Overiew

The Spotinga Affiliate System is built on a hierarchical architecture that allows for “set-and-forget” simplicity while providing the flexibility to run complex, multi-tiered incentive programs.

The Program Hierarchy

To manage your affiliates effectively, you need to understand the three layers of the system:

Layer 1: The Program - Global Defaults

The Affiliate Program is your top-level container. It defines the “rules of engagement” for your entire organization.

• Attribution Model: Determines who gets the credit. Last Click is the industry standard (rewarding the final conversion), while First Click rewards the partner who introduced the customer.
• Cookie Duration: How long the referral stays active (industry standard is 30 days).
• Global Max Commission %: A critical safety guardrail that prevents any combination of bonuses from exceeding a specific percentage of your gross sale.

Layer 2: Commission Plans - The Logic

The Affiliate Plan is the heart of the engine. It defines exactly how the commission is calculated. You can have different plans for different product categories or specific high-performing partners.

Layer 3: Campaigns - Temporary Overrides

Affiliate Campaigns allow you to run time-sensitive promotions (e.g., “Double Commission for Black Friday”) without changing your underlying plan structures.

Setting Up Your Commission Model

The system supports four distinct commission “shapes.” Choosing the right one depends on your business goals:

A. Basic Models - Flat & Percentage

Ideal for simple programs.

• Flat: Pay a fixed amount (e.g., $15.00) per booking. Best for high-volume, low-cost activities.
• Percentage: Pay a portion of the Commissionable Amount (e.g., 10%). This is the most common model in travel and tourism.

B. Performance Models - Tiered & Step-up

These use the tiers array in the Affiliate Plan to incentivize growth.

• Tiered - Per-Sale: The Tier Basis is set to Sale Amount. If a customer books a $500 package, the affiliate gets a higher percentage than if they booked a $50 tour.
• Step-up - Lifetime: The Tier Basis is set to Lifetime Revenue. This rewards your “VIP” partners. Once a partner has driven $10,000 in total revenue, their base commission automatically “steps up” to the next level.

:::info Pro Tip: Start with Global For most new hosts, we recommend using a Global Program. These are pre-configured with industry-standard settings (30-day cookie, last-click attribution, 10% commission). It is the fastest way to get started without over-engineering your payouts. :::

Best Practices & Industry Standards

Attribution & Cookies

• Standard Windows: A 30-day cookie is the industry standard for tours and activities. Higher-priced experiences with longer research phases (like 14-day cruises) should consider a 60 or 90-day window.
• Last-Click is King: Most affiliates prefer Last-Click because it rewards the “closer.” However, if you are working with high-funnel influencers who introduce your brand, consider a longer attribution window to ensure they get credit.

Commission Strategy

• Incentivize High Value: Use Tiered plans to reward affiliates for selling your premium, high-margin products.
• Protect Your Margin: Always set a Max CommissionAbs for your plans. If you sell a $2,000 luxury private tour, a 20% commission ($400) might be too high. A cap ensures your payout remains sustainable.
• Use “Step-up” for Loyalty: Instead of giving everyone a high rate, start everyone at a lower base and use Step-up tiers to let them “earn” their way into a higher bracket. This keeps partners engaged for the long term.

Transparency & Trust

• The Resolution Trace: One of the unique features of Spotinga is the Commission Calculation. If a partner asks why they received a certain amount, you can show them the “Winning Plan” and the specific Candidate Plans that were evaluated. Transparency builds stronger partner relationships.

Setup Checklist

1. Define your Default: Set your Default Plan in the Program settings.
2. Add Safety Nets: Set your Global Max Commission Percentage (e.g., 0.25 for 25%).
3. Plan your Tiers: If using Step-up plans, define your thresholds (e.g., $1k, $5k, $10k lifetime revenue).
4. Verify Currency: Ensure the currency in your Affiliate Program matches your storefront’s primary currency to avoid calculation and conversion issues.