Google Flights is a robust flight search engine that lets you view and compare airfares from multiple airlines and travel agencies. It debuted in 2011 as an initial product of Google’s acquisition of ITA Software and has since become one of the most prominent flight-searching tools. In this guide, you get to learn all details about the Google Flights affiliate program Also, we share similar services that you can promote to earn commissions.
Google Flights Impact on the Travel Industry
The travel industry has felt its fair share of changes since Google stopped charging airlines and online travel agencies (OTAs) for leads. Specifically, the dynamic of Google offering flight referrals for free has altered competition among metasearch engines and OTAs. Apparently, the move is a tactic for the company to strengthen its place in the market at a time when antitrust regulators around the world are taking an increasing number of companies under their microscope. Google also wants to improve its attractiveness by offering free traffic through its flight comparison service and reducing the risk of anti-competitive allegations.
Key Features of Google Flights
- Easy-to-Use Interface: The airline ticket platform has an easy-to-use interface that allows users to search for flights easily. Simply input the departure and arrival locations, dates of journey, and similar details to get the info you need.
- Flexible Date Search: Users can see prices reflected over several days to find the cheapest travel days.
- Price Alerts: With Google Flights, you can set alerts on specific routes. The system will notify you when prices fall.
- Compatibility with other Google services: The service integrates with other Google’s products, from Gmail to Google Assistant, making it easier to access to travel information.
- Carbon Impact Data: One of the most important features for environmentalists is that Google Flights provides users with statistics about the carbon impact of their flight.
While Google Flights has its benefits, the site excludes some budget carriers that may have cheaper flights.
Availability of Google Flights Affiliate Program
Currently, Google does not run a direct affiliate program for Google Flights, which means people and companies cannot receive affiliate commissions for promoting It. Instead, Google has moved towards partnerships with airlines and OTAs, which can list their fares on the platform free of charge.
Earning with 5 Alternatives to Google Flights Affiliate Program
If you are interested in travel affiliate programs, there are other options available to earn commission by booking flights. Here are a few popular options:
Qatar Airways Program
Qatar Airways is one of the top Middle Eastern airlines, servicing over 150 international destinations. In 2022, it also went on to be named Airline of the Year at the Skytrax World Airline Awards for seven consecutive years, plus three other awards, including Best Business Class.
FlexOffers offer up to 1.6% per sale, while Awin provides commissions as high as 2%. Both have a 30-day cookie length. The average order value for Awin is $1,000.
Once you become an affiliate, you will receive various creative materials, such as HTML and JPEG banners. In addition, Qatar Airways keeps you updated about new offers.
- Cookie Duration: 30 days.
- Commission: 1.6% – 2% per completed sale.
- Products: International flights.
People interested in applying should read the Qatar Airways affiliate program guide.
Kiwi.com Program
Kiwi.com is a low-cost online travel agency that connects a variety of airline, train, and bus options that normally do not work together. What makes it stand out is its nomad travel search feature, which enables you to check the cheapest ways to combine different forms of transport as you travel through multiple cities.
Kiwi.com’s affiliate program is based on the CPA model (cost per acquisition), with sales considered a conversion. It operates on the last-click attribution model, paying commissions to the last referrer prior to a purchase.
Performance bonuses and dedicated affiliate managers are available to help you fine-tune your marketing efforts. Affiliates receive a 3% commission on each sale with a 30-day cookie window. Monthly billing is in arrears, and no invoicing is required.
- Cookie Duration: 30 days.
- Commission: 3% per sale.
- Products: Flight tickets.
Joining is simple! Visit the Kiwi.com affiliate program guide and read the requirements.
Emirates US Airline Program
Emirates is one of the world’s largest airlines, with a more than 260 aircraft fleet and flights to 152 international destinations.
Emphasizing passenger experience, the airline won the 2022 World Airline Awards for best in-flight entertainment and has a five-star rating from APEX, the Airline Passenger Experience Association.
The Emirates affiliate program is part of CJ Affiliate. It provides a 30-day cookie period and starts at 1.25% commission for all bookings in the US, raising to 2.5% on flights to certain airports.
Commissions are determined based on the net fare and do not include fuel surcharges or taxes. Purchases made using Emirates Skywards points are not commissionable.
- Cookie Duration: 30 days.
- Commission: 1.25% – 2.5% per US sale.
- Products: Airline tickets.
Wish to join? Check the Emirates affiliate program review.
Skyscanner Program
Skyscanner is another major flight search engine that can redirect you to book flights from many airlines. The exchange has handled over 10 billion price options daily, serves more than 90 million active users monthly, and is available in more than 30 languages across 52 countries.
On their flight affiliate program page, you can apply for a free member account through Impact Radius. Skyscanner pays 20% of its revenue on any booking to affiliates and has a 30-day cookie window.
To apply to Skyscanner, you must own a HTTPS website with recent travel content that users can navigate easily. Affiliates are not allowed to book tickets on behalf of customers, and must also not be linked with:
- Coupon sites.
- Discount sites.
- Networks or sub-networks.
- Agencies that specialize in performance marketing.
- Technology partners.
If you qualify, you’ll receive a monthly newsletter of the latest travel trends and some insider information. In addition, Skyscanner has a site widget that allows visitors to search for flights/hotels/cars right from your site.
- Cookie Duration: 30 days.
- Commission: 20% of Skyscanner’s revenue per booking.
- Products: Flight comparison.
To join this program, check the Skyscanner affiliate program page and follow our step-by-step guide.
KAYAK Program
KAYAK is part of a massive ecosystem that includes Cheapflights, HotelsCombined, and Momondo. Together, they answer over six billion travel queries a year, have two million properties working with them, and have more than 15,000 affiliates.
KAYAK affiliate members get paid for the flight, car rental, hotel and vacation package clicks, bookings, and ad revenue. They earn 50% of the money that KAYAK makes from its partners
Once the minimum threshold is met, payments are processed every 45 days and sent monthly via bank transfer or PayPal.
KAYAK offers different marketing tools like deep links, widgets, and a search box. Plus, KAYAK’s API and white-label solutions allow affiliates to customize their KAYAK offerings, providing one of the most flexible and technologically advanced airline affiliate programs in existence.
- Cookie Duration: Not listed.
- Commission: 50% of KAYAK’s revenue per booking.
- Products: Flight comparison.
Please visit the KAYAK affiliate program requirements page to apply for the program.
Final Thoughts on Google Flights Affiliate Program and its Alternatives
Even though the Google Flights Affiliate Program is not currently an option, there are plenty of other choices for affiliates who want to promote travel-related services. With these options, affiliates can benefit from the increasing need for Internet travel services while delivering travelers with resources at an affordable price. With such diverse competition evolving in online travel, keeping track of these opportunities will be important for success in this affiliate marketing sector.
Check these top airline affiliate programs for other ways to monetize your traffic. Also, follow us on social media for super affiliate tips:
Sources:
- phocuswire.com/Google-Flights-impact-on-travel-industry
- admitad.com/blog/best-airline-affiliate-programs/
- emirates.com/media-centre/emirates-group-announces-2022-23-results/
- worldairlineawards.com/worlds-top-10-airlines-2024
