About Cheapflights
Cheapflights is a leading global flight search and travel deals website. Founded in 1996, it pioneered the online flight price comparison model. Today, it operates as a metasearch engine (aggregator), meaning it does not sell tickets directly but searches hundreds of airlines and travel agencies to find the best prices for users. It is part of the KAYAK brand portfolio, which is owned by Booking Holdings (one of the world’s largest travel companies). This backing gives the brand immense trust and access to a vast inventory of flight data.
Cheapflights Affiliate Program Overview
The Cheapflights affiliate program is primarily managed through the KAYAK Affiliate Network. Promoting Cheapflights often means you have access to other brands in the network like Momondo and HotelsCombined. The program focuses on the “click-out” model or revenue share on bookings.
| Feature | Details |
| Industry | Travel & Tourism (Metasearch) |
| Product Type | Flight tickets, Car rentals, Hotel bookings (Digital Service) |
| Affiliate Program Type | CPA (Cost Per Action) / Revenue Share / CPC (Cost Per Click – legacy/network specific) |
Cheapflights Affiliate Program Offers
Cheapflights typically operates on a “click-out” attribution model for flights, meaning you get paid when a user clicks a deal and is redirected to the airline’s booking page, or on a revenue-share basis for completed bookings depending on the specific network offer.
| Feature | Details |
| Promotional Materials | Search Widgets, Deep Links, Banners, White Label (for high volume), API (subject to approval) |
| Affiliate Cookie Duration | 30 Minutes (for flight click-outs) / 30 Days (for general Kayak network bookings) |
| Accepted Traffic Source | Blogs, Travel Sites, Social Media, Email (requires approval), Mobile Apps |
| Accepted Countries | Global (Specific domains for UK, US, CA, AU, etc.) |
| Explicit Content | Prohibited (Strict brand safety guidelines) |
| Religious or Political Content | Generally Restricted (Most travel brands avoid association with sensitive political or extreme religious content) |
Cheapflights Affiliate Commissions & Payments
The commission structure is unique because it is a metasearch engine. You typically earn a share of the revenue Cheapflights generates from the airline/OTA when a user clicks a result.
| Feature | Details |
| MLM | No (Single-tier program) |
| Commission Rate | 50% Revenue Share (Standard Kayak Network rate) OR ~$0.08 – $0.45 per click-out (depending on device/route in specific networks) |
| Commission Structure | Performance-based; earnings depend on the quality of traffic and the revenue generated per click. |
| Payout Frequency | Monthly |
| Payout Methods | Bank Transfer (Wire), PayPal (varies by sub-network like Webgains/CJ) |
| Minimum Payout | 50 – $100 (via 3rd party networks like Webgains or CJ) |
Suitable Affiliates for Cheapflights
This program is best suited for creators who help users plan travel, as the “click-out” model rewards comparison shopping.
- Bloggers: Travel bloggers writing “How to find cheap flights to [Destination]” guides.
- TikTokers: Creators sharing “Travel Hacks” or “Flight Deal” alerts.
- KOC (Key Opinion Consumers): Everyday travelers sharing budget tips in forums or groups.
- KOL (Key Opinion Leaders): Travel experts with authority on budget travel.
- Influencers: Lifestyle influencers focusing on budget-friendly vacations.
- YouTubers: Channels doing “Budget vs. Luxury” flight reviews or travel vlogs.
- Video Editors: Creating compilation videos of “Top 10 Cheapest Destinations.”
- Livestreamers: Q&A sessions about travel planning and booking live.
Cheapflights Affiliate Software
Cheapflights primarily uses the KAYAK Affiliate Network (an in-house/proprietary platform shared across Booking Holdings brands).
However, they also maintain presences on third-party affiliate networks to reach broader audiences, including:
- Webgains
- CJ Affiliate (Commission Junction)
- FlexOffers
3 Alternatives for Cheapflights Affiliate Program
Here is a comparison of Cheapflights against three major competitors in the flight and travel affiliate space.
| Comparison Factor | Cheapflights (Kayak) | Skyscanner | Expedia | Travelpayouts |
| Primary Model | Metasearch (Click-out) | Metasearch (Click-out) | OTA (Booking) | Network (Aggregator) |
| Entry Fees | Free | Free | Free | Free |
| Commission | ~50% Rev Share / ~$0.20 CPC | ~20% Rev Share (on their earnings) | 1% – 6% of Booking Value | Varies (1% – 5% on avg) |
| Cookie Duration | 30 Mins (Flights) / 30 Days (Hotels) | 30 Days (Session based often) | 7 Days | 30 Days (Avg) |
| Withdrawal Threshold | ~$500 (Direct) / Lower on Network | ~$50 (Network dependent) | ~$50 | $50 |
| Conversion Focus | Getting user to click a result | Getting user to click a result | Getting user to book and pay | Varies by offer |
| Marketing Materials | Excellent (Widgets/White Label) | Good (Widgets/Deep links) | Good (Deep links/Banners) | Excellent (Widest variety of tools) |
