Payment options for affiliates

Your booking process as an affiliate is directly linked to what payment option you select for reselling experiences and tours. While the booking steps are generally the same for the end customer across all setups, the payment flow and booking form experience vary depending on your payment relationship with the tour operator.

This page outlines the available payment options for affiliates and the tools that support each configuration.

Billing payment relationship

In a Billing setup, you collect the full payment from the customer using your own point-of-sale (POS) system. The tour operator later sends you an invoice for their share of the booking (the net rate).

How it works

1. You collect the full payment from the customer.
2. You create the booking in FareHarbor and mark the payment as collected.
3. The tour operator sends you an invoice for the net rate.
4. You pay the invoice based on the terms of your agreement.

Benefits of this option

• You keep the full customer payment upfront.
• Greater flexibility in managing cash flow.
• Preferred by larger agencies with formal invoicing processes.

Features that work with this payment option:

• Affiliate Dashboard
• API integration
• FHDN API

Referral payment relationship

In a Referral setup, you do not directly collect payment from the customer. Instead, the customer pays the tour operator after their credit card is charged. You receive a commission at a later date for sending the booking their way.

How it works

1. You create the booking in FareHarbor, selecting that payment will be collected by the tour operator.
2. The customer pays the tour operator the full retail price at the time of booking by giving their credit card details for you to charge.
   Note: The way the payment from the customer is handled depends on the booking method:
   • Promo code, QR code, affiliate booking widgets, or FHDN: The customer enters their credit card details directly in the booking form. The system charges the customer, applies the full retail price, and automatically tags you as the referring affiliate.
     • Affiliate Dashboard: You create the booking in FareHarbor on behalf of the customer. In this case, you’ll need to collect the customer’s credit card information yourself, enter it into FareHarbor, and complete the booking.
3. The tour operator tracks that the booking came through you as a referral.
4. You receive a commission or payout (per your agreement) after the booking is completed.

Benefits of this option

• You do not collect customer payments in your POS, payments go directly to the tour operator when you charge the credit card.
• Fully automated process when customers book using a code or link.
• Great for affiliates who want a simple, hands-off approach.

Features that work with this payment option:

• Affiliate Dashboard
• Promo code
• QR code
• Affiliate booking widgets
• FHDN

Referral deposit payment relationship

In a Referral deposit setup, you collect only a deposit (partial payment, typically equal to your commission) directly from the customer, and the balance is paid directly to the tour operator at the time of service.

This setup is great if you’re working closely with customers at the time of booking (for example, hotel concierges or front-desk agents) and want to ensure you get paid immediately while keeping things simple for the tour operator.

How it works

1. You collect a deposit (your commission) from the customer outside of FareHarbor.
2. You create the booking in FareHarbor and mark your portion of the payment as collected.
3. The remaining amount is left open and paid by the customer directly to the tour operator at the time of the activity.

Benefits of this option

• You receive your commission immediately in the form of the deposit.
• Bookings can be completed quickly without handling full payment.
• No invoicing required—each party handles their own payment.

Features that work with this payment option

This option is only available with the affiliate Dashboard feature.

Net rate payment relationship

In a Net rate setup, you collect the full payment from the customer outside of FareHarbor at the time of booking. The total amount you collect is the retail price including your commission. You pay the net rate (the retail price minus your commission) to the tour operator using a saved company credit card.

This option is ideal if you’re comfortable managing payments and want to streamline your commission process.

How it works

1. Collect full payment from the customer outside of FareHarbor (cash, card, or any method you use).
2. Create the booking and charge your company card for the net rate.

Benefits of this option

• Immediate access to your commission: You keep your portion upfront—no need to wait for payouts.
• Direct control over all customer payments.
• No separate invoice needed, each party gets paid directly.

Features that work with this payment option

This option is only available with the affiliate Dashboard feature.

Skip payment setup

In a Skip Payment setup, you create the booking without collecting any payment. The customer pays the full amount to the tour operator at the time of the activity.

This option is simple and low-effort, but it’s important to note that you don’t receive a commission upon booking under this model, only after the activity has happened. You must invoice the tour operator for your commission outside of FareHarbor.

How it works

1. Create the booking in FareHarbor without taking any payment.
2. The customer pays the full amount directly to the tour operator upon arrival.
3. You send an invoice to the tour operator for your commission.

Benefits of this option

• Useful for walk-ins or unpaid reservations.
• You don’t have to handle payments.

Features that work with this payment option

This option is only available with the affiliate Dashboard feature.