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PODCAST

Wonderland on Points | Credit Card Rewards & Budget Travel

Mary Ellen and Jo

A show where two adventurous moms share everything they have learned about traveling on credit card points and how to explore the world on a budget.

society & culture places & travel

All Episodes

13:21

170. Midweek Mini: News Roundup- A Looming...

Wonderland on Points | Credit Card Rewards & Budget... ·

2025/12/10

Welcome back to another Midweek Mini News Roundup! We’re bringing you the latest buzz in the points and miles world, from major airline updates to can’t-miss transfer bonuses.We’ll guide you through all the news, the deals, and what to watch out for so you can travel smarter in the coming year. Plus, a big thanks to Card Pointers for sponsoring this episode and keeping us all on top of our credit card offers!Episode SponsorBEST PRICE on CardPointers subscription!Find Us On Online:Mary Ellen |

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47:39

169. BREAKING ALL THE RULES- Booking a Full Trip to...

Wonderland on Points | Credit Card Rewards & Budget... ·

2025/12/08

In this episode, we chat with author, graphic designer and avid savvy traveler Katie Wilson about her incredible 16th-anniversary trip to St. Martin, planned entirely using points and miles—but with a twist! Katie shares how they booked flights, hotel stays, rental cars, and excursions with points, keeping their out-of-pocket costs under $600. She takes us through her adventures, including where they stayed and the amazing excursions they experienced. Katie explains her points and miles strategies,

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21:16

167. Midweek Mini: The 2026 Cruise Rankings with U.S....

Wonderland on Points | Credit Card Rewards & Budget... ·

2025/12/03

In this Midweek Mini, we sit down with U.S. News Senior Travel Editor Nicola Wood to unpack the brand-new 2026 Best Cruise Lines rankings and what they mean for families, value-seekers, and anyone curious about cruising. We talk through how the rankings are actually created, the surprising ways scores and traveler reviews factor in, and why Virgin Voyages continues to dominate the “Best for the Money” category. We share why Virgin’s inclusions make it such a standout for points users, how transfer

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47:48

166. Europe on a Budget: The BEST City for Major...

Wonderland on Points | Credit Card Rewards & Budget... ·

2025/12/01

In this episode of Wonderland on Points, we sit down with German Samvel to talk about his recent trip to Prague and why it’s quickly becoming one of the best budget-friendly destinations in Europe. German shares what surprised him most about the city, especially the incredible food scene, from traditional Czech dishes to one of the best tapas meals he’s ever had. We chat about what dinners actually cost, why two people can eat a full meal with drinks for under $35, and how Prague delivers major

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24:53

165. 10 Strategies Every Travel Sports Family NEEDS...

Wonderland on Points | Credit Card Rewards & Budget... ·

2025/11/26

In this Midweek Mini episode, we share ten strategies every travel sports family needs to know to save on tournament travel. From using travel credit cards and transferable points to apps like Rakuten, BILT, Upside, and Fetch, we show how everyday expenses—hotels, gas, dining, and gear—can turn into free nights, points, and cash back. Whether your kids are chasing their sports dreams or you just love to travel, these tips will help you keep costs down while making the most of points and miles.Find

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82:18

164. Overwater Bungalow at the Westin Bora Bora on...

Wonderland on Points | Credit Card Rewards & Budget... ·

2025/11/24

In this episode of Wonderland on Points, we chat with Emily Cooper of @EmilyEatsandExplores about her unforgettable honeymoon in Bora Bora. Emily takes us beyond the postcard-perfect overwater bungalows to explore what it’s really like to experience this bucket-list destination. She shares insights on connecting with local culture, from art galleries to turtle sanctuaries, and how visitors can support the island community while traveling responsibly. We dive into active vacation options, including

