Stay22 Review: The Tool That Helped Me Travel Full Time

Did you start blogging so you could travel full-time? I did too.

When I quit my job in 2024 to explore the world, I figured blogging would magically pay the bills. I bought a domain, wrote a few posts, sprinkled in some hotel links — and waited.

Six months later, I’d barely made $60. I had no idea that just one change — adding Stay22 — would eventually help me earn $450+ months from the same posts.

If you’re a new travel blogger hoping your posts will bring in cash without a real strategy, I get it. That was me.

It wasn’t until my five-month backpacking across the U.S. that reality hit: passion wasn’t enough to pay the bills.

That’s when I made a decision. I was going to take blogging seriously because I wasn’t ready to stop traveling, and I needed this to work.

That’s when I found out about Stay22 affiliate program.

Almost a year later, I’ve earned over $2,000 with them — without massive traffic or constantly publishing new posts.

In this Stay22 review, I’ll show you exactly how I use Stay22 to make passive income as a travel blogger, reveal my one-year income and show how I hit $450 per month with fewer than 50K pageviews — all while traveling in Europe, the US, and Asia.

Asian female travel blogger working on a laptop inside a green tent with mountains in the background, representing remote work freedom and travel lifestyle — Stay22 review
Blogging from my tent in the Alps. Tools like Stay22 make this kind of freedom possible.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, including a partnership with Stay22. That means I may earn a small commission if you buy through my links—at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I actually use, love, and trust. Opinions are 100% my own. Read my full disclosure here.

What Is Stay22?

Stay22 is a smart monetization platform that helps content creators and bloggers monetize their websites — without adding new links manually.

Unlike traditional affiliate programs, where you build every link yourself, Stay22 uses AI to automatically turn your existing hotel, flight, or activity mentions into affiliate links.

It uses a script that runs in the background, earning you money from posts you’ve already published (and future ones too)  — without additional work.

As of 2025, Stay22 includes these booking sites:

  • Booking.com
  • Expedia
  • Hotels.com
  • Agoda
  • VRBO
  • Trivago
  • Kayak
  • GetYourGuide
  • Tripadvisor
Laptop showing the Stay22 affiliate dashboard with earnings graph and monthly bookings data — Stay22 review for travel bloggers
A look inside my Stay22 affiliate dashboard

Pro Tip: Click here and fill out the form to learn more about Stay22 affiliate program. If you sign up using my code, you’ll get an extra $100 bonus once you reach 100 confirmed bookings. It only took me two months!

How Stay22 Works

You only need to add Stay22’s script once. It takes under 5 minutes, even if you’re not a techie. Here’s how it works:

1. Sign Up as a Partner

Register as a publisher with Stay22 (no traffic minimums required). Once accepted, you’ll get access to your Partner Hub dashboard and unique affiliate ID.

Bonus: If you sign up using my link, you’ll get $100 extra once you reach 100 bookings.

2. Add the “Let Me Allez” Script

Stay22 uses a lightweight script (called the LMA script). You can generate this script instantly in the Partner Hub using the Script Builder. Then, paste this script in the Header and Footer of your site.

This script activates all of Stay22’s monetization features, and it will start working instantly in the background.

3. Your Links Get Smarter

Once you install the Stay22 script, the platform’s AI automatically scans your site and converts any existing accommodation links (like Booking.com, Expedia, or VRBO) into affiliate links.

It even replaces broken or outdated ones with live listings — saving you from missed commissions.

4. AI Chooses the Best Partner

Stay22’s algorithm analyzes each reader’s device, location, and behavior to redirect them to the booking site most likely to convert.

Whether that’s Booking.com for European readers or Agoda for Asian travelers, the system does it all automatically in the background.

Within days of adding the script, I earned $61.18 — 6x more than my usual monthly affiliate income. The following full month, I made $138.49. That’s a 13x increase with no extra traffic.

5. How You Earn

When someone books through your content, Stay22 earns a commission and splits it with you.

Some bookings happen on your blog (via widgets and maps), while others redirect users to online travel agencies (OTAs) like Expedia or Booking.com.

6. Track and Optimize

You get access to a performance dashboard where you can see impressions, clicks, conversions, and revenue. It helps you figure out what’s working and where to optimize.

