Program Details
| Commission | 5% – 10% (Cost Per Sale) |
| Cookie Duration | 30 days |
| Network | Awin, Impact, Direct |
| Payment Methods | PayPal, Bank Transfer |
| Min. Payout | $50 |
| Payment Frequency | Monthly (Net 30) |
| Category | Travel and Experiences |
| Countries | Global (major tourist hubs in Europe, USA, UAE, SE Asia) |
| Website | www.headout.com |
Headout is an on-demand travel experiences marketplace that lets tourists book tours, attraction tickets, and local activities in over 50 cities worldwide. The platform is built around last-minute availability and mobile-first checkout, making it a strong match for audiences who are already at a destination or planning a trip in the near future. Headout covers major tourist hubs across Europe, the USA, the UAE, and Southeast Asia.
Headout Affiliate Program Overview
The Headout affiliate program pays a 5% to 10% commission on completed bookings, depending on the network and your performance tier. The program runs through three channels: the direct Headout Partner Portal, Awin (merchant ID 19163, base rate 5%), and Impact (5% to 8%). All channels offer a 30-day cookie window.
The average order value sits around $90, and the program reports conversion rates of 3% to 5%, above average for the tours and activities niche. Payments go out monthly on Net 30 terms via PayPal or bank transfer, with a $50 minimum threshold. EPC figures range from $0.20 to $0.45 depending on traffic quality and destination focus.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Strong conversion rates (3%-5%) driven by real-time availability and last-minute booking demand
- 30-day cookie covers the typical trip planning and booking window
- Deep-linking tools and a dedicated partner dashboard make it easy to target specific cities or experiences
- Mobile-optimized checkout reduces drop-off for on-the-go travelers
- Low $50 payment threshold and multiple payout options (PayPal and bank transfer)
Cons:
- Inventory is limited to major cities, which makes it less useful for rural or adventure travel content
- Smaller total experience catalog than Viator or GetYourGuide
- Brand-name PPC bidding is prohibited, which rules out paid search as a traffic channel
How to Join
The easiest route for most affiliates is through Awin. Create a publisher account if you don’t already have one, then search for Headout (merchant ID 19163) and submit your application. Alternatively, you can apply directly via the Headout Partner Portal or through Impact.
Headout rates approval difficulty as moderate. Your site needs active, relevant travel content – destination guides, city travel tips, or attraction reviews all work well. Applications are typically reviewed within 3 to 5 business days. Once approved, you get access to the partner dashboard with deep-linking tools, banners, and performance analytics.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get approved for the Headout affiliate program?
Applications are typically reviewed within 3 to 5 business days. Having visible, travel-specific content on your site (destination guides, attraction reviews, city itineraries) will help speed up approval. If you apply through Awin, you need a live publisher account there before Headout can review your application.
Can I deep link to specific attractions or city pages on Headout?
Yes. Both the direct partner portal and the network dashboards (Awin, Impact) let you create deep links to any specific product, city page, or category on Headout. This is particularly useful if your content covers a specific destination – you can link readers directly to relevant experiences rather than the homepage.
What creatives and marketing materials does Headout provide?
Headout supplies banners in various sizes, widgets, and high-resolution images of attractions through the partner portal and network dashboards. These materials are regularly updated, which is helpful for seasonal campaigns around summer travel peaks (June to August) and the December holiday period.
Is the Headout affiliate program free to join?
Yes, joining is free through all three channels – the direct portal, Awin, and Impact. There are no setup fees or subscription costs at any point.
What happens to my commission if a customer cancels their booking?
If a booking is cancelled and the customer receives a refund, the corresponding commission is reversed from your affiliate balance. This is standard practice across most travel affiliate programs. Headout’s ‘Headout Managed’ experiences (exclusive inventory with better price control) tend to have fewer cancellations, which can make them better options for affiliates focused on earnings consistency.
Is there a cap on affiliate earnings with Headout?
No earnings cap applies. Commissions are paid on every confirmed booking without an upper limit. High-volume publishers may be able to negotiate higher commission rates above the standard 5% to 10% range through the direct partner portal.
Final Verdict
Headout is a solid option for travel affiliates who focus on city-based destination content – the 30-day cookie, low payment threshold, and deep-linking tools make it practical to work with. The 5% to 10% commission range is competitive for the tours and experiences niche, though the inventory gaps in rural and off-the-beaten-path destinations will limit its usefulness for broader travel audiences. If your traffic skews toward major tourist cities in Europe, North America, or Southeast Asia, it’s worth adding Headout alongside larger platforms like Viator or GetYourGuide.