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21:09

163. Midweek Mini: The Venture X 100K Comeback + The...

Wonderland on Points | Credit Card Rewards & Budget... ·

2025/11/19

In this week’s midweek mini episode of Wonderland on Points, we break down the newly settled lawsuit between merchants and Mastercard/Visa over interchange fees and what the changes could mean for premium credit-card rewards going forward, before diving into Capital One’s stunningly rare 100K Venture X offer, why it’s one of the most elevated bonuses we’ve seen in years, and how to decide if the high spend requirement is worth the massive mileage haul. We also touch on the boosted Venture X Business

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69:37

162. Secrets Moxché: A Luxurious $0 All-Inclusive...

Wonderland on Points | Credit Card Rewards & Budget... ·

2025/11/17

This week on Wonderland on Points, we’re joined by Victoria and Brad from @ParksonRec for the MOST FUN episode talking all things Secrets Moxché Playa del Carmen, how they flew to Mexico using Southwest’s Companion Pass, and the moves that helped them stretch their points for an adults-only getaway. We chat about their room upgrade strategy, what surprised them most about the resort, and why this all-inclusive stay worked so well for a quick, luxurious escape. If you love Hyatt all-inclusive

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18:24

161. Midweek Mini- Bilt and Rakuten Break the...

Wonderland on Points | Credit Card Rewards & Budget... ·

2025/11/12

This week on Wonderland on Points, we’re unpacking one of the biggest shakeups in travel rewards — the new Bilt and Rakuten partnership. You can now link your Rakuten and Bilt accounts to turn cashback into Bilt Rewards points, even without the Bilt card. We explain how it works, why it matters, and what this means for anyone earning through shopping portals.We also share updates on Bilt Card 2.0, new Hyatt rumors, and how Chase Sapphire Reserve may soon unlock elite status. If you want to make your

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65:44

161. Copenhagen, Lego House, & Low-Cost European...

Wonderland on Points | Credit Card Rewards & Budget... ·

2025/11/10

In this episode we talk with Michelle of @OhthePlacesYoullGoTravels about the Denmark and Sweden part of their 10-day family trip to European, which proves that travel with kids can be affordable, flexible, and genuinely kid-friendly when you use points, stopovers, and creative lodging. Michelle walks us through the itinerary that started with a Flying Blue stopover in Amsterdam, an unforgettable day at LEGO House in Billund, and then a multi-night stay split between Copenhagen and Malmo, Sweden

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31:58

160. Midweek Mini Crash Course: Unlimited Buy One Get...

Wonderland on Points | Credit Card Rewards & Budget... ·

2025/11/05

In this week’s Midweek Mini, we’re breaking down one of the biggest and best deals in the entire world of points and miles — the Southwest Companion Pass. Whether you’re new to travel hacking or already a seasoned Southwest flyer, this episode walks you through exactly how to earn and maximize this incredible perk.We share two main strategies to earn the pass — the classic two-card combo (personal plus business) and the real-life “no business card” approach — and explain how to time your spending

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58:16

159. From Points to Pit Stops: Using Points to Fuel...

Wonderland on Points | Credit Card Rewards & Budget... ·

2025/11/03

This week on the Wonderland on Points podcast, we’re joined by Jenna from @TravelersinLaw for one of the most sporty trips we’ve ever talked about — her points-and-miles-fueled adventure to Milan for the Formula 1 Italian Grand Prix. We go behind the scenes on how it all happened, from locking in flights right when the availability opened to booking last minute puddle jumpers and hotels using points.Jenna shares what it’s like attending an F1 race in Italy as a super fan. We talk about how she

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23:43

158. Midweek Mini: A Little Bad News (Closing...

Wonderland on Points | Credit Card Rewards & Budget... ·

2025/10/29

This week, we begin with some less than thrilling news in the points and miles world. We love to keep you up to date but it's not always fun to share. THEN- we’re pulling back the curtain on how a trip actually comes together — from that first spark of inspiration to locking in the flights. It started with an Instagram video, a great transfer bonus, and some unbelievable business class redemptions, and by the end of the day, we had a surprise trip booked.We walk through the entire process of

