Wonderland on Points | Credit Card Rewards & Budget Travel

By Mary Ellen and JoSociety & Culture Places & Travel

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Typical duration
47 min
per episode

Based on Podcast App listening data

Wonderland on Points | Credit Card Rewards & Budget Travel episodes

February 17, 2025 85. Cape Town South Africa on Points - Stunning Beauty and More Affordable Than You Think
This week on the Wonderland on Points Podcast, Mary Ellen shares all the details of her incredible medical service trip to Cape Town, South Africa. While this wasn't a points and miles trip, we've done the research so you can turn it into an affordable family vacation on points. We provide recommendations for flights, accommodations, and AMAZING activities to make your trip unforgettable. The beauty and affordability of this area really surprised us, and it's now on both of our bucket lists for places to bring our families.
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Mary Ellen | Jo
Mentioned in This Episode
Mary Ellen's Driver Recommendation: Mark- WhatsApp # 27 82 34 37 493
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!
49 min
February 12, 2025 84. Midweek Mini: Can I Earn Points When Buying a Car?
In today’s special Midweek Mini episode, we’re thrilled to welcome back Monday's guest, Ariana, who is breaking new ground as our FIRST EVER guest for our shorter episodes! Ariana recently helped her sister purchase a car using a credit card, racking up an impressive amount of points in the process. As many of you know, car payments and purchases can be tricky when it comes to earning rewards, but Ariana's experience proved that it's possible to make it work! Tune in as we dive into her journey and share valuable tips for those looking to score big on points while shopping for a new car.
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Mary Ellen | Jo | Ariana
Mentioned in This Episode
Business Insider Article
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!
19 min
February 10, 2025 83. Long Live this Swiftie’s Fearless Journey to Singapore on Points for The Best Day With Her Nieces
We’re putting on our friendship bracelets and Swiftie swag as we chat with Ariana from Point Chaser about her EPIC trip to Singapore to see Taylor Swift during the Eras Tour. Ariana is an expert points journalist, with viral articles featured in Business Insider, The Points Guy, and many more. We were thrilled to have her on the show to share her insider tips and tricks for maximizing points and miles. Not only did Ariana score front row seats at the concert for a fraction of the cost of nosebleed tickets in the U.S., but she also planned the entire trip using points! She took this trip with her sister and three of her nieces and nephews. If you have a big family and have been dreaming of a trip to Southeast Asia, tune in to hear this incredible story, along with expert advice on how you can plan your own trip to Singapore.
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Mary Ellen | Jo | Ariana
Mentioned in This Episode
Era's Tour in Singapore Blog Post
Pointchaser.com
The Frugal Tourist
@The_Frugal_Tourist
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!
56 min
February 05, 2025 82. Midweek Mini- My Player 2 Thinks This Will Ruin Our Credit Scores!
This week, Jo flies solo on the Wonderland on Points Midweek Mini while Mary Ellen is out of town. As the one in the duo with a reluctant Player 2, Jo is no stranger to the myth that credit cards will ruin a credit score. She takes this mini dive into the world of credit scores, offering a quick refresher on what factors contribute to a healthy score. Plus, she shares some tips and encouragement on how to get your own Player 2 on board— or how to power through the process solo if needed. Whether you’re working with a partner or flying solo, it’s always a great time to brush up on the facts about credit scores and how your points and miles hobby actually IMPROVES your overall financial health- if done correctly!
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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!
14 min
February 03, 2025 81. Transfer Bonuses: Examining the Trends With @Continental.Ky
In today’s episode, we’re sitting down with Kylie, an engineer by trade and a true master of points and miles data. Kylie has spent years analyzing trends in transfer bonuses from various banks, and she’s here to break it all down for us.
We dive into the key trends over the past few years, giving you a clearer picture of what transfer bonuses might look like in the year ahead. This episode is unlike anything we’ve ever done before — we’re taking a data-driven approach to explore our favorite topic: points and miles!
If you're a numbers nerd or just looking to level up your rewards game, this one is for you. Tune in for insights that could shape your strategy in the months ahead! 📊✈️
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Mary Ellen | Jo | Kylie
Mentioned in This Episode
Kylie's TikTok
Max Miles Points
Miles Talk
Raimee Travel
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!
36 min
January 29, 2025 80. Midweek Mini- Priority Pass Lounges- Are They Worth Getting a High Annual Fee Card?
