17 Travel Content Ideas Inspired by The Points Guy’s 2026 Destinations

Turn The Points Guy’s 2026 travel list into 17 publish-ready content formats (templates included)

Hook: You’ve seen The Points Guy’s “best places to go in 2026” list and thought, “great — but how do I turn that into content that ranks, grows my audience, and actually makes money?” If you’re a creator overwhelmed by formats, monetization options, and tech stacks, this guide gives you a step-by-step playbook: 17 content ideas inspired by those destinations, each mapped to a content format, a short workflow, monetization paths, and copyable templates you can use today. For creators building a production workflow or scaling from blog to studio, read From Publisher to Production Studio: A Playbook for Creators to see how a production mindset supports cluster publishing.

Why this matters in 2026 (short story, big impact)

In late 2025 and early 2026 the content landscape doubled down on two things: short-form video distribution across social platforms and search quality signals that reward real experience and helpfulness. That means creators who combine on-the-ground expertise (points-and-miles tips, seat reviews, community-sourced advice) with fast visual formats (itinerary reels, micro-tutorials) win both feed attention and organic search traffic.

Make your travel content useful first, promotable second — then monetize with affiliate and brand partnerships that match audience intent.

How to use this guide

Pick 3-5 content ideas from the 17 below, produce them as a cluster (long-form blog + short-form video + downloadable), and publish across channels within the same week. This “cluster publishing” strategy boosts cross-channel discovery and gives search engines multiple signals that your content is authoritative. If you want a playbook for outreach and turning coverage into distribution, review From Press Mention to Backlink: A Digital PR Workflow That Feeds SEO and AI Answers.

Quick workflow (copy this)

1. Research (1 day): Read The Points Guy’s destination summary, check award availability for the route, and collect 5 images or B-roll clips. For faster award searches and scanner tools, consult AI Fare-Finders & The New Flight Scanner Playbook for UK Travellers.
2. Create (2 days): Write one 1,200–1,800 word blog post, record two 30–90s reels (itinerary + tips), and build a downloadable trip planner. Portable streaming and capture hardware recommendations are in Micro-Rig Reviews: Portable Streaming Kits That Deliver in 2026.
3. Publish & Repurpose (1 day): Publish blog with schema, push reels to TikTok/Instagram/YouTube Shorts, and create 3 Pinterest pins from the trip planner.
4. Monetize & Outreach (ongoing): Add affiliate links, pitch local tourism boards and credit card partners, run an email sequence promoting the planner. For outreach workflows that convert coverage into links and placement, read From Press Mention to Backlink.

17 content ideas inspired by The Points Guy’s 2026 destinations

Each idea includes: what to create, why it works in 2026, a short checklist, and a ready-to-use template.

1. Itinerary Reels — “48 hours in [Destination]”

Why it works: Short, consumable, highly shareable. Audiences want quick action plans they can screenshot or save.

• Format: Two 30–60s reels: Day 1 highlights, Day 2 highlights + one points tip.
• Monetization: In-video affiliate links (bio), link to downloadable planner with affiliate bookings.

Reel shot list template:

- Clip 1: Day 1 morning coffee + skyline (3s)
- Clip 2: Must-see attraction (5s)
- Clip 3: Local meal close-up (4s)
- Clip 4: Points tip overlay: “Book this on X airline for Y points” (6s)
- Clip 5: CTA: “Save this + grab the free planner” (4s)

2. Points-and-Miles Tutorial — “Book this route on points (step-by-step)”

Why it works: High commercial intent. Readers searching for award availability conversions convert well to affiliate credit card or booking links.

• Format: Long-form blog + screen-recorded tutorial (5–8 minutes).
• Checklist: show search dates, routing tricks, transfer partners, and sweet spots. Tools and scanner strategies are covered in AI Fare-Finders & The New Flight Scanner Playbook.

Tutorial outline template:

1. Intro (30s): Destination + goal
2. Tools (1m): Which award search tools you use
3. Live search (3–4m): Show exact steps
4. Alternatives & backup (1m)
5. CTA: Download the award checklist

3. Downloadable Trip Planner — “The [Destination] Planner (printable)”

Why it works: Lead magnet + affiliate conversion funnel. People will trade email for a planner with booking links.

• Format: PDF + Google Sheets itinerary + checklist.
• Monetization: Embed affiliate links for hotels, tours, gear. For microcation and short-trip structuring ideas, see Microcation Design 2026: A Tour Operator’s Playbook.

Trip planner template (copy into Google Docs):

Title: [Destination] — 3/5/7-Day Trip Planner
Sections:
- Quick facts (best month, currency, visa)
- Day-by-day itinerary (times + reservations)
- Points & award tips
- Packing list (weather-based)
- Local transit + apps
- Budget tracker (with affiliate links)
- Emergency contacts
Footer: “Created by [Your Name] — subscribe for updates”

4. Affiliate Partnership Case Study — “How I booked X with Y points”

Why it works: Authority content that builds trust and opens doors to credit card affiliate deals or tour partners.