Why I Tried Stay22

Back in May 2025, Stay22 emailed me. At the time, I was earning about $10/month in total from affiliate programs like Travelpayouts, Klook, and GetYourGuide with 22K pageviews.

Like many bloggers, I assumed more content = more money. And honestly, I didn’t want to set up another affiliate program just to earn a few dollars.

But while backpacking across the U.S. that November, after my volunteering shift in a hostel near the Grand Canyon, I finally revisited their pitch.

I’ve heard other bloggers from Facebook Groups claiming they doubled or tripled their earnings, just by adding the script. I was skeptical but curious.

I installed it. And it worked 😳.

Travel blogger camping in Denali National Park doing yoga at sunrise beside a tent with mountain peaks in the background.
Sunrise in Denali, moments like this remind me why I started blogging in the first place.
Standing above a glacier in Alaska
Hiking on a glacier in Alaska. This reminds me how far blogging has taken me.

Stay22 Review: Monthly Commissions While Traveling Full Time

When I quit my job in 2024, the last thing I wanted was another exhausting job. I didn’t want to hustle all day on a laptop. I wanted a business that supports my travels.

That’s why I love Stay22.

Its AI-powered script monetizes content I’ve already published. It runs quietly in the background so I can focus on hiking in the Alps, not looking for a WIF to change broken links.

Stay22 does handle a huge chunk of the affiliate legwork, so I can keep doing what I love: blogging and exploring.

Here’s what that looked like, month by month:

For reference, I’m at 22,000 monthly pageviews from November to July with 100 blog posts. My views increased to 38,000 in August and 45,000 in September

Stay22 affiliate dashboard chart showing monthly commissions and bookings growth from November to October — Stay22 review earnings report for travel bloggers
My Stay22 income growth over 12 months
Stay22 affiliate dashboard showing a list of recent accommodation bookings with dates, payment status, and commissions
My actual Stay22 bookings and commissions

November 2024: $61.18

Half the month, I volunteered at a hostel near the Grand Canyon. The other half, I road-tripped through Utah in a camper. I installed Stay22 partway through and still earned $61 in a few days.

December: $138.49

Despite the December 2024 Spam + Core Update that hit many blogs, I doubled my Stay22 earnings. 

February & March: $199.2 and $173.42

While doing a road trip through Germany and northern Italy, my blog earned close to $200 both months without publishing anything new.

May & June: $107 and $80

These were slower months due to cancellations and less traffic, but Stay22 still brought in affiliate income.

July to October: My Biggest Growth Yet

After months of travel, I returned to the Philippines to recharge, teach yoga, and work on my blog.

  • September hit an all-time high of $307
  • October (as of the 19th) has already reached $450

Who Stay22 Is Best For

Stay22 works great for anyone who creates travel content, especially:

  • Travel bloggers writing itineraries, hotel lists, or destination guides
  • Event organizers and ticketing platforms that want to show nearby hotels
  • Tourism boards and destination marketing sites
Travel blogger relaxing on a swing at a tropical beach, symbolizing the freedom and flexibility of earning passive income through the Stay22 affiliate program
Stay22 lets travel bloggers focus on what truly matters — exploring and creating, while still earning from their blog.

Stay22 Pros

AI-Powered Nova

Nova is Stay22’s best tool. It uses AI to detect when a reader is ready to book and automatically opens a new tab with a relevant hotel offer.

This captured a surprising amount of bookings for me, especially from readers who were about to leave my blog and go search on Booking.com or Expedia anyway.

More than 75% of my income with Stay22 is from Nova.

Geotargeting and Smart Redirection

Stay22 automatically detects where your reader is and redirects them to the booking site that converts best for them — whether that’s Booking.com, Expedia, Hotels.com, or Agoda.

Before Stay22, I only used Booking.com because that’s where I booked. I didn’t realize that while Booking.com is more common in Europe, U.S. readers preferred Expedia, or that Agoda converts better in Asia.

This change alone improved my conversions significantly. I’ve even earned commissions from flights and packages I never linked to manually.

Automatic Link Insertion

Stay22’s “Spark” tool automatically converts accommodation links into affiliate links, so you don’t need to manually generate or insert them.

