Joining an airline affiliate program can be a great way to maximize the benefits and rewards of your travels. These programs allow you to earn miles or points for flights, hotel stays, rental cars, and other travel-related purchases, which can then be redeemed for a range of benefits such as free flights, upgrades, and lounge access. With so many airline affiliate programs available, choosing the best one can be a challenge. However, it is important to consider factors such as rewards, redemption options, and overall value when selecting the program that is right for you.
In 2023, several airline affiliate programs are expected to stand out, offering travelers the opportunity to earn valuable rewards and benefits. These programs offer a range of rewards for flights, hotel stays, rental cars, and more, along with additional opportunities to earn miles through their credit card and dining programs. By carefully evaluating your travel habits and considering the benefits offered by each program, you can choose the best airline affiliate program to suit your needs and enhance your travel experience.
Best Airline Affiliate Programs
Qatar Airways
Qatar Airways, one of the largest airlines in the Middle East, operates flights to over 150 destinations around the world. In 2022, the airline was honored with the title of Airline of the Year by Skytrax, marking a record-breaking seventh consecutive year of recognition. Qatar Airways also received three additional awards, including World’s Best Business Class.
To become a part of the Qatar Airways affiliate program, you can join through two affiliate networks: Awin and FlexOffers. Commission rates range from 1.6% per sale on FlexOffers to 2% on Awin, both offering a 30-day cookie window. According to Awin, the average order value for Qatar Airways is a remarkable $1,000.
Upon approval, you will have access to a collection of marketing materials, including HTML and jpg banners. Qatar Airways will also keep you informed of their latest promotions through regular notifications.
URL: Qatar Airways affiliate program
Commission: 1.6% – 2% per completed sale
Cookie duration: 30 days
Products: International flights
Kiwi.Com
Kiwi.com is a low-cost online travel agency that connects travelers with various airlines, trains, and bus operators that would not typically work together. The nomad travel search feature of Kiwi.com scans all possible transportation options to help travelers save money on multi-city trips.
Like most travel affiliate programs, Kiwi.com operates under the Cost per Action (CPA) model, with sales considered as conversions. The program uses last-click attribution and awards commissions to the final source that drove the sale. Additionally, Kiwi.com offers performance-based bonuses and has a team of dedicated affiliate managers to assist with optimizing your affiliate marketing efforts.
The Kiwi.com affiliate program offers a 3% commission per sale and has a 30-day cookie window. Commissions are paid on a monthly basis and are generated automatically, eliminating the need for affiliates to send invoices. Payments are made in arrears.
URL: Kiwi.com affiliate program
Commission: 3% per sale
Cookie duration: 30 days
Products: Flight tickets
Emirates US Airline
Emirates is a renowned global airline with a fleet of over 260 aircraft. It operates flights to 152 international destinations and carried 19 million passengers in the 2021-22 period.
Emirates places a strong emphasis on providing an exceptional passenger experience, as reflected in its recognition for the Best In-flight Entertainment at the 2022 World Airline Awards. The airline is also one of just 23 five-star global airlines rated by APEX, the Airline Passenger Experience Association.
The Emirates affiliate program can be found on CJ Affiliate. The Emirates US Airline affiliate program has a 30-day cookie window and offers a standard commission of 1.25% on all US bookings, with an increased commission rate of 2.5% for bookings on flights to certain airports (for the latest combinations, check CJ Affiliate).
Commissions are paid based on the net fare and exclude fuel surcharges and taxes. It is important to note that flights purchased with Emirates Skywards points are not tracked and are not eligible for commissions.
URL: Emirates US affiliate program
Commission: 1.25% – 2.5% per US sale
Cookie duration: 30 days
Products: Airline tickets
Skyscanner
Skyscanner is a well-known flight search engine that allows users to book flights from hundreds of major airlines. With over 90 million monthly active users and support in 30+ languages across 52 countries, Skyscanner searches 10 billion prices daily.
To take advantage of the company’s flight affiliate program, you must join via Impact Radius and earn a 20% share of the revenue received by Skyscanner for each booking. The program has a 30-day cookie window.
As a highly-regarded travel brand, Skyscanner has a rigorous approval process for affiliate marketers. To be approved, you must have a secure HTTPS website with functional links, current travel content, and a positive user experience. Also, it is important to note that you cannot book tickets on behalf of customers and must not fall under any of the following categories:
- Coupon sites
- Discount sites
- Networks or sub-networks
- Marketing performance agencies
- Technology partners
Once approved, you will receive a monthly newsletter with the latest travel trends, industry events, and exclusive offers. Skyscanner also provides affiliates with the ability to build and add widgets to their website, enabling their audience to search for flights, hotels, and cars without leaving the site.
