Travel blogging pays best when the affiliate programs you promote match what your readers actually need. Hotel comparisons, tour bookings, travel insurance, VPN subscriptions – your audience is already searching for these things. The question is which programs give you the best return for the traffic you send.
We reviewed over 50 travel-related affiliate programs across 11 categories, looking at commission rates, cookie durations, network reliability, and how well each program converts for content-driven traffic. This list covers programs that work whether you run a backpacker blog or a luxury travel publication.
Here are the programs that deserve a spot in your monetization stack for 2026.
Top 3 programs for travel bloggers
- Booking.com – 25-40% commission share on the world’s largest hotel platform. Join Booking.com
- Viator – 8% on tours and activities with a 30-day cookie. Join Viator
- SafetyWing – 10% recurring commission with a 365-day cookie on nomad insurance. Join SafetyWing
How we evaluated these programs
Not every high-commission program is worth promoting. We filtered based on what actually matters for travel bloggers:
- Commission structure – flat rate vs. percentage, one-time vs. recurring, and how that plays out with average order values in travel
- Cookie duration – travel purchases often involve days of comparison shopping, so a 24-hour cookie means lost commissions
- Brand recognition – your readers need to trust the platform, especially when booking a $2,000 trip
- Content fit – programs that integrate naturally into destination guides, gear reviews, and trip planning content
Accommodation booking
Hotels and rentals are the bread and butter of travel affiliate income. These programs cover everything from hostels to five-star resorts.
1. Booking.com – 25-40% commission share
Booking.com runs one of the most recognizable affiliate programs in travel. You earn 25% of Booking.com’s commission on completed stays, scaling up to 40% as your monthly bookings increase. The catch: it uses session-based tracking with no traditional cookie window, so your reader needs to book in that same browsing session.
Despite the session limitation, Booking.com converts well because travelers already know and trust the platform. With over 28 million listings, almost any destination you write about will have available properties. The program is available through their in-house system, Travelpayouts, or Awin.
2. Agoda – 4-7% per booking
Agoda pays 4-7% on completed bookings. Like Booking.com, the tracking window is session-based, so the booking needs to happen in the same visit. Where Agoda shines is market coverage in Asia – if your readers are booking hotels in Thailand, Vietnam, or Japan, Agoda often has better inventory and pricing than Western-focused competitors.
Agoda performs especially well for blogs covering Southeast Asia, East Asia, and the Middle East, where the platform has stronger market penetration than its competitors. The program runs through their in-house system and Travelpayouts.
3. Hostelworld – 18-40% of deposit
Hostelworld pays 18-40% of the booking deposit, which is above average for budget accommodation. The 30-day cookie helps, and the program tracks through Partnerize. If your audience skews younger or budget-conscious, Hostelworld links in your accommodation sections will outperform hotel-focused alternatives.
The deposit-based model means your actual earnings per booking are modest – typically $2-5 per conversion. But budget travelers book frequently, and the volume adds up.
Other accommodation programs worth noting
- Vrbo – 2-4% commission on vacation rentals. Part of Expedia Group, works best for family and group travel content.
- TripAdvisor – 50% revenue share on click-outs to hotel partners. Pays for clicks, not completed bookings.
- Airbnb – Shut down its affiliate program for content creators in 2021. No longer available to bloggers.
- Hotels.com – 4% commission with a 7-day cookie through the Expedia Affiliate Network.
Tours and activities
Tour and activity bookings convert well from content because readers are actively planning what to do at their destination. A well-placed recommendation in a city guide can drive consistent sales.
4. Viator – 8% commission
Viator offers 8% commission on the world’s largest inventory of tours, activities, and day trips. The 30-day cookie gives your readers time to browse and book. Average order values for multi-day tours can push individual commissions into the $15-40 range.
Owned by TripAdvisor, Viator covers over 300,000 experiences in 190+ countries. The program runs through Impact and Travelpayouts. What makes it effective: you can deep-link to specific tours from your destination guides rather than sending traffic to a generic homepage.
5. GetYourGuide – 8% commission
GetYourGuide matches Viator’s 8% rate with a slightly longer 31-day cookie. The platform has built a reputation for curated, high-quality experiences, particularly across European cities. Their mobile app adoption is strong, which helps conversion rates for readers who click through on phones.
Available through their in-house program and Travelpayouts. Many travel bloggers run both Viator and GetYourGuide links side by side, recommending whichever platform has better options for a given destination.
