Travel is an essential part of modern life, and it is estimated that billions of people travel every year.
According to the World Tourism Organization, global international tourist arrivals reached 1.5 billion in 2019, and the total expenditure on travel reached a staggering $1.7 trillion.
This indicates that people are willing to spend a significant amount of money on travel, which makes promoting the top travel affiliate programs a lucrative idea.
There are several reasons why promoting travel affiliate programs is a great idea. Firstly, travel is a massive industry, and there are many different types of travel-related products and services that can be promoted through affiliate programs. For example, hotels, airlines, car rental companies, and travel insurance providers all have affiliate programs that offer commissions to affiliates who promote their products and services.
Secondly, travel is an evergreen niche, which means that it is a market that will always be in demand. People will always want to travel, whether it’s for business, leisure, or personal reasons. This makes travel affiliate programs a great option for long-term passive income.
Thirdly, promoting travel affiliate programs is relatively easy compared to other niches. There are several online platforms that cater to travel enthusiasts, such as travel blogs, travel forums, and travel review sites. These platforms provide an excellent opportunity for affiliates to promote travel-related products and services to a highly targeted audience.
Finally, travel affiliate programs offer high commission rates, which means that affiliates can earn significant amounts of money for each referral. For example, some hotel affiliate programs offer commissions of up to 10% on bookings made through affiliate links. This can add up quickly, especially if the affiliate has a large following or audience.
Just beginning in Affiliate Marketing and want to know more? Be sure to review the following articles:
- What is Affiliate Marketing?
- Beginner Affiliate Marketing
- How to Start Affiliate Marketing?
- Top Affiliate Niches
Expedia Affiliate Program
Expedia is an American online travel company that operates multiple travel brands, including Expedia.com, Hotels.com, Orbitz, and Travelocity. The company was founded in 1996 by Rich Barton and Lloyd Frink, and it is based in Seattle, Washington. Expedia is one of the largest online travel companies in the world, with a presence in over 60 countries and a portfolio of over 200 travel booking sites.
Expedia also has an affiliate program, which allows website owners, bloggers, and other affiliates to earn commissions by promoting Expedia’s travel products and services. The Expedia Affiliate Program provides access to a range of travel products, including flights, hotels, car rentals, vacation packages, and activities. Affiliates can earn commissions on bookings made through their unique tracking links.
The commission rate for the Expedia Affiliate Program varies depending on the type of travel product being promoted. For example, the commission rate for hotel bookings is typically 6%, while the commission rate for flight bookings can range from 1% to 4%. The commission rate for car rentals and activities is usually around 10%.
The cookie duration for the Expedia Affiliate Program is 7 days. This means that if a user clicks on an affiliate’s Expedia link and makes a booking within 7 days, the affiliate will receive a commission for that booking. The cookie duration is relatively short compared to other affiliate programs, but it is still long enough to capture most booking activity.
As you can see, the Expedia Affiliate Program is a great option for affiliates who want to promote a wide range of travel products and services. The commission rates are competitive, and the cookie duration is reasonable. With Expedia’s brand recognition and global reach, affiliates can earn significant commissions by promoting Expedia’s travel products and services to their audience.
Affiliate Program URL: Expedia Affiliate Program
Commission Rate: 1-10%
Cookie Duration: 7 days
Booking.com Affiliate Program
Booking.com is a Dutch-based online travel company that provides booking services for accommodation, flights, car rentals, and other travel-related services. The company was founded in 1996 in Amsterdam and has since grown to become one of the largest travel booking platforms in the world. As of 2021, the company has over 28 million listings on its website in more than 228 countries and territories.
Booking.com also has an affiliate program, known as the Booking.com Affiliate Partner Program. This program allows affiliates to earn commissions by promoting Booking.com’s travel products and services to their audience. Affiliates can access a wide range of travel products, including hotels, apartments, villas, and vacation rentals, as well as flight and car rental bookings.
The commission rate for the Booking.com Affiliate Partner Program varies depending on the type of accommodation being booked and the number of bookings generated by the affiliate. The commission rate typically starts at 4% but can increase up to 40% for affiliates who generate a high volume of bookings.
