Do I need a website or a minimum audience size to apply?

No. There is no hard requirement around website or audience size. You can apply from any platform — blog, newsletter, YouTube, social media, a podcast, or an agency client base. Every application is reviewed on its own merits. That said, larger and more engaged audiences increase your chances of approval.

Can I apply from outside the United States?

Yes. The affiliate program is open to individuals and businesses worldwide — US citizens, US residents, non-US residents, and international applicants alike. The only exception is applicants based in or operating from countries or territories currently subject to US sanctions. If you are uncertain whether this applies to you, check the OFAC sanctions list before applying.

Can I apply if I was previously a TrekMail user who switched away?

Yes, as long as you otherwise meet the eligibility criteria.

Can I run the affiliate program and the referral program at the same time?

Yes. The two programs are independent. Your referral link (which earns free months) and your affiliate links (which earn cash commissions) are separate and do not interfere with each other.

Can I apply again if my application was rejected?

No. Resubmission is not available. If you believe the rejection was made in error or your situation has changed materially (for example, you have significantly grown your platform since applying), contact TrekMail support to explain your circumstances. Support can escalate the case for manual review if appropriate.

How long does the application review take?

Applications are reviewed within 1–2 business days of submission. You will receive an email with the outcome.

When can I start promoting?

You can explore the affiliate dashboard and create links immediately after registering your workspace or starting an affiliate application — you do not have to wait for approval. Eligible paid invoices attributed to your links can still generate commissions while your application is pending. Approval is required for payouts, not for link creation, analytics access, or commission accrual.

Do I need to submit tax documents before I can promote?

No. You can promote right away. But your tax profile (W-9, W-8BEN, or W-8BEN-E) must be submitted and approved before your first payout can be processed. The tax form is completed electronically — the official IRS PDF loads directly in your browser with interactive fields. We recommend completing it early to avoid delays when commissions become available.

Why is my commission shown as "pending"?

Every commission goes through a 30-day hold period from the date it was earned. This protects the program against refunds and chargebacks. After 30 days, eligible commissions move to Available and can be included in a payout request.

What happens to my commissions if a referred customer cancels or requests a refund?

Commissions tied to refunded payments are reversed. If a refund occurs during the hold period, the commission is cancelled before it becomes available. If a refund occurs after a commission has been paid out, the reversed amount may be deducted from a future payout.

How long do I earn from a referred customer?

You earn commissions on a referred customer's subscription payments for up to 12 months from their first qualifying payment.

Can I refer myself or a business I own?

No. Self-referrals are not permitted and will be detected. Commissions from self-referrals will be cancelled and the account may be suspended. See Affiliate Program Rules for the full policy.

Can multiple affiliates earn from the same customer?

Only the last affiliate link clicked before signup receives attribution. TrekMail uses last-click attribution with a 30-day window.

What is my commission rate?

All new affiliates start at Tier 1 (30%). Upgrades to Tier 2 (35%) and Tier 3 (40%) are at admin discretion, based on your performance over time. See Commission Tiers and Rates for more details.

How do I get paid?

Once your available balance reaches the minimum of $50 USD, and your affiliate application plus tax profile are approved, you can submit a payout request. Payouts are processed within 1–2 business days via PayPal or Stripe. See Requesting a Payout for the full process.