How to Pitch Going
Going accepts work from freelance writers on a variety of topics. To get an idea of what we publish, we suggest signing up to receive our weekly newsletters and checking out our online content here.
Going accepts work from freelance writers on a variety of topics. To get an idea of what we publish, we suggest signing up to receive our weekly newsletters and checking out our online content here.
Our award-winning newsletters go out to two million readers every week. They are also published online.
What it is: Each newsletter covers a single experience that’s a one-of-a-kind or once-in-a-lifetime type of experience.
Our approach: These should be things that anyone can do (for a reasonable amount of money), not serendipitous adventures unlikely to be recreated. (Think: “Visiting the deepest cave on earth,” not “How I met my husband hitchhiking across Iceland.”) It also needs to be really special and should have a connection to this specific place. For example, if you pitch whale watching, which can be done in many places, we need to know what's so special about the place you're pitching. Why is this the best place to do it? (E.g., it has the highest concentration of a particular species or the best success rate for viewing, or you get to see them in a way you can’t anywhere else). And if the experience can be done just as easily in NYC, the Netherlands, or Namibia, there’s probably not enough of a connection to that specific place.
Length: 500-600 words, plus a short section on logistics.
Rate: $250+
Writer qualifications: We have a strong preference for writers who will be covering the experience from personal experience. Experiences from press trips are accepted, but please disclose this when pitching.
How to pitch: Please fill out this form once for each experience. We commission every few weeks, and we save all pitches for future consideration, so if you don’t hear from us right away, we may still be interested in working with you in the future.
Examples:
What it is: These newsletters go deep into a single destination—a city, region, island, state, and sometimes a whole country—to talk about what makes it like nowhere else on Earth. We cover a bit of history, culture, food, language, music, art, design.
Our approach: Rather than give people a list of things to see and do, we want these pieces to give people some background about what makes this place special and what makes it the way it is. How have its history, culture, food, people, and language been shaped into what it is today? What should visitors know before they go so that they can better understand the place and people? We want to reveal the unexpected about a place while honoring its truth (the good and bad) so that members are excited to visit but also can do so in a way that is informed and respectful. We want readers to have reactions of "That's so cool," "I've been there, and I had no idea," and "I can't wait to go and experience that/learn more."
Length: Around 1400 words plus some “Good to Know” logistical info.
Rate: $300+
Writer qualifications: Writers should be extremely familiar with and knowledgeable about the place. We look for writers who live in this place, are from there/have family there, and visit often. Please do not pitch a place you have only visited once or twice on short trips.
How to pitch: Please fill out one form per country (you can list multiple cities within one country), and please fill out no more than five. Before pitching, please see what we've already covered here. We commission every few weeks, and we save all pitches for future consideration, so if you don’t hear from us right away, we may still be interested in working with you in the future.
Examples:
What it is: These newsletters offer readers tips and advice, often with a timely or news-related peg like an upcoming holiday or event or a recent trend in travel or airfare.
Our approach: They are mostly written in-house, but we do occasionally accept posts when a writer has particular expertise or experience that we do not, particularly topics around various identities and how they impact travel. For example, we have commissioned outside writers to cover topics such as how to celebrate Chinese New Year, what to consider as an LGBTQ+ traveler, and how to support Black-owned businesses.
Length: Varies but generally 600-800 words.
Rate: Varies but starting at $250.
How to pitch: You can fill out our general interest form here and tell us about your areas of expertise. We commission every few weeks, and we save all pitches for future consideration, so if you don’t hear from us right away, we may still be interested in working with you in the future. If you have a timely peg to your story or it is related to an upcoming event, please pitch at least 6 weeks in advance.
Examples:
What it is: This weekly newsletter explores how to use travel credit cards. Themes of topics include different types of credit cards, how to earn and redeem points, and transferring to airline membership programs.
Our approach: They are mostly written in-house, but we do occasionally accept posts when a writer has particular expertise or experience that we do not, such as traveling with families on points.
Length: 1,200-1,500 words
Rate: Varies but starting at $400.
How to pitch: We currently are not accepting pitches but you can fill out this form with your relevant points and miles expertise. When we need a writer for a particular topic, we’ll start here.
Examples:
In addition to our newsletters, we also publish several web-only articles each month.
What it is: These guides include in-depth reviews of a single travel credit card as well as “best of” roundups on a specific topic. Topics could be something like “Best no annual fee travel cards.”
Length: Varies by topic. Follows an outline provided by Going.
Rate: Varies depending on the length, complexity, and nature of the topic.
Writer qualifications: Deep familiarity with credit cards and how to use travel rewards is required. You do not necessarily need to hold the card you review as long as you’re able to talk confidently about it.
How to pitch: Please fill out this form with your name, email, and link to clips or a portfolio of work. We do not accept individual story pitches; when we have a need we will reach out to writers from this bank.
Examples:
What it is: These guides support and enhance our credit card content by explaining how to maximize earning points, how to make use of card benefits, as well as how to maximize point redemptions. Recent topics included: How to earn the Southwest Companion Pass and When Should I Book a Flight with Points?
Length: Varies based on the topic and level of explanation required. Follows an outline provided by Going. Depending on the topic, you may be required to submit screenshots as part of your assignment.
Rate: Varies based on the topic but starting at $400.
Writer qualifications: Strong fluency with credit card rewards programs is a must. Experience with utilizing points and travel benefits is even better. If you have experience in a certain type of travel (e.g., using points with a family or player-two), we’d love to know that, too!
How to pitch: Please fill out this form with your name, email, relevant travel expertise, and link to clips or a portfolio of work. We do not accept individual story pitches but will reach out to writers when we have a story to assign.
Examples:
What it is: These dive into either a specific airline or a specific class of service on a specific airline so that readers can understand the pros/cons of that airline, get tips for booking and saving money while flying it, and get the scoop on what it’s like to fly in business, first, or premium economy on that airline.
Length: Generally 1,500+ following an outline provided by Going.
Rate: Pay ranges depending on the airline, the type of content, and whether you have photos, but generally starts at $300-400 and goes up.
Writer qualifications: For airline guides, preference is given to writers who have flown that airline multiple times. For airline class guides, preference is given to writers who have flown that airline and class multiple times and have clips previously writing about premium class travel.
How to pitch: Fill out this form (please fill out one per airline). Before pitching, please take a look at what we've already covered here and here.
Examples:
What it is: These pieces teach a reader how to do something in the travel space. How to travel with just a carry-on. How to find the cheapest car rental. What to do with your luggage when you can’t check in. How to use Google Flights to find the cheapest flight.
Length: Varies, but typically 2,000+
Rate: Varies but typically starting at $300.
Writer qualifications: Writers should have experience in the topic they are covering and may be asked to do additional research or consult with expert sources for quotes and additional info.
How to pitch: We don’t currently take pitches for these topics, but when we have one to assign, we look to see which writers have the related expertise. You can use this form to tell us about your areas of expertise, such as family travel, luxury travel, traveling with a disability, pet travel, etc.
Examples: