Let your data\u2019s journey begin<\/h2>\n\n\n\n1. Creating an affiliate link = packing your suitcase<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The first step in tracking is to create an affiliate link and add it to your content. Think of it like packing a suitcase for a trip. When you create an affiliate link, you\u2019re automatically adding your partner ID. This means that whenever a user clicks that link, the system will recognize it as yours and credit the booking to your account. Remember: this stage isn\u2019t about earnings. It’s about making sure your links are set up for tracking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When a reader clicks your affiliate link, the system attaches a tracking tag to their browser and stores it as a cookie. Think of it like attaching a baggage tag at airport check-in \u2013 from that moment on, the system knows who the tracking tag (the luggage) belongs to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Now it\u2019s time to define the attribution. Any booking made within the same tracking context can potentially be credited to you. However, several factors outside your control and ours could interrupt this process: <\/p>\n\n\n\n Attribution follows a last-click rule: if a user clicks another affiliate link before booking, the last click gets the credit. Many \u201cmissing\u201d conversions are not tracking errors but the result of tags getting lost, overwritten, or not being set in the first place. This depends entirely on user behavior, and it\u2019s unfortunately something that\u2019s out of your control.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Now that the attribution is set, it is important to remember that it will only work if the tag remains valid until the booking is made.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When a user completes a purchase, the brand will receive all the details, including the affiliate attribution data, if the tracking tag is still valid. Think of this as the journey your luggage goes through between the check-in counter and the plane. <\/p>\n\n\n\n However, not every user completes their booking after clicking a link. Some abandon their carts, others compare options, and many are just indecisive. This is completely normal and you should learn to expect it. Travel purchases usually take several sessions and longer consideration periods, so users often come back later before making a final decision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If all goes well and the user makes the booking, it\u2019ll show up on your dashboard as Pending<\/strong>. This means the booking exists but hasn\u2019t been validated or confirmed by the brand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is the most important stage \u2013 and the one that often raises questions. Here\u2019s how it works.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once the trip is completed, the brand starts the validation process and checks the booking details. The commission gets approved only after the service is finished and everything is verified. This is similar to a suitcase going through security: it could pass through easily, be checked, or be held. You only see your suitcase again at baggage claim once it\u2019s been cleared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Brands do this to protect against cancellations, no-shows, refunds, and fraud. A booking made today could also be for a trip months later, so this step naturally takes time. Each brand has its own rules for confirmation timelines, payout schedules, and cookie lifetime. You can find the details for each program on your dashboard<\/a>: go to any brand \u2192 Overview<\/strong> \u2192 Payout process<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are three outcomes for a booking:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once a booking is Confirmed<\/strong>, we automatically add a reward to your balance. Now reward is officially yours!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Revenue is recorded in the month the booking is confirmed, not when the click or initial booking occurs. A booking made in June might not be confirmed until August, after the stay ends. It would then be included in the September payout cycle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This delay is normal, as brands need time to finalize the stay and review all details before approving the commission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once you understand this system, you can stop guessing and start optimizing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Not every \u201csuitcase\u201d makes it through, arrives on time, or with the tag still attached. But once you understand the process, you can see where and why this happens. If you experience any issues, check the Help Center<\/a> or contact our support team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So make great content, use your links well, and make sure not to take someone else\u2019s suitcases at the airport.<\/p>\n\n\n
You can also use SubIDs to distinguish different placements within your content. This lets you check where a user comes from, like argentina_instagram_post<\/em> or germany_blog_post<\/em>. All links created in your dashboard using the Link Generator<\/a> or created by Drive<\/a> are set up correctly by default, so you don\u2019t need to double-check them.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.travelpayouts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/tp-blog-1864x980-4-1024x538.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n2. The click = attaching the baggage tag <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.travelpayouts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/tp-blog-1864x980-3-1024x538.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n3. The booking = baggage being sent to the plane<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.travelpayouts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/tp-blog-1864x980-2-1-1024x538.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n4. Brand validation = baggage going through security<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.travelpayouts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/tp-blog-1864x980-1-1024x538.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n5. Payout = picking up your bag at the belt<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.travelpayouts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/tp-blog-1864x980-1-1-1024x538.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nBreakdown of the payout process for top brands<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Brand<\/strong><\/td> Reward payout timing<\/strong><\/td><\/tr> Agoda<\/td> Within 2 months after check-out<\/td><\/tr> Viator<\/td> Within 7 days after the event date <\/td><\/tr> GetYourGuide<\/td> On the 5th day of each month for activities completed in the previous month<\/td><\/tr> Trip.com<\/td> By the 15th of the following month after travel (flights, trains, prepaid hotels). Pay-at-hotel bookings may take up to 6 months after check-out<\/td><\/tr> Expedia<\/td> Within 60 days after the customer completes their stay, rental, or activity<\/td><\/tr> Klook<\/td> Within 60 days after the booking date<\/td><\/tr> Booking.com<\/td> Within 60\u201390 days after check-out<\/td><\/tr> Welcome Pickups<\/td> Once all rides in the booking are completed<\/td><\/tr> Yesim<\/td> Within 30 days after payment<\/td><\/tr> 12GO<\/td> After the travel date<\/td><\/tr> Tripadvisor<\/td> For hotels: within 60 days after the clickFor activities: within 7 days after the event date<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n One last thing before you go: make awesome content<\/h2>\n\n\n\n