Travel Affiliates

I recently started a new travel oriented site, and already had a few travel related affiliate programs lined up.
Figuring I happen to have a business trip coming up, I thought I'd go through the process of signing up through one of my search boxes- save a few bucks by making a few bucks.

Well, I had no idea these things are so damn secretive about what you are paying for until after you've given them your credit card number!
There is a link while going through the process that goes to this:

Excuse me...but how the hell are we supposed to make any money with that??
I certainly didn't book anything after seeing that- would you?

This is a major online travel site affiliate partnership, mind you.
So how often do people plan for travel without even knowing WHERE the hotel is located, let alone what amenities it has?

 

That website is that?

 

Huh?
It isn't the one in my signature, if that's what you're asking?

 

Our core business since 2000 is travel, it is very complex, and requires a lot of planning before you get to where you are comfortable with your set-ups we went with many affiliates but in the end we did it ourselves and created a brand that has then established itself as a niche in the travel sector

 

I take it you were not happy with ANY of the affiliate programs then?

 

When I travelled up and down the US East Coast I did all my hotel bookings via hotwire.com and they also dont tell you what hotel your actually booking in to but not once was I disappointed with the hotel that I ended up in. I carefully looked at the reviews, pricing and how many stars the hotel actually was.

 

In reply claymation we just branded ourselves because in the end it was the best option, I think that maybe there are some excellent affiliates but we did not find any in our searches

 

Via priceline, I booked a hotel in Houston near Bush/IAH the day before my arrival. No info on hotel except star rating until the transaction was completed. I got a King Suite with feather bed topper and pillows at the Hyatt Regency for...
$40 per night.
No continental breakfast though, barely a coffeemaker. Room service was surprisingly reasonable.

The only thing I would have done differently was choose a different area closer to my meetings. I didn't realize how far it really was looking at a map. I would book that way again if travel to/from hotel was less of an issue.

I hate the freeways in Houston.