Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning we get a small commission if you make a purchase through our link at no extra cost to you. For more information, please visit our Disclaimer Page.
The best way to earn while exploring the world? Partner with the highest paying travel affiliate programs.
If you run a travel blog, YouTube channel, or social media page, travel brands are willing to pay top dollar for referrals.
The travel industry is massive, and big commissions are up for grabs—from flights and hotels to luxury tours. But not all affiliate programs are created equal.
Some pay pennies, while others can generate thousands per sale.
The key is finding the right partnerships that reward you generously for your efforts.
In this guide, I’ll break down the top programs, how much they pay, and why they’re worth your time. Ready to monetize your travel passion?
Let’s go.
Here are the 15 Highest Paying Travel Affiliate Programs
Expedia affiliate program overview
Expedia links travelers to more than one hundred and forty thousand accommodations, flights, car rentals, cruises, and vacation packages worldwide.
Through over five hundred airline and hotel partnerships, customers can save up to $500 on combined flight and hotel bookings.
Their loyalty program provides points redeemable for future travel. Affiliates earn two per cent on car rentals and up to six per cent on cruises, with a seven-day cookie window and earnings per click exceeding $83.
URL:Â Expedia affiliate program
Commission: 2%–6%
Cookie duration: 7 days
Booking.com affiliate program overview
Booking.com provides nearly thirty million rooms across two and a half million properties worldwide, plus flights and rental cars.
Their no-fee policy often leads to lower rates than competitors.
With more than twelve thousand five hundred partners, their affiliate program pays a flat four per cent commission on completed stays.
The program features an impressive earnings per click exceeding $160 over seven days, ranking it among the top-paying travel affiliate options.
Affiliates get search widgets and promotional banners, but the session-based cookie tracks only immediate bookings, needing highly qualified traffic for best results.
URL:Â Booking.com affiliate program
Commission: 4%
Cookie duration: Session-based
Tripadvisor affiliate program overview
Primarily known for its 884 million-plus user reviews, Tripadvisor also facilitates hotel and activity bookings.
Its affiliate program focuses on accommodations, offering a 50 per cent revenue share on hotel commissions (rising to 80 per cent during promotions).
Unlike typical programs, affiliates earn when users click from Tripadvisor to partner sites—no completed booking required.
With conversion rates surpassing 30 per cent, it is a lucrative choice for affiliates with high traffic.
A 14-day cookie window enhances earning opportunities.
URL:Â Tripadvisor affiliate program
Commission: 50% (up to 80%)
Cookie duration: 14 days
Travelpayouts affiliate network
Travelpayouts aggregates 90-plus travel affiliate programs, including partnerships with brands such as Vrbo and Hilton.
Since 2011, it has distributed $28 million in commissions to more than 300,000 affiliates.
Partners earn up to 70 per cent of the network’s revenue, with commissions ranging from 1.1 per cent (flights) to 5 per cent (hotels).
Its versatility suits marketers promoting diverse travel services.
URL:Â Travelpayouts affiliate network
Commission: Variable (1.1%–5%)
Cookie duration: Varies by program
Kayak affiliate program overview
Kayak runs its own travel affiliate network through subsidiaries like HotelsCombined and Momondo, offering access to multiple programs with one signup.
Together, these brands manage more than six billion annual travel searches and work with over two million properties worldwide, producing affiliate payouts exceeding seventy-six million dollars yearly.
Affiliates earn a competitive fifty per cent commission per click after hitting a five hundred dollar threshold.
A 30-day cookie duration boosts conversion chances.
URL:Â Kayak affiliate program
Commission: 50%
Cookie duration: 30 days
Viator affiliate program overview
Viator focuses on travel experiences, providing access to more than 395,000 tours, attractions, and activities across two thousand five hundred destinations.
Its affiliate-friendly features include support in over thirty-five languages, a strong catalog with more than one million verified reviews, and flexible twenty-four-hour cancellations on most bookings.
Affiliates earn an eight per cent commission per sale, backed by a thirty-day cookie, making it well-suited for promoting experiential travel to engaged audiences.
URL:Â Viator affiliate program
Commission: 8%
Cookie duration: 30 days
Sandals Resorts affiliate program
Sandals Resorts specializes in luxury all-inclusive getaways, catering to romantic and premium travel experiences.
Affiliates earn four per cent commission per booking, with an average order value of $2,000—translating to substantial earnings per conversion.
A 60-day cookie duration accommodates extended planning periods typical for high-end vacations.
Key features
- Niche: Luxury all-inclusive resorts (couples, honeymoons).
- Commission: 4% per booking.
- Cookie duration: 60 days.
- URL:Â Sandals affiliate program.
Why promote Sandals?
The program’s 60-day cookie duration and premium audience make it ideal for affiliates in the luxury travel niche.
Pair promotional content with aspirational visuals (e.g., beachfront villas, private dinners) to inspire bookings.
World Nomads affiliate program overview
World Nomads offers adventurous travellers thorough insurance for over 200 activities, trip cancellations, and medical emergencies.
Supported by Lonely Planet and other respected brands, it merges trust with ethical value: seven out of 10 customers choose micro-donations, raising more than $3 million for global community projects by April 2025.