The cookie duration for the Booking.com Affiliate Partner Program is 1 year, which is a relatively long cookie duration compared to other affiliate programs.
Affiliate Program URL: Booking.com Affiliate Program
Commission Rate: 40% (Outstanding!)
Cookie Duration: 1 year (incredible!)
Priceline Affiliate Program
Priceline is an American online travel company that offers travel-related services, including hotel bookings, car rentals, and flights. The company was founded in 1997 and is headquartered in Norwalk, Connecticut. Priceline is best known for its “Name Your Own Price” feature, which allows users to bid on hotel rooms, rental cars, and flights at a discounted price.
Priceline also has an affiliate program, known as the Priceline Partner Network. This program allows affiliates to earn commissions by promoting Priceline’s travel products and services to their audience. Affiliates can access a wide range of travel products, including hotels, flights, car rentals, and vacation packages.
Affiliate Program URL: Priceline Affiliate Program
Commission Rate: 3-5%
Cookie Duration: 30 days
DiscoverCars Affiliate Program
Discovercars.com is an online car rental booking platform that was founded in 2013. The company is headquartered in Latvia and operates in over 150 countries, providing car rental services in more than 8,000 locations worldwide. Discovercars.com offers a range of rental vehicles, including economy cars, luxury cars, SUVs, and vans.
Discovercars.com also has an affiliate program that allows website owners and bloggers to earn commissions by promoting their car rental services. The Discovercars.com Affiliate Program provides affiliates with access to a wide range of rental vehicles and services, including one-way rentals, airport pick-up, and drop-off, and multi-destination bookings.
The commission rate for the Discovercars.com Affiliate Program is up to 70% of the booking value, making it one of the highest commission rates in the car rental industry. The exact commission rate depends on various factors, such as the affiliate’s performance, the rental vehicle type, and the location of the rental. However, the average commission rate for affiliates is around 30%.
Affiliate Program URL: DiscoverCars.com Affiliate Program
Commission Rate: Up to 70$
Cookie Duration: 30 days
Go City Affiliate Program
Go City is a travel company that offers multi-attraction passes for popular tourist destinations around the world. These passes allow travelers to visit multiple attractions, tours, and activities at a discounted price, providing a convenient and cost-effective way to experience the best of a destination.
Affiliate Program URL: Go City Affiliate Program
Commission Rate: 6-10%
Cookie Duration: 30 days
Hotellook Affiliate Program
Hotellook is a hotel booking platform that allows users to compare hotel prices and find the best deals on accommodations around the world. The platform aggregates information from multiple hotel booking websites and allows users to book directly through the site or by clicking through to the partner site.
The commission rate offered by the Hotellook affiliate program is based on a revenue share model. This means that affiliates earn a percentage of the commission that Hotellook receives from bookings made by customers referred by the affiliate. The commission rate varies based on the number of bookings and the type of travel service promoted. In general, the commission rate ranges from 50% to 70% of Hotellook’s commission.
Affiliate Program URL: Hotellook Affiliate Program
Commission Rate: Up to 70%
Cookie Duration: 30 days
HotelsCombined Affiliate Program
HotelsCombined is a hotel booking platform that allows users to compare hotel prices and find the best deals on accommodations around the world. The platform aggregates information from multiple hotel booking websites and allows users to book directly through the site or by clicking through to the partner site.
The commission rate offered by the HotelsCombined affiliate program is based on a revenue share model. This means that affiliates earn a percentage of the commission that HotelsCombined receives from bookings made by customers referred by the affiliate. The commission rate varies based on the number of bookings and the type of travel service promoted. In general, the commission rate ranges from 50% to 70% of HotelsCombined’s commission.
The cookie duration of HotelsCombined’s affiliate program is 365 days.
Affiliate Program URL: HotelsCombined Affiliate Program
Commission Rate: 50-70% (Very good!)
Cookie Duration: 1 year (Awesome!)
Kayak Affiliate Program
Kayak is a travel search engine that allows users to compare prices on flights, hotels, rental cars, and vacation packages from multiple travel booking sites. The platform aggregates information from various travel websites and allows users to book directly through the site or by clicking through to the partner site.
