If you love travel and want to turn your passion into profit, travel affiliate programs are your answer. These programs let you earn money every time someone books a hotel, flight, tour, or travel service through your links.
The best part? You don’t need to create products or handle customer service. Just share your travel experiences and recommendations, and watch the commissions roll in.
Earn Passive Income with Travel Affiliate Programs
I’ve been working with travel affiliate programs for years now, and I can tell you one thing for sure: this is one of the best ways to make money from your travel blog or website.
Travel affiliate marketing lets you earn commissions by sharing links to hotels, flights, tours, and travel gear. When someone clicks your link and makes a booking, you get paid. Simple as that.
The travel industry is huge. People spend thousands of dollars on trips every year. And with more people booking travel online, there’s never been a better time to start earning from travel affiliate programs.
In this guide, I’ll share the best travel affiliate programs that actually pay well. I’ll also show you how to choose the right ones for your blog and how to start making money.
What Are Travel Affiliate Programs and How Do They Work?
Let me break this down in simple terms.
A travel affiliate program is a partnership between you and a travel company. They give you special tracking links. When your readers click these links and book something, you earn a commission.
Here are the basic terms you need to know:
Commission – This is the money you earn when someone books through your link. It can be a percentage of the sale or a fixed amount.
Cookie duration – This is how long the tracking link stays active. If someone clicks your link today but books tomorrow, you still get credit if it’s within the cookie window.
Referral – This is when someone uses your link to make a purchase.
Most travel affiliate programs work like this: You sign up, get approved, and receive your unique affiliate links. You add these links to your blog posts, social media, or email. When someone clicks and completes a booking, you earn money.
The best part? You don’t handle any customer service, inventory, or shipping. The travel company does all that. You just promote and earn.
How to Choose the Best Travel Affiliate Programs
Not all affiliate programs are worth your time. Here’s what I look for:
Commission rates – Higher is better, but also consider the booking value. A 4% commission on a $1000 hotel booking is $40. That’s good money.
Cookie duration – Longer is better. Some programs offer 30 days, others just 7 days. Travel bookings take time to decide, so longer cookies help you earn more.
Brand reputation – People are more likely to book with brands they trust. Programs like Booking.com and Expedia convert well because people know them.
Payout threshold – This is the minimum you need to earn before getting paid. Look for programs with low thresholds like $50 or $100.
You also need to match programs to your niche. If you write about backpacking, promote hostel bookings and travel insurance. If you focus on luxury travel, go for high-end hotel programs. Family travel bloggers should promote family-friendly accommodations and tours.
Know your audience. That’s the key to picking programs that actually make you money.
Best All-in-One Travel Affiliate Programs
These programs cover everything from flights to hotels to car rentals. They’re perfect if you’re just starting out.
Expedia Affiliate Program
Expedia is one of the biggest names in travel. They offer access to over 140,000 properties worldwide, plus flights, vacation packages, and car rentals.
You can earn 2% to 6% commission depending on what people book. Cruises pay the most at 6%. The cookie duration is 7 days.
The best part about Expedia is the brand recognition. People trust it, which means higher conversion rates for you.
Booking.com Affiliate Program
This is probably the most popular travel affiliate program out there. Booking.com has over 2.5 million properties and offers a 4% commission on all bookings.
The downside? The cookie is session-based. That means people need to book right away for you to earn. But the high conversion rates make up for it.
Many travel bloggers I know make thousands of dollars per month from Booking.com alone.
TripAdvisor Affiliate Program
TripAdvisor is different. You get 50% of what TripAdvisor earns from the booking. Even better, you get paid for clicks that lead to partner sites, not just completed bookings.
You can promote hotels, restaurants, flights, and activities. The 14-day cookie window is decent.
Join through CJ Affiliate or AWIN to access the TripAdvisor program.
Travelpayouts
This is a network that connects you to multiple travel brands in one place. You get access to programs for flights, hotels, car rentals, insurance, and more.
Commission rates vary by partner. You can earn up to 3% on flights and 7% on hotels. The platform gives you tools like link switchers and detailed analytics.
I like Travelpayouts because it saves time. Instead of joining 10 different programs, you manage everything from one dashboard.
Best Hotel and Accommodation Affiliate Programs
Hotels are where the money is. Bookings are expensive and commissions can be really good.
Booking.com
I mentioned this earlier, but it deserves a spot here too. The 4% commission might not sound like much, but when people book $200+ per night for multiple nights, it adds up fast.
Focus on destination guides, hotel reviews, and “where to stay” posts. These convert really well.
Agoda Affiliate Program
Agoda is strong in Asia and offers custom data to help you improve your content. The commission structure rewards higher conversion rates, so the more bookings you drive, the more you earn per sale.
Hotels.com
Part of the Expedia Group, Hotels.com offers competitive commissions and a good selection of properties. The rewards program where travelers earn free nights is a strong selling point.
Airbnb Affiliate Program
Airbnb lets you earn from unique accommodations and experiences. The commission structure is generous, and with millions of properties worldwide, you’ll always have something to promote.