Affiliates earn 83 cents per completed policy sale, aided by a 60-day cookie duration, perfect for content reaching long-term trip planners.
URL:Â World Nomads affiliate program
Commission: $0.83 per sale
Cookie duration: 60 days
InsureMyTrip Affiliate Program
InsureMyTrip eases travel insurance choices by comparing plans from providers such as AIG, AXA, and IMG.
With more than one hundred thousand customer reviews, it guides travellers to policies suited to their needs.
The affiliate program provides two models: referral-based or commission-based. Terms vary by partnership, requiring direct contact with their team for details.
- URL: InsureMyTrip affiliate program
- Commission: Custom (varies by agreement)
- Cookie Duration: Custom
TrustedHousesitters Affiliate Program
TrustedHousesitters links pet owners with verified sitters for free home stays, providing care in over one hundred and thirty countries.
Memberships begin at $129 per year, allowing members to either apply for pet-sitting roles or arrange unlimited home and pet care.
Affiliates promote two streams—sitters or owners—and earn up to forty per cent commission.
A thirty-day cookie duration aids conversions, suiting audiences keen on pets or affordable travel.
- URL: TrustedHousesitters affiliate program
- Commission: Up to 40%
- Cookie Duration: 30 days
Hostelworld Affiliate Program
Hostelworld focuses on budget stays, offering over 36 thousand hostels across one hundred and seventy-nine countries, supported by 13- million reviews.
Its affiliate program teams up with leading travel brands, such as Lonely Planet, and influencers, paying affiliates up to forty per cent of Hostelworld’s deposit per booking through a cost-per-action model.
A thirty-day cookie duration provides ample conversion time for backpackers and solo travellers.
- URL: Hostelworld affiliate program
- Commission: Up to 40% of deposit
- Cookie Duration: 30 days
SafetyWing Affiliate Program
SafetyWing focuses on travel insurance for niche groups, such as digital nomads and remote teams, often missed by traditional providers.
Affiliates earn ten per cent commission per policy sale, supported by a leading three hundred and 65 day cookie duration, which boosts conversion chances.
Payments reach affiliates monthly through PayPal once earnings meet a $10 threshold, keeping it open to affiliates of all levels.
- URL: SafetyWing affiliate program
- Commission: 10% per sale
- Cookie Duration: 365 days
GetYourGuide affiliate program
GetYourGuide focuses on curated travel experiences, empowering affiliates to monetize a global audience seeking unique adventures.
With eight per cent commission on bookings and a 31-day cookie duration, the program caters to creators targeting travellers eager for cultural, historical or recreational activities.
Key features
- Niche: Tours, excursions and immersive travel experiences.
- Commission: 8% starting rate (varies by activity).
- Cookie duration: 31 days.
- URL:Â GetYourGuide Partner Program.
Why promote GetYourGuide?
The program’s blend of cultural, adventure and family-friendly activities suits blogs focused on experiential travel.
Highlight lesser-known tours (e.g., niche culinary walks or sunset sailing trips) to stand out.
Top activity categories
- Day trips
- Museum and attraction tickets
- Hop-on/hop-off tours
- Guided city explorations
Amazon Associates affiliate program
Amazon’s vast inventory includes essential travel gear, from luggage to adapters.
While its affiliate terms are less lucrative (one per cent– 4 per cent commissions, depending on category), the platform’s universal trust and rapid checkout appeal to last-minute shoppers.
The 24-hour cookie duration demands highly targeted traffic, but affiliates earn on all purchases within this period, occasionally yielding unexpected bonuses.
Key details
- Commission: 1%–4% (varies by category).
- Cookie duration: 24 hours.
- URL:Â Amazon affiliate program.
Skyscanner affiliate program
Skyscanner, a leader in global travel search, connects users to flights, hotels and car rentals across more than 180 countries.
With up to 20 per cent commission per booking and a 30-day cookie duration, this program suits affiliates targeting cost-conscious travellers seeking flexible options.
Key features
- Niche: Flight comparisons, hotel deals and car rentals.
- Commission: Up to 20% (varies by booking type and partner).
- Cookie duration: 30 days.
- URL:Â Skyscanner Partners.
Considerations
- Strict eligibility: Requires an HTTPS-secured website, 5,000-plus monthly unique visitors and high-quality, updated content.
Why promote Skyscanner?
Ideal for established travel blogs or deal-focused sites, Skyscanner’s global appeal and high commission potential offset its rigorous entry criteria.
Highlight features such as flexible date searches or price alerts to attract budget travellers
Final Insights
The travel affiliate landscape offers diverse opportunities, from niche insurance (SafetyWing) to global retail (Amazon). While programs like Airbnb may be paused, alternatives thrive. Success requires strategic content tailored to audience needs—whether budget travel, nomadic lifestyles, or adventure planning.
Building a profitable travel blog demands effort: keyword research, SEO optimization, and audience engagement. Yet, with dedication and resources like targeted training, aspiring marketers can carve their niche in this competitive space.
Ready to start? Explore our guides to launch a high-earning travel blog in 2025!
