FTC Disclosure Requirement
In accordance with FTC guidelines, we want to be transparent about how Whirago earns revenue to keep this service free for users.
How We Earn Revenue
Whirago participates in affiliate marketing programs. When you click certain links on our website and make a purchase or booking through a third-party platform, we may receive a commission from that company.
Affiliate partnerships may include:
- Booking platforms — hotel and accommodation reservations
- Flight search engines — flight comparisons and bookings
- Travel services — eSIMs, tours, and activities
- Travel products — luggage, gear, and travel accessories
Specific affiliate partnerships will be added as they become active. This disclosure covers both current and future affiliate relationships.
No Extra Cost to You
Using our affiliate links does not increase the price you pay. The price is the same whether you book directly or through our link. The commission comes from the service provider, not from you.
Example: If a hotel room costs €100, you pay €100 whether you book via our link or directly. We simply earn a small percentage from the hotel if you book through our link.
Our Editorial Independence
Affiliate commissions do NOT influence our climate scores, data, or recommendations.
All of our travel decision support is based on:
- Climate data from peer-reviewed sources (WorldClim 2.1)
- Economic data from the World Bank International Comparison Program
- Objective algorithms that calculate climate and reliability scores
We do not:
- Rank destinations higher because they offer better commission rates
- Recommend specific hotels, flights, or tours based on affiliate earnings
- Modify our climate or cost scores to favor affiliate partners
- Accept payment for "featured" destinations or priority rankings
What We Recommend vs. What We Link
Our core mission is to provide accurate, data-driven travel planning information:
- Climate Score — based on historical weather patterns
- Climate Reliability Scores — predictability and risk assessment
- Travel Cost Indicators — relative affordability based on World Bank data
Once you've decided where and when to travel using our tools, we provide affiliate links to booking platforms as a convenience. The affiliate links help you complete your booking, and the commission helps us maintain the site.
How to Identify Affiliate Links
Not all links on Whirago are affiliate links:
- Affiliate links: Typically appear in "Next Steps," "Book Now," or "Check Prices" sections
- Non-affiliate links: Links to our data sources (WorldClim, World Bank), legal pages, or internal navigation
When in doubt, assume that booking-related links (flights, hotels, tours) are affiliate links.
Supporting Whirago
If you find our climate and cost data helpful, using our affiliate links is a simple way to support our work at no extra cost to you. It helps us:
- Maintain and update our climate datasets
- Improve our scoring algorithms
- Add more destinations and features
- Keep the site free and ad-free
Of course, you're also free to navigate directly to booking sites if you prefer. We're grateful either way!
Third-Party Responsibility
Important: We are not responsible for the policies, pricing, or customer service of affiliate partners. When you click an affiliate link and make a purchase:
- You enter into a direct relationship with that service provider
- Their terms, privacy policy, and cancellation rules apply
- We cannot assist with booking changes, refunds, or customer support issues
For booking-related questions, please contact the respective platform directly.
Questions?
If you have questions about our affiliate relationships or revenue model, feel free to contact us.
This disclosure is provided in compliance with the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) 16 CFR Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."