17 Social-First Angles for The Points Guy’s Best Places to Travel (Quick Content Kit)

Hook: Short on time but expected to publish viral travel posts tied to The Points Guy’s 2026 picks?

Creators, publishers and influencers face two simultaneous problems in 2026: information overload and the pressure to convert attention into affiliate revenue. You need fast, ready-to-post social concepts that match The Points Guy’s 17 destinations and drive clicks — not long strategy documents. This content kit gives you 17 social-first angles (one per TPG destination), each with headline variants, short-form scripts, carousel maps, image prompts, hashtags, and a tight affiliate link pitch so you can publish within minutes and optimize for 2026 platform signals.

Why this matters in 2026 (quick context)

Short-form video remains the primary traffic driver across TikTok, Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts. At the same time, late-2025 platform updates made affiliate linking more robust (deeper API attribution from major OTAs) and AI tools lowered production time for captions, subtitles and image prompts. Audiences now expect snackable, utility-first travel content: what to book, how to redeem miles, and where to eat — fast.

How to use this kit

• Find TPG’s Jan 2026 list and note the 17 destinations in order.
• For each destination, use the numbered template below (1–17). Insert the destination name from TPG where indicated.
• Pick 1 video and 1 static option per day across a 2–3 day push to maximize reach and affiliate conversions.

Quick rules for maximum affiliate clicks (apply to every destination)

1. Lead with value: Show a “bookable” tip in the first 3 seconds of a video (award-friendly date, specific hotel deal, or must-book tour).
2. Deep link: Link directly to flights, award calendars, or the exact hotel page — not just the homepage. Use the OTA or card-affiliate deep link available through your partner dashboard.
3. Micro-CTAs: “Tap to check award space” or “Link in bio to price this” outperforms generic CTAs.
4. Leverage AI: Use AI-generated captions and 3 subtitle variants to A/B test engagement in the first 24 hours.
5. Time posts: Post short-form in the user’s evening (7–10 PM local) and carousel/longer posts mid-morning for saves and shares.

The 17 Social-First Angles — Templates (Plug in each TPG destination)

Below are 17 unique social angles. For each numbered angle, replace [DESTINATION] with the corresponding entry from TPG’s list. Each angle includes: 3 headline options, a 15–30s video script, a 5-slide carousel outline, image prompts, hashtag sets, and a short affiliate pitch to add to the caption or link-in-bio.

1) The “Book With Points — Live Example”

Use when [DESTINATION] has great award availability or a notable seasonal flight sale.

• Headlines: “Booked [DESTINATION] for X miles — here’s how”; “How I scored a business-class award to [DESTINATION]”; “Best award trick to fly to [DESTINATION] in 2026”
• 15s Script: 3-sec hook (screenshot of award availability + price), 7-sec how-to (transfer partner + routing), 5-sec CTA (“Link to exact award search in bio”).
• Carousel: Slide 1: hook screenshot; 2: transfer partners; 3: dates to try; 4: routing tip; 5: CTA + affiliate link button idea.
• Images: phone screenshot of award calendar, airport lounge selfie, boarding pass macro. Prompt: “close-up of flight award calendar on phone, hand holding boarding pass, warm cinematic light”.
• Hashtags: #ThePointsGuy #AwardTravel #TravelHacks #DESTINATION
• Affiliate pitch: Link to flight search tool + travel card comparison (deep link to the exact airline award search or card sign-up page).

2) The “48-Hour Perfect Itinerary”

• Headlines: “48 hours in [DESTINATION] — what to do”; “How to see [DESTINATION] in a weekend”; “Weekend guide for [DESTINATION] on points”
• 30s Script: Quick timeline: morning, lunch, afternoon, evening — overlay fast cuts, add text timestamps. End with “Book this hotel (link).”
• Carousel: Each slide = one time block with a single linkable booking item (hotel, tour, dinner reservation).
• Images: Hero skyline at golden hour, street-food close-up, rooftop cocktail. Prompt: “golden-hour skyline, bustling street-food vendor, rooftop cocktail with city backdrop”.
• Hashtags: #WeekendTrip #ShortGetaway #VisitDESTINATION
• Affiliate pitch: Link hotel + one bookable experience (e.g., walking tour ticket). Use affiliate experience providers that offer instant bookings.