Other tour programs worth noting
- Klook – 2-5% commission. The dominant platform for activities and transport bookings across Southeast Asia.
- Tiqets – 8-12% on museum and attraction tickets. Strong for Europe-focused city guide content.
- Headout – 5-10% on last-minute tickets for shows and attractions in major cities.
Flight booking and search
Flight affiliate programs work differently from accommodation. Most pay per click-out or revenue share rather than per completed booking, since the actual purchase happens on the airline’s site.
6. WayAway – 50% revenue share
WayAway stands out with a 50% revenue share and a cashback model that gives travelers real money back on flights. That cashback feature lifts conversion rates because your readers get a tangible benefit from using your link. The 30-day cookie is tracked through Travelpayouts.
WayAway also sells a Plus membership ($49.99/year) that unlocks higher cashback rates. Affiliates earn on both the flight referrals and the membership upgrades.
7. Skyscanner – 20% revenue share
Skyscanner pays 20% of their revenue when a user clicks through to an airline or OTA from your referral. The 30-day cookie tracks through Impact. While the per-click earnings are small (often under $0.50), Skyscanner’s brand recognition drives high click-through rates from flight-related content.
The program works best when embedded in “how to find cheap flights to [destination]” content where readers are actively price-comparing.
Other flight programs worth noting
- Kiwi.com – 3% commission. Known for virtual interlining that finds unique multi-airline itineraries.
- Trip.com – 1-5% on flights and hotels. Strong inventory across Asia.
- Expedia – 2-6% across flights, hotels, and car rentals through a single program.
- Momondo – $0.45-$0.65 per click-out. Pays on clicks rather than bookings.
Travel insurance
Insurance is where some travel bloggers earn surprisingly well. The products have high margins, commissions are solid, and readers trust personal recommendations about protecting a trip.
8. SafetyWing – 10% recurring
SafetyWing pays 10% recurring commission on their Nomad Insurance product, which operates as a monthly subscription. That recurring structure means a single referral can earn you commissions for months. Add in the 365-day cookie, and you have the most affiliate-friendly insurance program in the travel space.
The product targets digital nomads and long-term travelers, starting at around $45/month. If your content reaches remote workers or people planning extended trips, SafetyWing is one of the highest-value programs you can join.
9. World Nomads – 10% per policy
World Nomads has been the default recommendation among travel bloggers for over a decade. They pay 10% per policy with a 60-day cookie through CJ Affiliate. Policies cover adventure activities that standard travel insurance excludes – bungee jumping, scuba diving, skiing – which makes them easy to recommend in adventure travel content.
Average policy values run higher than SafetyWing since World Nomads covers single trips rather than monthly subscriptions. A two-week policy for a family of four can easily hit $200+, putting your commission at $20 per sale.
Other insurance programs worth noting
- Heymondo – 15-20% commission plus a reader discount code that helps conversion rates.
- Allianz Travel – $12-25 flat CPA per sale. A trusted corporate brand for more conservative travelers.
Car rental
Car rental affiliate programs are underused by most travel bloggers. Road trip content converts well, and the commission structures can be better than you’d expect.
10. Discover Cars – 70% of rental profit
Discover Cars runs one of the most aggressive commission structures in travel affiliates: 70% of their car rental profit plus 30% of full coverage insurance purchases. The 365-day cookie means road trip content you publish today can earn commissions from bookings made months later.
Available through their in-house program and Travelpayouts. The platform compares prices across major rental companies (Hertz, Avis, Europcar, local providers), so you can position it as a comparison tool in your road trip guides.
Other car rental programs worth noting
- RentalCars.com – 40% commission share. Part of Booking Holdings with inventory across 160+ countries.
- AutoEurope – 5% per booking. Specializes in European rentals with competitive rates.
Travel gear and luggage
Gear reviews and packing lists are evergreen content that keeps earning. These programs let you monetize the physical products you recommend.
11. Amazon Associates – 1-10% (4% on luggage)
Amazon Associates has the worst cookie in the business at just 24 hours. But it converts at rates that most travel programs can’t touch. When someone clicks your link to check out a travel backpack, they often buy that plus a packing cube set, a neck pillow, and a portable charger. You earn on the entire cart.
Commission rates vary by category: 4% on luggage and travel accessories, 4.5% on clothing, up to 10% on luxury beauty. The program works best for gear roundup posts and packing list content where readers are ready to buy.
