27 Best Travel Affiliate Programs 2023: Earn Big Money

April 11, 2023

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Travel blogging and YouTube content creation offer plenty of marketing and sales opportunities because there is so much terrain to cover. For instance, a travel content creator can discuss her experiences, tips, hacks, things to do, visiting places, dining, nightlife, tours, reviews, travel reward cards, and more. In addition, affiliate marketing is a terrific way to monetize travel content, and we’ll review the best travel affiliate programs in this post.

Millions of people travel annually for pleasure and business, which makes the trillion-dollar travel and tourism industry essential. However, margins are tiny for many travel products and services, negatively impacting what advertisers can pay affiliates. Therefore, commission rates tend to be single or low double digits.

Best Travel Affiliate Programs

FlexOffers and CJ Affiliate offer robust selections of advertisers in various travel niches, whereas Impact, ShareASale, and Rakuten Advertising have over 100 programs each.

Affiliate NetworkMerchant Listings
FlexOffers568 programs
CJ Affiliate268 programs
Impact136 programs
ShareASale116 programs
Rakuten Advertising116 programs

Standard travel categories include accessories, accommodations, airfare, attractions, car rentals, cruises, flights, hotels, insurance, luggage, parking, sightseeing, tours, transportation, and vacations. Since most merchants only pay for sales and bookings, you won’t find many pay-per-lead affiliate programs in the travel sector.

Airfare & Flight Affiliate Programs

Booking.com

Booking customers can purchase accommodations, flights, car rentals, attractions, airport taxis, and more. Users can search by property type, including hotels, apartments, resorts, villas, cabins, guest houses, B&Bs, and cottages. Booking has frequent travel specials starting at 15 percent. Finally, users can chat with other travelers in various communities.

The Booking affiliate program pays a 4 percent commission rate per sale.

  • Commission rate: 4%
  • Cookie duration: Session-based
  • Affiliate software/network: CJ Affiliate and in-house

Expedia

Expedia offers deals on stays, flights, cars, packages, activities, and cruises. They target multiple user profiles and demographics with niche travel categories. Expedia Rewards offers members lower prices on select hotels, points to save on bookings, and more travel benefits. The company began operations in 1996 as a division of Microsoft, which would surprise most people.

The Expedia affiliate program pays a 6 percent commission rate per sale.

  • Commission rate: 6%
  • Cookie duration: 30 days
  • Affiliate software/network: CJ Affiliate

Momondo

Momondo is a travel search engine and comparison site mainly for flights but extends to stays, car rentals, activities, packages, and train reservations. Unlike standard travel websites, Momondo is mostly click-through that directs users to other websites to complete their purchases. Environmentally conscious users can search by CO2 emissions for more sustainable travel.

The Momondo affiliate program pays a commission rate of up to $0.55 per click.

  • Commission rate: Up to $0.55
  • Cookie duration: Session-based
  • Affiliate software/network: CJ Affiliate

Orbitz

Orbitz has deals on stays, flights, cars, packages, activities, and cruises. On its homepage, it markets to the LGBTQ+ community. Last-minute deals, all-inclusive resorts, and flights under $199 are standard categories in its featured offers section. In addition, users can earn “Orbucks” on purchases and apply them to hotel bookings (with no blackout dates).

The Orbitz affiliate program pays a 5 percent commission rate per sale.

  • Commission rate: Up to 5%
  • Cookie duration: 30 days
  • Affiliate software/network: CJ Affiliate

Priceline

Priceline offers discounts on hotels, cars, flights, and cruises. Its “Bundle + Save” allows users to combine two travel items for savings: hotel and flight. Additionally, Priceline provides free cancellation on most flights, hotels, and car bookings.

Priceline VIP is a membership program offering exclusive discounts with four membership levels: Member, Blue, Gold, and Platinum. Moreover, the Priceline VIP Rewards Visa Card is a travel points card.

The Priceline affiliate program pays a 3 percent commission rate per sale.

  • Commission rate: 3%
  • Cookie duration: 30 days
  • Affiliate software/network: CJ Affiliate

Skyscanner

Skyscanner is a leading global travel search site providing instant online comparisons for flights, car rentals, and hotels. It checks 1,200 travel companies for data and pricing. Its ‘Greener choice’ label highlights flights that emit less CO2. Skyscanner sells travel insurance separately. Skyscanner pays a 50 percent commission rate.

The Skyscanner affiliate program pays a 50 percent commission rate.

  • Commission rate: Up to 50%
  • Cookie duration: 30 days
  • Affiliate software/network: CJ Affiliate

Trip.com

Trip specializes in hotels, flights, trains, cars, tours, tickets, and attractions. Users can earn and redeem “Trip Coins” to save instantly on bookings and access exclusive member-only deals. There are four membership levels: Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond.