It also detects and fixes broken or outdated links across your blog.

In May, Booking.com ended its direct affiliate program with just 30 days’ notice. For bloggers with 100+ posts, that meant hours (or days) of painful link replacement.

I wasn’t part of that program — but if I had been, Spark would’ve saved me from that mess. It would have updated links automatically, without me lifting a finger.

Spark doesn’t just save time. It protects your revenue from disappearing overnight.

Pro Tip: Got affected by Booking.com’s affiliate shutdown? Stay22 can automatically convert your old links and help you keep earning. Sign up here.

Interactive Map

Stay22’s embeddable map shows real-time hotel availability from multiple booking sites, all within your blog. Readers can compare prices without leaving your post.

It helps readers to immediately take action after reading your destination guides.

Access to Multiple Partner Programs

Instead of applying individually for Booking.com, Expedia, VRBO, and other booking sites, you can get access to all of them with Stay22.

This is especially helpful for smaller bloggers who often get rejected from direct programs.

When I first started, I had to apply separately through Travelpayouts, CJ, and Impact. Even with Travelpayouts, I needed approval from each partner. I got accepted by Booking.com but got rejected by TripAdvisor, even with 5,000 monthly pageviews.

Stay22 skips that entire process. You’re automatically approved for all their partners.

Plus, your earnings across these platforms aggregate into one Stay22 balance, so you reach payout thresholds faster, without juggling multiple accounts.

Quick and Easy Setup

You can install the script in under 5 minutes and start getting bookings right away. There’s no complicated integration or developer help needed.

I regret not setting it up when they first reached out. It would’ve saved me six months of lost earnings.

Excellent Human Support

Stay22’s support team is one of the best I’ve ever dealt with. Anytime I had questions — whether about bookings, payouts, or even adjusting which programs the script uses — they responded quickly and solved everything, usually within the hour.

It’s not just support. It’s an actual partnership because they get paid when you get paid.

My account manager, Madeleine (hi, Madeleine!), has even suggested ways to improve my setup. I always feel like they genuinely want me to succeed, and they go the extra mile to make that happen.

Stay22 Cons

Commission Transparency

One downside of Stay22 is that it doesn’t disclose the exact commission percentage you earn from each booking partner.

Unlike Travelpayouts or direct affiliate programs, where you can see you’re earnings as 4–8% of the booking, Stay22 shows only your share of what they receive (typically 30%).

That makes it harder to compare performance or fully understand your revenue share.

That said, their smart redirection and AI tools have consistently helped me earn more overall, even without knowing the exact splits. So for me, the results outweigh the opacity.

I’d love more transparency,  but I’ll take higher income over detailed breakdowns any day.

Nova Can Feel Slightly Intrusive

While the Nova tool can boost conversions, it can feel intrusive if you’re not anticipating it. Although I find it still acceptable because it only opens one page, as compared with several ad pop-ups that are hard to close.

I’ve never received a complaint from readers. Personally, I find it helpful — especially when someone is clearly in “booking mode.” Nova simply accelerates the process.

Higher Cancellation Rates

One thing I’ve noticed with Stay22 is a relatively high rate of cancellations. In September, for example, I had 13 cancellations out of 40 bookings, and many of them were for higher-value stays.

It’s frustrating, but not entirely surprising.

This likely isn’t due to Stay22 itself. Most major booking platforms offer free cancellations and last-minute discounts, which makes it easy for users to cancel and rebook directly, bypassing our affiliate links.

Limited Partner Coverage in Some Niches

While Stay22 covers all the major OTAs (like Booking.com, Expedia, and GetYourGuide), it doesn’t go deep into other travel niches — like insurance, bus passes, or eSIMs.

That’s why I still use platforms like Travelpayouts, CJ, and Impact alongside Stay22.

The good news? They work well together. Stay22 handles accommodations and activities, while the others fill in the gaps.

I’ve also been testing which affiliate programs to run through Stay22 versus Travelpayouts and direct platforms.

In some cases, you get higher rates with direct programs and Travelpayouts, but you lose the ease and AI optimization of Stay22.

Stay22 vs Travelpayouts vs Direct Affiliate Programs

So, should you stick with Stay22, try Travelpayouts, or go direct with affiliate programs like Agoda and GetYourGuide?