Affiliate Program URL: Kayak Affiliate Program
Commission Rate: Up to 50%
Cookie Duration: 30 days
Travala Affiliate Program
Travala is a blockchain-based travel booking platform that allows users to book flights, hotels, and other travel services using various cryptocurrencies as payment. The platform aims to offer a cheaper and more efficient way for travelers to book their trips, while also promoting the use of cryptocurrencies in the travel industry.
The commission rate offered by the Travala affiliate program is 5% of the booking value for hotels and 1% for flights. This means that affiliates earn a percentage of the revenue that Travala earns from hotel and flight bookings made by customers referred by the affiliate.
Travala also offers a loyalty program for customers who use the platform frequently. Customers can earn rewards in the form of AVA tokens, the platform’s native cryptocurrency, for each booking they make. Affiliates can also earn AVA tokens as part of their commission, which they can then use to pay for travel services on the platform.
Affiliate Program URL: Travala Affiliate Program
Commission Rate: Up to 5%
Cookie Duration: 30 days
Ekta Travel Insurance Affiliate Program
Ekta Travel Insurance is an online travel insurance provider that offers a range of travel insurance products to protect travelers during their trips. The company’s travel insurance policies cover a variety of risks, including trip cancellation, medical expenses, baggage loss, and more.
The commission rate offered by the Ekta Travel Insurance affiliate program is based on a revenue share model. This means that affiliates earn a percentage of the commission that Ekta Travel Insurance receives from policies purchased by customers referred by the affiliate. The commission rate varies based on the type of policy promoted. In general, the commission rate ranges from 20% to 30% of Ekta Travel Insurance’s commission.
Affiliate Program URL: Ekta Affiliate Program
Commission Rate: Up to 30%
Cookie Duration: 30 days
Plum Guide Affiliate Program
Plum Guide is a luxury vacation rental platform that offers high-quality properties in cities around the world. The company carefully curates its portfolio of homes and apartments, with each property undergoing a rigorous evaluation process to ensure that it meets the company’s high standards of quality, style, and comfort.
Affiliate Program URL: Plum Guide Affiliate Program
Commission Rate: 7-12%
Cookie Duration: 30 days
TravelPayouts.com Affiliate Program
TravelPayouts.com is a global affiliate network that specializes in the travel industry. The company was founded in 2011 and is headquartered in Moscow, Russia. TravelPayouts.com offers a range of travel-related affiliate programs, including flight booking services, hotel bookings, car rentals, and more.
The TravelPayouts.com Affiliate Program allows affiliates to earn commissions by promoting travel-related products and services to their audience. Affiliates can access a wide range of travel products, including flights, hotels, car rentals, and tours, from over 50 different travel companies.
The commission rate for the TravelPayouts.com Affiliate Program varies depending on the type of travel product being promoted and the affiliate’s performance. The commission rate for flights can range from 1.6% to 3% of the booking value, while hotel bookings can earn affiliates up to 6% of the booking value.
Affiliate Program URL: TravelPayouts.com
Commission Rate: Up to 6%
Cookie Duration: 30 days
KiwiTaxi Affiliate Program
Kiwitaxi is an online platform that offers airport transfers, city transfers, and tours in over 100 countries worldwide. The company was founded in 2010 with the aim of providing affordable and convenient transportation services for travelers. Kiwitaxi works with licensed and experienced drivers to ensure the safety and comfort of their customers during their travels.
Kiwitaxi also offers an affiliate program that allows website owners, bloggers, and travel agencies to earn commissions by promoting Kiwitaxi’s services. The affiliate program provides partners with a unique link and a set of marketing materials to use on their website or social media channels. When a customer clicks on the affiliate’s link and makes a booking, the affiliate earns a commission on the total sale.
The commission rate for Kiwitaxi’s affiliate program is 50% of the company’s profit, which is calculated as the difference between the cost of the service and the commission paid to the driver. The commission is paid out on a monthly basis via PayPal or wire transfer.
Affiliate Program URL: KiwiTaxi Affiliate Program
Commission Rate: 50%
Cookie Duration: 30 days
EconomyBookings.com Affiliate Program
EconomyBookings.com is an online platform that allows users to book car rentals in over 150 countries worldwide. They offer a wide range of cars from economy to luxury, and their website is available in multiple languages to cater to customers from around the world. EconomyBookings.com aims to provide their customers with the best possible service and a hassle-free car rental experience.
