% Airfare affiliate programs

millions of dollars in sales - no where good to send them

[GerBot]

I'm running banners for a travel company which are selling airline tickets to my visitors.
I'm currently only getting $2.50 per airfare which seems really low to me.
Are there any reputable US travel companies paying 3-5% on the ticket value through their affiliate/partnership programs?
I'm doing enough volume to interest most companies I just don't seem to be able to strike any good deals.

Any help, suggestions ideas would be appreciated

thanks guys

[lowfaresmaster]

Thats about all you'll get I'm afraid. Many run a % or standard fee of between $2.50 and $5.

Try Opodos travel section on tradedoubler - They pay sterling.

Keet

[GerBot]

Thanks lowfaresmaster,
I did put up a few UK links because the pound is so string against the USD,
Sadly the UK make up on 3% of my traffic so the good US deal is the most important to me.

[aleksl]

Are there any reputable US travel companies paying 3-5% on the ticket value

The answer is no AFAIK. Even if you are a travel agency, airlines usually don't pay more than $15/ticket.

[top5jamaica]

just pennies to be made off this unless you've got significant and very targeted traffic

[jeffisatwork]

I am a professional travel agent in a brick and mortar shop and sometimes I am lucky to make more than $2.50 off of each booking. It has more to do with the airlines not paying the booking agents (expedia, travelocity, orbitz) any comission anymore. The way they make money is by charging a $5.00 booking fee off of everything they sell. Getting $2.50 is half of thier profits (on the surface)

Tough Tough world retail travel is.... That's why I'm getting out. Hope to do full time Affiliate Sales

[GerBot]

Thanks for the feedback Guys.

Given this advice I'm going to push the flight & Hotel combination to see if it makes a difference.

I'm expecting a slight drop in conversions but I'm hoping a few Hotel sales will make up for this.

[tsinoy]

would adsense work well for a site like yours?

[aleksl]

It has more to do with the airlines not paying the booking agents (expedia, travelocity, orbitz) any comission anymore.

It is funny how they cut the very branch they were sitting on. I am looking forward to bankrupcy or two - although what is more likely to happen is another government bailout.