• Format: Long-form case study + data visuals (screenshots of awarded seats, cost savings).
• Checklist: disclose affiliate relationships, include calculable savings.

5. Local Experience Mini-Guides — “Cafés, co-working, and quiet spots”

Why it works: Tailored content for remote workers and digital nomads — a growing 2026 audience.

• Format: Carousel post + blog section + Map embed.
• Monetization: Co-working referrals, gear affiliates, local tour links. Inspiration for music-driven local routes is in Music-Fueled Walking Tours.

6. Budget vs Points Comparison Chart — “Pay cash or use miles?”

Why it works: Practical comparison content ranks well for “should I use points” searches.

• Format: Data table in blog post + downloadable CSV.
• Checklist: show taxes/fees, opportunity cost, and transfer bonus timing.

7. Airport & Lounge Micro-Reviews — “Which airport lounge is worth points?”

Why it works: Niche searchers look for lounge info pre-trip; short reviews convert to credit card signups.

• Format: 60s video + 300-word review with pros/cons.
• Template: Rating rubric: comfort, food, Wi‑Fi, access value. For frequent-flyer tools and scanners that help find saver awards and lounges, refer to AI Fare-Finders.

8. “How I packed for [Destination]” — Pack-with-me video + affiliate kit

Why it works: Gear affiliates perform well when paired with real-world use-cases.

• Format: Short-form video and an affiliate gear list.
• Checklist: climate-specific items and carry-on hacks. For gadget-season picks and which new travel tech to watch (useful for gear lists), check the CES 2026 Gift Guide for Bargain Hunters.

9. Sustainable Travel Spotlight — “How to visit responsibly”

Why it works: Sustainability is a 2026 travel priority. Brands and DMOs fund content that demonstrates low-impact travel.

• Format: Blog guide + Instagram carousel + resource list for donations/local businesses.
• Monetization: Sponsored posts from eco-tour operators.

10. Family vs Solo vs Luxury Itineraries — “Which is right for you?”

Why it works: Audience segmentation increases conversions by matching intent.

• Format: Comparative blog post with three downloadable mini-planners.
• Template snippet (section): “Top 3 family activities — why they work and booking tips.”

11. Live Q&A or Booking Session — “Book with me: award availability walkthrough”

Why it works: Real-time sessions boost trust and convert viewers to paid consultations or affiliate bookings.

• Format: Live stream (YouTube/Instagram) + replay as gated content. If you plan frequent live sessions or paid walkthroughs, set up a compact capture and streaming rig — see Mobile Studio Essentials for field-ready workflows.

12. Interactive Map — “Where to go in 2026”

Why it works: Visual search and map embeds improve dwell time on site (a positive ranking signal).

• Format: Embedded map with pins, each pin links to a blog + planner.
• Tools: Google Maps, Mapbox, or StoryMapJS. For composable front-end approaches to interactive embeds see Composable UX Pipelines for Edge‑Ready Microapps.

13. Podcast Episode — “The Points Guy destinations deep dive”

Why it works: Long-form audio helps with authority and guest cross-promotion.

• Format: 30–40 minute episode with 1-2 guests (local guide, points expert).
• Monetization: Affiliate promo codes + sponsor mid-roll. If you’re launching a podcast locally or aiming at expat audiences, see Launch a Local Podcast.

14. Community Roundup — “Readers’ tips from last year”

Why it works: UGC builds trust and reduces production time.

• Format: Blog + Instagram Stories highlights + comment-sourced planner additions.

15. Recipe or Culture Video — “Taste of [Destination] from home”

Why it works: Engages non-travelers and keeps the destination top-of-mind between bookings.

• Format: Short cooking video + affiliate link to cookware/ingredient sources.

16. Email Drip Sequence — “Your 7-day planning playbook”

Why it works: Drip flows drive affiliate conversions and product sales over time.

• Format: 5–7 email sequence tied to the downloadable planner.
• Email template (Day 1): “Thanks — here’s your planner + three award search hacks.” For subject-line testing and AI-assisted subject alternatives, run checks from When AI Rewrites Your Subject Lines: Tests to Run Before You Send.

17. Sponsored Mini-Series — “A week exploring [Destination] on points”

Why it works: Series format increases watch time and justifies higher sponsorship rates.

• Format: 3–5 episode mini-series detailing booking, stay, and experiences with brand integrations.
• Monetization: Brand deals, commissions, or DMO funding. For negotiating and structuring creator drops and product launches, see How to Launch a Viral Drop: A 12-Step Playbook for Creators.