The commission rate offered by EconomyBookings.com’s affiliate program varies based on the number of completed bookings made by customers referred by the affiliate. The commission rates are as follows:
- 50% commission for the first 5 completed bookings in a month
- 60% commission for 6 to 10 completed bookings in a month
- 70% commission for 11 or more completed bookings in a month
The cookie duration of EconomyBookings.com’s affiliate program is 30 days.
Affiliate Program URL: EconomyBookings.com Affiliate Program
Commission Rate: Up to 70%
Cookie Duration: 30 days
CheapOAir Affiliate Program
CheapOair is an online travel agency that offers discounted rates on flights, hotels, rental cars, and vacation packages to customers worldwide. Founded in 2005, the company has grown to become one of the largest online travel agencies, serving millions of customers each year.
The commission rate for CheapOair’s affiliate program varies depending on the type of product and the affiliate’s sales volume. For flight bookings, the commission rate typically ranges from 1% to 5% of the total booking value. For hotel bookings, the commission rate typically ranges from 3% to 5% of the total booking value. The commission rate for rental cars and vacation packages varies depending on the specific product.
Affiliate Program URL: CheapOAir Affiliate Program via Awin Affiliate Network
Commission Rate: Up to 5%
Cookie Duration: 30 days
Tripadvisor Affiliate Program
TripAdvisor is a travel website that provides information and reviews on hotels, restaurants, flights, vacation rentals, and other travel-related activities. It has become one of the world’s largest travel platforms, with over 884 million reviews and opinions from travelers.
The commission rate offered by the TripAdvisor affiliate program varies based on the type of service promoted and the number of completed bookings made by customers referred by the affiliate.
The cookie duration of TripAdvisor’s affiliate program is 14 days.
Affiliate Program URL: TripAdvisor Affiliate Program
Commission Rate: 50%
Cookie Duration: 14 days
Trivago Affiliate Program
Trivago is a German-based travel search engine that enables users to compare prices and accommodations for hotels and vacation rentals worldwide. The platform provides users with comprehensive information on prices, availability, and reviews from other travelers to help them find the best deal on their preferred hotel or vacation rental.
Trivago also offers an affiliate program that allows website owners and travel bloggers to earn commissions by promoting Trivago’s hotel search services on their website or blog. The Trivago affiliate program provides access to the Trivago Partner Studio, which is a platform that allows affiliates to integrate Trivago’s search technology into their websites and customize their search results to suit their audience.
Affiliate Program URL: Trivago Affiliate Program
Commission Rate: 40%
Cookie Duration: 30 days
Aviasales Affiliate Program
Aviasales (also known as Jetradar) is a global travel search engine that allows users to compare and book flights, hotels, and rental cars from a variety of travel providers. The company’s search engine aggregates travel data from over 1,000 airlines and travel agencies, making it easy for users to find the best deals on travel.
Affiliate Program URL: Aviasales Affiliate Program
Commission Rate: 60% (Nice!)
Cookie Duration: 30 days
Airalo Affiliate Program
Airalo is a global eSIM (embedded SIM) provider that offers affordable mobile data plans to travelers who need internet access while abroad. With Airalo, travelers can purchase eSIMs for their mobile devices, which allow them to connect to local networks and avoid expensive roaming charges.
Affiliate Program URL: Airalo Affiliate Program
Commission Rate: Flat 10% each
Cookie Duration: 30 days
WeGoTrip Affiliate Program
WeGoTrip is a travel platform that allows users to search and book vacation rentals, hotels, flights, and other travel-related activities. The platform provides users with a range of travel options from budget to luxury, and it is available in multiple languages to cater to customers from around the world.
WeGoTrip also offers an affiliate program for website owners, travel bloggers, and anyone interested in promoting their travel services. The WeGoTrip affiliate program allows participants to earn commissions by promoting WeGoTrip’s travel services on their website or blog.
