Building affiliate success: Traveltomtom's journey with Airalo

In 2022, Airalo teamed up with Traveltomtom, a travel influencer known for his practical tips for staying connected abroad. Together, we set out to introduce eSIM technology to global travelers. Read on to explore the journey, benefits, and outcomes of our affiliate partnership.

Traveltomtom: A trusted guide for travel connectivity

Traveltomtom began when Tom Grond, a world traveler, turned his adventures into a blog to inspire and assist fellow travelers. Since kicking off his round-the-world journey in 2008, Tom has spent over 4,200 days — almost 12 years — exploring the globe. His goal from the start was simple: to help others chase their travel dreams and stay connected along the way. 

Now, Traveltomtom is a top travel blog with 500,000 monthly readers and a social media reach of over 2 million followers. Tom has become a trusted resource for travelers looking for easy and affordable ways to stay connected. Travelers from all over turn to him for honest advice and reliable product recommendations. 

Embracing the future: How Airalo turned a skeptic into a strategic partner

When we first approached Tom in the early days of eSIM popularity, he was understandably hesitant. His blog centered on traditional SIM cards, and he saw eSIMs as a disruptive technology that threatened his established focus.

After meeting with our co-founder and diving deeper into the world of eSIMs, Tom began to see things differently. He realized eSIM technology's potential to meet the evolving needs of his audience. Within a week of working with us, Tom recognized the positive impact eSIMs could have on his content strategy and reach, saying:

I have the ability to sell more because people are actually willing to buy something on the Internet rather than buy it at the airport. It was a pretty quick, fast learning curve that I thought, 'Oh wait, this is a massive opportunity, actually'.   

Shared goals: How Airalo and Traveltomtom joined forces

Our collaboration was grounded in a shared goal: to keep travelers connected. Tom's deep understanding of his audience's needs paired seamlessly with Airalo's eSIM solutions. Together, we could meet the rising demand for easy, reliable travel connectivity.

Airalo’s objective: Expand reach and awareness

Our aim was to introduce eSIMs to a global audience. By connecting with Tom’s loyal readers, we could reach more travelers and make Airalo a trusted name for staying connected on the go.

Traveltomtom’s objective: Enhance reader value and earning potential

For Tom, the partnership was an opportunity to introduce his audience to an easy and affordable connectivity solution. At the same time, he could drive additional revenue through Airalo's Affiliate Program. 

What matters most: Why Airalo stood out as a top-tier affiliate partner

Tom's ideal affiliate partnership is rooted in trust, transparency, and reliable support. These are qualities he has found consistently in his collaboration with Airalo. Here's a closer look at what makes us stand out.

Competitive commission rates and efficient payouts

Airalo’s Affiliate Program offers an attractive commission rate plus a fast, dependable payout system. For Tom, this combination provides competitive earnings and easy access to funds. As he notes about our monthly, on-time payouts, "Airalo actually does it the best, to be honest, in terms of fast payment."

Seamless setup

Tom has found working with Airalo's Affiliate Program "super seamless," in part thanks to the Impact Platform. He values the platform's transparency and ease of use, saying, "It's automated. It's very open. I can see daily transactions… It gives you a sense of confidence in the partner that you actually work with."

Responsive support and personal connections

Airalo also stands out for our quick, responsive support. With direct connections via WhatsApp and consistent communication with our Affiliate team, Tom has felt valued and respected throughout the partnership. He says, "From the beginning on, I valued the human and personal connection with the people at Airalo."

Aligned values: Transparency and convenience

Our eSIM solutions are a natural fit for Tom's audience. We both want to help travelers avoid hassles and expenses. This shared commitment lets Tom truly recommend Airalo to his readers.

I genuinely believe in the product. I genuinely believe eSIM cards are much easier… So, for me, it was seamless advising people to do it. It was easy for me to recommend it to people.

Traveltomtom's winning formula: Key strategies for affiliate success

Tom’s affiliate strategy is all about authenticity and truly understanding his audience. He focuses on high-intent readers, has built trust as a go-to travel resource, and gives honest product recommendations. This has created an affiliate model that works for both his audience and his partners. Here's a look at the key strategies he uses to stay true to his brand while driving conversions.

Target high-intent audiences for maximum conversions

Tom's approach to driving conversions is to focus on high-intent audiences. He directs traffic through his blog, where readers actively seek travel information and are more likely to make a purchase. Social media, on the other hand, is reserved for PR and brand awareness.

"I believe that you can sell something to someone who's actually looking," he shares. "If you're just scrolling around on social media, the chance that you actually need an eSIM is really small. But, if you're going to Google 'the best eSIM card for the UK,' that means you have an intention." 

Build authority as a go-to travel connectivity resource

Tom's consistent, informative content has established him as a trusted source of SIM and eSIM guidance. Readers rely on his expertise to navigate travel connectivity options — especially those new to eSIMs. "It's funny because I'm in that world where we all think, 'Oh, everyone knows what an eSIM is by now,' but then figure out they don't — there are still a lot of people that have no clue what an eSIM is," he says. His focus on educational content has strengthened his authority and attracted a loyal readership. 

Maintain integrity and independence

Tom's product recommendations are based on his personal travel experiences. He provides unbiased, balanced advice about providers based on price, coverage, and reliability. He explains, "I think being genuine, it was always my approach to writing articles — and then embed the option to buy an eSIM."

Tom values transparency and avoids favoritism. He only promotes travel connectivity options that meet his standards. This honesty strengthens his relationship with his audience and keeps his content credible, ensuring he remains a trusted, independent resource. 

From engagement to conversion: The success of Traveltomtom’s partnership with Airalo

Traveltomtom and Airalo's collaboration has delivered impressive results, marked by high engagement and strong sales growth. From the beginning, Tom saw a notable rise in affiliate sales, with high-intent blog traffic driving steady conversions. From 2022 to 2023 alone, his generated revenue grew by 1018% and continues to build YoY. "Sales, straight away, went up to the roof for a long time," he says, reflecting on the partnership's immediate impact. 

Tom consistently ranks among Airalo's top-performing affiliates. Riley Pearce, Airalo's Affiliate Marketing Specialist for North America, says:

Tom is an integral part of Airalo's global affiliate strategy. Not only do we appreciate his commitment to promoting Airalo whenever possible, but also how great he is to work with. He sets the bar high for niche-content affiliates.

Together, we’ve shown how a great affiliate partnership can work — bringing real value to travelers and setting a new standard for building trust through partnership. As we continue this journey, we look forward to helping even more travelers stay connected, wherever their adventures take them.