The short version
Some links on Asia Luxury Guide are affiliate links. When you click one and complete a booking, purchase, or enquiry, we may earn a commission from the operator at no extra cost to you. We mark every affiliate link with a "Commission-linked" badge so you always know which links are which.
Affiliate revenue does not buy editorial coverage. Verdicts, ratings, and inclusion decisions are made independently by our editors before any commercial relationship is considered.
How it works
We participate in affiliate programs operated by hotel groups, booking platforms, wellness clinics, medical providers, and a small number of retail partners whose products we recommend. When you click an affiliate link and convert (book, buy, submit an enquiry that leads to a transaction), we are paid a percentage of that transaction.
How we keep editorial independent
- Our editors choose which operators to feature based on a documented vetting process. Affiliate availability is never a criterion for inclusion.
- Our verdicts ("Editor's pick", "Best for", "Skip this one") are written before affiliate links are added.
- No partner can pay for a higher rating, position in a list, or removal of a critical line. We have refused.
- Our affiliate links carry a standard `?ref=alg` parameter and the visible "Commission-linked" badge so you can audit them.
- Our affiliate revenue is a single line in our annual operating report, alongside the other revenue streams (operator subscriptions, employer job posts, sponsored research). We do not break out commission per article — that would create the wrong incentives internally.
Sponsored content
We very occasionally accept sponsored content. When we do, the article is labelled "Sponsored" at the top and bottom, with a one-line disclosure naming the sponsor and the consideration received. Sponsored articles do not carry our editorial verdict badges and are excluded from our "Best of" lists.
Gifted stays and press visits
For some reviews we accept hosted stays or press-trip access. We disclose this at the foot of the article in plain language ("This review was based on a hosted two-night stay; we covered our own travel costs"). A hosted stay never guarantees a positive review.
What this means for you
You can use any link on the site without paying anything extra. You can also bypass our affiliate links by going to the operator's site directly. Our recommendations are unchanged either way. If you do click through us, thank you — it funds the next verified guide.
Questions
For specifics on a particular relationship, email editor@asialuxuryguide.com.