The global airline industry’s market size is projected to reach over $882.2bn by 2026, according to IBISWorld. With such a thriving market, promoting affordable and in-demand flights can be a great way to earn commissions.
In this article, we’ve compiled 23 of the best airline affiliate programs that offer competitive commissions, exclusive deals, and exciting promotions to help you earn extra money. Find your perfect match and start boosting your earnings today!
Quick Comparison
| Program Name | Commission (%) | Cookie Duration (Days) | Niche Suitable |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Vacations | 0.5% | 30 | Airline bundles, full vacation packages |
| Qatar Airways | 2% | 30 | Premium air travel, international routes |
| Travelocity | Up to 4% | 7 | Travel deals, hotels + flights comparison |
| Skyscanner | 20% | 30 | Flight search engines, travel bloggers |
| Dollar Flight Club | Up to 40% | 30 | Deal-alert subscriptions, digital products |
| Southwest Vacations | 0.5% | 30 | Budget US domestic vacation packages |
| Omio | 2%–8% | 30 | Multi-modal travel (train, bus, flight) |
| KLM Royal Dutch Airlines | 1%–1.5% | 30 | International & long-haul air travel |
| CheapOair | $5–$25 per sale (approx ~1–3%) | 90 | Cheap flights, discount travel seekers |
| CheapTickets | Up to 4% | 7 | Budget travelers, discount ticket shoppers |
23 Best Airline Affiliate Programs in 2026 You Should Know
1. United Vacations
United Vacations is the full-service vacation brand of United Airlines. They offer travel packages, combining flights, hotels, and recreational activities to over 250,000 resorts in over 400 destinations worldwide.
The brand pays affiliates a commission of 0.5% for each completed vacation booking. With an average order value of over $3,000, you can earn at least $15 per sale. You have 30 days from the customer’s first click on your link to earn money.
After getting approved for their airline travel bundle affiliate program, you can access the brand’s collection of professionally designed banners and text links to place on your site and attract more attention. Their weekly email newsletters will also inform you about the latest promotions, exclusive deals, and expert sales strategies.
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2. Qatar Airways
Qatar Airways is Qatar’s national airline and one of the world’s leading airlines. They serve over 170 international destinations across more than 80 countries on six continents.
When joining their airline affiliate program, you can receive a 2% commission for each successful flight booking made through your unique tracking link. With a high average order value of $1,000 or more, you’ll earn $20 for every approved referral. The cookie window lasts 30 days from the customer’s initial click.
The brand provides you with regular global and region-specific promotions to help attract your audience effectively. Their dedicated affiliate support team will also give you personalized assistance to optimize your promotional efforts.
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3. Travelocity
Travelocity helps travelers easily plan and manage their trips with user-friendly tools and flexible booking options. Customers can choose from a wide selection of flights from hundreds of airlines, thousands of hotel stays, and multiple reliable car rental services.
The brand offers a 4% commission on every qualified booking you refer. With a 7-day cookie window, you’ll receive credit for purchases made within one week of the visitor’s first click.
Their airline affiliate program is managed via the CJ Affiliate network. Once approved, you can access the brand’s exclusive discounts and share them with your audiences.
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4. Skyscanner
Skyscanner helps travelers find and compare prices for flights, hotels, and car rentals from various airlines and travel agencies. Their flexible date search tool allows users to explore flight options across an entire month or year to find the best deals.
Skyscanner’s airline affiliate program enables affiliates to earn a high commission of 20% on each successful sale. The cookie duration is 30 days from the consumer’s first click on your unique link.
You can add their visually appealing banners, links, and travel search widgets to your site to enhance your promotions. Plus, their dedicated support team will assist you with any promotional concerns you may have.
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5. Dollar Flight Club
Dollar Flight Club provides a subscription-based service to send email and SMS alerts to their members about cheap airfares. Subscribers can choose to join different membership tiers, including free, premium, and premium+ plans.
Their airline affiliate program lets you earn a competitive commission of up to 40% on every qualified subscription. The referral window will remain active for 30 days from the visitor’s initial click on your affiliate link.
You can leverage their eye-catching banners, links, and logos to attract your audience and drive more conversions. If you rank as one of the highest-performing affiliates, you’ll be rewarded with a free flight.
