Airbnb once had an affiliate program, but they discontinued it in 2021. If you’re searching for a substitute for Airbnb’s affiliate program, especially if you’re keen on linking up with another business and recommending new hosts, don’t worry—we have several hotel affiliate programs to suggest.
Now, let’s explore what went down with the Airbnb affiliate program and check out some great alternatives that you might want to consider.
Why Did The Airbnb Affiliate Program End?
Despite its success, Airbnb chose to end their affiliate program. Why? A big reason was their shift towards bringing in more new hosts. They believed that their fresh marketing push to attract hosts would take up a larger slice of the company’s revenue pie.
This shift seems to have made it difficult to continue paying a significant cut to the bloggers and social media experts who promoted Airbnb through the affiliate program.
Some think that Airbnb initially launched its affiliate program as a reaction to the travel slump caused by the 2020 pandemic. Now that travel is picking back up, the company might not see the need for an affiliate program to boost bookings anymore.
5 Airbnb Affiliate Program Alternatives
1. Expedia Affiliate Program
Image credit: Expediagroup.com
Expedia tops the chart as the largest name here, owning both Hotels.com and Vrbo under the Expedia Group umbrella. You can sign up for the Expedia affiliate program through CJ Affiliate or opt for their own in-house program.
While Expedia’s primary site doesn’t list vacation rentals – that’s what Vrbo is for – it’s still a noteworthy mention. As an Expedia affiliate, you’re not just limited to earning from hotel stays; you can also rake in commissions on flights, car hires, and even cruises.
On CJ Affiliate, you’ll find several affiliate programs from Expedia, much like Hotels.com. The main program in the US offers a 7-day cookie window, with commission rates varying from 2% to 6%, depending on the product you promote. You earn a 3% commission for accommodations, while promoting cruises can fetch you the top rate of 6%.
2. Booking.com Affiliate Program
Image credit: Booking.com
Booking.com has grown beyond its roots as a hotel reservation site, now featuring a wide array of vacation rentals too. That makes it a great alternative to the Airbnb Affiliate Program.
Ever since Airbnb’s affiliate program came to an end, many affiliates have flocked to Booking.com as their go-to alternative. You can join the Booking.com affiliate program directly through their own platform. It’s also available on CJ Affiliate, but at the moment, it’s restricted to targeting specific European countries – though this might change down the line.
The in-house affiliate program at Booking.com operates on a progressive commission model. This means your commission rate climbs with each booking you secure within a month. Check out the detailed commission tiers in the table provided.
Remember, your earnings are a slice of Booking.com’s commission, not the total booking value. So, if a referral books a stay for $100, don’t expect a flat $25. Depending on the property, Booking.com’s cut ranges from 10% to 20%.
Also, the Booking.com affiliate setup is session-based for cookies, which implies that the purchase needs to happen before the browser session ends.
For tools, the program equips affiliates with handy options like map widgets and search boxes to enhance their promotional efforts.
3. Vrbo Program
Image credit: Travelpayouts
Vrbo is the platform most similar to Airbnb, focusing solely on vacation rentals.
Much like Airbnb, Vrbo operates as an online hub for booking holiday homes. You can sign up for the Vrbo affiliate program through CJ Affiliate, where they offer a 2% commission for each successful booking.
In contrast to Booking.com’s affiliate scheme, with Vrbo, you’re not getting a cut of their commission. So if someone books a stay worth $100 through your referral, you pocket a neat $2. The cookies last for 7 days.
Vrbo also mirrors Airbnb’s old program by rewarding you when new property listings come from your referrals. Bring a property owner to list with Vrbo, and you’ll get a $20 commission. Plus, Vrbo extends the cookie duration to a generous 60 days for these property listing referrals.
4. Hotels.com Program
Image credit: Postaffiliatepro.com
As you might guess from the name, Hotels.com mainly zeroes in on hotel stays. But it’s worth noting that they also offer vacation rental options, making their affiliate program a viable alternative to Airbnb’s.
You can join the Hotels.com affiliate program via CJ Affiliate. They offer a 7-day cookie window and a 4% commission rate.
CJ Affiliate is home to various affiliate programs for Hotels.com. If you choose the main one, your commissions will come from sales within the USA and Canada. And if you’re looking elsewhere, they’ve got programs tailored for Latin America and certain European countries too.
5. Homestay Program
Image credit: Homestay.com
Homestay brings you a familiar concept, much like Vrbo and Airbnb: it’s a platform where you can book a room or house from someone’s home. Their affiliate program echoes the kind of generous commissions that Airbnb used to offer, with over 25,000 homes to choose from on their site.
With Homestay, you can earn impressive commissions starting at 30 percent, which increases as you rack up more bookings and perform well. If you’re a blogger looking to partner up, you’re in luck, and they’re also open to collaborations with:
- Travel websites
- Destination guides
- Travel agents
- Educational institutions
- Homestay hosts themselves
Plus, they offer a lengthy 30-day cookie duration, just like the one from the Airbnb Affiliate Program, giving your audience ample time to consider their travel plans.
Final Words
While the end of the Airbnb Affiliate Program may seem like a setback, it opens the door to new opportunities. The alternatives listed above are just the starting point. With a little research and creativity, you can find the right fit for your audience and continue to earn through affiliate marketing. Remember to always provide value to your followers and choose programs that align with your content and values.
Check our section of the best travel affiliate programs for the latest ways to make money in this promising niche.
