Wonderland on Points | Credit Card Rewards & Budget Travel

By Mary Ellen and JoSociety & Culture Places & Travel

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Wonderland on Points | Credit Card Rewards & Budget Travel episodes

September 15, 2025 145. Exploring France with Kids on POINTS: Paris, Bayeux, and Normandy
What’s it really like to explore Paris, Bayeux and Normandy on points with three kids in tow? In this episode, Mary Ellen picks up the next chapter of her European adventure and shares the highlights (and surprises!) from her family’s time in France. From climbing to a free Parisian viewpoint with stunning Eiffel Tower views to staying in a charming chateau in Bayeux booked with her Venture X credit, this leg of the trip was unforgettable.
We dive into her day trip to the beaches of Normandy, including Omaha Beach and the American Cemetery, with a guided tour that brought history to life. Mary Ellen opens up about the emotional impact of visiting these sites, why it was worth the splurge, and how she made it work with kids — even with a toddler in tow.
If Paris, Bayeux, or a D-Day tour has ever been on your bucket list, this episode will give you practical tips, inspiration, and a peek behind the scenes of family travel on points.
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Mary Ellen | Jo
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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!
1 hr
September 10, 2025 144. Midweek Mini: Analysis Paralysis vs. Shiny New Card Syndrome- SEND HELP
This week on our Midweek Mini, we get real about the struggle of choosing between multiple credit cards, elevated signup bonuses, and chasing a Southwest companion pass. We share our own moments of analysis paralysis and shiny new card syndrome, plus a few really hasty decisions that got one of us into some trouble. We also share tips for families on maximizing points, lounge access, and making smarter credit card decisions without losing your mind.
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Wonderland On Points Blog
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Mary Ellen | Jo
Affiliate Links
Chase/Capital One/Amex Card Links
FlyKitt- the BEST Jet Lag Solution!
30% off the CardPointers subscription!
Tripiamo Driving Tutorials
Comfrt Hoodie 15% OFF!
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!
25 min
September 08, 2025 143. East Coast Beach Getaway on Points: Wild Dunes Resort with Kate’s on a Plane
This week on Wonderland on Points, we’re joined by Kate from Kate’s on a Plane to hear all about her family’s recent trip to Wild Dunes Resort near Charleston, South Carolina — and how she booked the stay on Hyatt points. Kate shares what worked well, what she’d do differently, and some really practical tips for families considering a beach resort getaway. From whether it’s better to bring your own gear or rent, to her suggestion of how to use an Amex Gold Resy credit for meals off-property, there are so many takeaways for travelers who want to stretch both their points and their budget.
If you’ve ever wondered whether Wild Dunes is worth booking on points, how to make a family beach trip more affordable, or just need fresh inspiration for your next getaway, you’ll love this conversation.
Wild Dune’s Blog Post- Katesonaplane.com
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Travel More Tickets
Travel More Room Block (Higgins Hotel New Orleans)
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Wonderland On Points Blog
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Mary Ellen | Jo
Affiliate Links
Chase/Capital One/Amex Card Links
FlyKitt- the BEST Jet Lag Solution!
30% off the CardPointers subscription!
Tripiamo Driving Tutorials
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!
53 min
September 03, 2025 142. Midweek Mini: Recent Points and Travel NEWS ROUNDUP
*****In this episode we mention the Hawaiian personal card offer- 2k spend for 80k points. We want to clarify that after more digging that is NOT the offer. It’s a split- 50k points when you spend 2k and THEN an additional 30k when you spend 5k more.*****
It’s time for another Midweek Mini! In this short roundup, we catch you up on the latest headlines in the points and miles world. From shifting airline strategies to unexpected credit card offers and even a few surprises from budget carriers, there’s a lot happening right now — and some of it could impact your travel plans sooner than you think.
We also chat about the upcoming Travel More conference, why staying on-site is worth it. If you want to stay on top of the ever-evolving world of travel rewards — without having to sift through all the noise — this mini episode is for you.
Travel More Tickets
Travel More Room Block (Higgins Hotel New Orleans)
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Wonderland On Points Blog
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Mary Ellen | Jo
Affiliate Links
Chase/Capital One/Amex Card Links
FlyKitt- the BEST Jet Lag Solution!
30% off the CardPointers subscription!
Tripiamo Driving Tutorials
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!
21 min
September 01, 2025 141. Inside the 2024 Best Hotel Rewards Rankings with U.S. News & World Report
In this episode of Wonderland on Points, we sit down with Elizabeth Von Tersch from U.S. News & World Report to dive into the brand-new 2024 Best Hotel Rewards Program Rankings. We talk through what surprised us, what didn’t, and what travelers like us can actually take away from the data.
Elizabeth explains why Choice Hotels jumped from #4 to #1, what makes Wyndham stand out (including their all-inclusive options you can book with points!), and why our beloved Hyatt didn’t take the top spot despite being first in our hearts. We dig into fixed award charts versus dynamic pricing, what’s happening with Citi ThankYou Rewards and Capital One transfers, and why keeping a diversified points portfolio matters now more than ever.
Of course, the conversation wanders into cruises — from Disney to Viking River Cruises — and Elizabeth even teases upcoming U.S. News rankings for the best cruise lines. We also swap Costco-versus-Aldi grocery hacks for maximizing points, talk about the elusive dream of a cruise loyalty program worth its salt, and hear where Elizabeth is headed next on points (spoiler: it involves pastries in Copenhagen).
If you’ve ever wondered how to stretch your hotel points further, which programs are really delivering value right now, or just need inspiration for your next family trip, this episode is packed with insights (and plenty of laughs).