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6. Southwest Vacations
Southwest Vacations provides vacation packages as part of Southwest Airlines’ leisure travel offerings. They help travelers save money and simplify their trip planning by bundling flights, hotels, car rentals, and vacation activities into one convenient booking.
You can earn a commission of 0.50% per sale, with the opportunity for higher rates depending on your performance. The average order value is over $1,300, so you can receive $6.5 per sale. You’ll earn commissions when purchases are made within 30 days of a customer clicking your affiliate link.
After joining the Southwest Vacations airline affiliate program, you’ll get access to various regularly updated banners and text links to keep your promotions fresh and effective. Their weekly email newsletters also keep you informed of special offers, discounts, and exclusive travel content.
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7. Omio
Omio is a one-stop travel search platform where travelers can compare and book trains, buses, flights, and ferries. Users can also instantly access their tickets via the Omio mobile app.
You can earn a commission rate that ranges from 2% to 8% when joining the Omio affiliate program. The cookie period remains valid for 30 days after the customer’s first click on your link.
They provide you with eye-catching banners and various creative assets to display on your site and attract more customers. You can also place Omio’s search widget on your site to enhance your audience’s experience.
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8. KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (KLM) is the flag carrier of the Netherlands. Founded in 1919, they are one of the oldest airlines operating today and are part of the Air France-KLM group.
When joining the KLM airline affiliate program, you’ll earn different commission rates based on the flight length:
- Medium-haul flights: 1% commission
- Long-haul flights: 1.5% commission
You have a 30-day window from the customer’s initial click to earn commissions on flight reservations.
You’ll receive custom-made banners and a flight search widget from the brand to support your promotional efforts. Plus, their regularly updated data feed helps you keep your content fresh with flight prices and promotions.
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9. CheapOair
CheapOair provides affordable flights, hotels, car rentals, and vacation packages. Travelers can search over 500 airlines, a million hotel listings, and numerous car rental companies to compare prices and find the best deals for their trip.
As a CheapOair affiliate, you can earn from $5 to $25 commission per completed booking. The 90-day cookie window starts from the visitor’s first click on your unique link.
Their airline travel bundle affiliate program is managed by the Awin platform. They give affiliates access to various eye-catching banners and ongoing promotions.
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10. CheapTickets.com
Founded in 1986, CheapTickets is one of the early players in online travel booking. They offer airline tickets, hotel and vacation rentals, rental cars, cruises, and customized vacation packages.
Their affiliate program allows you to earn a commission rate of up to 4%. The cookie window lasts 7 days after the consumer’s first click on your affiliate link.
The program is managed through the CJ Affiliate network, so you’ll need to create a CJ account before applying. After joining, you can share exclusive daily discounts and deals with your audience.
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11. JustFly
- Commission rate: $2-$3
- Cookie duration: 45 days
JustFly is a Canadian online travel agency providing affordable travel options, including flights, hotels, and car rentals. They use an AI-driven recommendation system to tailor travel suggestions based on user preferences and past behavior.
12. Going
- Commission rate: $3
- Cookie duration: 30 days
Going helps travelers find cheap flights by sending real-time alerts on discounted domestic and international fares. Each deal comes with a price history and detailed insights to help users understand how good the offer is and what it includes.
13. Hawaiian Airlines
- Commission rate: 1.5%
- Cookie duration: 30 days
Hawaiian Airlines is the largest airline in Hawaii and ranks among the top ten commercial carriers in the United States. They operate about 260 daily flights connecting the Hawaiian Islands with international destinations
14. Lufthansa
- Commission rate: 1.5%
- Cookie duration: 14 days
Lufthansa is the largest airline in Germany and one of the leading carriers in Europe. They serve 16 domestic routes and 186 international destinations in 72 countries.
15. Priority Pass
- Commission rate: 10%
- Cookie duration: 30 days
Priority Pass provides travelers access to exclusive airport lounges, offering a peaceful, comfortable space away from crowded terminals. Memberships come in three plans: Standard, Standard Plus, and Prestige, each tailored to different travel needs.
16. Expedia Group
- Commission rate: 4%
- Cookie duration: 7 days
Expedia Group is a major player in the global travel tech industry. They operate a number of renowned online tourism brands, including Expedia, Hotels.com, VRBO, Orbitz, and Trivago.