The commission rate offered by the WeGoTrip affiliate program is based on a revenue share model. This means that affiliates earn a percentage of the commission that WeGoTrip receives from bookings made by customers referred by the affiliate. The commission rate varies based on the number of bookings and the type of travel service promoted. In general, the commission rate ranges from 30% to 70% of WeGoTrip’s commission.
Affiliate Program URL: WeGoTrip Affiliate Program
Commission Rate: Up to 70%
Cookie Duration: 30 days
FAQ
Is travel a good affiliate niche?
Yes, travel is a very popular and lucrative affiliate niche. It offers a wide range of opportunities to promote different types of travel products and services, such as flights, hotels, vacation packages, car rentals, travel insurance, and more.
Travel is a multi-billion dollar industry, and people are always looking for new destinations to explore and ways to save money on their travel expenses. As an affiliate marketer in the travel niche, you can promote various travel-related products and services to your audience and earn a commission for every sale that you generate.
Moreover, the travel niche has a very broad audience, ranging from budget-conscious backpackers to luxury travelers, so there are plenty of opportunities to target different segments of the market. Additionally, travel-related content such as blogs, social media posts, and videos can be visually appealing and engaging, making it a great opportunity for affiliate marketers to create compelling content and attract visitors to their website or social media channels.
How much do travel affiliates make?
The amount of money that travel affiliates can make varies greatly and depends on several factors, such as the affiliate program they are promoting, the commission rate offered, the volume of traffic they generate, and the conversion rate of their website visitors.
Some travel affiliate programs offer a low commission rate, typically around 1-3% of the sale price, while others offer a higher commission rate of up to 10-15%. Additionally, some affiliate programs may offer performance-based incentives such as bonuses or increased commission rates for affiliates who generate a high volume of sales.
How do I start a travel affiliate website?
Starting a travel affiliate website requires a few steps. Here’s a brief guide to get started:
- Choose a niche: Start by identifying the niche within the travel industry that you want to focus on. For example, you could choose to promote budget travel, luxury travel, adventure travel, or travel to a specific destination or region.
- Select affiliate programs: Research and select reputable travel affiliate programs that align with your niche. Look for programs that offer a good commission rate, provide quality products and services, and have a good reputation in the industry.
- Choose a domain name: Choose a domain name for your website that reflects your niche and is easy to remember. You can use a domain registrar like GoDaddy or Namecheap to register your domain.
- Set up hosting: Choose a reliable hosting provider like Bluehost, SiteGround, or HostGator to host your website.
- Design your website: Use a content management system like WordPress to design and build your website. You can use a pre-designed theme or create a custom design that reflects your brand and niche.
- Create content: Create high-quality content that provides value to your audience. This could include travel guides, reviews of travel products and services, destination overviews, and more.
- Promote your website: Use social media, SEO, and other marketing strategies to promote your website and attract visitors. Make sure to use ethical and effective marketing strategies to build a loyal audience and generate sales.
- Monitor and optimize: Track your website’s performance using analytics tools like Google Analytics, and optimize your website based on the insights you gather. Continuously monitor your website’s performance and adapt your strategy as needed.
Starting a travel affiliate website requires time, effort, and dedication, but with the right strategies and approach, it can be a rewarding and profitable venture.
Does AirBnb offer an affiliate program?
Yes, Airbnb offers an affiliate program that allows affiliates to earn commissions by promoting Airbnb’s accommodation options to their audience. The commission rate offered by Airbnb varies depending on the type of referral you make:
Host referral: If you refer someone who becomes a new host on Airbnb, you can earn up to $100 for each qualifying listing they create.
Guest referral: If you refer someone who becomes a new guest on Airbnb, you can earn up to $25 for their first qualifying stay and up to $9 for their first qualifying experience.
The exact commission rates offered by Airbnb may vary by location and may be subject to change. Additionally, Airbnb may offer performance-based incentives such as bonuses or increased commission rates for affiliates who generate a high volume of referrals.
Does VRBO offer an affiliate program?
Yes, but their commission rate is one of the lowest – around 2%. I highly recommend choosing another travel affiliate program from the list above.
What percentage does Expedia take?
Typically, Expedia charges a commission rate of around 15-25% of the total booking value, although this can vary depending on the specific product or service being booked. For example, the commission rate for flights may be lower than the commission rate for hotels.