URL: Skyscanner affiliate program
Commission: 20% of the money Skyscanner receives from each booking
Cookie duration: 30 days
Products: Flight comparison
KAYAK
KAYAK is a travel company that encompasses four travel sites: KAYAK, Cheapflights, HotelsCombined, and Momondo, which was also included in the list of the best airline affiliate programs. The KAYAK network handles more than six billion annual travel searches, has partnerships with over two million accommodations, and partners with over 15,000 affiliates.
The KAYAK affiliate program offers a chance to earn income through clicks, bookings, and ad revenue on flights, car rentals, hotels, and vacation packages. Affiliates receive 50% of the revenue earned by KAYAK from its travel partners.
Commissions are typically paid out within 45 days through either bank transfer or PayPal and are disbursed on a monthly basis, as long as the minimum payment requirement is met.
KAYAK provides numerous affiliate marketing tools, including deep links, widgets, and a search box. The program also allows for customization through an API and white label solution, making it one of the most technologically advanced and versatile airline affiliate programs available.
Commission: 50% of the money KAYAK receives from each booking
Cookie duration: Unlisted
Products: Flight comparison
Momondo
Think of Momondo as an international travel platform that allows travelers to compare and find the best deals from over 700 providers for flights, hotels, and car rentals. With its innovative tool, Price Forecast, it uses historical data to predict whether flight prices will rise or fall, helping travelers make informed decisions on when to book.
As a member of the KAYAK affiliate network, Momondo offers affiliates the opportunity to earn money through clicks, bookings, and ad revenue. You’ll receive a 50% cut of the revenue KAYAK generates from flight, car, hotel, and vacation bookings.
In addition, Momondo has a program on the CJ Affiliate network with a session-based cookie, meaning you only earn a commission if the customer books within the same browsing session. Here’s a breakdown of the commissions offered:
- Flights: $0.48 for desktop and tablet bookings, $0.21 for mobile
- Hotels: $0.95 for desktop and tablet bookings, $0.56 for mobile
- Rental cars: $0.75 for desktop and tablet bookings, $0.55 for mobile
- Travel deals: $0.16 for desktop and tablet bookings, $0.14 for mobile
Commissions are paid monthly within 45 days of the end of the relevant month.
URL: Momondo affiliate program
Commission: 50% of the money Momondo receives from each booking
Cookie duration: 30 minutes
Products: Cheap flights
CheapTickets.Com
CheapTickets.com is a subsidiary of the Expedia group, attracting over 60 million monthly unique visitors. The website collaborates with over 400 airlines and has a vast selection of over 260,000 properties. Additionally, CheapTickets.com operates a highly sought-after travel rewards program, which rewards customers with CheapCash for every flight booking that can be used for hotel stays.
The affiliate program of CheapTickets.com can be found on CJ Affiliate, and offers a flat $2 commission for each air booking made. For other booking types, including hotels, car rentals, activities, and cruises, the commission rate ranges from 1% to 5%, with a bounty payment of $30 for cruises. The cookie duration for all bookings is seven days.
Air commissions are paid per ticket, while cruises are paid per reservation, and all other categories pay a commission based on the sale amount. CheapTickets.com also provides potential bonuses for driving high-quality traffic and keeps its affiliates informed of the latest deals through regular newsletters.
URL: CheapTickets.com affiliate program
Commission: $2 per air booking
Cookie duration: 7 days
Products: Flight, car hire, cruise, and hotel bookings
KLM
KLM is an acclaimed airline that offers flights to 92 cities in Europe and 70 international destinations as part of Air France KLM, the largest airline group in Europe. Additionally, it is a partner of the SkyTeam Alliance which jointly covers destinations in 173 countries.
KLM’s global tracking solution ensures that affiliates are credited for all bookings made through KLM.com, regardless of location, departure airport, currency, or language.
To join KLM’s affiliate program for flights, you must first create an account on Partnerize. Upon approval, you can earn a commission of 1% for medium-haul flights and 1.5% for long-haul flights. The program has a cookie duration of 30 days.
KLM provides a variety of resources to help boost conversions, including a link generator, product feed, flight search widget, and custom mobile banners.