17. Air India
- Commission rate: 0.75%
- Cookie duration: 30 days
Air India is the flag carrier airline of India, serving over 100 domestic and international destinations across six continents. They also offer the ‘Maharaja Club’ loyalty program to reward passengers with a range of membership benefits and exclusive offers.
18. Air Serbia
- Commission rate: 1%
- Cookie duration: 45 days
Air Serbia operates domestic and international flights, connecting Belgrade, the capital of Serbia, with major cities across Europe, the Middle East, and North America. They offer Economy and Business Class, with amenities like in-flight entertainment and meals.
19. Austrian Airlines
- Commission rate: 1.5%
- Cookie duration: 14 days
Austrian Airlines is a major European carrier that connects Austria to destinations around the world. Through the Miles & More program, passengers can earn and redeem miles with Austrian Airlines and Star Alliance partners for flights, upgrades, and exclusive travel perks.
20. Cathay Pacific Airlines
- Commission rate: 1%
- Cookie duration: 45 days
Cathay Pacific Airlines is a major international airline based in Hong Kong, well-known for their modern fleet and safety standards. Through the Asia Miles program, travelers can earn miles not only by flying with Cathay Pacific but also by using partnered credit cards.
21. Emirates US
- Commission rate: 1.25%
- Cookie duration: 30 days
Emirates is a leading international airline based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Passengers can enjoy world-class in-flight experiences, including private suites, onboard showers, and access to luxurious airport lounges.
22. Kiwi.com
- Commission rate: 3%
- Cookie duration: 30 days
Kiwi.com is a fare aggregator and metasearch engine for easy flight and ground transport search and booking worldwide. They leverage the virtual interlining to offer unique and cost-effective travel itineraries.
23. KAYAK
- Commission rate: 50%
- Cookie duration: Not mentioned
KAYAK is a travel metasearch engine for comparing prices and finding the best deals on flights, hotels, car rentals, and vacation packages across multiple travel sites. The company also runs global brands like SWOODOO, Momondo, Checkfelix, Mundi, and HotelsCombined to reach a broader audience worldwide.
How to Choose the Right Airline Affiliate Program for Your Audience
The right airline program depends on your specific audience.
This guide explains how to match flight routes with what your readers actually need. You can boost your income by choosing partners that your followers already know and trust.
Check Where Your Readers Live
Before you look at commission rates, you must look at a map. A common mistake I see is promoting a travel site that no one in the reader’s home country uses.
Imagine your blog is based in the US, but 40% of your readers live in the UK.
If you promote a US-focused site like Expedia, your UK readers likely won’t book. You would get much better results with a European brand like Skyscanner.
You don’t need to guess. If you use Google Analytics 4 (GA4), follow these steps:
- Go to Reports → User Attributes → Demographics details.
- Sort by Country.
- Find the top 3 countries that make up 60% or more of your traffic.
Once you know where your readers are, give them the right tools.
Imagine you write a New York City guide for readers in Germany and the UK. You should not just push American Airlines.
It is better to promote sites that are famous in Europe, such as Momondo. These users will feel more comfortable booking with a brand they already trust.
The same rule applies if you write about backpacking in Southeast Asia.
A large global site like Kayak might miss local budget airlines. A specialized site like 12Go or Kiwi.com often connects better with small Asian carriers.
Check How You Get Paid (Flat Fee vs. Percentage)
You should check how a program pays you after you know who is booking.
Airline programs usually offer either a flat fee or a percentage of the sale. Choosing the wrong one can cost you a lot of money over time.
You can find the best choice by looking at your average ticket price. Many flat-fee programs pay about $8 to $15 per flight. In contrast, percentage models usually pay between 1% and 3%.
Let’s take a look at the example below:
The Budget Traveler (Volume): If your content is about “cheap flights to London,” your readers are likely buying $150–$300 tickets.
The Math: 3% of a $200 ticket is only $6.00.
The Winner: A program paying a flat $10 fee is much better here. You make nearly double the money per sale.
The Luxury Traveler (Value): If your content reviews business-class seats or honeymoon plans, tickets might cost $2,500 or more.
