As far as I'm aware, if you're not partnered the only way to be paid is through AdSense. *shudders*
Haha I wasn't saying it's a feature though. I'm saying partnerships bring more features than banners and custom thumbnails, as the OP mentioned. The part about the price cut is when he saids that many partners don't care about growing their channel, they are only doing it for the revenue."...they are going to surprised when their pay is cut. Getting partnered bring a lot more features...