Here’s how I break it down after using all three:

Stay22 vs Travelpayouts

Travelpayouts gives you access to 100+ travel brands without a minimum traffic requirement. While individual brands have specific requirements, you often get the same commission rates as going direct.

They’ve also recently rolled out automation tools to make monetization easier. I personally use Travelpayouts for things Stay22 doesn’t cover, like travel insurance, eSIMs, or trains.

I also use Travelpayouts for affiliate links I share on social media (since they often pay slightly more). But generating and managing these links takes more manual effort.

Stay22 vs Direct Affiliate Programs

Direct affiliate programs like Agoda, Klook, and GetYourGuide can offer perks that Stay22 and Travelpayouts don’t. If you generate high bookings, you might be able to negotiate better commission rates.

Some also give you custom discount codes or opportunities for sponsored stays and tours — especially if you have a strong social media presence. 

However, you’ll need to apply to each one individually, manage separate dashboards, and constantly monitor your links.

I use Stay22 for passive monetization, Travelpayouts for niche tools and social media, and direct programs for perks like discount codes and complimentary stays. This gives me the best mix of automation, flexibility, and income potential.

If you’re just starting, my advice is to begin with Stay22’s script, then layer in tools from Travelpayouts as needed. If your social media presence is strong, explore direct affiliate programs to unlock extra perks and partnerships.

Is Stay22 Worth It?

Absolutely!

Stay22 isn’t perfect. The commission structure could be more transparent, and it doesn’t cover every travel niche. But what it does offer is exactly what most travel bloggers actually need: 

  • easy setup
  • smart automation
  • access to main travel booking sites; and
  • features that fix broken links.

I’ve been blogging full-time since 2024 and regularly test affiliate tools like Stay22, Travelpayouts, and Impact across my monetized travel sites to see what truly performs for new bloggers and smaller creators.

It’s not a get-rich-quick tool. But if you’re a blogger who wants to build income without obsessively managing every single link, Stay22 is one of the smartest monetization tools out there.

For me, it helped turn my blog into a real source of income that allowed me to travel full-time.

It’s not just the $2,000+. It’s proof that I can fund a lifestyle I love through blogging, without relying on unstable freelance work or too many ads on my site.

If you want to see how Stay22 fits into your blog strategy, sign up here, and you’ll get $100 after your first 100 bookings. It might just be the simplest affiliate upgrade you’ll make this year.

FAQs About Stay22

Can I use Stay22 if I’m not on WordPress?

Yes, you can use Stay22 no matter what platform your site is on: WordPress, Squarespace, or even Wix.

The script works by being added to your site’s header, and the widgets can be embedded with basic HTML code. If you can add a line of script to your site, you can use Stay22.

Is Stay22 free to use?

Yes, Stay22 is completely free to use. There are no monthly fees, subscriptions, or minimum traffic requirements to get started.

You only earn when a user books through your links, and Stay22 takes a cut from the commission the booking site pays. You never have to pay up front to use it.

Is Stay22 available worldwide?

Yes! Stay22 works globally and supports multiple currencies and languages. I’ve had bookings while traveling through Europe, Asia, and the U.S. I never encountered any problem accessing their Partner Hub. I also get bookings worldwide.

What types of accommodations are on Stay22?

Stay22 works with all the major booking platforms, including Booking.com, Expedia, VRBO, Agoda, and Hotels.com.

This means your readers can book hotels, apartments, hostels, and even unique stays like vacation homes or boutique inns, all from the same script.

Is Stay22 a reliable platform?

In my experience, yes, 100%. I’ve earned thousands using it with no missed payouts or technical issues. Their dashboard updates in real time, and their team is always responsive and helpful.

What is the commission for Stay22?

Stay22 doesn’t publish exact commission rates because the percentage varies depending on the booking partner. However, you earn 30% of what Stay22 receives from their partners. 

Can I use it with other affiliate programs?

Yes, and I do. Stay22 works alongside other programs like Travelpayouts, CJ, Impact, or direct affiliate links (like GetYourGuide or Klook).

In fact, I recommend using a hybrid strategy: let Stay22 automate your core monetization, and then layer in direct or niche programs where needed.

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