The Math: A flat $10 fee here is terrible.
The Winner: 3% of a $2,500 ticket is $75.00. In this case, the percentage model wins easily.
So, how can you decide which model fits you? We recommend using this table to decide which payment structure fits your niche:
| Budget Airlines / Deals | Under $400 | CPA (Flat Fee) | A flat $10-15 pays more than a small % of a cheap ticket. |
| Short Domestic Flights | $150 – $400 | CPA (Flat Fee) | You sell a lot of tickets, but the price is too low for % to pay off. |
| Long International Flights | $800 – $1,500+ | CPS (%) | 2% of $1,000 ($20) is better than most flat fees. |
| Business/First Class | $2,500+ | CPS (%) | High ticket prices make percentage earnings huge. |
Match Cookie Duration to Your Reader’s Timeline
Timing is a hidden trap that can hurt your earnings. It does not matter if a program pays a high fee if the tracking cookie expires too soon.
You need to match the cookie duration to the way your readers plan their travels. ✈️
The first group of readers are the “Dreamers.”
These people plan long trips to far-off places or look for destination wedding ideas. They often click your link today just to check prices, but they may not book for three weeks.
A short 24-hour cookie is a trap for this audience because the window will close before they buy. You should choose programs with 30-day cookies for this kind of research content. 🛡️
The second group are the “Deal Hunters.”
These readers look for last-minute getaways and cheap flash sales. They see a low price and book the flight immediately.
A short 24-hour or 7-day cookie is perfectly fine in this situation. You can focus on choosing the program with the highest payout or the best user experience.
Test 2-3 Programs for 90 Days
You might have a list of five or six potential winners by now. The biggest mistake most people make is trying to use all of them at once.
Too many different booking links will only confuse your readers. This approach also prevents you from collecting the clear data you need to make a smart choice.
A 90-day testing plan is the best way to find your top performer.
The Setup: Choosing your finalists 🏁
You should select only two or three programs that seem like the best fit. The most effective method is to use the same article to test them fairly. For example, you can write a guide on “How to fly to Bali.”
One program can be linked in the article for the first month. You can then swap that link for the second program during the next month. This comparison shows which program works better with the exact same audience.
The Metrics: Measuring efficiency 📈
Success is not just about the total amount of money you earn. You must track how efficient each program is over the full 90 days. The following three numbers are the most important to watch:
- Click-Through Rate (CTR): Shows if people are actually clicking your links. A good goal is a rate between 2% and 5%. 🖱️
- Conversion Rate (CR): Tracks how many of those clicks actually turn into a paid booking. Most booking sites see a rate between 0.5% and 3%. 🎟️
- Earnings Per Click (EPC): Reveals the true dollar value of every single click you send to a partner.
The Simple Spreadsheet 📝
A basic spreadsheet is all you need to track your progress. Weekly updates will help you see which program is ahead.
| Program A (“Big Payout”) | Program B (“Modest” Winner) | |
| Commission | $150 | $75 |
| Conv. Rate | 1% (Hard to sell) | 3% (Trusted/Easier) |
| Result (1k Clicks) | 10 sales | 30 sales |
| Total revenue | $1,500 | $2,250 |
| EPC | $1.50 | $2.25 |
In the example above, Program B is the winner.
Even if Program A has a “higher commission rate” on paper, Program B makes you more money because it actually converts your readers.
Once you find the winner after 90 days, go all in. Remove the loser and update all your links to the winner.
What Will You Promote as an Airline Affiliate?
As an airline affiliate, you can promote much more than just standard flight tickets.
You can also earn money by sharing hotel stays, car rentals, and complete vacation packages with your audience. This section introduces the different services you can choose to grow your earnings.
Flight Bookings – Your Main Source of Income
Flight bookings are the heart of your affiliate income.
Most travel sites earn over half of their money through these sales. The process is simple: a reader clicks your link, books a flight, and you receive a fee.
However, profit margins in the airline world are thin. You will typically earn between $5 and $25 for each booking. Keep in mind that long international trips and luxury seats pay more than short domestic flights.
As each sale pays a small amount, you need a high volume of sales to make a good profit. You should place these offers where readers are ready to buy:
- Destination Guides: “How to get to Tokyo” sections.
