Hi @preparedwombat, I am having the same lag time you are having on PAL to claim my rewards.
I wanted to respond on your post yesterday, but it appeared there was a war happening on your post!🤔🙃
I use keychain and the best thing I have found is to claim rewards and then sign out.
I give it a few seconds/minutes and resign in.
It sometimes takes five to six tries!😳
I have used Steem-engine with keychain and for me it is worse.
Growing pains????