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48:35

157. How to Book a Stopover with Air Canada Aeroplan...

Wonderland on Points | Credit Card Rewards & Budget... ·

2025/10/27

In this episode, we’re joined by Allison from @PointstoBoardingPass to break down one of the most powerful but underrated perks in the award travel world — Air Canada’s Aeroplan stopover program. Allison shares how travelers can add a stopover of up to 45 days for just 5,000 extra points and walks us through exactly how to find and book these deals using tools like Seats.aero and Air Canada’s multi-city search.We talk about how to maximize this feature for business class OR economy redemptions, why

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21:47

156. Midweek Mini: Citi’s BRAND NEW American Airlines...

Wonderland on Points | Credit Card Rewards & Budget... ·

2025/10/22

Citi just launched a new American Airlines card - the Citi Advantage Globe Mastercard - and we are diving into what makes it stand out. With a $350 annual fee, it comes with solid perks like four Admiral’s Club passes, a domestic companion certificate, and Turo and Splurge credits that feel a little hit or miss. We break down the 90,000-mile welcome offer, easy $5,000 minimum spend, and new “Flight Streak Bonus” that helps earn AA status faster. Tune in as we share who this card actually makes sense

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71:43

155. The Town That Got Our Teens Off Their Phones: An...

Wonderland on Points | Credit Card Rewards & Budget... ·

2025/10/20

In this episode, Jo shares the story of an unforgettable road trip — four teenagers, one mom, and a weekend that proved you don’t have to go far (or spend a fortune) to make magic happen. What started as a plan to see a concert turned into a full-blown adventure that got the teens off their devices and completely hooked on exploring a small town full of surprises.From finding a Hyatt stay for just 6,500 points a night to discovering amazing free activities and local gems, Jo walks through how this

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26:55

154. Midweek Mini: Things We Learned at TravelMore...

Wonderland on Points | Credit Card Rewards & Budget... ·

2025/10/15

In this midweek mini, we’re back from the TravelMore Conference and sharing all the behind-the-scenes details. From reconnecting with our favorite points-and-miles friends to some wild things we learned — and a few future guests who will be joining us on the podcast — we’re diving into everything that made this weekend truly amazing. We also get into “The Big Leak,” potentially the biggest points-and-miles news that could change the game forever. We break down what it means, why everyone’s talking

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46:36

153. Magic on Points: Planning a European Harry...

Wonderland on Points | Credit Card Rewards & Budget... ·

2025/10/13

This week on Wonderland on Points, we’re chatting with our friend Joy from @SavvyTravelMamas about her family’s European Harry Potter trip—and how she made it all happen with points. From planning the Warner Bros. Studio Tour in London to finding family-friendly stays, Joy shares the highs, the hiccups, and what she’d do differently next time. She talks us through the best tips and tricks for an amazing Harry Potter experience in both London and Scotland.We talk through the logistics of using points

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19:32

152. Midweek Mini- Part 2: Castles, Canals and the...

Wonderland on Points | Credit Card Rewards & Budget... ·

2025/10/08

****We had MANY technical issues recording this episode. During the course of the episode you will hear some overlapping audio and also large pauses as there was a lag. We wanted to make sure you we got you an episode on time since we have been traveling so we hope you can be patient with us and that you enjoy this despite the tech problems. If this cuts out mid sentence at the end, delete and re-download and it should be the full episode*****In this midweek mini, Mary Ellen continues her

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50:04

151. From Rentals to Rewards: Unique Points...

Wonderland on Points | Credit Card Rewards & Budget... ·

2025/10/06

This week on Wonderland on Points, we’re joined by Ross Alcorn — better known as the Itinerary Boss — to talk about turning big life expenses into even bigger travel rewards. Ross shares how he and his fiancée strategically used their wedding hotel block, rehearsal dinner, and other wedding costs to rack up massive points, including IHG free nights they’re putting toward a Grand Cayman trip.We also dive into how Ross approaches real estate, renovations, and everyday expenses with a points-earning

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170 results

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