Points Too Paradise

Megan Lanford
  • 4.5 (13)
  • Places & Travel
  • Updated Weekly

Welcome to Points Too Paradise, the podcast that shows you how to turn your everyday spending into unforgettable vacations—all using credit card points and travel rewards! Hosted by Megan Lanford, a travel points expert and mom who went from barely affording one vacation a year to taking six+ luxury trips annually—saving over $20,000 a year on travel. In each episode, you’ll get insider travel tips, credit card strategies, and real-life redemption hacks to help you: -Earn free flights and hotel stays with points & miles - Find the best travel credit cards for your lifestyle - Unlock first-class upgrades & VIP experiences - Plan bucket-list trips without breaking the bank Whether you’re a total beginner or a seasoned points pro, Points Too Paradise will teach you how to maximize your rewards, travel more, and spend less. Ready to start booking your dream vacations for (nearly) free? Subscribe now and let’s turn your points into paradise!

  1. 3d ago

    Deep Dive into the AMEX Platinum Card

    Tune in to see the breakdown of all the AMEX platinum credits, the points system and the strategy behind this card. The Amex Platinum annual fee to $895 — and everyone has an opinion about it. In this episode, Megan does the full deep dive — every credit, every perk, the real math — plus how she's personally used the Fine Hotels + Resorts program to book Enchantment Resort in Sedona and The Cloister at Sea Island. If you've been wondering whether this card belongs in your wallet, this episode is your answer. Resources: AMEX Platinum AMEX Gold Chase Sapphire Reserve Travel Points Academy

    20 min

  2. May 19

    How to Keep Track of All Your Travel Credit Cards (The App I Use Daily)

    If you've ever been asked "how do you keep up with all those credit cards?" — this episode is for you. Megan pulls back the curtain on the exact free app she uses to stay organized across her entire points portfolio. No spreadsheets, no sticky notes, no stress. Just one simple tool that tracks your cards, your points, your annual fees, and your bonus deadlines — all in one place. If you have travel credit cards and you're not using this, you're probably leaving points on the table without even knowing it. What We Cover: Why staying organized is the #1 thing holding most people back from maximizing their pointsWhat the Travel Freely app does and why it's Megan's go-to toolHow it tracks your cards, annual fees, bonus deadlines, and 5/24 status automaticallyWhy it's 100% free and doesn't require any sensitive financial informationHow to use it whether you're a beginner or already have multiple cardsThe difference between just having points and actually having a strategyResources Mentioned: 📱 Download Travel Freely (Free) The app Megan uses to track all her travel credit cards, points, annual fees, and bonus deadlines. 🎓 Free Workshop: Travel More For Less Learn how to turn the points you already have into real trips — for free. Join Megan live on Tuesday, May 27th at 10:00 AM MST.

    14 min

  3. May 12

    Deep Dive into The Chase Sapphire Reserve (With Elevated Offer)

    You've seen the Chase Sapphire Reserve everywhere — but is it actually worth the hype? In this episode, Megan breaks down everything you need to know about the CSR: the real value of its credits and why this card is still a cornerstone of a smart points portfolio. Spoiler: the $795 annual fee isn't as scary as it looks once you run the numbers — and Chase says there's over $2,700 in annual value packed in. What We Cover: What makes the Chase Sapphire Reserve different from other travel cardsThe annual fee breakdown — and how most people recoup it without even tryingThe $300 travel credit: what counts, what doesn't, and how to use it strategicallyThe $500 Edit credit for hotel stays Airport lounge access: Chase Sapphire Lounges + 1,600+ Priority Pass locationsWho this card is and isn't right forResources: Benefits Tracker: https://pointstooparadise.com/form-2514 Grab the Card: https://my.travelfreely.com/card?id=91&ref=piw Join the Academy: Travel Points Academy | Points Too Paradise

    17 min

  4. May 5

    How Stacy Travels Monthly, Saves $17K in one year, and Says Yes to Every Adventure

    In today's episode, I'm sitting down with my client Stacy, a member of the Travel Points Lounge, who has completely transformed the way her family experiences life — one trip at a time. Stacy didn't just learn how to use points. She used them. Every. Single. Month. In 2025 alone, she saved over $18,000 in travel — and she's here to tell us exactly what that looks like in real life. We get into all of it — the trips, the mindset shift, and the parts nobody talks about: how traveling more has strengthened her marriage, deepened her connection with her kids, and changed the way she moves through the world. In this episode, we cover: Why Stacy decided to start prioritizing travel (and what finally made it click)The trips she's taken — and how she booked them using pointsHow traveling every month has impacted her marriage and family relationshipsWhat she'd say to anyone who thinks this is "too complicated" or "not for me"Why she joined the Travel Points Lounge and how the community changed everythingThe real talk: This isn't a highlight reel. Stacy shares what it actually took to go from "someday" to monthly adventures — and why the investment in learning this skill was worth every penny. If you've been on the fence about whether this is possible for your life, this episode is your sign. Links & Resources Mentioned: Join the Travel Points AcademyFollow me on Instagram @pointstooparadise

    23 min

  5. Apr 28

    What If I Did?