12. REI – 5% commission
REI pays 5% with a 15-day cookie through AvantLink. For outdoor and adventure travel blogs, REI links outperform Amazon on credibility. Their audience expects to pay more for quality hiking boots, camping gear, and technical clothing. Average order values tend to be higher than Amazon for the same product categories.
The 15-day cookie is a meaningful upgrade over Amazon’s 24 hours. Someone researching a $300 backpack usually doesn’t buy on their first visit.
Other gear programs worth noting
- Osprey – 8% commission on premium backpacks with a lifetime warranty. Easy to recommend.
- Away – 5-10% on luggage. Strong brand recognition with lifestyle travelers.
- Backcountry – 5-7% through AvantLink. Premium outdoor gear competitor to REI.
VPN services for travelers
VPNs solve a real problem for travelers: accessing banking apps, streaming services, and blocked websites from abroad. That makes them a natural fit for travel content about staying connected on the road.
13. NordVPN – 40-100% initial + 30% renewal
NordVPN runs one of the highest-paying affiliate programs in the VPN space. New sign-ups earn you 40-100% of the initial payment depending on the plan length, plus 30% on renewals. With a 30-day cookie on Awin, the program converts well from “best VPN for travel” content.
NordVPN’s brand awareness does the heavy lifting. Most readers have already heard of it, which shortens the decision-making process. A single two-year plan purchase at around $100 can net you $40-100 in commission.
14. Surfshark – 40% per sale
Surfshark pays 40% commission with a 30-day cookie. The key selling point for travelers: unlimited simultaneous device connections on a single account. That makes it an easy recommendation for couples, families, or groups traveling together. It costs less than NordVPN, which can mean higher conversion rates for price-sensitive audiences.
Other VPN programs worth noting
- ExpressVPN – $13-36 per sale. Premium pricing means higher per-sale earnings, and it’s the go-to VPN for travelers in heavily restricted regions like China.
eSIM and connectivity
eSIM programs are the fastest-growing category in travel affiliate marketing. Physical SIM cards are being replaced, and travelers want data plans sorted before they land.
15. Airalo – 10% commission
Airalo is the largest eSIM marketplace, covering 200+ countries with local, regional, and global data plans. The 10% commission with a 30-day cookie runs through Impact and Awin. Plans start at $4.50, so individual commissions are small, but conversion rates are high because the product solves an immediate, urgent need.
The best placement for Airalo links: “things to know before visiting [country]” posts and packing list content. Readers preparing for a trip are ready to buy.
16. Holafly – 5-10% commission
Holafly differentiates with unlimited data plans, which removes the anxiety of tracking data usage abroad. Commission is 30% per sale with a 30-day cookie through ShareASale. That rate combined with plan prices that run higher than Airalo makes Holafly one of the better-paying eSIM programs per conversion.
Other connectivity programs worth noting
- Nomad eSIM – 10-20% commission. Competitive pricing and a clean app interface.
Money and payments abroad
Currency exchange and international transfers are pain points every traveler deals with. These fintech programs pay well and solve a genuine problem.
17. Wise – up to $50 per referral
Wise (formerly TransferWise) pays $10-15 per new personal account referral, with higher payouts (up to $50) for business account signups. The cookie is lifetime through PartnerStack, meaning you get credit as long as the user eventually signs up. For travel bloggers, Wise fits naturally into content about managing money abroad, digital nomad finances, or “how to save on currency exchange” posts.
The multi-currency debit card is the hook for travelers. Hold balances in 40+ currencies and spend at the real exchange rate. That’s a clear, specific benefit your readers can understand immediately.
Other payment programs worth noting
- Revolut – $5-20 per new user. Popular digital banking app with fee-free spending abroad and built-in travel insurance on premium plans.
Travel blogging tools
If your content teaches others how to start or grow a travel blog, these programs let you monetize your own tech stack recommendations.
18. Hostinger – 60% per sale
Hostinger pays 60% commission on hosting plans through Impact, with a 30-day cookie. Entry-level plans start around $2.99/month, which makes Hostinger an easy first recommendation for readers asking “how do I start a travel blog?” Your commission on a 4-year plan purchase can hit $50+.
The high commission rate combined with a low price point gives Hostinger strong conversion rates. Budget-conscious aspiring bloggers don’t need much convincing at that price.
