The BEST Affiliate Programs for Travel bloggers and influencers (2026)

Being a new digital creator, especially in the travel niche, comes with many challenges. The worst part is that it can take quite some time before you start seeing your efforts pay off. Let’s not forget that most advertising networks require a very large audience in order to be accessible.

This is where affiliate marketing comes in, as it is generally the widely accepted way to start earning income from your content without necessarily having thousands of followers.

In this guide, we’ll take a look at my favorite affiliate programs for travel bloggers and influencers that are worth checking out in 2026.

Just so you know: Some links on this page are affiliate links, which means I might earn a small commission if you book or buy through them, at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support!

What is Affiliate Marketing?

Affiliate Marketing is a simple form of collaboration where someone recommends other people’s products or services and gets paid when that recommendation leads to a result. In other words, you’re not selling anything of your own, you just “suggest” something, and if someone buys or uses it through you, you earn a small percentage of the profits.

In practice, this is done through a special link. When someone clicks on that link and completes a purchase or booking, the system tracks where the user came from and awards you the corresponding commission. This way, a website, blog, or social media profile can generate income without handling products or customers directly.

In the travel world, affiliate marketing is used when a site or creator recommends hotels, accommodations, or transportation services. For example, a user reads an article like “The best places to Stay in Paris,” clicks on a hotel suggestion, and makes a booking. The site that helped them find it earns a commission, without the user paying anything extra.

Is Affiliate Marketing worth it in 2026?

The answer is yes, Affiliate Marketing is worth pursuing in 2026, but with realistic expectations. It’s not a quick way to make easy money, yet it remains a stable and legitimate way to generate income online, especially if you enjoy creating content or sharing recommendations that genuinely help others. The good news is that you don’t need a huge audience to make money from it. All it takes is quality, authentic content.

Affiliate Marketing continues to work because it’s based on something simple: people trust recommendations. Blogs, social media, YouTube, and TikTok still influence purchasing decisions, and many companies prefer to pay commissions only when results occur. Keep in mind, though, that in 2026, those who stand out are the ones who focus on a specific audience and provide real value-not just links.

On the other hand, competition is higher, and patience is required. Initial earnings usually don’t come immediately, and success demands consistency, quality, and strategy. If you treat it as a long-term project rather than a “quick trick,” Affiliate Marketing can still be a valuable source of income or a solid side revenue stream.

My favorite Affiliate Programs for Travel Bloggers

1. Stay22

I couldn’t start the best Affiliate programs to try in 2026 without mentioning my favorite and most effective program of them all. Stay22 is a platform designed to help you increase bookings through your links.

Through the platform, you can use links directly from partner platforms like Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia, Hotels.com, Tripadvisor, and others, and turn them into affiliate links without having to sign up for each individual program.

Stay22 also uses artificial intelligence technologies. But what does that mean in practice? Let’s take an example: you’ve recommended a hotel on your site (or any other platform of your choice), but it’s not available for the dates the user clicked your link, or it may have been removed from that platform entirely. In these cases, Stay22 automatically updates the link and suggests alternative hotels based on reviews and user experience.

Another feature I love is that the company’s algorithm can automatically find spots on your website where a link could be added and insert it itself, giving you more opportunities to increase your bookings.

Finally, you can also create maps, like this one:

I love this program, and the truth is that ever since I started using it, bookings through my links have skyrocketed. If you sign up through this link, you’ll receive a $100 bonus once you complete your first 100 bookings (which is much easier than you might think).

2. SafetyWing

This is another one of my favorite programs. SafetyWing is a company that provides travel insurance, mainly for digital nomads. Their plans start from just five days and can continue indefinitely. However, they’re also a great option for regular travelers.

Personally, I choose their Nomad Insurance because it’s affordable, offers excellent coverage, and has very fast response times for any questions or requests that might come up. A big advantage is that you can purchase your insurance even after your trip has already started, especially convenient if you’re forgetful like me.

The commissions are also excellent, as you earn 10% of the total package. If someone subscribes to a plan, you’ll continue to receive 10% for as long as the subscription lasts.

If you sign up for the program through this link, you’ll receive $100 for each of your first five bookings, and an additional $500 once you complete five bookings. Pretty good, right?

3. NordVPN

Let’s continue with another one of my favorite affiliate programs. But you might ask, what does a VPN have to do with travel?

Using a VPN while traveling is a smart move both for privacy and internet access. Generally, public Wi-Fi at hotels, cafés, and airports is often not secure. A VPN encrypts your connection, protecting sensitive information like passwords, emails, banking details, and booking confirmations from potential theft.

Another important reason to use a VPN is to access familiar websites and apps. Some international platforms, news sites, cloud services, or social media features may be partially restricted depending on the network. A VPN allows you to connect through servers in other countries, maintaining normal access to services like Google tools, streaming platforms, messaging apps, and professional software without interruptions.

Personally, I use and trust NordVPN. It offers thousands of servers in 165 locations worldwide, ensuring fast connections no matter where you are. It’s also independently audited five times to make sure your online activities remain confidential, your data private, and your devices secure. Finally, it provides 24/7 chat support, which is extremely helpful if you ever need assistance.

NordVPN also has an excellent affiliate program, allowing you to earn up to 40% commission for each subscription purchased through your link. You can learn more and sign up here.

4. Saily eSIM

In recent years, digital SIM cards have become increasingly popular for travel. And for good reason. After all, it’s often challenging to search for and compare plans in a new destination.

Saily eSIM is a digital SIM (eSIM) service that provides mobile data for use abroad, without needing to buy or swap a physical SIM card in your phone. Through its app, you can select travel data plans in over 200 countries, install them easily on your device, and stay online as soon as you arrive at your destination – without high roaming fees.

Saily works only with data (it does not include phone calls or SMS) and is compatible with most modern eSIM-supported devices. Through the app, you can view and purchase data plans before your trip, activate them with a single tap, and manage everything directly from your phone.

The advantages of Saily include affordable pricing, easy setup, and global coverage, allowing you to avoid high roaming fees while having reliable internet on the go. It’s also a NordVPN service, so you get excellent security while browsing.

Saily’s affiliate program for travel bloggers and influencers offers a 15% commission on all plans, which is generally considered quite high. You can learn more through this link.

5. GetYourGuide

Let’s talk now about GetYourGuide. It’s a well-known and trusted activities platform, relied upon by millions of travelers. In case you’re not familiar with it, you can find activities there such as tours, sightseeing, and other experiences for adventure enthusiasts.

By joining their affiliate program, you’ll receive codes that allow you to earn $2 for each app installation, as well as an 8% commission for every booking made through your link. You’ll also get a 5% discount coupon to share with your followers or readers, valid for their first booking. I think this is a fantastic opportunity.

You can learn more through this link.

6. SkyScanner

don’t think this company needs much of an introduction. SkyScanner offers its own affiliate program, through which you can earn commissions by recommending travel options and affordable flights. I consider it one of the best programs if you have the time and passion to search for the best deals.

You can learn more on this website.