Progress Report - Payment from Clickbank

Since my last progress report, I've been busy putting the finishing touches to the latest release of my software, and unfortunately, neglecting any marketing activities.
This has had the expected effect - sales and income have dropped.

The only significant item has been that Clickbank have posted me another cheque for commissions earned.  What is strange about this though is that I have my payment threshold set to $50, and they have sent a cheque for $44.75.  It would appear that the sending of cheques is triggered by the balance passing the threshold, even though they hold back a percentage of your payment to cover refunds etc.  Consequently, the amount they send can end up less than the threshold.
As my bank account is in UK Pounds and the cheques are sent in US Dollars, I get charged to pay it in, thus reducing the value of my earnings.
There are two solutions to this problem.  The first is to increase the payment threshold so that each cheque is for a larger amount, and the fee for paying it in is a relatively smaller proportion of the total.  The second is to elect to be paid by direct transfer into your bank account.  Payments are made in your own currency, so there is no fee to convert them.
This second option has the further benefit that you don't have to make that trip to the bank to pay it in - it happens electronically.  There are some criteria that you have to meet to choose this option.  First of all, you have to have received 2 paper cheques within a 12-week period, and secondly, you have to be in an eligible country.
If you are not in an eligible country, it may be possible for the payment to be "wired" to your bank.

I'm a relative beginner as a Clickbank affiliate and I don't make a huge number of sales.  I haven't received 2 paper cheques within 12 weeks, so I can't choose direct payments.  I keep the payment threshold low because if I go through a lean period with no sales, my account will be considered "dormant" and Clickbank will start charging handling fees, thus eating into my commission.  By keeping the threshold low, I can get paid after just a few sales, and minimise the amount remaining in the account that could taken by Clickbank as dormant account handling fees.  When I have improved my marketing techniques and start making a lot of sales on a regular basis, I shall increase the payment threshold and select direct payments.