3) The “Local Food Test”

• Headlines: “3 dishes you must try in [DESTINATION]”; “I ate my way through [DESTINATION] — here’s the list”; “Local dishes + where to find them”
• 15s Script: Rapid food shots, name of dish, where to order (overlay). Final CTA: “Reservations link in bio.”
• Carousel: Slide per dish: name, price, address, affiliate reservation link.
• Images: Close-up of dish (macro), street-market food stall, chef portrait. Prompt: “vibrant street-market food stall, steaming bowl close-up, candid chef prepping food”.
• Hashtags: #Foodie #DESTINATIONFood #EatLocal
• Affiliate pitch: Link to reservation apps or food tours. For hotels, highlight breakfasts included and partner dining credits.

4) The “Hidden Gem” Reveal

• Headlines: “Only locals know this spot in [DESTINATION]”; “A hidden corner of [DESTINATION] you’ll love”; “Skip the tourist traps: try this in [DESTINATION]”
• 30s Script: Start with a misleading tourist clip, then cut to hidden spot with voiceover reasons to go; finish with directions + tour link.
• Carousel: Map + how to get there + best time + what to bring + booking link.
• Images: Quiet alley, local family-run cafe, secret viewpoint. Prompt: “secluded cobblestone alley, small family cafe interior, hidden viewpoint at sunset”.
• Hashtags: #HiddenGems #OffTheBeatenPath #DESTINATIONSecrets
• Affiliate pitch: Link local guides or small-group experiences that confirm availability and pay commission.

5) The “Budget Upgrade” — Book smarter on points

• Headlines: “Upgrade to business for X points to [DESTINATION]”; “How to travel [DESTINATION] lux for less”; “Double your hotel perks to stay in [DESTINATION]”
• 15s Script: Before (coach/hotel basic) vs after (upgrade perks) — end with transfer pair or card bonus to use.
• Carousel: Cost comparison slide (cash vs points), transfer partners, booking steps, CTA.
• Images: Before/after hotel room shots, lounge access. Prompt: “economy seat cramped, next image business class flat bed, hotel upgrade suite with city view”.
• Hashtags: #PointsHacks #Upgrade #TravelSmart
• Affiliate pitch: Link to specific card offers and hotel loyalty transfer pages; include sample math in the caption for transparency.

6) The “Solo-Trip Safety & Practical Tips”

• Headlines: “Solo in [DESTINATION]? Here’s your safety checklist”; “How to stay safe and mobile in [DESTINATION]”
• 30s Script: Quick safety tips (transport, local SIM, emergency numbers), show the map, end with travel insurance link.
• Carousel: Each slide = one practical tip with tool link (SIM vendor, insurance product, rideshare app).
• Images: City map overlay, night-street with safe-lit areas, SIM card close-up. Prompt: “city map overlay on smartphone, well-lit street at night, hand inserting local sim into phone”.
• Hashtags: #SoloTravel #TravelTips #DESTINATION
• Affiliate pitch: Direct travel insurance link + local SIM/eSIM offers — these convert well from safety-focused posts.

7) The “Sustainable Stay”

• Headlines: “Eco stays in [DESTINATION]”; “How to travel sustainably in [DESTINATION]”
• 15s Script: Show certified hotel, highlight one sustainability fact and a bookable eco-experience link.
• Carousel: Certifications, sustainable experiences, how to offset carbon, affiliate booking links.
• Images: Solar-paneled resort, bike-share, community project. Prompt: “eco-resort with solar panels, traveler on rental bike, community-based tourism experience”.
• Hashtags: #SustainableTravel #EcoFriendly #DESTINATION
• Affiliate pitch: Link eco-certified hotels and community partner tours — 2026 audiences increasingly click sustainability badges before booking.

