Wonderland on Points | Credit Card Rewards & Budget Travel

Mary Ellen and Jo
  • 4.9 (102)
  • PLACES & TRAVEL
  • UPDATED WEEKLY
Wonderland on Points | Credit Card Rewards & Budget Travel

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.

  1. 4 HR. AGO

    69. Taking $60,000 Worth of Trips for $6000 in One Year with @OurFamilyPassport + Top Underrated Places to Visit With Kids!

    This week on The Wonderland on Points Podcast, we’re joined by Kam from @OurFamilyPassport, a points and miles expert who’s mastered the art of using rewards for amazing family vacations. Kam travels with her family of six and shares her top strategies for earning and redeeming points to make dream trips a reality without the hefty price tag. In this episode, Kam reveals her surprising favorite family destinations—places you might not expect but should definitely consider—and offers actionable tips for booking family-friendly travel. We discuss the realities of traveling with allergies and food sensitivities. She also provides a step-by-step roadmap for anyone looking to get started with points and miles, whether you're a beginner or looking to level up your travel game. Tune in for expert insights, travel hacks, and inspiration to help you plan your next unforgettable family adventure. Facebook Group | Support the Show: Buy Us A Coffee Instagram Mary Ellen | Jo | Kam Mentioned In This Episode Egypt Guide Simple Celiac Life (Formerly @Simple.Adventerous.Life) Neck Pillow Our Family Passport Blog Travel Reward University Referral Links Capital One Venture Card Favorite Bank Cards Favorite Bank Business Cards Venture X Card Amex Gold AMEX Platinum

    1h 8m

  2. 5 DAYS AGO

    68. Wondering Wednesday Q&A: How to Maximize Your Points with Transfer Bonuses AND What Current Bonuses are Available

    Welcome to today’s Wondering Wednesday mini episode! If you're looking to level up your points and miles game, this quick, bite-sized episode is packed with all the key info you need on transfer bonuses. We dive into what transfer bonuses are, how they work, and why they’re such a powerful tool in your travel rewards strategy. Plus, we break down a simple math formula to help you calculate exactly how many points you need to transfer to reach your next trip goal. With the right knowledge, you can make sure your points go further, faster. We’ll also highlight the current transfer bonuses you should be aware of so you don’t miss out on any valuable opportunities. Every Wednesday, we bring you this quick, actionable episode to answer all your burning questions and help you level up your travel rewards game. So, let’s jump in and start maximizing your points! And make sure to head to the Facebook Group to ask your questions so we can feature them on a future episode! Facebook Group | Support the Show: Buy Us A Coffee Find Us On Instagram Mary Ellen | Jo Example Formula for Transferring Points: Total points needed divided by regular ratio + percentage (in a decimal number) = points you need to transfer Here is what you would do if you wanted to book a 60,000 point flight and there was a 40% transfer bonus: 60,000/ 1.4 (1+40%) = 42,800 points Referral Links Southwest Airlines Card Capital One Venture Card Favorite Bank Cards Favorite Bank Business Cards Venture X Card Amex Gold AMEX Platinum

    18 min

  3. DEC 16

    67. How to Save $20,000+ on a Trip to Tahiti, Mo'orea and Bora Bora with @LetsTravelTalk

    In today’s episode of Wonderland on Points, we’re joined by the amazing Annie from @LetsTravelTalk, who shares her incredible experience taking her family of five on a dream vacation to French Polynesia. Annie takes us through her trip to the stunning islands of Tahiti & Mo'orea, revealing how she saved $20,000+ on their flights and hotels during this trip! Annie walks us through the best airlines for booking flights to Tahiti using travel points, along with family-friendly hotel recommendations in Tahiti and Mo'orea. They actually went to Bora Bora as well but we didn't have enough time for all three islands so we picked the two that are more affordable! She also shares activities that are perfect for families. Whether you’re planning your own bucket-list trip to Tahiti or looking to use travel rewards to save money on a family vacation, Annie’s insights will help you make the most of your points and travel budget. Annie wraps the episode with her tips for how to save even MORE than they did. You’ll walk away with valuable tips on how to plan your own affordable family getaway to French Polynesia and save even more out-of-pocket than you thought possible. Instagram Mary Ellen | Jo | Annie Mentioned In This Episode Annie's Website Kam- Our Family Passport Travel Reward University Rakuten Referral Links Capital One Venture Card Favorite Bank Cards Favorite Bank Business Cards Venture X Card Amex Gold AMEX Platinum

