Top 10 Hotel Affiliate Programs for Beginners 2026 (High Commission + Easy Approval)

As a travel blogger, monetizing your content shouldn’t feel like a hassle—especially when the world is craving travel inspiration. Affiliate marketing is the ultimate low-effort, high-reward way to earn passive income, and hotel affiliate programs are some of the most profitable (thanks to high average order values).

In 2026, the best hotel affiliate programs for beginners aren’t just about high commissions—they’re easy to join (no massive traffic requirements!), offer long cookie windows, and let you promote everything from budget stays to luxury resorts. Below are the top 10 picks, broken down by hotel chains and OTA (Online Travel Agency) platforms, with key details (commission rates, cookie duration, EPC) to help you choose fast.

How to Choose the Best Hotel Affiliate Program (Beginner’s Checklist)

Before diving in, focus on these 3 critical factors to avoid wasting time:

1. Cookie Duration: Longer = more chances to earn. Aim for 7+ days (some top programs offer 30 days!).
2. Commission Rate: 3-10% is standard for hotels—higher rates shine for luxury or high-priced stays.
3. EPC (Earnings Per Click): The average money you make per link click. Look for EPC ≥ $50 (hotel niches often hit $100+!).
4. Ease of Approval: Beginners need programs that approve quickly (24-48 hours) without strict traffic minimums.

Part 1: Top 5 Hotel Chain Affiliate Programs (Trusted Brands, High Trust)

Hotel chains offer loyal audiences and consistent bookings—perfect for building trust with your readers.

1. Accor Hotels Affiliate Program (Highest Commission for Beginners)

• Commission Rate: 2-10% (up to 10% for luxury brands like Sofitel, 2% for budget stays like Ibis).
• Cookie Duration: 7 days.
• Average EPC: $120.
• Average Order Value (AOV): $250+ (earn ~$25 per booking at 10% commission).
• Why Beginners Love It:
  • 22+ well-known brands (Mercure, Novotel, Raffles) to promote—fits every travel niche (budget, luxury, family).
  • Easy sign-up: Fill a simple form, activate your account, and start sharing ad codes instantly.
  • No minimum traffic required—great for new blogs.
• How to Join: Apply directly via Accor’s affiliate portal (no third-party network needed).

2. Marriott Bonvoy Affiliate Program (Largest Hotel Group)

• Commission Rate: 4-6% for hotel stays, 3% for vacation packages.
• Cookie Duration: 7 days.
• AOV: $300+ (earn ~$18 per standard booking).
• Why Beginners Love It:
  • 7,000+ hotels in 131 countries—endless promotion opportunities (city breaks, beach resorts, business stays).
  • Two income streams: Promote both stays and vacation packages (perfect for family travel content).
• How to Join: Apply via their official portal or contact affiliate support at affiliatemanager@marriott.com.

3. Hilton Honors Affiliate Program (Flexible Promotions)

• Commission Rate: 4-5%.
• Cookie Duration: 7 days.
• AOV: $280+ (earn ~$14 per booking).
• Why Beginners Love It:
  • Promote more than just stays: Bed-and-breakfast packages, dining experiences, and even spa treatments.
  • Trusted brand name—readers are more likely to book, boosting your conversion rate.
• How to Join: Sign up via Hilton’s affiliate platform (fast approval for blogs with 100+ monthly visitors).

4. IHG PartnerConnect (Longest Cookie for Luxury Stays)

• Commission Rate: 3%.
• Cookie Duration: 14 days (double the industry standard!).
• Average EPC: $150.
• AOV: $350+ (earn ~$10.50 per booking—higher AOV offsets lower commission).
• Why Beginners Love It:
  • Luxury brands (Crowne Plaza, Regent) appeal to high-intent travelers—higher EPC than budget chains.
  • 14-day cookie: Readers who click your link but book later (e.g., 10 days after) still earn you commission.
• How to Join: Apply via IHG PartnerConnect (email support at partnerconnect@ihg.com for questions).

5. Raffles Hotels Affiliate Program (Luxury Niche Gem)

• Commission Rate: 5%.
• Cookie Duration: 30 days (best-in-class for luxury hotels!).
• AOV: $1,000+ (earn ~$50 per booking—huge payout for luxury travelers).
• Why Beginners Love It:
  • Unique, story-driven hotels—perfect for “bucket list” or luxury travel content (high engagement, low competition).
  • Joins via CJ Affiliate (Commission Junction)—one sign-up gives access to other affiliate programs too.
• How to Join: Sign up for CJ Affiliate, search for “Raffles Hotels,” and submit your application (approval in 48 hours).

Part 2: Top 5 OTA Hotel Affiliate Programs (One-Stop Travel Solutions)

OTAs (Online Travel Agencies) let you promote thousands of hotels, flights, and activities in one link—ideal for travelers planning full trips.