    This one's different. I'm stepping away from the usual tips and strategies to share something more personal — what happened when I said yes to an opportunity, got on a plane, and came back with a vision so big it scared me a little. Last week I attended a live event and it completely shifted the way I see Points Too Paradise, the women I want to serve, and the role I'm meant to play in this space. I came back with a clear message burning inside me: more women need to be traveling for free, and I need to be the one helping them get there — from the stage, from the screen, from everywhere. In this episode I'm sharing what I experienced, what it stirred up in me, and the question that's been sitting with me ever since: What if I did? What if you took the chance, bet on yourself, and it actually worked? I also want to personally invite you into what's happening this week — my free workshop is LIVE, and the doors to Travel Points Academy are open. If something in this episode stirs something in you, that's your sign. What We Talk About: Why I went to this event and what I was hoping to get out of itThe moment in the room where everything clicked — and the vision I came home withWhat "making a bigger impact" actually looks like for me nowSpeaking on stages: why it's next for me and what that means for this communityThe question I keep coming back to — What if I did?Why I'm sharing this with you and what I hope it sparks in youLinks & Resources Mentioned: Free Workshop Travel Points Academy → turn your everyday spending into free flights and hotel staysFollow me on Instagram → @pointstooparadiseLoved This Episode? Screenshot it, share it to your stories, and tag me @pointstooparadise. I want to hear what landed for you. And if the question "what if I did?" hits home for you right now — send me a DM. I mean it.

    17 min

  6. Apr 21

    The Brand-New Capital One Credit Card You Need in Your Wallet

    Capital One just launched a brand new card and I had to break it down for you. Today we're covering the Venture Business — the signup bonus, the benefits, how to use your miles, and why this card is way more accessible than the name might make you think. Up to 150,000 miles: 75,000 miles after spending $7,500 in the first three months, plus an additional 75,000 miles after spending $30,000 total in the first six months. Card Benefits (Annual fee: $95) $50 annual travel credit through Capital One Business Travel Up to $50 annual statement credit on qualifying advertising or software purchases Up to $120 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit every four years — and you can use it for someone else, like a spouse or family member Links & Resources Apply for the Capital One Venture BusinessTravel Points Academy — learn how to maximize and redeem your points for dream vacations

    15 min

  7. Apr 14

    Why I Happily Pay Credit Card Fees (And You Should Too)

    Most people avoid credit card fees at all costs… but what if that mindset is actually costing you thousands in travel? In this episode, I’m breaking down why I intentionally pay fees on things like taxes, business expenses, and large bills—and how those small fees can unlock massive travel rewards. We’re talking real strategy here. Not just “put everything on a card,” but how to use your spending on purpose to hit signup bonuses, earn points faster, and turn everyday expenses into flights, hotels, and dream trips. If you’ve ever questioned whether paying a fee is “worth it,” this episode will completely change how you think about it. What You’ll Learn Why avoiding credit card fees could be holding you backThe exact situations where paying a fee does make senseHow signup bonuses completely change the mathA simple breakdown of how a small fee can turn into thousands in travelWhen you should not pay a fee (this part matters)How to start thinking strategically instead of reactively with your spendingWant Help Doing This the Right Way? This is exactly what I teach inside Travel Points Academy. Instead of guessing which cards to open, how to hit the spend, or how to actually use your points… I walk you through a simple, step-by-step system so you can start turning your everyday expenses into real trips. Other Helpful Resources: Best Personal Credit Card Offers Right Now Best Business Credit Card Offers Right Now

    13 min

  8. Mar 31

    United Just Changed the Game — Here's What You Should Do About It

    United MileagePlus just made one of the biggest changes any U.S. airline loyalty program has made in years. Starting April 2nd, United is cutting earning rates from 5 miles per dollar down to 3 miles per dollar for members who don't hold a United credit card. And if you're flying basic economy without a card? You're earning zero miles. Nothing. In this episode, we break down exactly what changed, why United did it, and most importantly — what YOU should do about it based on how you actually travel. In this episode we cover: What United's new earning structure actually means in plain EnglishHow to figure out which camp you fall into — United loyalist or flexible points travelerThe case for getting a United card if you fly them regularlyWhy this change is actually a permission slip for everyone else to go all in on flexible currenciesCards mentioned in this episode: 🔵 United Explorer Card (Personal) Best for occasional United flyers who want to protect their earning rate and access discounted saver awards. 🔵 United Business Card Best for business owners who fly United and want to maximize earning on business purchases. Ready to stop guessing and start traveling smarter? Join First Class Club — The mastermind & retreat where we take all of this and turn it into a personalized strategy for YOUR travel goals. 👉 Apply for First Class Club here

    14 min
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About

Welcome to Points Too Paradise, the podcast that shows you how to turn your everyday spending into unforgettable vacations—all using credit card points and travel rewards! Hosted by Megan Lanford, a travel points expert and mom who went from barely affording one vacation a year to taking six+ luxury trips annually—saving over $20,000 a year on travel. In each episode, you’ll get insider travel tips, credit card strategies, and real-life redemption hacks to help you: -Earn free flights and hotel stays with points & miles - Find the best travel credit cards for your lifestyle - Unlock first-class upgrades & VIP experiences - Plan bucket-list trips without breaking the bank Whether you’re a total beginner or a seasoned points pro, Points Too Paradise will teach you how to maximize your rewards, travel more, and spend less. Ready to start booking your dream vacations for (nearly) free? Subscribe now and let’s turn your points into paradise!

Information

  • Creator
    Megan Lanford
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    114
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Points Too Paradise 2024
  • Show Website
    Points Too Paradise

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