About OpenTable

OpenTable is a global leader in online restaurant reservations, connecting diners with over 60,000 restaurants worldwide. Founded in 1998 and now part of Booking Holdings (which also owns Booking.com, KAYAK, and Priceline), it seats more than 1 billion diners annually.

The platform allows users to discover restaurants, read reviews, view menus, and book tables instantly without making a phone call. For restaurants, it serves as a powerful hospitality management system.

Disclaimer
Affiliate program terms can change frequently. The figures below are based on general information and may vary based on specific campaigns or affiliate tiers.

OpenTable Affiliate Program Overview

The OpenTable affiliate program is primarily designed for publishers, app developers, and travel/food content creators who can drive confirmed diners to restaurants.

Category Information
Name OpenTable Affiliate Program
Description A leading global restaurant reservation service that connects diners with over 80,000 restaurants. The program allows partners to earn revenue by referring users to book tables via websites, apps, or blogs.
Pros
  • High brand recognition and user trust.
  • Massive inventory of global restaurants.
  • Access to advanced API tools and search widgets.
  • Seamless mobile-friendly booking experience.
Cons
  • Commissions are only paid for seated diners (no-shows earn $0).
  • Strict “No Trademark Bidding” policy on search engines.
  • Geographic density varies outside of major metropolitan hubs.
Commissions $0.25 – $1.00 per seated diner (varies by restaurant tier and booking volume).
Cookie Duration 30 Days (standard tracking window).
Accepted Countries Global (Primary markets: USA, Canada, UK, Germany, Australia, Japan, and Mexico).
Payment Methods PayPal, Check, and Wire Transfer (Processed through partner networks like Impact or Rakuten).

Suitable Affiliates for OpenTable

This program is best suited for creators with an audience actively looking for dining recommendations or travel planning.

  • Bloggers: Food critics, travel guides, and “Best of [City]” listicle writers.
  • TikTokers: Accounts focused on “Hidden Gems,” date night spots, or foodie adventures.
  • KOC (Key Opinion Consumers): Local guides who review restaurants on Google/Yelp and have a personal following.
  • KOL (Key Opinion Leaders): Famous chefs or food personalities.
  • Influencers: Lifestyle influencers who post about luxury dining or travel.
  • YouTubers: Travel vloggers (e.g., “What I Eat in a Day in Tokyo”) or food reviewers.
  • Video Editors: Creating compilations of “Top 10 Restaurants” for social media channels.
  • Livestreamers: IRL (In Real Life) streamers who dine out frequently.

OpenTable Affiliate Software

OpenTable largely uses an in-house partner management system and API for its primary reservation partnerships.

Note: While they have historically appeared on networks like CJ or Impact for specific campaigns (or via their parent company Booking Holdings), the core reservation partnership is managed directly through the OpenTable Partner Program (developer/business portal).

3 Alternatives for OpenTable Affiliate Program

If you cannot get approved for OpenTable or want to diversify, these three competitors offer robust affiliate opportunities.

Comparison Factor OpenTable TripAdvisor TheFork (Europe/Aus) Seated (App Focus)
Average Bill High (Fine Dining focus) Medium (Mixed range) Medium-High Medium-High
Entry Fees Free (Approval required) Free (via CJ/Awin) Free (via Awin/Impact) Free (App Referral)
Withdrawal Threshold ~$50 $50 $50 $10 – $20
Payment Frequency Monthly Monthly Monthly On Request / Monthly
Commission ~$1.00 per seated diner 50% of TripAdvisor’s revenue (RevShare) €1.50 – €5.00 per first booking $10 – $20 per referral
Conversion High (Trusted brand) Medium (High traffic, lower intent) High (Strong incentives) Very High (Cashback incentive)
Marketing Materials Widgets, API, Links Deep links, Banners, API Banners, Codes, Links Referral Codes, Links