19. Semrush – $200 per sale
Semrush pays $200 for every new subscription and $10 for free trial sign-ups, tracked through Impact with a 120-day cookie. That cookie window is critical – SEO tools require evaluation time before someone commits to a monthly plan.
This program works best if you create content about travel blog SEO, keyword research for destination content, or growing organic traffic. A single conversion pays more than dozens of hotel bookings.
Other blogging tool programs worth noting
- SiteGround – $50+ per sale. Premium WordPress hosting with a reputation for excellent support.
- Envato Market – 30% on first purchase of premium WordPress themes and plugins.
Language learning
Language apps pair well with destination-specific content. A post about traveling in Japan or moving to Spain creates a natural opening for a language tool recommendation.
20. Babbel – $32 per sale
Babbel pays a flat $32 per subscription through Impact with a 45-day cookie. The app focuses on practical conversational skills rather than academic language study, which makes it a natural recommendation in travel content. “Learn enough Italian to order food and ask for directions” resonates more than “achieve fluency.”
The 45-day cookie accommodates the typical buying cycle: someone reads your Italy guide, downloads the free trial, practices for a few weeks, then upgrades before their trip.
Other language programs worth noting
- Rosetta Stone – 7% commission. Legacy brand with strong recognition among older demographics.
- Pimsleur – 10-15% or $15 CPA. Audio-based learning that travelers can use while commuting or in transit.
Quick-reference comparison table
Here’s a side-by-side look at the top programs from each category.
| Program | Category | Commission | Cookie | Recurring? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Booking.com | Accommodation | 25-40% share | Session | No |
| Agoda | Accommodation | 4-7% | Session | No |
| Hostelworld | Accommodation | 18-40% of deposit | 30 days | No |
| Viator | Tours | 8% | 30 days | No |
| GetYourGuide | Tours | 8% | 31 days | No |
| WayAway | Flights | 50% share | 30 days | No |
| SafetyWing | Insurance | 10% | 365 days | Yes |
| World Nomads | Insurance | 10% | 60 days | No |
| Discover Cars | Car rental | 70% of profit | 365 days | No |
| Amazon | Gear | 1-10% | 24 hours | No |
| NordVPN | VPN | 40-100% + 30% renewal | 30 days | Yes |
| Airalo | eSIM | 10% | 30 days | No |
| Wise | Payments | $10-50/user | Lifetime | No |
| Hostinger | Blogging tools | 60% | 30 days | No |
| Semrush | Blogging tools | $200/sale | 120 days | No |
How to pick the right programs for your blog
Joining every program on this list would be a waste of time. Focus on the ones that match your content and audience.
Start with what your readers already search for
Look at your top-performing posts. If your traffic comes from destination guides, prioritize accommodation and tour programs. If you rank for “how to start a travel blog” content, the blogging tools programs will earn more. Match the program to the intent behind your traffic.
Layer programs across the trip planning timeline
A single reader planning a trip might book flights (Skyscanner), reserve a hotel (Booking.com), buy travel insurance (SafetyWing), get an eSIM (Airalo), and purchase a new backpack (Amazon). Your destination guides can include links for each stage. One article, five revenue streams.
Don’t ignore the high-ticket outliers
Most travel bloggers focus exclusively on booking commissions and miss the $200 Semrush sale or the $50 Wise referral. These programs convert less frequently, but a handful of sales per month can match or exceed what you earn from hundreds of hotel bookings.
Test and compare similar programs
Run Viator and GetYourGuide links on the same posts for a month and see which converts better for your audience. Do the same with Airalo vs. Holafly, or Booking.com vs. Agoda. Your readers’ geography and travel style will determine which platforms perform best.
Bottom line
The strongest travel affiliate strategy combines a few high-volume programs (Booking.com, Viator, Amazon) with selective high-commission picks (SafetyWing, NordVPN, Semrush) that match your specific content. You don’t need 20 programs to start earning. Pick three from the categories that align with your top traffic sources, place links in your best-performing posts, and expand from there.
Cookie duration matters more than most bloggers realize. Programs like SafetyWing (365 days), Discover Cars (365 days), and Semrush (120 days) capture sales that shorter-cookie programs miss entirely. When two programs offer similar products, the longer cookie often wins on revenue even if the commission percentage is lower.
Browse our full affiliate program directory for detailed reviews of individual programs, including sign-up requirements, payment methods, and real commission structures.
