As a hosting reseller you are not an affiliate. This is important to remember.
An affiliate is someone who puts a banner or a link to the hosting company on their site. If someone clicks that and purchases hosting, the affiliate is given money. It’s as simple as that, the hosting affiliate doesn’t know who bought hosting. All they know is they are getting the credit in their affiliate account.
Hosting reselling is totally different. As a hosting reseller you buy your own hosting space, and then sell it to someone else. You know who your clients are, and you manage your own business. With most reseller plans, you can set your own prices and sell the hosting in whichever way you want, they don’t care. All the host knows is that they gave you hosting space and the ability to create new accounts. What you do with that, is entirely up to you.
If you are serious about becoming a hosting reseller, you should treat this as a business opportunity. Keep in mind that this isn’t a franchise. You are not acting on behalf of your host, and they won’t furnish you with the know-how of how to sell.