Commission: 1% – 1.5% on flights
Cookie duration: 30 days
Products: Short, medium, and long-haul flights
Etihad Airways
Etihad Airways, based in Abu Dhabi, operates flights to locations throughout the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia, and North America. With a reputation for exceptional service, the airline was honored with the award for Best First Class at the 2022 Business Traveller Middle East Awards.
Etihad Airways partners with FlexOffers for its affiliate program, which provides a 1.6% commission on all flight bookings with a 30-day cookie window. Payments can be received through bank transfer, wire transfer, check, or PayPal.
URL: Etihad Airways affiliate program
Commission: 1.6%
Cookie duration: 30 days
Products: International flight bookings
Hawaiian Airlines
Hawaiian Airlines operates about 130 flights within Hawaii and also provides daily non-stop flights to 16 US cities, as well as long-haul services to American Samoa, Japan, South Korea, Sydney, and Tahiti. The airline has consistently been recognized for its exceptional on-time performance, surpassing all other US carriers from 2004 to 2020. Additionally, it was named the best US airline at the 2021 Readers Choice Awards by Condé Nast Traveler.
If you’re interested in becoming an affiliate, you can find Hawaiian Airlines’ program on CJ Affiliate. You’ll earn a 1.5% commission on flight bookings and 0.5% on vacation packages, with a cookie duration of 30 days. However, to be eligible for commission, flight bookings must be completed within 180 days of the initial reservation.
Program name: Hawaiian Airlines affiliate program
Commission: 1.5% on flights; 0.5% on vacation packages
Cookie duration: 30 days
Products: International and domestic flights; vacation packages
Omio
Omio, similar to Kiwi.com, provides a platform for international travelers to easily search and book their travel arrangements via plane, train, ferry, and bus. With over 1,000 travel partners, Omio offers a wide range of options for travelers.
Omio’s affiliate program is available for affiliates with a website, app, or online travel agency, and it is hosted on the Impact Radius network. Affiliates can earn commissions ranging from 2% to 8% per booking, with a 30-day cookie duration. According to Impact Radius’s data, the affiliate program has an average Earnings Per Click (EPC) of €1.10 over a 30-day period.
All applications to Omio’s affiliate program are reviewed and feedback is provided within 14 business days. Upon approval, affiliates will have access to a comprehensive media library including banners and other promotional materials, as well as Omio’s search widgets and API.
Commission: 2% – 8% per online sale
Cookie duration: 30 days
Products: Bus, train, and flight ticket bookings
Dollar Flight Club
Dollar Flight Club is a subscription-based service that alerts its members to discounted flight deals, promising savings of up to 90% compared to standard prices. According to the company, the average subscriber saves more than $500 annually through its services.
Affiliates interested in joining the Dollar Flight Club affiliate program can do so through Refersion. Note that DFC prioritizes working with affiliates who consistently create new travel content, and may not approve applications from affiliates with small audiences or those relying solely on social media to reach their audience.
Once accepted, affiliates will receive a 50% commission on all new member referrals, equivalent to $35 per sale. This program is unique in offering lifetime commissions, meaning affiliates will continue to receive a 50% commission for as long as their referral renews their annual membership. The program also boasts a generous 90-day cookie window.
URL: Dollar Flight Club affiliate program
Commission: 50% revenue share for life
Cookie duration: 90 days
Products: Cheap airline tickets
Justfly
Justfly, a flight search engine, is a part of the FlightHub Group, which provides airfare solutions to over five million travelers annually. The platform offers flight bookings from over 440 airlines, car rentals, and hotel reservations.
Justfly’s flight affiliate program is available on CJ Affiliate, and it rewards affiliates with a commission of $8 for bookings to and from US destinations and $16 for other bookings. The program features a lengthy 45-day cookie duration, as well as opportunities to increase earnings through private commissions and consumer offers.
To help maximize sales, Justfly provides access to dynamic banners and a team of dedicated affiliate managers.
URL: JustFly affiliate program
Commission: $8 – $16 on flight bookings
Cookie duration: 45 days
Products: International and domestic flight bookings
CheapOair
CheapOair offers users a platform to compare and book flights on more than 500 airlines and additional services such as hotel bookings, car rentals, and flight insurance. Owned by Fareportal, which operates brands such as OneTravel, Travelong, and Dukes Court Travel, the CheapOair website has earned an “Excellent” rating on SiteJabber based on over 125,000 reviews.
