The Cheapflights affiliate program is a great opportunity for anyone who has a website or online presence to promote travel deals and earn money. Cheapflights is part of the Kayak.com subsidiary. It is a major player in the travel industry and connects users to low-cost airfare, hotels, and car rentals. In this guide, we will cover all aspects of the Cheapflights affiliate program, from its commission model and promotional tools to optimized best practices for maximizing your earnings.
Cheapflights Affiliate Program — Key Features
Commission Structure
Cheapflights offers an affiliate program with a Cost-per-click (CPC) business model, which allows affiliates to earn money by getting clicks from your referral links. They can deduct a commission of:
- $0.45 per click for desktop & tablet users.
- For smartphone users, $0.25 per click.
By utilizing a structure that allows affiliates to earn income without direct bookings, this is an attractive option for anyone with travel content.
Cookie Duration
With a 90-day cookie duration, if a user clicks on your affiliate link, you will earn a commission on any bookings the user makes in the next 90 days. The longer cookie duration maximizes commission earnings potential from users who may require time to finalize their travel plans.
Global Reach
Cheapflights attracts more than 120 million visitors a year and has a global presence. The big audience base gives affiliates plenty of opportunities to earn clicks and commissions from around the globe.
Payment Details
The monthly payment option is made to affiliates through either direct deposit or electronic funds transfer (EFT). There’s no minimum payout threshold; affiliates can get paid out as soon as they earning commissions.
Tools & Resources for Promotion
The affiliates enjoy a number of marketing tools to improve their promotional activities:
Banners and Widgets: These are visuals that you can integrate into your website or blog to capture guest visitors and increase click-throughs.
Deep Links: Partners can use link to direct users to a specific deal or page on the Cheapflights site, making it more likely the user will convert.
White Label Solutions: For individuals who want to add flight search into their websites, Cheapflights provides white-label options to create a smooth user experience.
Pros and Cons of the Cheapflights Affiliate Program
Pros:
- Commission Rates: High 65% to 75% commission for affiliates on bookings is much higher than the majority of other travel affiliate programs.
- International Presence: With a global market, the program attracts a significant number of potential consumers for its partners.
- Wide Range of Promotional Tools: Affiliates can use different marketing tools available at different platforms, including banners, widgets and deep links which can boost their promotional activities.
- Monthly Payments: Affiliates are paid monthly via direct deposit or EFT.
- Easy-to-Use Platform: Cheapflights offers a simple interface that allows affiliates to promote travel deals and monitor their performance.
Cons:
- Have to comply with Merchant Rules: Affiliates cannot just promote the program as they like; they have to follow the rules of Cheapflights.
- No Customer Retention: The user will likely just return to Cheapflights for future bookings, meaning no customer retention for affiliates.
- Inconsistent Payouts: Like virtually all affiliate programs, there are no guaranteed sales, and variables such as traffic and conversion rates can drastically affect earnings.
How to become an affiliate for Cheapflights
The Cheapflights affiliate program is free and simple to join. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
- Head over to the Cheapflights affiliate page.
- Complete the application with all your information, including your website.
- Once your application has been submitted, Cheapflights will approve it.
- After you’re approved, you’ll get access to special links and promotional materials to help you start with. Add these to your content on many channels (blog, social media, newsletter, etc.).
- Use your affiliate dashboard to track clicks, traffic, and revenue.
Promoting Cheapflights — Best Practices
Here are several pointers you can follow for earning more with the Cheapflights affiliate program:
- Content Creation: Create engaging content that speaks to travelers. That could be travel guides, finding affordable flights, or destination approaches.
- SEO Optimization: Incorporate travel and airfare-related keywords within your content to increase search engine visibility and drive organic traffic.
- Social Media Marketing: Post-travel offers and tips on social media sites frequented by potential travelers.
- Email Marketing: Create a mailing list and send out newsletters with exclusive offers or travel advice that include your affiliate links.
Affiliates — Target Audience
The Cheapflights affiliate program is well-suited for:
- Travel Bloggers: Travel bloggers who share travel related experiences and tips have an opening to slip in some Cheapflights promotions with little effort.
- Influencers: Influencers who work in this niche can now utilize their social media accounts to market flight deals.
- Website Owners: Sites offering travel advice, accommodation, or even booking should link to Cheapflights.
5 Alternatives to the Cheapflights Affiliate Program
The Cheapflights affiliate program is popular among those seeking to earn travel industry commissions. However, there are several alternatives that can also provide lucrative opportunities. Here are five notable alternatives to consider:
1. Expedia Group Program
Expedia is one of the largest travel brands in the world. It offers a wide range of services, including flights, hotels, car rentals, and activities. Affiliates can earn up to 6% on bookings. The cookie lasts for 7 days, meaning you will earn a commission if a customer books within that period.
Pros:
- Access to a vast inventory of travel options.
- High conversion rates due to brand recognition.
Cons:
- Commissions are only paid after the trip is completed.
- Does not pay for canceled bookings.
Prospective applicants should refer to the Expedia affiliate programs post.
2. Booking.com Program
Booking.com is well-known for its hotel bookings and offers flights and other travel services. Affiliates earn 25% to 40% of Booking.com’s commission. The cookie is session-based, which means it lasts only as long as the user’s session.
Pros:
- Trusted brand with a large user base.
- Offers various promotional tools for affiliates.
Cons:
- Payouts require a minimum of $109.
Wish to join? Visit our Booking.com affiliate program review.
3. Kayak Program
Kayak is a travel search engine that aggregates data from various travel websites, including Cheapflights. Affiliates earn a 50% commission on ad revenue, bookings, and clicks. The cookie lasts for 30 days, providing ample time for users to make bookings.
Pros:
- Offers deep links and widgets to enhance user engagement.
- Covers multiple verticals like flights, hotels, and car rentals.
Cons:
- The competitive nature of the travel niche can make it challenging to stand out.
Joining is simple! Go to the Kayak affiliate program requirements.
4. Tripadvisor Program
Tripadvisor is primarily known for its reviews but also allows users to book hotels and activities. Affiliates earn 50% of Tripadvisor’s commission on hotel bookings. The cookie lasts for 14 days, allowing users some time to complete their purchases.
Pros:
- Extensive resources for affiliates, including links and banners.
- Strong reputation and high traffic volume.
Cons:
- Commissions are limited mainly to hotel bookings.
Check out the Tripadvisor affiliate program requirements page to apply for the program.
5. Hostelworld Program
Hostelworld focuses on budget accommodations, making it ideal for travelers seeking affordable options. Commissions are based on a cost-per-acquisition (CPA) model, calculated as a percentage of the deposit customers pay. The cookie lasts for 30 days, which is beneficial for tracking referrals.
Pros:
- Access to over 36,000 hostels worldwide, catering specifically to budget travelers.
- Provides extensive reviews and ratings to help users choose accommodations.
Cons:
- Primarily targets budget travelers, which may limit audience reach.
Head over to the Hostelworld affiliate program page and use our step-by-step guide to join.
Conclusion
The Cheapflights affiliate program has a strong time for anybody who wants to make money as an affiliate promoting travel products. Overall, the competitive commission structure, broad range of marketing materials and international coverage makes for an attractive prospect to any affiliate in the travel niche wanting to make money online.
And if you want to join similar affiliate programs, check our travel affiliate programs section. You may also connect with us on social media for super affiliate tips:
