Wonderland on Points | Credit Card Rewards & Budget Travel

Mary Ellen and Jo
  • 4.8 (284)
  • Places & Travel
  • Updated Weekly

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.

WONDERLAND BESTIES

Exclusive bonus episodes, listener hotline, & MORE

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  1. 11h ago

    250. The 2026 Best (and Worst) Airline & Hotel Loyalty Programs, Ranked with U.S. News & World Report's Elizabeth von Tersch

    Elizabeth von Tersch from U.S. News & World Report joins us to break down the latest rankings of the best airline and hotel loyalty programs—and there are definitely some surprises! We talk about why American took the top airline spot, what caused Atmos and United to fall, why JetBlue is gaining ground, and where Delta struggles. On the hotel side, we dig into Wyndham taking #1, why Hyatt remains strong despite its smaller footprint, and how programs like Choice, Hilton, Sonesta, and IHG compare. Plus, we talk about devaluations, transfer partners, redemption value, and why your points are almost always worth more today than they will be tomorrow. Mentioned in this episode: Travel.usnews.com @USNewsTravel Travel Essentials Links Elizabeth TikTok Elizabeth Youtube Find Us On Online: Wonderland Besties Subscription Mary Ellen | Jo Facebook Group Affiliate Links: Relief Band - Use code WONDERLAND for 25% off! Rakuten- Mary Ellen (Get 5000 AMEX or Bilt POINTS) Rakuten- Joanna (Get 5000 AMEX or Bilt POINTS) Seats.Aero BEST PRICE on CardPointers subscription! Halara (use code "Wonderland" for 10% off) Our Favorite Credit Cards Comfrt.com 15% OFF ✈️💙Rove Referral Link- A FREE 1500 miles🎉 We may receive a small commission when you choose to use any of our links to purchase your products or apply for your cards

  2. 2d ago • Subscribers Only

    1. Wonderland Besties: Behind the Curtain Part 1

    Welcome to Wonderland Besties! 💕 First, THANK YOU for being here and choosing to support us. We are so excited about what we’re building with this community, and in our first Besties episode, we’re sharing what we have planned for the future—and then things get personal. 😂 We start with some rapid-fire questions before diving into the things we probably wouldn’t talk about on the regular podcast. What do our husbands do on vacation that drives us absolutely insane? What does one of us do while traveling that would HORRIFY the other? And how well do we actually know each other after all these years of traveling, podcasting, and friendship? This is much more unfiltered, behind-the-scenes, and exactly the kind of conversation we want Besties to be. And Besties, we want YOU to be part of the show! Have a question for us, a travel dilemma, something you want our opinion on, or even a question you’re a little afraid to ask? Leave us a voice message on The Wonderline and you might hear it on an upcoming Besties episode! ☎️✨ CALL THE WONDERLINE: https://www.speakpipe.com/WonderlandHotline Seriously, thank you for subscribing and helping us build this little corner of Wonderland. We have SO much planned for you, and we’re really happy you’re here. 💕

    1. Wonderland Besties: Behind the Curtain Part 1

  3. 2d ago • Subscribers Only

    2. BONUS News Episode: Hyatt/American Breakup Tea + Flying Blue's Sketchy New Business Class Levels

    Besties and Bros, our first bonus news update is HERE! 💕 This is exactly what we wanted these episodes to be—a place where we can jump on quickly when big points and miles news breaks instead of waiting for our next regular Midweek Mini. We’re diving into Hyatt ending its partnership with American Airlines and the brand-new long-term collaboration with Delta, including what we know so far, the important dates, and what this could mean for World of Hyatt members. Then we have some feelings (okay, a LOT of feelings 😂) about Flying Blue’s new Business Class fare options. We break down the new Light, Standard, and Flex fares, what you’re actually getting at each level, and why some of these changes have us seriously irritated. Thank you for being a Bestie and making these extra episodes possible! And remember—Besties can call The Wonderline anytime with your questions, hot takes, travel dilemmas, or something you want us to cover in an upcoming episode. ☎️ Call The Wonderline: https://www.speakpipe.com/WonderlandHotline

    2. BONUS News Episode: Hyatt/American Breakup Tea + Flying Blue's Sketchy New Business Class Levels

  4. 5d ago

    249. Midweek Mini: Southwest Lounges Are Coming + A BIG Wonderland Announcement

    This week’s Midweek Mini is packed with good news! We’re talking about Southwest’s plans for new airport lounges and how a potential new premium Southwest card could impact Companion Pass strategy. We also break down the Chase Sapphire Reserve’s DoorDash restaurant credit increasing, Rove adding Copa Airlines as a transfer partner with a limited-time bonus, and some great Copa redemption sweet spots. Plus, we’re sharing a BIG Wonderland on Points update that you don't want to miss! Mentioned in this episode: ✈️💙Rove Referral Link- A FREE 1500 miles🎉 Comfrt.com 15% OFF Find Us On Online: Mary Ellen | Jo Facebook Group Affiliate Links: Rakuten- Mary Ellen (Get 5000 AMEX or Bilt POINTS) Rakuten- Joanna (Get 5000 AMEX or Bilt POINTS) Mary Ellen's Fetch (Use code MARYELLEN!) Joanna's Fetch (Use code JOANNALYNN) Seats.Aero BEST PRICE on CardPointers subscription! Halara (use code "Wonderland" for 10% off) Our Favorite Credit Cards We may receive a small commission when you choose to use any of our links to purchase your products or apply for your cards