The CheapOair affiliate program, which pays out over $500,000 in commissions monthly, can be found on three leading affiliate networks: CJ Affiliate, Impact, and Rakuten Linkshare. Each network offers slightly different terms, such as CJ Affiliate’s 30-day cookie duration and $8 base commission on flight bookings (which can go up to $10 per booking for high-volume affiliates) and $25-$35 on vacation packages.
Impact Radius, on the other hand, offers a 30-day cookie duration and pays $5-$25 per booking, while Rakuten has a 90-day cookie duration and pays $5-$35 per booking. Regardless of the network chosen, affiliates will have access to regular newsletters with promotional offers to drive sales, and the potential for incentives on high-volume bookings to increase earnings.
URL: CheapOair affiliate program
Commission: $5 – $35 per booking, dependent on affiliate network and booking type
Cookie duration: 30 – 90 days
Products: Flights, flight insurance, hotels, car rentals
Travelocity
Travelocity, a subsidiary of the well-known Expedia Group, is a one-stop travel shop that caters to families, with search options designed specifically for family-friendly trips.
For its affiliate program, Travelocity has partnered with CJ Affiliate. The program offers a $2 commission on all airline ticket bookings, with a cookie duration of seven days.
Affiliates can earn additional commissions through the program, including 3% to 4% on hotel bookings, 2% on car rentals, 3% on vacation packages, and a fixed $30 commission on cruises. To encourage sign-ups, Travelocity is currently offering a $20 bonus to affiliates who drive three completed trips within 30 days of joining the program.
URL: Travelocity affiliate program
Commission: $2 per flight booking
Cookie duration: 7 days
Products: Flights, hotels, cruises, rental cars, travel deals
Scott’s Cheap Flights
imilar to Dollar Flight Club, Scott’s Cheap Flights is a subscription-based platform that helps users find cost-effective flight deals. The platform displays prices for your preferred airport and also suggests alternative airports that frequently have great deals on your desired destinations, with most of the deals offering a savings of 40% to 90% compared to regular prices.
With over two million active members and 500,000 monthly visitors, Scott’s Cheap Flights claims to have helped its members save over $500 million in airfare costs.
The company’s affiliate program can be found on Impact Radius and offers a flat $3 commission for each email sign-up verification, with a seven-day cookie window. Although the terms are not as generous as Dollar Flight Club’s, Scott’s Cheap Flights has lower membership fees.
As a member of the affiliate program, you will receive access to high-quality graphics and creatives, as well as a VIP newsletter featuring top travel tips.
URL: Scott’s Cheap Flights affiliate program
Commission: $3 per email signup verification
Cookie duration: 7 days
Products: Low-cost short, medium, and long-haul flights
Air France
Air France is a part of the largest airline group in Europe, together with its affiliates KLM and Transavia. For two consecutive years, the French flag carrier was honored as the best airline in Western Europe at the 2022 Skytrax World Airline Awards.
To become a part of Air France’s airline affiliate program, you need to first become a publisher with TradeTracker. The network provides tracking tools, statistical reports, and a variety of other tools.
After being approved, you can earn a commission of 1.25% on all flight bookings made through your affiliate link within a 30-day cookie period.
URL: Air France affiliate program
Commission: 1.25% per flight booking
Cookie duration: 30 days
Products: Short-haul, medium-haul, and long-haul flights
Southwest Vacations
Southwest Vacations is the go-to destination for vacation packages offered by Southwest Airlines. The exclusive nature of the website’s advertising leads to high conversion rates for affiliates. The Southwest Vacations affiliate program is managed by CJ Affiliate, which makes it easy for affiliates to sign up and start earning money right away. The program offers a commission rate of 0.50% on all sales, with the potential to earn even more. On average, affiliates can earn around $6.50 per sale, with the average sale amounting to $1,300.
- URL: Southwest Vacations Affiliate Program
- Commission: Starting at 0.50%
- Cookie Duration: 30-days
Conclusion: Airline Affiliate Programs
There are a wide variety of airline affiliate programs available, each offering its own unique benefits and commission rates. Some of the best programs offer generous commission rates and flexible cookie windows, making it easy for affiliates to earn money by promoting their services. Other programs, such as Southwest Vacations and Air France, offer exclusive advertising and high conversion rates, making them a great choice for affiliates looking to make a steady income. Regardless of your preferred method of earning money, the 18 best airline affiliate programs listed here offer a range of options for every type of affiliate. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting out, you’re sure to find a program that meets your needs and helps you maximize your earnings.
