About Lonely Planet
Lonely Planet is a leading travel media company and the world’s number one travel guidebook brand. Since 1973, it has provided both inspiring and trustworthy information for every kind of traveler. The company is famous for its comprehensive guidebooks but also offers content across its website, mobile apps, videos, inspirational books, and more, reaching a dedicated global community of travelers.
Lonely Planet Affiliate Program Overview
The Lonely Planet affiliate program allows publishers (affiliates) to earn commissions by promoting Lonely Planet’s products, primarily their travel guidebooks (both physical and digital), maps, and other merchandise. Affiliates earn a commission for each valid sale made through their unique referral links, and their audience often receives a discount, creating a mutual benefit.
| Factor | Detail |
| Industry | Travel Media, Publishing (Digital and Physical Goods) |
| Product Type | Guidebooks, Ebooks, Maps, Travel-related Merchandise |
| Affiliate Program Type | Cost Per Sale (CPS) |
Lonely Planet Affiliate Program Offers
The program provides affiliates with necessary tracking and promotional resources to help them succeed in marketing the products.
| Factor | Detail |
| Promotional Materials | Affiliate tracking links, likely banners and other creative assets (access to a media library and tools is common in the industry) |
| Affiliate Cookie Duration | 30 days |
| Accepted Traffic Source | Websites, blogs, and content creators are generally accepted. The program is specifically mentioned as suitable for content creators in the travel and lifestyle niche. |
| Accepted Countries | Global (generally no specific country restrictions mentioned, as it’s a globally known brand) |
| Explicit Content | Not accepted (Standard policy for most professional affiliate programs) |
| Religious or political content | Not accepted (Standard policy for most professional affiliate programs) |
Lonely Planet Affiliate Commissions & Payments
The program is known for offering a competitive commission rate within the travel publishing niche, often accompanied by a benefit for the customer.
| Factor | Detail |
| MLM (Multi-Level Marketing) | No (This is a standard affiliate program, not MLM) |
| Commission Rate | 15% on valid sales (The customer often receives a 10% discount on their purchase) |
| Commission Structure | Percentage of sales (Flat rate of 15% mentioned) |
| Payout Frequency | Monthly |
| Payout Methods | PayPal, bank transfer, debit card, check, Venmo, PayTM, UPI, and store credit |
| Minimum Payout | No minimum payout balance mentioned |
Suitable Affiliates for Lonely Planet Affiliate
The Lonely Planet affiliate program is highly suitable for anyone with an audience interested in travel, planning trips, or learning about specific destinations. It’s particularly effective for those who create content focused on travel, exploration, and lifestyle.
- Bloggers: Highly suitable, especially for travel blogs, travel itineraries, destination guides, and lifestyle websites where links to specific guidebooks are a natural and helpful addition.
- TikTokers: Suitable, particularly if their content involves travel product reviews, ‘must-have’ travel gear, or destination-specific guides.
- KOC (Key Opinion Consumers) / KOL (Key Opinion Leaders): Suitable, as they can recommend the guidebooks based on personal use and authority in the travel space.
- Influencers: Highly suitable, particularly those on Instagram or other platforms who focus on travel, budget travel, luxury travel, or specific destination niches.
- YouTubers: Suitable for those creating travel vlogs, destination deep dives, book reviews, or travel preparation videos, where they can naturally link to the corresponding guide.
- Video editors / Livestreamers: Suitable if their video content is travel-focused, allowing them to promote the products within their streams or video descriptions.
Lonely Planet Affiliate Software
Lonely Planet manages its affiliate program using affiliate management software. Historically, they have partnered with networks like Awin and Commission Junction (CJ Affiliate). However, current information suggests they may use UpPromote, which is an affiliate marketing software for Shopify, to manage their program. This indicates they use a dedicated affiliate management software solution rather than an entirely in-house developed system.
3 Alternatives for Lonely Planet Affiliate Program
The main competitors for the Lonely Planet program are other major travel affiliate programs that focus on bookings, activities, or general travel gear. Here are three alternatives:
- Viator Affiliate Program: Focuses on tours and activities worldwide.
- Booking.com Affiliate Program: Focuses on accommodations (hotels, apartments, etc.).
- World Nomads Affiliate Program: Focuses on travel insurance, often recommended by Lonely Planet itself.
| Comparison Factor | Lonely Planet Affiliate Program | Viator Affiliate Program | Booking.com Affiliate Program | World Nomads Affiliate Program |
| Primary Product | Guidebooks, Ebooks, Maps, Merchandise | Tours & Activities | Accommodation (Hotels, Rentals) | Travel Insurance |
| Average Bill | Generally lower (cost of a guide/ebook) | Variable, often high (cost of a tour/excursion) | High (cost of a hotel stay) | Variable (cost of insurance for a trip) |
| Entry Fees | None (Free to join) | None (Free to join) | None (Free to join) | None (Free to join) |
| Withdrawal Threshold | No minimum mentioned | Typically $50 (for bank transfer) | Varies (e.g., minimum of 100 EUR) | Not explicitly mentioned (usually low or none for PayPal) |
| Payment Frequency | Monthly | Weekly (for PayPal) or Monthly | Monthly | Monthly |
| Commission | 15% on sales | 8% on completed experiences | 25% of the revenue earned by Booking.com | 10% on sales |
| Conversion | Directly related to content interest (e.g., a guide for a specific city) | High, as users are often looking to book activities for a planned trip | High, as it’s a major booking platform | Medium, but a necessary purchase for many travelers |
| Marketing Materials | Tracking links, Banners/Creatives | Links, Widgets, Banners | Customizable Widgets, Links, Banners | Integration tools, Links |