  5. Sep 7

    248. Alaska on Points: Glaciers, Whales, Bears & an Epic Father-Daughter Adventure

    We’re recapping Joanna’s incredible father-daughter trip to Alaska and breaking down how she made such an epic trip surprisingly budget-friendly! We talk about flying from St. Louis to Anchorage for just 17,500 points each way, using Hyatt points for the hotel, renting a car and exploring on our own, and deciding which experiences were actually worth the splurge. From trekking and rappelling on Matanuska Glacier to hiking in Girdwood, exploring Whittier, spotting beluga whales, picking wild blueberries in Hatcher Pass, cruising Kenai Fjords National Park, and finally finding a moose at sunset, this trip was packed with bucket-list moments. Joanna also shares why experiencing Alaska with her dad made this one of the most meaningful trips she’s ever taken—and why she came home already wanting to go back. Mentioned in this episode: Comfrt.com 15% OFF Nova Alaska Tours Matanuska Glacier Youtube Review Whittier Marine Charters Borealis Custom Fishing Experience Hatcher Pass ATV Find Us On Online: Mary Ellen | Jo Facebook Group Affiliate Links: Rakuten- Mary Ellen (Get 5000 AMEX or Bilt POINTS) Rakuten- Joanna (Get 5000 AMEX or Bilt POINTS) Mary Ellen's Fetch (Use code MARYELLEN!) Joanna's Fetch (Use code JOANNALYNN) Seats.Aero BEST PRICE on CardPointers subscription! Halara (use code "Wonderland" for 10% off) Our Favorite Credit Cards We may receive a small commission when you choose to use any of our links to purchase your products or apply for your cards

  6. Sep 2

    247. Midweek Mini: Vikings, Fraud and Companion Passes

    This week, we’re catching up on a little bit of everything! We share an incredible VIP Minnesota Vikings experience made possible by one of our listeners, plus how we used points for the trip and checked out some unique Priority Pass options at MSP. We also talk about a recent credit card fraud scare, why we prefer credit over debit cards, and our strategies for earning the Southwest Companion Pass. Plus, we’re covering spring break planning, an important reminder to always register for Hyatt promos, and some new Rove features we’re excited about. Mentioned in this Episode: Old Companion Pass Episode ✈️💙Rove Referral Link- A FREE 1500 miles🎉 Rakuten- Mary Ellen (Get 5000 AMEX or Bilt POINTS) Rakuten- Joanna (Get 5000 AMEX or Bilt POINTS) Find Us On Online: Sign Up for the Y! Wonder Travel Newsletter Mary Ellen | Jo Facebook Group Affiliate Links: Seats.Aero BEST PRICE on CardPointers subscription! Comfrt.com 15% OFF Chase/Capital One/Amex Card Links Our Favorite Travel Necessities We receive a small commission when you choose to use any of our links to purchase your products or apply for your cards! We SO appreciate when you choose to give back to the podcast in this way!

  7. Aug 31

    246. Puerto Rico on Points: A $12,000, 6-Night Family Trip That Cost $1500

    Kirsten, a pediatric emergency medicine doctor and mom of three, joins us to break down how her family spent six nights in Puerto Rico for just $1,500 out of pocket on a trip that would have cost around $12,000 in cash. We get into exactly how she pulled it off using JetBlue points, Hyatt points, credit card travel credits, rental car status, and a Hyatt Guest of Honor award. Kirsten walks us through their stay at the Hyatt Regency Grand Reserve, why Guest of Honor benefits saved them hundreds of dollars on breakfast and parking, and how Puerto Rico turned out to be an incredibly easy family destination for a February school break. We also talk about their adventures in El Yunque, natural waterslides and cliff jumping in the rainforest, a canceled snorkeling excursion that led to a great backup day at Luquillo Beach, and exploring historic Old San Juan. Plus, we cover the Capital One offer that earned Kirsten an incredible 30X on a Viator excursion, her favorite points and travel tools, and why Puerto Rico deserves a spot on your list if you want beaches, adventure, history, and tropical weather without needing a passport. Mentioned in this Episode: Relief Band - Use code WONDERLAND for 25% off! Find Us On Online: Sign Up for the Y! Wonder Travel Newsletter Mary Ellen | Jo Facebook Group Affiliate Links: Seats.Aero BEST PRICE on CardPointers subscription! Comfrt.com 15% OFF Chase/Capital One/Amex Card Links Our Favorite Travel Necessities We receive a small commission when you choose to use any of our links to purchase your products or apply for your cards! We SO appreciate when you choose to give back to the podcast in this way!

  8. Aug 28

    245. Massive Rove Updates are Here! A SURPRISE Friday Episode with all the details!

    SURPRISE! For the first time ever, Wonderland on Points is dropping a brand-new episode on a FRIDAY. We just could’t wait on this one because Rove has massive new updates! We’re talking a NEW Rove app, Rove Dining, Instant-Earning Gift Cards and more! We’re joined by Carissa Rawson from Rove to talk about the exciting new developments within the Rove program. If you’re already using Rove—or have been curious about how it could fit into your points-and-miles strategy, you’ll want to hear what’s coming next. Carissa gives us an inside look at Rove, explains what makes the program different, and shares several new changes designed to make earning and using rewards even more exciting. We also discuss how travelers can take advantage of the program and why Rove is one to watch in the points-and-miles world. Tune in for all the details—and enjoy this special Friday surprise! Justplanepoints.com Instagram: @JustPlanePoints Mentioned in this Episode: ✈️💙Rove Referral Link- A FREE 1500 miles🎉 Find Us On Online: BLOG post on the NEW Rove Updates Sign Up for the Y! Wonder Travel Newsletter Mary Ellen | Jo Facebook Group Affiliate Links: Seats.Aero BEST PRICE on CardPointers subscription! Comfrt.com 15% OFF Chase/Capital One/Amex Card Links Our Favorite Travel Necessities We receive a small commission when you choose to use any of our links to purchase your products or apply for your cards! We SO appreciate when you choose to give back to the podcast in this way!

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4.8
out of 5
284 Ratings

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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.

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