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Facebook Group
Wonderland On Points Blog
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Mary Ellen | Jo
Affiliate Links
Chase/Capital One/Amex Card Links
FlyKitt- the BEST Jet Lag Solution!
30% off the CardPointers subscription!
Tripiamo Driving Tutorials
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!
51 min
August 27, 2025 140. Midweek Mini: Breaking Down Alaska’s New Atmos Program and Elite Travel Credit Card with @BecomeTravelRich
There’s a brand-new premium travel credit card making waves, and it’s tied to one of the most consistently top-ranked airline loyalty programs in the U.S. — Alaska Airlines. In this Midweek Mini, Mary Ellen teams up with special guest Betsey from Become Travel Rich (formally Her Alaska Travels) to unpack the launch of the Atmos Rewards Summit Visa Infinite Card, a high-end addition to Alaska’s lineup that comes with a massive welcome bonus and some surprising perks.
Together they dive into what makes this card different, including the new Global Companion Award, how it stacks up against Alaska’s existing cards, and which travelers will benefit most. They also cover details like earning categories, lounge access, fee waivers, and the quirks around status points and companion fares. Whether you’re loyal to Alaska, fly American as part of the OneWorld alliance, or just want to maximize miles on international trips, this conversation is packed with insights you won’t want to miss
Facebook Group
Wonderland On Points Blog
Find Us On Instagram
Mary Ellen | Jo
Affiliate Links
Chase/Capital One/Amex Card Links
FlyKitt- the BEST Jet Lag Solution!
30% off the CardPointers subscription!
Tripiamo Driving Tutorials
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!
33 min
August 25, 2025 139. Unlocking the IHG Rewards Program + A Dreamy Cayman Island Stay at the Kimpton Seafire with @Travel.More.Momma
Ready to level up your hotel game? This week, Joanna and Mary Ellen are joined by Jenn from @Travel.More.Momma to dive deep into the IHG Rewards program — including the underrated perks that make it worth a spot in your wallet. From the fourth-night-free benefit to creative uses for free night certificates, we cover why even the no-annual-fee IHG card can unlock serious value.
Jenn also shares her luxe kids-free getaway to the Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa in Grand Cayman, complete with quirky Kimpton touches, poolside flags for cocktail service, and a little-known “secret password” for extra perks. Plus, we compare the Kimpton with another nearby budget-friendly alternative.
If you’ve been sleeping on IHG, this episode will change how you think about free nights, point redemptions, and where to plan your next island escape.
Facebook Group
Wonderland On Points Blog
Find Us On Instagram
Mary Ellen | Jo
Affiliate Links
Chase/Capital One/Amex Card Links
FlyKitt- the BEST Jet Lag Solution!
30% off the CardPointers subscription!
Tripiamo Driving Tutorials
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!
1 hr 9 min
August 20, 2025 138. Midweek Mini- Flying Solo: What Parents Need to Know About Unaccompanied Minor Programs
Sending your child on a flight alone can feel overwhelming, but the major U.S. airlines each have their own unaccompanied minor programs designed to help. In this Midweek Mini episode, we break down the basics from American, Delta, Alaska, Southwest, and United so you’ll know what to expect when it comes to age requirements, fees, and policies.
If you’ve ever wondered whether your child can fly solo — and how much it’ll cost — this mini-episode will give you the confidence to plan that trip.
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Mary Ellen | Jo
Mentioned in this Episode
American Airlines UM Info
Southwest UM Info
Delta UM Info
United UM Info
Alaska UM Info
Affiliate Links
Chase/Capital One/Amex Card Links
FlyKitt- the BEST Jet Lag Solution!
30% off the CardPointers subscription!
Tripiamo Driving Tutorials
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!
21 min
August 18, 2025 137. Cancun’s Hottest New Adults-Only All-Inclusive: Hyatt Vivid Grand Island
What happens when you book a brand-new all-inclusive resort on points? Joanna is back from Cancun with the inside scoop on her stay at the Hyatt Vivid Grand Island — and spoiler alert: it was absolutely incredible.
From smooth Southwest flights with the Companion Pass to standout dining, lively entertainment, unique room details, and even an airport horror story you WON'T want to miss, this trip had plenty of stories worth sharing. You’ll hear why she chose this resort, what it was like to stay at the Vantage Club level, the unexpected highlights along the way, and the smart packing choices that paid off.
Most importantly, Joanna gives her honest take on whether the Hyatt Vivid Grand Island is worth booking — and what she’d do differently next time. Grab your sunscreen and earbuds, because this episode brings the sunshine straight to you.
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Mary Ellen | Jo
Mentioned in this Episode
Visitax- OFFICIAL WEBSITE
Amstar Hotel Transfers
Affiliate Links
Chase/Capital One/Amex Card Links
FlyKitt- the BEST Jet Lag Solution!
30% off the CardPointers subscription!
Tripiamo Driving Tutorials
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!
1 hr 14 min
August 13, 2025 136. Midweek Mini- EXCITING NEWS for American Airlines Flyers + the New Premium Citi Card!
Big news for points collectors! Citi ThankYou Points are now a permanent transfer partner of American Airlines — opening up new ways to earn and use those elusive AA miles. We break down what this means for your travel game, the best Citi cards to maximize your earnings, and why the new Citi Strata Elite card is shaking up the premium travel card space.
If you’ve been waiting for more flexible access to AA points — this is the episode for you. Learn about smart card pairings, welcome offers, and key perks to watch for before applying. Plus, get the scoop on Citi’s unique points sharing feature and whether this new high-fee card is worth it for your wallet.
Don’t miss this quick update that could change how you plan your next trip!
Facebook Group
Wonderland On Points Blog
Find Us On Instagram
Mary Ellen | Jo
Links
Chase/Capital One/Amex Card Links
FlyKitt- the BEST Jet Lag Solution!
30% off the CardPointers subscription!
Tripiamo Driving Tutorials
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!
16 min