6. Booking.com Affiliate Program (Best for High Conversion)

• Commission Rate: Varies (3-8%, higher for high-volume promoters).
• Cookie Duration: 7 days.
• Average EPC: $80+ (top 20% of affiliates earn $150+ EPC).
• Why Beginners Love It:
  • 28 million+ accommodations (hotels, treehouses, villas) in 60,000+ locations—covers every travel niche.
  • Easy-to-use tools: Embed links, banners, and search widgets directly on your blog (no coding needed).
  • 24/7 customer support for your readers—reduces booking friction, boosts conversions.
  • Free to join via Awin or CJ Affiliate (fast approval, no traffic minimums).
• How to Join: Sign up through Awin or CJ Affiliate (select your region during registration).

7. Agoda Affiliate Program (Scalable Commissions)

• Commission Rate: 4% base rate (increases with booking volume—up to 8% for top promoters).
• Cookie Duration: 30 days.
• AOV: $220+ (earn ~$8.80 per initial booking, more as you scale).
• Why Beginners Love It:
  • Great for budget and mid-range travel (popular in Asia, Europe, and Southeast Asia—hot niches for 2026).
  • Tiered commissions: Earn more as you drive more bookings—rewards consistency.
• How to Join: Apply via Agoda’s affiliate portal (approval in 24 hours for new blogs).

8. Expedia Affiliate Network (All-in-One Travel Promotions)

• Commission Rate: 3-6% for hotels, 2-4% for flights/packages.
• Cookie Duration: 7 days.
• Why Beginners Love It:
  • Promote hotels, flights, car rentals, and cruises in one link—perfect for “complete trip” content.
  • Pre-made banners and widgets (e.g., “Find Cheap Hotels in Paris”) save time on content creation.
• How to Join: Sign up for Expedia Affiliate Network (EAN)—free, with approval in 3 business days.

9. Vrbo Affiliate Program (Top Vacation Rental Alternative to Airbnb)

• Commission Rate: 4-6% (higher for premium vacation rentals like villas, cabins).
• Cookie Duration: 30 days.
• AOV: $350+ (earn ~$17.50 per booking—higher than budget hotels, thanks to longer stays).
• Why Beginners Love It:
  • Focus on vacation rentals (family villas, beach houses, mountain cabins)—perfect for “family travel,” “group getaways,” or “long-stay” content (trending in 2026).
  • 2 million+ unique properties worldwide—fills the gap left by Airbnb’s affiliate program, with similar niche appeal for off-the-beaten-path stays.
  • Easy approval: No minimum traffic required, and joins via CJ Affiliate (same network as Raffles, so you can manage multiple programs in one dashboard).
• How to Join: Sign up for CJ Affiliate, search for “Vrbo,” and submit your application (approval in 24-48 hours).

10. Priceline Partner Network (Budget Travel Favorite)

• Commission Rate: 4-7% (higher for “Express Deals” and last-minute bookings).
• Cookie Duration: 7 days.
• AOV: $180+ (earn ~$10 per budget booking).
• Why Beginners Love It:
  • Focus on affordable, last-minute travel—perfect for college students, solo travelers, or budget-focused blogs.
  • High conversion rate: Readers searching for deals are ready to book fast.
• How to Join: Sign up via Priceline’s affiliate portal (no minimum traffic required).

3 Pro Tips for Beginners to Boost Hotel Affiliate Earnings (2026)

1. Mix Promotions: Combine hotel chains (trusted brands) and OTAs (one-stop solutions) to cater to all reader needs. For example, promote Accor for luxury city stays and Booking.com for budget villas.
2. Leverage Affiliate Networks: Sign up for CJ Affiliate or Awin—one account gives you access to multiple programs (Raffles, Booking.com, Expedia) without repeated applications.
3. Optimize Content for Conversion: Write “best hotels in [City]” guides with embedded affiliate links (e.g., “I stayed at the Hilton Paris Opera—book here for 10% off”) and add booking widgets to your blog’s sidebar.

Final Thoughts: Start Earning with the Easiest Programs First

For beginners, prioritize Booking.com (high conversion, easy tools), Accor (highest commission), and Airbnb (unique stays, 30-day cookie)—these three programs let you start earning within weeks, no massive audience needed.

As you grow, add Marriott (large inventory) and IHG (long cookie) to scale your income. Remember: Consistency beats perfection—even 1-2 booking per week can earn you $100+/month, and it grows as your traffic increases.

👉 Join Booking.com Affiliate Program (Free + Fast Approval)
👉 Apply for Accor’s High-Commission Program

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a booking, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. All programs are tested and recommended for beginners based on approval ease, commission rates, and user experience.