Sometimes there are real big promos launched with multiple TEs participating. Sometimes a special award is attached in the form of stickers, badges, points or what ever.

Of course such promos will attract those who are interested in collected those items to surf the participating TEs. I think joint surf parties with other TEs are a nice thing; members can collect and TE owners may get some new members and increased activity on their exchange.

I think surfing for collecting items and winning small cash prizes are fine. However I dislike exchanges who focus on cash surf only and/or offer outrageous cash rewards. The way I see it, it are the owners of such TEs that benefit the most and maybe some surfers that surf for cash and cash prizes only. 

Cash surf is not always in the best interest for the membership of a TE. My concern is especially for smaller TEs. It does not serve members interests when credits are spent on members that are only interested in surfing for cash. 

As for my own TE surf-Bar-Traffic I offer so far mouse points and gems points because it leaves members a choice on where and for what they can redeem them. As for cash, I offer cash rewards that can be redeemed for SBT purchases for free members and real cash for upgraded members.

I do not want free members consuming credits of my members only to earn a few cents cash. This will keep out the free surfers for cash only members that have no interest in what my members have to offer. After all, time is money too and I do not want my members credits wasted.

Surf promos: I have done some with other TEs where the requirement was to surf x sites on both TEs. I found out that some TE owners don't bother to check that; they simply announce winners without checking. I think that is cheating the members that did actually surf both TEs. Sorry but such TEs go on my black list for future surf parties.

In general I think there are way too many surf parties. Many people are member of many TEs; they can't possibly attend them all. Therefore my preference is for ongoing promotions like TECommandsurf and the surf party channels of AdOne-Ten where people can earn more credits simply bu surfing a group of TEs simultaneously. Every day, 24/7 without the need of support tickets.

Individual parties do work when properly advertised a few days in advance by both TE owners.