This works great for bloggers who focus on unique stays, vacation rentals, and local experiences.
Best Flight and Transport Affiliate Programs
Flights are harder to earn from because margins are low. But if you have good traffic, these programs can still pay.
Skyscanner Affiliate Program
Skyscanner is a household name. They offer 20% commission on hotel sales (not flights). The 30-day cookie window is one of the longest in the industry.
Note that you don’t earn commissions on flights or car rentals with Skyscanner. Focus on promoting their hotel search instead.
Kayak Affiliate Program
Kayak pays up to 50% commission or $0.95 per click. When you join Kayak, you also get access to HotelsCombined, Momondo, and Cheapflights.
This makes Kayak a solid choice for flight comparison content.
Kiwi.com
Through Travelpayouts, you can promote Kiwi.com for flight bookings. They specialize in finding cheap flight combinations that other search engines miss.
Best Tours, Activities, and Experiences Affiliate Programs
This is my favorite category. Tours and activities have high margins and good commission rates.
Viator Affiliate Program
Viator is owned by TripAdvisor and offers 8% commission on experiences booked within 30 days. They have 300,000+ experiences in 2,500 locations.
Whether it’s a walking tour in Paris or a cooking class in Thailand, Viator has options. The 30-day cookie is great for travel planning.
GetYourGuide
GetYourGuide offers 8% base commission, and successful affiliates can negotiate up to 10-12%. They have skip-the-line tickets, guided tours, and unique experiences.
The 30-day cookie period gives your readers time to decide and book.
Klook
Klook focuses on Asia but has expanded globally. They offer activities, attraction tickets, and transportation passes. Commission rates are competitive, and they have a good mobile app that converts well.
FareHarbor
This program connects you with local tour operators. They offer account managers who help you find the best tours to feature on your site.
Best Travel Insurance Affiliate Programs
Travel insurance is a high-intent product. When someone searches for it, they’re ready to buy.
World Nomads
This is the most popular travel insurance for backpackers and long-term travelers. They offer 12% commission on sales.
Travel insurance can be promoted on almost any travel content. It’s easy to add these links everywhere on your site.
SafetyWing
SafetyWing targets digital nomads and remote workers with subscription-based travel insurance. The recurring nature means ongoing commissions.
Allianz Travel Insurance
Allianz is a trusted name in insurance. They offer competitive rates and good commission structures through affiliate networks like CJ Affiliate.
Best Travel Tools, Cards, and Gear Affiliate Programs
These programs complement your travel content perfectly.
Wise (formerly TransferWise)
Wise helps people send money internationally at low rates. You earn around $12 per regular customer and $60 for business customers.
This is perfect for expat content, digital nomad guides, and international travel tips.
NordVPN
VPNs are essential for travelers. NordVPN offers good commissions and high conversion rates. The 30-day cookie helps you earn even when people take time to decide.
eSIM Providers (Airalo, Holafly)
International phone plans are expensive. eSIMs solve this problem. These programs offer decent commissions and are relevant to any international travel content.
Amazon Associates (for travel gear)
Amazon has everything from luggage to travel pillows. The commission is lower (usually 3-4%), but the conversion rate is high because people already trust Amazon.
Use Amazon links for packing lists, gear reviews, and travel essentials posts.
Highest-Paying Travel Affiliate Programs
Let me show you the programs with the best earning potential.
Luxury Travel Programs – These cater to high-end travelers. Commissions are often 4-6% but on much higher booking values ($500+ per night hotels).
Travel Insurance – At 12% commission and average policies around $100-300, you can earn $12-36 per sale.
TripAdvisor – The 50% revenue share can be very profitable. Some affiliates earn $550+ per month with fewer than 1,000 clicks.
Long Cookie Durations – Viator and GetYourGuide both offer 30-day cookies. This gives people time to plan and increases your chances of earning.
High Average Order Value – Focus on programs where people book multi-night stays or expensive tours. A 4% commission on a $2,000 vacation package is $80.
When choosing programs, balance high payouts with conversion rates. A program with 10% commission won’t help if nobody books. Sometimes a 4% commission with high conversion rates earns more money.
How to Start with Travel Affiliate Marketing
Ready to get started? Here’s what you need to do.
Step 1: Apply to programs – Most programs have simple applications. You’ll need a website or blog with travel content. Some programs accept social media profiles too.
Step 2: Get approved – This usually takes 1-3 days. Some programs like Amazon approve you instantly.
Step 3: Get your links – Once approved, log into your affiliate dashboard and generate tracking links for hotels, tours, or products you want to promote.
Step 4: Disclose affiliate relationships – This is required by law in most countries. Add a simple disclosure like: “This post contains affiliate links. If you book through these links, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.”
Step 5: Place links strategically – Don’t spam links everywhere. Place them naturally in your content where they make sense.
The best content formats for affiliate marketing are:
- Comparison posts (“Booking.com vs Agoda”)
- Hotel and tour reviews
- Destination guides with “where to stay” sections
- Travel itineraries with accommodation recommendations
- Resources pages with travel tools
- Packing lists (for gear)
Start with 3-5 affiliate programs. Test them out. See which ones your audience responds to. Then focus on the ones that make you money.