Templates you can copy (plug-and-play)

Reel script template (30–45s)

Hook (0–3s): “Want 48 hours in [Destination] on points?”
Scene 1 (3–12s): Morning highlight + location caption
Scene 2 (12–25s): Main attraction + one hack overlay
Scene 3 (25–35s): Points-and-miles tip (short)
CTA (35–45s): “Save this + download the planner — link in bio”

Email pitch to an affiliate or brand (outreach)

Subject: Sponsored mini-series idea: [Destination] — audience fit
Hi [Name],
I’m [Your Name], creator of [Blog/Channel]. My readers are travel-savvy planners who value points, local experiences, and curated gear. I’m launching a 3-episode mini-series on [Destination] (target publish: MM/YYYY) and would love to explore a partnership featuring [product/service].
Key metrics: [audience size, avg. open, engagement]
Proposal: sponsored episode + newsletter feature + planner placement
Happy to send a media kit and discuss terms.
Best,
[Name]

Affiliate disclosure text (required)

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something we may earn a commission — at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products and services we trust.

Technical SEO & publishing checklist (quick)

• Title tag: include primary keyword + destination (<=70 chars).
• Meta description: 120–150 chars, include points & planner CTA.
• Use schema: HowTo for tutorials, FAQ for common Qs, and Article for long-form posts. For wider context on search evolution and on-site retrieval, see The Evolution of On‑Site Search for E‑commerce in 2026.
• Image alt text: descriptive + keyword where natural.
• Internal links: link to related trip planners and category pages.
• Outbound links: link to official tourism pages and tools (shows trustworthiness).

2026 trends to leverage (and how)

• Short-form video-first: Publish reels/shorts within 48 hours of your blog post to capture cross-channel traffic.
• AI-assisted editing: Use AI tools for captions, automatic cut selection, and draft transcripts — but always add first-hand experience to meet E-E-A-T.
• Cookie-less attribution: Push for first-party email captures (downloadable planners) to reduce reliance on third-party cookies.
• Creator-first affiliate networks: In 2025–26, new affiliate programs favor creators with niches — apply to niche networks and negotiate CPC or CPA models tied to bookings. For creator launch tactics and packaging, see How to Launch a Viral Drop.
• Sustainability & authenticity: Audiences and DMOs increasingly fund content that demonstrates low-impact travel and community benefit.

Repurposing matrix (turn one trip into ten pieces)

1. Long-form blog (1,500 words)
2. Two reels (itinerary + tips)
3. One 5–8 minute how-to tutorial
4. Downloadable planner (PDF/Sheets)
5. 3 Pinterest pins
6. 1 email drip of 5 messages
7. Podcast mention or episode

KPIs and monetization targets

• Downloads: aim for 3–5% conversion from blog visitors to planner downloads.
• Affiliate clicks: 8–12% of downloads click affiliate links (goal: 2–4% convert). Use outreach and link-building approaches like the digital PR workflow at From Press Mention to Backlink to increase discovery and distribution.
• Video views: target 5x blog sessions in aggregate across reels/shorts.
• Sponsorship: package CPM and guaranteed clicks in a media kit; mini-series commands higher rates.

Ethics, disclosure and compliance (must-do)

• Always disclose affiliate links and sponsorships clearly on the page and within video descriptions.
• When giving points and miles advice, be transparent about partner relationships and limitations of availability.
• Respect local communities and highlight sustainable choices — this improves trust and brand safety for sponsors.

Example publish calendar (one-week cluster)

1. Day 1: Publish long-form blog + downloadable planner.
2. Day 2: Post two reels and three Pinterest pins.
3. Day 3: Send Day 1 email in drip sequence.
4. Day 4: Release points-and-miles tutorial (video) and embed in blog.
5. Day 5: Host live Q&A and repurpose clip as short. For hardware and setup guidance for live Q&As and paid sessions, review Micro-Rig Reviews: Portable Streaming Kits and Mobile Studio Essentials.

Final checklist before hitting publish

• Proofread for accuracy—award searches change fast.
• Run accessibility checks for images and video captions.
• Confirm affiliate links open in a new tab and disclose them visually.
• Upload planner to a gated path and confirm email automation works.

Closing: your next steps (actionable)

Pick one of the 17 content ideas above and produce the cluster in one week. Start with a single destination from The Points Guy’s 2026 list — pick the one that excites you — and use the planner template and reel script above. If you’re interested in scaling from solo creator to a more production-oriented operation, the From Publisher to Production Studio playbook is a great next read.

Downloadable Starter Kit: Copy the trip planner template and reel script into your Google Drive, adapt the points-and-miles tutorial outline to the exact award you find, and publish. If you want the ready-made Google Docs & Canva templates I use for planners and pins, sign up for the weekly newsletter below (first issue includes the full kit and an email sequence you can paste and use).

Related Reading

• From Publisher to Production Studio: A Playbook for Creators
• AI Fare-Finders & The New Flight Scanner Playbook for UK Travellers (2026)
• Micro-Rig Reviews: Portable Streaming Kits That Deliver in 2026
• From Press Mention to Backlink: A Digital PR Workflow That Feeds SEO and AI Answers
• Mobile Studio Essentials: Building an Edge‑Resilient Creator Workspace
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