The travel industry is roaring back—global revenue is projected to hit $1.35 trillion in 2025 [Source: Traffic Tail], with 74% of bookings happening online [Source: AffiliateWP]. For influencers, this isn’t just wanderlust fuel; it’s a goldmine for passive income. Top travel creators earn $3,000–$5,000 monthly through strategic affiliate partnerships. Here’s your curated guide to 2025’s most lucrative programs, selected for high commissions, cookie durations, and influencer-friendly tools.
Why Travel Affiliate Programs Are a Perfect Fit for Influencers
Travel thrives on visual storytelling and trusted recommendations—your core strengths. With experience-focused travel growing 2x faster than traditional bookings, your content can drive real conversions. Programs now offer:
- Longer cookie windows (up to 365 days!) for complex trip planning.
- Multi-touch attribution tracking users across devices.
- Recurring commissions for subscriptions (e.g., travel insurance).
| Feature | Expedia | Tripadvisor | Discover Cars |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recurring Commissions | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Landing Page Builder | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Multi-Device Tracking | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Pre-Made Content | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
1. Booking.com Partner Program
- Commission: 25–40% of Booking.com’s cut (e.g., $10–$16 on a $200 booking).
- Cookie Duration: Session-based (bookings must complete in one go).
- Why Influencers Love It: 28+ million properties + tiered commissions. Use their Deals Finder and customizable widgets to highlight budget or luxury stays.
- Best For: Hotel-focused content.
- Join Here: Booking.com Affiliate Partner Centre
2. Tripadvisor Affiliate Program
- Commission: 50% base (up to 80% during promotions!) for hotel referrals.
- Cookie Duration: 14 days.
- Why Influencers Love It: Earn on clicks—not just bookings. Users click your link, navigate to a partner (e.g., Marriott), and you profit. Perfect for “best hotels in Bali” roundups.
- Best For: Review and comparison content.
- Join Here: Tripadvisor Affiliate Program
3. Discover Cars
- Commission: 70% of rental profit + 30% of insurance revenue.
- Cookie Duration: 365 days (highest on this list!).
- Why Influencers Love It: Massive earnings potential for road-trip influencers. Tools include landing page generators and XML API integration.
- Best For: Adventure and road-trip creators.
- Join Here: Discover Cars Affiliate Program
4. Expedia Group Affiliate Program
- Commission: 2–6% (flights: 2%, cruises: 6%).
- Cookie Duration: 7 days.
- Why Influencers Love It: Access to 3M+ properties, 500+ airlines, and 220k activities. Their Creator Toolbox simplifies link generation and performance tracking.
- Best For: Full-trip itineraries (flights + hotels + experiences).
- Join Here: Expedia Affiliate Program
5. Viator (Tripadvisor Experiences)
- Commission: 8% on 300,000+ tours/activities.
- Cookie Duration: 30 days.
- Why Influencers Love It: Weekly PayPal payouts and cancellation-friendly bookings (85% allow 24-hour cancellations). Integrate activity widgets seamlessly.
- Best For: Experience and tour content (e.g., “hidden gems in Rome”).
- Join Here: Viator Affiliate Program
6. SafetyWing Ambassador Program
- Commission: 10% recurring monthly on travel insurance subscriptions.
- Cookie Duration: 365 days.
- Why Influencers Love It: Recurring income from digital nomads/long-term travelers. Minimum payout is just $10 via PayPal.
- Best For: Long-term travel and remote-work niches.
- Join Here: SafetyWing Ambassadors
7. Agoda Partner Program
- Commission: Up to 7% (scales with bookings/month).
- Cookie Duration: 30 days.
- Why Influencers Love It: 38-language support lets you target global audiences. Use Hotel Power Ads to spotlight deals.
- Best For: Asia-Pacific and budget-travel creators.
- Join Here: Agoda Affiliate Program
8. G Adventures Affiliate Program
- Commission: 6% on $2,600+ average order values.
- Cookie Duration: 90 days.
- Why Influencers Love It: High-ticket adventure tours = bigger payouts. They provide pre-made copy and display ads for easy promotion.
- Best For: Adventure and sustainability-focused influencers.
- Join Here: G Adventures Affiliates
9. Airbnb Affiliate Program
- Commission: Varies by region (typically 3–5% per booking).
- Cookie Duration: 30 days.
- Why Influencers Love It: Promote 7M+ unique stays (treehouses, villas, etc.). Ideal for “staycation” or “remote work” content.
- Best For: Authentic/local experience creators.
- Join Here: Airbnb Affiliates
10. Kayak Affiliate Network
- Commission: Up to 50% on bookings, clicks, and ad revenue.
- Cookie Duration: 30 days.
- Why Influencers Love It: Promote Kayak + sister sites (HotelsCombined, Momondo) under one program. Real-time tracking dashboard included.
- Best For: Flight-deal and comparison content.
- Join Here: Kayak Affiliate Program
Pro Tips to Maximize Your Earnings in 2025
- Prioritize Cookie Duration: Programs like Discover Cars (365 days) and SafetyWing (365 days) reward you for long planning cycles.
- Stack Programs: Pair Booking.com (hotels) with Viator (experiences) for full-trip commissions.
- Leverage AI Tools: Use Expedia’s Creator Toolbox or Travelpayouts’ widget builders to automate links.
- Track Multi-Device Conversions: 55% of travelers research on mobile but book on desktop.
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FAQ
Q: Which travel affiliate program offers the longest cookie duration?
A: Discover Cars leads with a 365-day cookie window, followed closely by SafetyWing (365 days). This is ideal for travelers who research rentals or insurance months before booking.
Q: Which program pays commissions for clicks (not just bookings)?
A: Tripadvisor rewards affiliates for clicks – if users click your link and later book with partners like Marriott within 14 days, you earn 50-80% commissions.
Q: How do recurring commissions work in travel affiliate programs?
A: SafetyWing offers 10% recurring monthly income on travel insurance subscriptions. If a follower subscribes via your link, you earn ongoing commissions for as long as they stay enrolled.
Q: Are there programs specializing in high-ticket travel?
A: Yes! G Adventures focuses on adventure tours averaging $2,600+ per booking, paying 6% commissions. Luxury cruise lines via Expedia (6% commissions) also cater to high-budget travelers.