- Flight Search Widgets: Search boxes embedded directly in your articles.
- Comparison Articles: “British Airways vs. Virgin Atlantic” reviews.
- Deal Alerts: Email blasts about sudden price drops.
Airline Credit Cards – The Big Money Maker
While getting paid for flight bookings keeps the lights on, promoting credit cards is how you make serious profit.
This is the “secret weapon” of top travel affiliates. Even though credit card referrals might only be 5-15% of your total sales, they can easily make up 40-60% of your total income.
The reason is simple: the payouts are much higher than flight commissions. Instead of earning $10 for a seat, you can earn $100 or more for a single card approval.
There are three main types of card offers you can share:
Co-Branded Airline Cards: (e.g., Delta SkyMiles Amex, British Airways Visa)
Typical Payout: $80 – $150 per approval.
The Pitch: “Get free checked bags and priority boarding.”
Premium Travel Cards: (e.g., Chase Sapphire Reserve, Amex Platinum)
Typical Payout: $100 – $200+ per approval.
The Pitch: “Earn points you can transfer to almost any airline.”
Business Travel Cards:
Typical Payout: $120 – $180+ per approval.
The Pitch: “Earn huge miles on your business expenses.”
Loyalty Program Signups – Easy Extra Income
On the opposite end of the spectrum is the Loyalty Signup.
Some major airlines (like Emirates or Turkish Airlines) will pay you simply for getting a user to create a free account.
The commission is low—usually $1 to $5 per signup. However, it is incredibly easy to get a conversion.
- No purchase required.
- No credit check.
- No cost to the user.
Asit’s free and takes 2 minutes, conversion rates are very high—often 8% or more.
Let’s say you have a guide to Dubai that gets 1,000 views a month.
If you pitch a $500 flight, maybe 5 people book ($50 commission).
If you pitch a free Emirates account to “earn miles for your trip,” 80 people might sign up.
➡️ 80 signups x $3 = $240 in extra monthly income.
Travel Insurance – The High-Commission Add-On
Once your reader books a flight and a credit card, there is one last piece to the puzzle. Many people forget travel insurance, but it pays some of the highest commissions in the business.
Think of it like adding fries to a burger order. It is an easy sell because it fits perfectly with a flight booking.
Insurance programs are much more generous than airlines.
While airlines might pay you a tiny 1%, insurance companies often pay 20% to 40% of the policy cost. This means you can earn between $8 and $30 for every policy you sell. 💰
This works because readers are in “protection mode” after spending a lot of money on a flight. If they just spent $800 on a ticket, paying $40 to protect that money feels like a smart choice.
To make the most money, you should place your insurance offers where your readers are thinking about safety:
The booking section: Right after you link to a flight, remind readers to protect their tickets against cancellations.
Comparison articles: Write reviews comparing different insurance brands to help readers choose the best one. 📝
Helpful guides: Share insurance links in articles about what to do if an airline loses your luggage. 🧳
Pre-trip emails: Send a travel checklist a few days before your readers fly and include a link to insurance. 📧
How Much Can You Actually Earn from Airline Affiliate Marketing?
If you only rely on flight bookings, you might earn enough for a nice dinner. But if you build a system that combines flights, credit cards, and email marketing, you can earn a full-time income.
To help you set real goals, let’s break down exactly what you can expect to earn.
Earnings Per Flight Booking
Let’s start with the basics: How much money do you make when someone books a flight?
The answer depends on what they book.
Domestic Economy: This is the lowest tier. Expect $5 – $10 per booking. You sell a lot of these, but the pay is small.
International Economy: These tickets cost more, so the pay is better. Expect $10 – $18 per booking.
Business/First Class: If you are paid a percentage, this is where the money is. A 2% cut of a $4,000 ticket is $80. On flat-fee programs, this is often capped at $25 – $40.
Flight + Hotel Packages: This is the hidden gem. If a user books a flight and hotel together, you often earn $25 – $50+ because the profit is higher for the company.
However, you must keep an eye on the reality of cancellations. Travel plans often change, so expect about 10% to 20% of your sales to be cancelled.
If your dashboard shows $1,000 in pending earnings, you will likely keep about $800. Always plan for this loss so you stay on budget.