8) The “Photo Walk” (UGC Template for Reels & Carousels)

• Headlines: “10 photo spots in [DESTINATION]”; “Where to shoot your grid in [DESTINATION]”
• 30s Script: Fast cuts to 10 shoots, text overlay with location tag; end with “Save this for your trip.”
• Carousel: Each slide: photo spot + lens suggestion + best time of day.
• Images: Instagrammable staircases, murals, viewpoints. Prompt: “colorful mural, staircase with vanishing point, panoramic viewpoint at blue hour”.
• Hashtags: #Photography #InstaSpots #DESTINATION
• Affiliate pitch: Link photo tours or local photographers; include kit links (camera rentals or popular lens affiliate links).

9) The “Family-Friendly Planning”

• Headlines: “Kid-approved things to do in [DESTINATION]”; “Family weekend in [DESTINATION]”
• 15s Script: Clip each family activity with age suitability and ticket link overlay.
• Carousel: Each slide = activity, price range, stroller-friendliness, affiliate link.
• Images: Playful museum shot, child-friendly beach, family meal. Prompt: “children playing at interactive museum, sandy beach with shallow water, family dining at bright casual restaurant”.
• Hashtags: #FamilyTravel #KidFriendly #DESTINATION
• Affiliate pitch: Link family packages, family rooms on OTAs, or attraction tickets with instant booking.

10) The “Nightlife & Bar-Hop”

• Headlines: “Best rooftop bars in [DESTINATION]”; “Where to drink late in [DESTINATION]”
• 30s Script: Rapid bar montage, signature drink name, cover charge, reservation link CTA.
• Carousel: Bar profiles, dress code, reservation tip, last-call times.
• Images: Neon-lit bar, cocktail close-up, rooftop view at night. Prompt: “neon cocktail bar interior, close-up of signature cocktail, rooftop skyline at night with drinks in foreground”.
• Hashtags: #Nightlife #Bars #DESTINATION
• Affiliate pitch: Link reservations and experience providers; a bar-tour affiliate can yield high AOVs in urban destinations.

11) The “Work From Here” Remote-Worker Hook

• Headlines: “Work remotely from [DESTINATION] — here’s why”; “Co-working + chill in [DESTINATION]”
• 30s Script: Show fast scenes of co-working café, hotel desk, high-speed internet test, coworking pass link CTA.
• Carousel: Internet speeds, cafes, visa/entry notes, best neighborhoods.
• Images: Laptop on rooftop cafe, coworking interior, stable Wi-Fi speed test screenshot. Prompt: “open laptop on sunny rooftop cafe, modern coworking space interior, speed test on phone showing fast Mbps”.
• Hashtags: #DigitalNomad #WFHfromAnywhere #DESTINATION
• Affiliate pitch: Link coworking day passes, long-stay hotel rates, or remote-work visa resources where applicable.

12) The “Transit & Transfer Shortcut”

• Headlines: “How to get from the airport to downtown [DESTINATION] fast”; “Best transfer options in [DESTINATION]”
• 15s Script: Show options and travel time (train, rideshare, shuttle). Highlight cheapest vs fastest.
• Carousel: Map with icons for each transfer, sample costs, affiliate taxi apps.
• Images: Train platform, rideshare pick-up zone, shuttle bus. Prompt: “modern airport train platform, rideshare pickup area with signage, local shuttle bus at terminal”.
• Hashtags: #AirportTransfer #TravelHacks #DESTINATION
• Affiliate pitch: Link transfer booking partners or rideshare credits; include discount code if available.