    1h 11m

  4. DEC 11

    66. Wondering Wednesday: Major Shakeup- American Airlines Ends Partnership with Barclays – What You Need to Know

    In this Wondering Wednesday mini episode of Wonderland on Points, we’re breaking down a huge shift in the world of points and miles: American Airlines has announced it is ending its partnership with Barclays and will now be exclusively working with Citi for its co-branded credit cards. We’ll explain what this means for American Airlines AAdvantage members, why this change is significant, and what you need to know about the future of the Barclays Aviator Red credit card. This episode is packed with essential info for anyone who wants to stay on top of the latest changes in the points and miles world—whether you’re an experienced traveler or just getting started. Tune in for a quick breakdown of what’s happening and how to make the most of it before it’s too late. Facebook Group | Support the Show: Buy Us A Coffee Find Us On Instagram Mary Ellen | Jo Referral Links Southwest Airlines Card Capital One Venture Card Favorite Bank Cards Favorite Bank Business Cards Venture X Card Amex Gold AMEX Platinum

    13 min

  5. DEC 9

    65. Unlocking the Secrets to Scoring Deals on Antarctic Cruises with Katherine Fan

    This week, we’re joined by Katherine Fan, a personal finance and points and miles expert, to discuss her incredible trip to Antarctica. Katherine shares how she used points and miles to book a once-in-a-lifetime cruise to the southernmost continent. While you can’t currently book the cruise with points, she offers great tips for finding deals on these rare and expensive trips. We also dive into how to prepare for compensation if you’re ever asked to give up your airline seat. Katherine’s insights are packed with valuable advice for travelers and anyone looking to make the most of their rewards points. Instagram Mary Ellen | Jo | Katherine Mentioned In This Episode Travel Zoo Antarctica 21 Survival Tails: Endurance in Antarctica Business Insider Article @JustPlanePoints @PointChaser Referral Links Capital One Venture Card Favorite Bank Cards Favorite Bank Business Cards Venture X Card Amex Gold AMEX Platinum

    1h 11m

  6. DEC 4

    64. Wondering Wednesday: How Do I Earn the Same Sign Up Bonus AGAIN?

    This week on the Wonderland on Points Podcast mid-week mini episode, we’re tackling a question we’ve gotten multiple times: How do you earn the sign-up bonus on the same credit cards more than once? If you’ve ever wondered about card churning or how to strategically maximize sign-up bonuses, this episode is for you. We break down effective strategies for various cards and banks, sharing the dos and don’ts of churning. By the end of this episode, we hope you’ll feel confident and ready to keep earning those valuable sign-up bonuses year after year—so you can make the most of your credit card rewards and travel goals! Facebook Group | Support the Show: Buy Us A Coffee Find Us On Instagram Mary Ellen | Jo Referral Links Southwest Airlines Card Capital One Venture Card Favorite Bank Cards Favorite Bank Business Cards Venture X Card Amex Gold AMEX Platinum

    13 min

  7. DEC 2

    63. United Airlines With @TravelLikeTommy - PLUS - When (if ever) Should You Buy Points?

    Today on the Wonderland on Points Podcast, we’re thrilled to be joined by Tommy Lonergan for a deep dive into United Airlines. In this episode, we break down the MileagePlus program and explore who it still holds value for in today’s travel landscape. From how the program has evolved over the years to how you can maximize your benefits, Tommy offers insights that will help you get the most out of United. We also tackle a topic we don’t often see discussed in the points and miles community—when is it actually a good time to buy points? Whether you’re looking to top off your account for an award booking or wondering if purchasing points is ever a worthwhile strategy, we’ve got you covered. This episode is packed with valuable information, so whether you’re a seasoned United flyer or new to the world of airline loyalty programs, you’ll find plenty of tips to boost your travel game. Join us as we unpack the ins and outs of United’s program and give you the tools to make smarter decisions with your miles and points. Facebook Group | Support the Show: Buy Us A Coffee Find Us On Instagram Mary Ellen | Jo | Tommy Mentioned In This Episode United Club Information Referral Links Southwest Airlines Card Capital One Venture Card Favorite Bank Cards Favorite Bank Business Cards Venture X Card Amex Gold AMEX Platinum

    1h 4m

  8. NOV 27

    62. Wondering Wednesday: How do I get FREE hotel room upgrades? (NO STATUS Required!)

    This week on our mini-episode, we’re answering an exciting question: How do you get free hotel upgrades? You’re in luck! We’re sharing a simple template that can help you score upgrades and hotel perks—even without elite status. Both of us have used this method successfully, and we’re excited to pass along our tips so you can enjoy the same benefits on your travels! Facebook Group | Support the Show: Buy Us A Coffee Find Us On Instagram Mary Ellen | Jo Referral Links Southwest Airlines Card Capital One Venture Card Favorite Bank Cards Favorite Bank Business Cards Venture X Card Amex Gold AMEX Platinum

    10 min
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4.9
out of 5
102 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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