Earnings Per Email Subscriber
Here is the truth that separates the pros from the amateurs: Website visitors leave; email subscribers stay.
A visitor might click once and disappear. A subscriber is someone you can sell to every week.
On average, a good travel email list generates $0.80 – $2.50 per subscriber, per month. This comes from sending flight deals, travel guides, and credit card offers.
For example, you have a list of 10,000 subscribers. You send 8 emails a month (2 per week).
- Open rate: 25% (2,500 people open each email).
- Click rate: 5% click a flight deal (125 clicks).
- Conversion: 10% of those clicks book a flight (12 bookings).
- Earnings: 12 bookings x $13 average pay = $156 per email.
- Monthly total: $156 x 8 emails = $1,248 per month.
That equals about $0.12 per subscriber per month just from flights.
If you add one high-paying credit card offer or insurance deal, that number can triple. Lists focused on “travel hacks” or “points” often earn $2.00 – $4.00 per subscriber every month.
Earnings Per Credit Card Approval
If flight bookings are a steady stream, credit cards are a powerful waterfall. While flights pay small amounts, cards can boost your income quickly.
We know credit cards pay more than flights. Now let’s look at the real numbers so you can plan your income
✈️ Airline cards: These pay $80 to $150 for each approval.
🌟 Premium travel cards: These high-end cards pay between $100 and $200.
💼 Business cards: These often pay the most, sometimes over $180 per person.
However, beginners often miss a major catch. You only get paid if the bank approves the person who applies.
Anyone can buy a flight, but not everyone can get a credit card. Due to strict rules, you may expect only 30% to 50% of your readers to be successful.
To stay safe, you should calculate your earnings based on applications rather than the full commission.
Imagine you send 100 people to a card offer that pays $120. If 40 people are approved, you earn $4,800.
This means each application is actually worth $48 to you. Use this lower number when planning your budget to keep your expectations realistic.
FAQs
1. How do airline affiliate programs actually work?
When you join a program, you receive unique tracking links or search widgets to place on your website or social media.
- The Click: A user clicks your link.
- The Cookie: A small file (cookie) is stored in their browser, typically for 24 hours to 30 days.
- The Conversion: If the user books a flight within that window, the system attributes the sale to you.
- The Payout: You receive a commission once the flight is completed (to account for cancellations).
2. How much commission can I expect to earn?
Direct airline commissions are generally lower than hotel or insurance commissions because flight margins are thin.
- Standard Rates: Typically 1% to 3.5% of the base fare.
- OTAs (Online Travel Agencies): Sites like Expedia or Trip.com might pay a flat fee per booking (e.g., $2–$10) or a percentage of their own service fee.
- Flight Compensation: Specialized programs like AirHelp pay significantly higher (up to $15–$30 per lead) because they deal with legal claims rather than ticket sales.
3. Do I need a website to join?
While a high-traffic travel blog is the “gold standard,” it is not always required.
- Social Media: Many programs allow promotion via YouTube, TikTok, or Instagram.
- Newsletters: Some allow links in email marketing (check the Terms of Service first).
- Restrictions: Most programs strictly forbid “brand bidding” (buying Google Ads for the airline’s name) or using “coupon” sites to lure clicks.
4. What is the difference between an Airline and a Metasearch program?
- Direct Airline (e.g., Emirates, Lufthansa): You earn when a user books directly on their site. Good for niche sites focused on specific regions.
- Metasearch (e.g., Skyscanner, Kayak): These sites compare many airlines. You often get paid for “referrals” (when a user clicks through to an airline from the search results) or a share of the booking revenue.
Conclusion
These 23 best airline affiliate programs offer great opportunities for affiliate marketers to earn commissions by promoting deals for flight tickets and travel add-on services from top brands. Let’s explore each option, compare key benefits, and choose the one that best suits your audience’s interests to start earning today.
Ellie Tran, a seasoned SEO content writer with three years of experience in the eCommerce world. Being a part of the UpPromote team, Ellie wants to assist Shopify merchants in achieving success through useful content & actionable insights. Ellie's commitment to learning never stops; she's always eager to gain more knowledge about SEO and content marketing to create valuable content for users. When she's not working on content, Ellie enjoys baking and exploring new places.