13) The “Seasonal Event Hook”

• Headlines: “[DESTINATION] during X festival — top tips”; “When to visit [DESTINATION] (and when to avoid)”
• 30s Script: Show footage of event highlights, ticket link, timing tip (book X months in advance). Include affiliate experience link.
• Carousel: Event schedule, ticketing tips, best neighborhoods for access, hotel suggestions.
• Images: Event crowd, parade float, lights. Prompt: “ festival parade with vibrant costumes, illuminated night market, crowd watching outdoor performance”.
• Hashtags: #Festival #DESTINATIONEvents #TravelCalendar
• Affiliate pitch: Link event tickets, hotel blocks, and flights timed to the event — highlight early-bird booking windows (2026 trend: earlier demand).

14) The “Luxury Spotlight”

• Headlines: “Best luxury hotels in [DESTINATION]”; “Where the VIPs stay in [DESTINATION]”
• 30s Script: Room tour + one wow amenity + how to book with points; CTA: hotel booking link + predictable perks list.
• Carousel: Suite shots, spa, dining, loyalty perks, booking link.
• Images: Suite with view, spa pool, chef plating. Prompt: “luxury suite with panoramic view, serene spa pool at dawn, chef plating haute cuisine”.
• Hashtags: #LuxuryTravel #HotelReview #DESTINATION
• Affiliate pitch: Link direct hotel booking or luxury OTA partners; include potential points-book option for aspirational conversions.

15) The “One-Click Bookable Day Trip”

• Headlines: “One-day escape from [DESTINATION]”; “Perfect day trip: [nearby highlight]”
• 15s Script: Show start-to-finish of the day trip with final slide linking to the tour booking.
• Carousel: How to get there, must-do activity, meal suggestion, return logistics, affiliate link.
• Images: Scenic landscape, small-group tour, local transport. Prompt: “scenic coastline vista, small-group guided tour boarding a van, local market during day trip”.
• Hashtags: #DayTrip #ExploreMore #DESTINATION
• Affiliate pitch: Link single-day tours and transport providers — high conversion for impulsive bookers.

16) The “Budget Round-Up” (Under $X/day)

• Headlines: “See [DESTINATION] for under $75/day”; “Cheap eats + cheap sleeps in [DESTINATION]”
• 30s Script: Bullet-format daily budget, quick cuts of each low-cost item, end with budget booking links.
• Carousel: Transport cost, cheap lodging, 3 low-cost meals, free attractions, CTA.
• Images: Affordable hostel room, street food plate, free park. Prompt: “cozy budget hostel bunk, colorful street food under $5, public park picnic scene”.
• Hashtags: #BudgetTravel #CheapTrips #DESTINATION
• Affiliate pitch: Link budget accommodations and low-cost carrier deals; include a sample budget spreadsheet (linkable PDF) to drive email signups.

17) The “Local Voices” (UGC/Interview Format)

• Headlines: “A local shows us [DESTINATION]”; “5 things locals do in [DESTINATION]”
• 30s Script: 3 quick clips of locals giving tips, with subtitles and a link to a longer guide or tour they run.
• Carousel: Local tip + short bio + link to local-led experiences or NGOs.
• Images: Portraits of locals, candid neighborhood, local workshop. Prompt: “authentic portrait of local guide, candid shot of neighborhood market, artisan workshop hands-on”.
• Hashtags: #LocalGuides #TravelLocal #DESTINATION
• Affiliate pitch: Link local-run experiences and community-based tourism partners. In 2026, audiences prefer booking directly with authentic local providers when possible.

Production checklist (under 10 minutes per post)

• Use the template for your chosen destination and pick 1 video + 1 static post per destination launch.
• Generate subtitles automatically with an AI captioning tool and export SRT for platforms that support chapters.
• Create 1 optimized deep link for affiliate tracking and paste it in the first comment or link-in-bio slot.
• Batch image prompts to an AI image tool for thumbnails; always include a human-shot hero for trust.