Tips to Increase Conversions with Travel Affiliate Programs
Here’s how to make more money from your affiliate links.
- Use deep links – Don’t just link to homepages. Link directly to specific hotels, tours, or flights. Deep links convert much better.
- Build trust with real reviews – Write honest reviews based on your actual experience. People can tell when you’re being genuine. Authentic recommendations convert better than salesy content.
- Optimize for search intent – When someone searches “best hotels in Paris,” they want hotel recommendations, not a history lesson. Give them what they’re looking for quickly.
- Use call-to-action buttons – Instead of plain text links, use buttons that say “Check Availability” or “See More Photos.” These convert better than “click here.”
- Create comparison tables – Tables that compare hotels or tours side-by-side are easy to scan and drive more clicks.
- Add photos – Include quality photos of the hotels or experiences you’re promoting. Visual content increases engagement.
- Target buyer-intent keywords – Focus on keywords like “best hotels in,” “where to stay in,” “things to do in.” These keywords show buying intent.
- Update your content regularly – Old information hurts conversions. Keep your hotel recommendations and prices current.
- Mobile optimization matters – Most travel bookings happen on mobile. Make sure your site loads fast on phones.
Track which links get clicks and which ones convert. Use this data to improve your strategy. Double down on what works.
Common Mistakes to Avoid with Travel Affiliate Programs
Learn from my mistakes so you don’t make them too.
Promoting too many programs at once – Focus on a few that work well instead of joining 20 programs. Too many options confuse your audience and split your traffic.
Not tracking performance – You need to know which posts and links make money. Use tools like Google Analytics and your affiliate dashboards to track everything.
Ignoring audience fit – Don’t promote luxury hotels to budget backpackers. Match programs to what your audience actually wants.
Overloading posts with links – I see this all the time. Every other sentence has an affiliate link. This looks spammy and hurts your credibility. Place links naturally.
Writing thin content – Don’t create posts just to dump affiliate links. Write valuable content that helps people. The affiliate links should support your content, not be the whole point.
Not disclosing affiliate relationships – This is illegal in many places and breaks trust with your audience. Always disclose.
Giving up too soon – Affiliate marketing takes time. You won’t make thousands in the first month. Stick with it for at least 6-12 months before judging results.
Not testing different programs – What works for one blogger might not work for you. Test different programs and see what your audience responds to.
Avoid these mistakes and you’ll be way ahead of most beginners.
FAQs About the Best Travel Affiliate Programs
Which travel affiliate program is best for beginners?
I’d recommend starting with Booking.com or Expedia. They’re well-known brands that convert well. The application process is simple, and you can start earning quickly. Travelpayouts is also great because it gives you access to multiple programs through one platform.
Which travel programs pay the highest commissions?
Travel insurance programs like World Nomads pay 12% commission. TripAdvisor offers 50% revenue share. Luxury travel programs can also pay well due to high booking values. But remember, higher commission doesn’t always mean more money if conversion rates are low.
Can I join multiple travel affiliate programs at once?
Yes, and you should. Different programs work better for different types of content. You might use Booking.com for hotels, Viator for tours, and Wise for money transfer tools. Just don’t overwhelm your audience with too many options in one post.
Do I need a blog to join travel affiliate programs?
Most programs require a website or blog. But some accept YouTube channels, Instagram accounts, or other social media platforms if you have a good following. Focus on building one platform really well before spreading too thin.
How long does it take to start earning from travel affiliate links?
This varies a lot. Some people make their first commission within a month. For others, it takes 3-6 months. It depends on your traffic, content quality, and niche. Travel booking has longer decision times, so be patient. Focus on creating great content and the earnings will follow.
What’s the difference between session-based cookies and time-based cookies?
Session-based cookies (like Booking.com) only work if someone books right away during that browsing session. Time-based cookies (like 30 days) give people time to think and come back later. Time-based cookies are generally better for affiliates because travel decisions take time.
How much money can I realistically make from travel affiliate programs?
This depends on your traffic and content quality. Some bloggers make $500-1,000 per month starting out. Established travel bloggers can make $5,000-15,000+ per month from affiliates. The key is consistent, quality content and good SEO to drive traffic.
Conclusion: Pick the Right Travel Affiliate Programs for Your Niche
Travel affiliate marketing is one of the best ways to make money from your travel blog or website.
The key is choosing programs that match your audience. Don’t promote backpacker hostels to luxury travelers. Don’t push expensive tours to budget travelers.
Start with 3-5 solid programs like Booking.com, Viator, and a travel insurance provider. Create great content that genuinely helps people plan their trips. Add your affiliate links naturally.
Track everything. See what works and what doesn’t. Focus more on the programs and content types that make you money. This isn’t a get-rich-quick thing. It takes time to build traffic and trust. But if you stick with it and keep improving your content, travel affiliate marketing can create real passive income.
Test different programs. Refine your strategy. Keep learning. The more you put into this, the more you’ll get out. Now it’s time to pick your first affiliate programs and start earning from your travel content. Good luck!
