By 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.
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4.9
6666 ratings
The podcast currently has 62 episodes available.
In today’s Wondering Wednesday mini episode of the Wonderland on Points podcast, we’re answering a common question: When is the right time to actually use the travel portal?
The conventional wisdom in the points and miles world is that you typically get the best value when you transfer your points and book travel outside of the portal—and that’s absolutely true. But there are definitely times when using the travel portal is your best bet. In this episode, we break down those situations and share real-life examples of when we’ve booked travel through the portal and why it worked out in our favor.
If you’ve ever been unsure about when to use the travel portal, this episode will clear it up for you and help you make smarter decisions with your points!
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Mary Ellen | Jo
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In this episode of the Wonderland on Points podcast, we’re joined by the incredible Allison, a travel expert we met at the TravelMore Conference. Last year alone, her business has redeemed over 100 MILLION points for their clients. Allison has set an ambitious, yet inspiring goal for herself: over the course of 12 months, she aims to experience 12 different lie-flat business class products (all booked with points!), visit 12 new countries, and stay in 12 new hotels. And she's doing it all without breaking the bank—just by leveraging her knowledge of points and miles!
Allison shares her journey so far, detailing the highs and lows of this year-long challenge. From earning points to hunting for award flights, she also drops valuable tips on how to make the most of your points and choose the best flights based on the aircraft you'll be flying. Whether you're a points newbie or a seasoned traveler, Allison's insights are bound to inspire and help you level up your own travel game.
We were blown away by Allison's knowledge and passion for travel, and we can’t wait for you to hear this conversation!
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Mary Ellen | Jo | Allison
Mentioned In This Episode
Paid With Points
Travel Like Tommy
Aerolopa
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On our Wondering Wednesday episode this week, we break down how to calculate your cents per point (CPP) to better understand the value of your points redemptions. We walk you through two straightforward methods for calculating CPP, empowering you to assess the true worth of your points, as well as three examples of why transferring points gets you maximum value!
Whether you're booking travel or redeeming rewards, knowing your CPP helps you make informed decisions and maximize your benefits. Tune in to gain clarity on your points' value and enhance your rewards strategy!
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Mary Ellen | Jo
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In this week’s episode of Wonderland on Points, we dive into the art of maximizing your points and miles when you’re not focusing on sign-up bonuses. We highlight the best pairings from the three major banks, showcasing how combining one annual fee card with a no annual fee card can elevate your earning potential.
Join us as we walk you through three exceptional card pairings that can help you level up your rewards strategy. Our discussion aims to inspire you to explore the wealth of opportunities beyond just sign-up bonuses, proving that there’s so much more to this rewarding hobby. Tune in to discover how to make the most of your everyday spending and enhance your travel experiences!
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Mary Ellen | Jo
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In today’s Wondering Wednesday mini-episode, we discuss the pros and cons of adding an authorized user to your credit card. We'll cover when it can be beneficial—like helping a family member build credit or sharing rewards—and when it might not be the best idea, such as the risks to your credit score from their spending and some other things you may not have considered. Tune in for practical advice to help you navigate this tricky part of points and miles!
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Mary Ellen | Jo
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In this episode of the Wonderland on Points Podcast, we’re thrilled to welcome our first-ever mother/daughter duo in the world of points and miles: Joy and Mara from @SavvyTravelMamas!
Join us as we explore their unique perspectives on maximizing travel rewards at different stages of life. Joy, a busy mom of young kids, shares how their family uses points for quick getaways during school breaks or special birthday trips, while Mara brings a wealth of experience from her impressive 25 years in the points game and tells us about some of her most epic trips.
Listen in as they discuss how the travel rewards landscape has evolved over the decades, and get inspired by Mara's incredible adventures that span a lifetime of travel. You won’t want to miss their insights, tips, and the bond between the two of them that makes this episode truly special.
We can’t wait for you to hear from Joy and Mara—get ready to be inspired!
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Mary Ellen | Jo
Joy and Mara
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In today’s Wondering Wednesday episode, we’re diving into the exciting world of points stacking! We’ll give you a quick and easy crash course on what stacking is and how to make the most of it with the various cards and portals at your disposal.
Stacking is an invaluable strategy in the points and miles game, and you won’t want to miss this bite-sized explanation. Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or just starting out, these insights will help you maximize your rewards and elevate your travel experiences. Tune in and get ready to stack those points!
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The Art of The Stack Episode
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Mary Ellen | Jo
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Today on the Wonderland on Points Podcast, we’re excited to chat with Jenna, the travel hacking lawyer behind @TravelersInLaw. She’s here to share a down-to-earth look at what you can accomplish in your first year of earning and using points and miles.
Jenna tells us how this podcast inspired her to deep dive into the world of credit card rewards. She went from using just one card to racking up an incredible 800,000 points in less than a year! With trips to Bali and Italy on the horizon, Jenna’s the perfect example of how you can jump into this hobby and start seeing big rewards without years of experience.
Whether you’re just getting started or looking to boost your travel game, Jenna’s insights are packed with practical tips that could transform your travel adventures. Tune in and get inspired!
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Mary Ellen | Jo | Jenna
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In today’s episode of Wondering Wednesday, we tackle a crucial topic that can significantly impact your experience in the points and miles hobby: how long you should wait between applying for new credit cards. We explore various schools of thought on this issue and share our personal approaches to card applications.
Whether you’re flying solo or strategizing with a partner, we provide valuable insights and ideas for navigating this process effectively. Understanding the right timing for opening new cards is essential to maintaining a healthy relationship with the banks and maximizing your rewards potential. Tune in for expert tips and strategies in a this mini episode that will help you make informed decisions on your journey through the world of points and miles!
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Mary Ellen | Jo
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Venture X Card
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AMEX Platinum
In this exciting episode, we got to chat with Angie about her unforgettable luxury trip to Greece— funded by points and miles. Discover how she and her husband transformed a $30,000 dream getaway into reality with less than $1500 out of pocket for expenses that were not bookable on points. She tells us all about exploring the vibrant streets of Athens and hopping between the breathtaking islands of Santorini and Milos.
Angie shares her tried-and-true strategies for planning and booking, along with insider tips for must-see destinations that you won’t want to miss. Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or just starting out, this episode is packed with invaluable insights to help you plan your own Grecian adventure. Tune in and get ready to turn your travel dreams into reality!
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Mary Ellen | Jo | Angie
Mentioned In This Episode
FearlessFlight Classes
@MostlyFreeTravel
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Venture X Card
Amex Gold
AMEX Platinum
The podcast currently has 62 episodes available.
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