2026 Trends to exploit (data-backed tactics)

• Short-form saturation: Platforms reward watch-time spikes in the first 2 hours. Plan a coordinated 24-hour push with cross-posting and story teasers.
• Affiliate attribution improvements: Late-2025 OTA API rollouts mean deep links are more reliable. Use direct, tracked links for flights and experiences.
• Creator tools maturation: More integrations between hosts, analytics and payment processors reduce technical friction in 2026.
• Hybrid monetization: Combine affiliate links with gated lead magnets (e.g., a 2-page printable itinerary) to capture emails and boost lifetime value from each reader.
• Micro-subscriptions: Tag-driven commerce and small recurring products can augment affiliate conversions and keep LTV high.
• Sustainability preference: Posts that call out verified eco credentials see higher saves and shares in 2025-26 datasets; include certifications where possible.

Quick case play (how a creator used this kit in three steps)

Example workflow that works in 2026: pick [DESTINATION] from the TPG list; use angle #2 (48-Hour Itinerary); film three micro-shots (hotel, meal, viewpoint); AI-generate captions and subtitles; deep-link a hotel + a guided tour; publish a Reel at 8 PM local and a carousel at 9 AM next day. Early engagement and the deep link pushed a 12% CTR on the first day and a strong affiliate conversion over the next 72 hours.

Metrics to track (KPI checklist)

• Views / Watch time (first 48 hours)
• Click-Through Rate (on deep link) — target 3–8% for travel posts
• Conversion Rate on affiliate link — track by partner (expect 0.5–2% for bookings)
• Saves & Shares — prioritized for SEO and organic reach
• Email capture rate if using a gated itinerary or PDF

Template caption (plug-and-play)

“48 hours in [DESTINATION] ➜ Morning: X. Afternoon: Y. Night: Z. Book the exact hotel & tours I used: [deep link]. Save this post for your trip — full itinerary in bio. #ThePointsGuy #DESTINATION #TravelHacks”

Editorial best practices & trust signals

• Always note when an image is AI-generated vs photographer-shot to maintain transparency.
• Disclose affiliate links clearly: “This post contains affiliate links — we may earn a commission.”
• Use local partners when possible and add small bios to boost E-E-A-T and conversion (readers trust local guides).
• Update posts with fresh availability notes — TPG’s picks are seasonal; a quick edit can re-activate a post when award space opens.

Content calendar ideas (fast schedule for the next 30 days)

1. Week 1: Publish 3 “48-Hour” guides (angles #2) spaced two days apart.
2. Week 2: Drop 2 “Book With Points” mini-tutorials (angle #1) with deep links.
3. Week 3: Publish 4 UGC “Photo Walk” and “Local Voices” posts (angles #8 & #17) to increase saves.
4. Week 4: Rotate 4 evergreen posts (budget, luxury, family, and sustainability) and re-promote the best performers.

Final tactical tips (convert more clicks)

• Pin the affiliate link comment and edit within 30–60 mins if you spot a typo.
• Use countdown stickers for events and limited award windows to generate urgency.
• Include price ranges and sample dates in the caption — very few creators do this, and it increases trust.
• Repurpose high-performing carousels into short reels with the same caption + link for incremental conversions.

Closing — take action in minutes

Use this kit to turn The Points Guy’s 17 destinations into a month of social-first, high-conversion posts. Pick a destination, choose one of the 17 angles above, slot it into your publishing calendar, and use the plug-and-play caption + deep link. In 2026 the creators who win are fast, transparent and surgical with affiliate placement.

Want the editable content calendar, image prompt pack, and 17 deep-link caption templates ready-to-use? Get the downloadable kit below.

Call to action: Download the free 17-destination content kit (includes Canva-ready carousels, headline swipe file, and affiliate tracking checklist) and start posting today. Subscribe to get weekly TPG-aligned angle updates (we refresh this kit each quarter with late-2025/early-2026 platform changes).