The Trip affiliate program pays a 7 percent commission rate per sale.

  • Commission rate: Up to 7%
  • Cookie duration: 30 days
  • Affiliate software/network: In-house and Awin

 

Hotel & Motel Affiliate Programs

Agoda

Agoda is one of the fastest-growing online hotel booking platforms worldwide, listing hundreds of thousands of hotels. Agoda offers great discounts on vacation rentals, flights, and airport transfers.

The Agoda affiliate program pays a 7 percent commission rate.

  • Commission rate: Up to 7%
  • Cookie duration: 30 days
  • Affiliate software/network: ShareASale and in-house

Best Western

​Best Western operates hotels in 95 countries, each keeping an individual charm and local appeal.

The Best Western affiliate program pays a 3 percent commission rate.

  • Commission rate: 3%
  • Cookie duration: 30 days
  • Affiliate software/network: CJ Affiliate

Hostelworld

Hostelworld is a leading online travel agent focusing on the hostel market, inspiring adventurers to visit new places, meet new people, and return with extraordinary stories to tell.

The Hostelworld affiliate program pays a 40 percent commission rate.

  • Commission rate: Up to 40%
  • Cookie duration: 30 days
  • Affiliate software/network: Partnerize

Hotels.com

Hotels.com offers more than 1,000,000 properties in 200 countries, from hotels and B&Bs to condos and all-inclusive resorts.

The Hotels.com affiliate program pays a 4 percent commission rate.

  • Commission rate: Up to 4%
  • Cookie duration: 7 days
  • Affiliate software/network: CJ Affiliate

HotelsCombined

HotelsCombined looks for hotels and homes from the best travel sites worldwide in seconds. It gathers all the prices, availabilities, and rooms to enable users to filter and compare the best travel options and deals.

The HotelsCombined affiliate program pays up to a 50 percent commission rate.

  • Commission rate: Up to 50%
  • Cookie duration: 30 days
  • Affiliate software/network: Kayak Affiliate Network

Motel 6 & Studio 6

Motel 6 offers fantastic room rates at more than 1,100 locations throughout the United States and Canada.

The Motel 6 affiliate program pays up to a 6 percent commission rate.

  • Commission rate: Up to 6%
  • Cookie duration: 30 days
  • Affiliate software/network: CJ Affiliate

Sightseeing Affiliate Programs

Go City

Go City offers sightseeing passes for destinations around the globe, giving customers the freedom to do what they want and when they want whilst making incredible savings along the way. Their passes include bucket list attractions, top tours, and plenty of hidden gems, all handpicked by local experts.

The Go City affiliate program pays a 6%+ commission rate.

  • Commission rate: 6%+
  • Cookie duration: 90 days
  • Affiliate software/network: Partnerize

GetYourGuide

GetYourGuide helps travelers find, compare, and book sightseeing tours, attractions, excursions, things to do, and fun activities worldwide.

The GetYourGuide affiliate program pays an 8 percent commission rate.

  • Commission rate: 8%
  • Cookie duration: 31 days
  • Affiliate software/network: In-house

Contiki

Contiki provides tours for 18-35s. It offers a mix of sightseeing and culture in over 40 countries across six continents.

The Contiki affiliate program pays a 5 percent commission rate.

  • Commission rate: 5%
  • Cookie duration: 45 days
  • Affiliate software/network: CJ Affiliate

 

Home Rental Affiliate Programs

Plum Guide

Plum Guide is building the definitive collection of the world’s most remarkable holiday homes. It picks only the top 3 percent of properties in any destination to ensure high-quality experiences for guests.

The Plum Guide affiliate program pays a commission rate of 7 percent per booking.

  • Commission rate: 7%
  • Cookie duration: 90 days
  • Affiliate software/network: Partnerize

VBRO

VRBO is an online marketplace for vacation rentals with over 1 million properties in 190 countries.

The VBRO affiliate program pays a commission rate of $20 per booking.

  • Commission rate: $20
  • Cookie duration: 30 days
  • Affiliate software/network: CJ Affiliate

Car Rental Affiliate Programs

Discover Cars

Discover Cars makes renting a car easy by connecting customers globally with rental vehicles at affordable prices.

The Discover Cars affiliate program pays a 40 percent commission rate.

  • Commission rate: 40%
  • Cookie duration: 365 days
  • Affiliate software/network: ShareASale

Localrent.com

Localrent.com aggregates car rental companies for Turkey, Greece, Cyprus, Montenegro, Thailand, and seven other countries. In addition, it works with local car suppliers to offer unique selections.

The Localrent.com affiliate program pays a 50 percent commission rate.

