Best Travel Referral Codes 2026: Get £25 Off & 15% Discounts

Best travel referral codes for 2026 can save you £25 off bookings, 15% discounts on train tickets, and various rewards from Expedia, Trainline, Airbnb, and other major travel platforms. There's something interesting about travel referral programs—they've evolved significantly, with some platforms strengthening their offerings while others have discontinued programs in favor of different reward structures.

The travel referral landscape in 2026 reflects the industry's shift toward loyalty programs and app-based rewards rather than traditional referral schemes. While some platforms like Booking.com discontinued their referral programs, others like Expedia and Trainline offer active referral benefits that can significantly reduce travel costs.

This guide examines the best travel referral codes available in 2026, covering booking platforms, train services, accommodation providers, and strategies for maximizing your savings on travel.

How Travel Referral Codes Work

Travel referral codes function through various mechanisms depending on the platform. Some offer immediate discounts, while others provide credits, loyalty points, or percentage-based savings. Understanding these differences helps you maximize your benefits.

Discount-Based Rewards

Many travel platforms offer fixed-amount discounts when you book through referral links. Expedia, for example, provides £25 off hotel bookings of £200 or more when you sign up through a referral link and book via their app. These discounts are typically applied automatically when you meet minimum booking requirements.

Percentage Discounts

Some travel services offer percentage-based discounts. Trainline, for example, provides 15% off first bookings (up to €20) when you refer friends who have never bought tickets via Trainline. These percentage discounts can provide substantial savings on larger bookings.

Credit-Based Rewards

Some platforms offer credits that can be used toward future bookings. These credits provide flexibility in when you use your referral benefits, though they may have expiration dates. Credits typically range from £5 to £25 depending on the platform.

Best Travel Booking Referral Codes 2026

Expedia Referral Program

Expedia offers one of the most accessible travel referral programs in 2026. New users can get £25 off their first standalone hotel booking via the Expedia app, provided it's a pre-paid booking of at least £200. Referrers also receive the same reward when someone they refer completes a valid booking.

The program requires booking through the Expedia One Key rewards program and using the mobile app (not desktop). Travel must occur by 31 December 2026, and sign-ups must happen between 1 August 2024 and 31 July 2026. Each referrer can earn up to 10 vouchers per year, making it valuable for frequent travelers who share codes with multiple friends.

The service integrates with Expedia's loyalty program, allowing you to earn points on bookings while receiving referral discounts. This combination can provide significant long-term value for regular travelers.

Booking.com Referral Status

Booking.com officially discontinued their Refer-a-Friend program in October 2019. While older codes may still appear in forums claiming £15 off or 10% discounts, there's no officially supported guest referral program currently available. The platform focuses on site-wide discounts and special user campaigns instead of referral bonuses.

If you're looking for Booking.com savings, monitoring their website for promotional periods and special offers is more reliable than seeking referral codes. The platform occasionally offers site-wide discounts during promotional periods.

Best Train Travel Referral Codes 2026

Trainline Referral Program

Trainline offers a "Refer-a-Friend" program that provides 15% off first bookings (up to €20) for referred friends who have never bought tickets via Trainline. Referrers also earn 15% off for each successful referral, creating mutual benefits.

The program requires booking through the Trainline mobile app, and referred friends must be completely new to Trainline (never having purchased tickets before). The 15% discount applies to the first booking, providing immediate savings for new users.

There are also community-shared codes for €5 off or similar amounts for new sign-ups in certain markets, though these may vary in validity. Always test codes at checkout to verify they're currently working.

Best Accommodation Referral Codes 2026

Airbnb Referral Status

Airbnb's Guest referral discount scheme in the UK has ended. UK-based guests cannot currently get a discount by signing up via a referral link. However, the Host Referral Program remains active globally, including cash rewards for referring new hosts (not guests).

For guests, referral-type benefits are available only in certain countries (Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, etc.), not in the UK. If you're a UK guest looking for Airbnb savings, monitoring the platform for promotional periods and special offers is more reliable than seeking referral codes.

If you're interested in hosting, the Host Referral Program provides cash rewards when you refer new hosts who complete their first booking. This program remains active and can provide value for users interested in hosting.

How to Maximize Travel Referral Benefits

Maximizing the value from travel referral codes requires understanding platform-specific requirements and planning your bookings strategically:

Meeting Minimum Booking Requirements

Most travel referral codes require minimum booking amounts to activate rewards. Expedia requires £200 minimum bookings, while other platforms may have different thresholds. Planning your bookings to meet these requirements ensures you receive your rewards.

Using Mobile Apps

Many travel referral programs require booking through mobile apps rather than desktop websites. Expedia's referral program, for example, only works when booking through their app. Trainline also requires app-based bookings for referral discounts. Ensuring you use the correct platform maximizes your chances of receiving rewards.

Timing Your Bookings

Travel referral programs often have expiration dates and travel deadlines. Expedia's program requires travel by 31 December 2026, for example. Planning your bookings to meet these deadlines ensures you receive your rewards before they expire.

Understanding Regional Restrictions

Some travel referral programs have regional restrictions. Airbnb's guest referral program, for example, is only available in certain countries, not the UK. Verifying regional availability before using codes ensures they'll work for your location.

Common Travel Referral Code Mistakes to Avoid

Avoiding common mistakes ensures you receive maximum value from travel referral codes:

• Not Meeting Minimum Booking Requirements: Most codes require minimum booking amounts. Failing to meet these requirements means you won't receive rewards.
• Using Desktop Instead of Mobile Apps: Many referral programs require booking through mobile apps. Using desktop websites may prevent you from receiving rewards.
• Missing Travel Deadlines: Travel referral programs often have specific travel deadlines. Booking travel after these deadlines means you won't receive rewards.
• Using Expired or Discontinued Programs: Some platforms have discontinued referral programs. Using outdated codes from discontinued programs won't work. Always verify program status before using codes.

Finding and Verifying Travel Referral Codes

Finding reliable travel referral codes requires using trusted sources and verifying codes before use:

Trusted Sources

The most reliable sources for travel referral codes include official platform websites, verified travel deal aggregators, official social media accounts, and trusted travel communities. Avoid outdated codes from forums, especially for platforms that have discontinued their programs.

Verifying Code Validity

Before using travel referral codes, verify they're current and valid. Check expiration dates, confirm eligibility requirements, and test codes when possible. Many platforms allow you to preview code validity before completing bookings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Travel referral codes provide valuable opportunities to save money on bookings, train tickets, and accommodation. While some platforms have discontinued their referral programs, others like Expedia and Trainline offer active referral benefits that can significantly reduce your travel costs.

The key to success with travel referral codes is understanding platform-specific requirements, using mobile apps when required, and planning bookings to meet minimum thresholds and travel deadlines. Whether you're booking through Expedia, using Trainline for train travel, or exploring other travel platforms, referral codes can help you save money while earning rewards for future travel.