Ever wondered what exactly a Priority Pass lounge is and if it’s worth the hype? In this week’s mini-episode, we’re breaking it all down. From what Priority Pass lounges are, how they compare to airline-specific lounges, and which credit cards give you free access, we’ve got you covered.
Is paying for a high-annual-fee card worth it just for lounge access? We’ll share our insights on whether the perks of Priority Pass make it a must-have for frequent flyers, or if there’s a better option out there.
Tune in to get all your Priority Pass questions answered and learn how to elevate your travel experience without breaking the bank!
Facebook Group | Support the Show: Buy Us A Coffee
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!
12 min
January 27, 2025 79. A Dream Bahama's Trip for a Family of Five - Grand Hyatt Baha Mar Resort in Nassau, Bahamas
In this episode, we're taking you to the beautiful city of Nassau and the luxurious Grand Hyatt Baha Mar – a resort that has everything, including a thrilling water park! Whether you're planning a family vacation or a getaway with friends, we've got you covered.
Join us as Mary Ellen shares her full trip experience, including exactly which credit cards and currencies to target to earn enough points for flights and a hotel stay at this incredible resort. You won’t have to waste hours researching – we’ve done the work for you, so you can focus on planning your dream vacation! You will get tips for everything from activities to food to staying in one room with a family of five.
Tune in to learn how to make your tropical escape a reality with points and rewards! 🌊🏖️
Facebook Group | Support the Show: Buy Us A Coffee
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!
1 hr 1 min
January 22, 2025 78. Midweek Mini- Listener Question: What is Up With Airline Taxes and Fees?
In this mini episode, we tackle a listener question from Karla, who’s curious about the often confusing world of international flight taxes and fees. Why do these charges vary so much, and how can you minimize them? We dive into the details of what causes these fluctuations, explore the factors that influence taxes and fees on international flights, and share our best tips and tricks for avoiding excessive charges. Whether you're a seasoned points and miles traveler or just getting started, you won't want to miss these insights!
Facebook Group | Support the Show: Buy Us A Coffee
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
14 min
January 20, 2025 77. The Roadmap to Making Your Disney Vacation a Reality with @PackedWithPoints and @TheTravelingHansens
This week on the Wonderland on Points podcast, we’re joined by points and miles experts Jenna (@TheTravelingHansens) and Aimee (@PackedWithPoints) to dive into Disney 101 – how to get to the happiest place on earth with as little out of pocket cost as possible.
Disney vacations can often seem out of reach due to their hefty price tags, but in this episode, we’re showing you how to make it happen without breaking the bank.
We walk you through the entire process of using points for your Disney trip, covering everything from selecting the best credit cards to building a strategy that minimizes your out-of-pocket expenses. Whether you’re planning a family trip to Disney World or Disneyland, we’ll lay out the roadmap to get you there while keeping costs low.
Throughout the episode, Jenna and Aimee share insider tips on accumulating points efficiently, and reveal how to maximize your rewards for a seamless Disney experience. You’ll get all the details on how to use points for flights, hotel stays, park tickets, as well as insider tips for your time in the parks so you can turn your Disney dream into a reality.
If you've ever thought a Disney vacation was out of your budget, this episode is for you. Tune in for expert advice on how to unlock the magic of Disney with the power of points!
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Mary Ellen | Jo
Mentioned In This Episode
Packed With Points Website
The Traveling Hansens Website
Pixie Points Gals
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
January 15, 2025 76. Midweek Mini: Listener Question- 6% Cash Back vs. 5x Travel Points
In this week's midweek mini episode, we dive into a fantastic listener question from Eddie, who reached out to us on Instagram. Eddie is currently using a cash back card that earns 6% back on groceries (which is already a great deal!), but he’s wondering if it would be worth it to switch things up and take advantage of the Chase Freedom Flex card to earn 5x points on groceries this quarter.
We’re excited to break down the pros and cons of each option and help Eddie (and all of you) understand when it makes sense to stick with cash back versus chasing after those valuable travel rewards. We discuss the real-world value of points, the potential for higher rewards with travel redemptions, and how to make the most of your spending.
If you’ve ever wondered if it’s better to earn cash back or travel points, this episode will give you all the insights you need to make the right decision for your wallet and your travel goals!
Facebook Group | Support the Show: Buy Us A Coffee
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!
9 min