  • Commission rate: Up to 50%
  • Cookie duration: Up to 60 days
  • Affiliate software/network: In-house

RentalCars.com

RentalCars.com is the world’s largest platform for making online car rental reservations.

The RentalCars affiliate program pays a 6 percent commission rate.

  • Commission rate: Up to 6%
  • Cookie duration: 30 days
  • Affiliate software/network: CJ Affiliate

Note: Alamo, Avis, Budget, National, and Thrifty have affiliate programs that pay up to 4 percent.

Other Travel Affiliate Programs

OurBus

OurBus is a US private bus service aimed at changing how the world travels. Its routes are selected and based on crowdsourced requests from travelers.

The OurBus affiliate program pays a 5 percent commission rate.

  • Commission rate: 5%
  • Cookie duration: 90 days
  • Affiliate software/network: ShareASale

SafetyWing

SafetyWing is building the first global safety net for remote-first companies, online freelancers, entrepreneurs, and digital nomads. Also, it offers travel and comprehensive health insurance at affordable prices.

The SafetyWing affiliate programs (Nomad Insurance and Remote Health) pay a 20 percent commission rate.

  • Commission rate: Up to 20%
  • Cookie duration: 364 days
  • Affiliate software/network: In-house

Groupon

Groupon features daily deals on the best stuff to do, see, eat, and buy in various cities across the United States and the world.

The Groupon affiliate program pays a 10 percent commission rate.

  • Commission rate: Up to 10%
  • Cookie duration: 30 days
  • Affiliate software/network: In-house

SeaWorld

SeaWorld is a leading theme park and entertainment company providing experiences that matter and inspire.

The SeaWorld affiliate program pays a 4 percent commission rate.

  • Commission rate: 4%
  • Cookie duration: One day
  • Affiliate software/network: CJ Affiliate

Travel Guard

Travel Guard is America’s leading travel security company providing insurance, assistance, and emergency services for millions of travelers and companies worldwide.

The Travel Guard affiliate program pays a commission rate of $2 per lead.

  • Commission rate: $2
  • Cookie duration: 45 days
  • Affiliate software/network: CJ Affiliate

TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor is a leader in user-generated content and price comparisons. TripAdvisor offers online hotel reservations and bookings for transportation, lodging, travel experiences, and restaurants. User reviews are another feature of TripAdvisor, helping travelers plan their itineraries.

The TripAdvisor affiliate program pays a 50 percent commission rate.

  • Commission rate: 50%
  • Cookie duration: 14 days
  • Affiliate software/network: Awin and CJ Affiliate

Walt Disney

Walt Disney World is a dream holiday destination for all ages, including families and adults. Walt Disney World features theme parks, rides, attractions, cartoon characters, food, and fun.

The Walt Disney affiliate program pays a 3 percent commission rate.

  • Commission rate: 3%
  • Cookie duration: 30 days
  • Affiliate software/network: CJ Affiliate

Princess Cruises

Princess Cruises allows you to be in awe of the world again. Take a cruise to the Caribbean, Alaska, and Europe, and return refreshed.

The Princess Cruises affiliate program pays a 4 percent commission rate.

  • Commission rate: 4%
  • Cookie duration: 60 days
  • Affiliate software/network: Awin

Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean International is a leading cruise holiday company with 22 ships sailing to over 240 ports worldwide.

The Royal Caribbean affiliate program pays a 4 percent commission rate.

  • Commission rate: 4%
  • Cookie duration: 30 days
  • Affiliate software/network: TradeDoubler

Your Next Move

There are hundreds of travel affiliate programs, from luxury to adventure niches. I’ve done my best to provide you with the top ones based on their earnings per click (EPC) and website rankings. I recommend sifting through what’s available and promoting companies and products/services you use frequently. In my case, that would be Priceline and LATAM Airlines.

Booking Holdings and Expedia Group are two of the most prominent players in the online travel agency (OTA) and booking industry. Booking Holdings brands include Booking.com, Priceline, Agoda, Kayak, Cheapflights.com, HotelsCombined.com, Rentalcars, Momondo, and OpenTable.

Expedia Group brands include Expedia, VRBO, Hotels.com, Hotwire, Orbitz, Travelocity, Trivago, and CarRentals. Furthermore, almost all those websites have affiliate programs.

Trip.com, China’s largest online travel company, owns Skyscanner and other Chinese travel websites.

Airbnb is a market leader for accommodations and activities. However, it has since retired its affiliate and referral programs.

You can promote goods in related categories, including books, magazines, courses, dating, relationships, entertainment, food, health, wellness, lifestyle, and personal finance. For instance, a post entitled, How to Send Money to Your Family While Traveling, could include an affiliate link to Wise. Wise helps people hold, save, transfer, and spend currencies at interbank exchange rates and low fees. It’s a product I frequently use as a globetrotter and digital nomad.

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