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Detours Gay Travel Blog

Introducing the Detours Loyalty and Referral Program

  • Detours
  • Sep 23, 2025

From day one, we have focused on community and connections. Over the past decade, you’ve joined us to explore the world in our signature laid-back, flexible, gay group travel style. From our very first Thailand itinerary to a catalogue of trips across nearly 30 countries, your continued support has shaped who we are today.

One of the most special parts of running Detours has been seeing lifelong friendships form on our trips. We regularly see guests meet on one trip and then reunite together either on their next or in their day-to-day lives closer to home. This sense of family is what makes Detours unique, and it’s why so many of you return again and again. Many of our new travelers joined us because a friend, partner, or even a fellow guest insisted they had to experience it for themselves. 

Your loyalty deserves more than just a thank-you. It deserves recognition. That’s why we’re launching a new loyalty and referral program designed to give back in a bigger way.

Why We Built This Program

Over the years, many of you have asked if we could recognize your loyalty in a more formal way. Until now, we offered a simple repeat-traveler discount, but we knew it was time to do more. 

We have grown because of you. Not only because you keep coming back, but because you’ve also shared your experiences with friends, left testimonials, and recommended us across your communities. That trust has fueled our growth and it’s time we reward your support.

After months of planning, we’re excited to introduce a new booking system that makes travel smoother in tandem with a loyalty + referral program designed specifically to give back to the Detours community that made it all possible. 

How the Loyalty Program Works

The program is simple. The more you travel with us, the more rewarding it is.

After your 5th trip → $500 USD credit is loaded into your Detours bank
After your 10th trip → $1000 USD credit is loaded into your Detours bank
Every 5th trip after that → $1000 USD credit is loaded into your Detours bank
Every other repeat trip → $100 USD credit is loaded into your Detours bank

And here’s the part we know you’ll love. The program doesn’t just start today, it also recognizes your past trips. We’ve updated all guest accounts, so you will see the credit for your most recent milestone.

Referrals Made Simple

We’ve seen your WhatsApp messages, Facebook posts, and emails, so we know most of you found us through word-of-mouth. Our new referral system offers a seamless process to reward you for recommending us.

  • Share your unique referral code with friends
  • When your friend books and completes their trip, $100 is automatically deposited into your referral bank
  • Use your referral bank anytime toward future travel

This creates a win-win. Your friend gets an unforgettable trip, and you get rewarded for growing the Detours family. 

Stack Your Rewards and Save

Imagine it like this. You’ve already joined us in Thailand, Croatia, Central Europe and New Zealand. You’ve always wanted to visit South Africa, too, and your unused vacation days are burning a hole in your calendar. By joining one of our last three 2025 South Africa trips, you get to enjoy two nights in Johannesburg before the itinerary shifts in 2026. Because you aren’t one to travel alone, you refer a friend that joins you on this last minute opportunity.

South Africa was your 5th trip, so you’re already closer to your next booking. Not only will you have the $500 loyalty credit for going on your 5th trip, but you’ll receive an additional $100 because your guest signed up using your referral link. That $600 you'll now have to spend toward your 6th trip! 

Zero-ing in on the Fine Print

It’s important to understand a few details about how these programs work. Both launched this week and are now fully active.

For the loyalty program:

  • After each trip you join, a loyalty bonus will be credited to your Detours bank.  That bonus will be $100 USD per trip, except after your 5th trip when $500 USD will be credited, and after your 10th (or 15th) when $1000 USD will be credited.
  • The reward is deposited into your travel bank once the trip is fully paid, usually at the 90-day payment mark.
  • Credits can only be applied to future bookings. Essentially, if you’ve just completed your 10th trip, your $1,000 reward will be available toward your 11th adventure.
  • We’re also thrilled to apply these bonuses retroactively. Accounts have been credited with the most recent milestone you’ve already passed. So if you’ve taken between 5–9 trips with us, you’ll see a $500 credit in your travel bank.

For the referral program:

  • When a new guest books using your referral code, $100 USD will be deposited into your account once their trip is paid in full (again, typically at the 90-day mark) for you to use on your NEXT trip. 
  • The program applies only to referrals made from here forward and travelers must use your referral code during their registration.

Other Updates You’ll Notice

Alongside our loyalty and referral programs, we’ve made some big upgrades to improve the booking process. We promise it’s not just to keep you from calling Maurice with every question. We truly want to make it easier for you to plan your trip. The updates include:

  • Automated payments with reminders before charges, so you’ll never miss a due date or scramble to keep track of balances again.
  • Couples registration on a single form, which makes signing up together quicker, easier, and a little less like homework.
  • Self-cancel option so you can make changes directly, giving you more flexibility when life gets in the way.
  • Trips published through 2026 so you can plan well in advance, lock in your dream destinations, and look forward to the year ahead.

Where do I find my bank balance and referral code?

We've put both into your online account with us.  Your bank balance can be viewed by clicking on the "account" tab, while your referral code can be viewed on your dashboard.  Nice and easy!

How do I use the credit?

Your credit will be automatically applied to your next trip with us - no need to do anything!  

What’s Next?

This program is part of a bigger vision to make Detours not only the best choice for gay group travel, but also the most welcoming and rewarding community you can be part of. 

We’re already counting down towards our 15th anniversary and trust us, we cannot wait to start unveiling new itineraries and fresh destinations for you to help us celebrate. We’ll share more in the months ahead, but for now, know that loyalty will be rewarded no matter where you join us next.