Wonderland on Points | Credit Card Rewards & Budget Travel

In this episode, we share some of our favorite easy ways to earn more points and miles without spending extra money. We walk through account linkings that many travelers overlook, including ways to earn rewards on things you're already doing like booking Airbnb stays, grabbing Starbucks, using Lyft, and more. We also compare Joanna's recent cash stay in Mexico to previous points stays and discuss when it makes sense to splurge and when it doesn't. Along the way, we chat about airport lounge access, Priority Pass perks, and practical strategies for stretching your points further while still creating incredible travel experiences.

Mentioned in this Episode:

Aero Movil Transport

Girl's Trip Interest Form (April 7-10, 2027)

Summer Road Trip Submissions ARE BACK!

Rakuten- Mary Ellen (Get 5000 AMEX or Bilt POINTS)

Rakuten- Joanna (Get 5000 AMEX or Bilt POINTS)

Find Us On Online:

Sign Up for the Y! Wonder Travel Newsletter

Wonderland on Points Youtube Channel

Mary Ellen | Jo

Facebook Group

Affiliate Links:

Comfrt.com 15% OFF

Seats.Aero

Cardpointers

Halara (use code "Wonderland" for 10% off)

Our Favorite Credit Cards

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!

In this episode, we sit down with Carol Foster to hear the incredible story of how a vacation in Cabo turned into a medical nightmare that required an evacuation! What could have become a financial disaster ended up being covered thanks to the travel protections included with her Chase Sapphire Reserve card, saving her from tens of thousands of dollars in expenses.

Carol shares what happened, how the process worked, and what she learned from navigating this crisis while traveling internationally. We also discuss why travel insurance and credit card travel protections are some of the most overlooked tools in the points and miles world.

This episode is packed with practical lessons about emergency preparedness, travel insurance, medical coverage abroad, and protecting yourself when the unexpected happens. It's a powerful reminder that sometimes the most valuable travel benefit isn't the points you earn—it's the protection you hope you'll never need.

Mentioned in this Episode:

Carol on Instagram

Carol on Facebook

Full CSP Episode

Episode with Lisa

Comfrt.com 15% OFF

Chase Sapphire Link-Mary Ellen

Chase Sapphire Link- Joanna

Find Us On Online:

Sign Up for the Y! Wonder Travel Newsletter

Wonderland on Points Youtube Channel

Mary Ellen | Jo

Facebook Group

Affiliate Links:

Seats.Aero

Cardpointers

Halara (use code "Wonderland" for 10% off)

Our Favorite Credit Cards

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!

In this Midweek Mini, we’re diving into all the latest points and miles news, including recent devaluations, smart booking strategies, and the new PAZE platform that has everyone talking. We share the trips we’ve been booking lately, what Hyatts we locked in before the devaluation, and the strategies we’re personally using to maximize our points right now. We also talk through creative ways to stack rewards with gift cards, DashPass, and high multipliers, plus a few credit card tricks that could help you hit sign-up bonuses faster. From Hyatt changes to Chase Sapphire Reserve updates and upcoming travel plans, this episode is packed with practical tips to help you stretch your points further and stay ahead of the constant changes in the travel world.

Girl's Trip Interest Form (April 7-10, 2027)

Mentioned in this Episode:

Summer Road Trip Submissions ARE BACK!

Chase Sapphire Link-Mary Ellen

Chase Sapphire Link- Joanna

Rakuten- Mary Ellen (Get 5000 AMEX or Bilt POINTS)

Rakuten- Joanna (Get 5000 AMEX or Bilt POINTS)

Find Us On Online:

Sign Up for the Y! Wonder Travel Newsletter

Wonderland on Points Youtube Channel

Mary Ellen | Jo

Facebook Group

Affiliate Links:

Seats.Aero

Cardpointers

Halara (use code "Wonderland" for 10% off)

Tobiq 15%

Our Favorite Credit Cards

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!

***The challenge with recording remotely with three people is that sometimes the wifi just doesn’t cooperate. There are a few moments where the audio overlaps slightly. We apologize that we weren’t able to fully fix it in post-production.***

What does it really look like to fly a family of five to Singapore in business class using points and miles? In this episode, we sit down with one of our amazing listeners, Gretchen, to break down exactly how she made this bucket-list trip happen using smart award flight strategies, transferable points, and a whole lot of persistence. We talk through the best ways to search for award availability and why flexibility is everything when planning international family travel. Gretchen also shares a very scary scam that could have turned out WAY worse without the a great credit card company in her corner! She also tells us what it was actually like exploring Singapore with kids, including must-do experiences like Gardens by the Bay, incredible skyline views, and even seeing Indonesia from across the water. If you’ve ever dreamed of taking your family on a huge international adventure without paying cash prices, this episode is packed with practical tips, inspiration, and real-world advice to help you make it happen.

Girl's Trip Interest Form (April 7-10, 2027)

Mentioned in this Episode:

Gretchen's Singapore/Thailand Blog Post

List of Airline Customer Service Numbers

For Thailand/Singapore Questions email [email protected]

Find Us On Online:

Sign Up for the Y! Wonder Travel Newsletter

Wonderland on Points Youtube Channel

Mary Ellen | Jo

Facebook Group

Affiliate Links:

Seats.Aero

Cardpointers

Halara (use code "Wonderland" for 10% off)

Tobiq 15%

Our Favorite Credit Cards

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!

What if there was a strategy that could help you pay off student loans while also unlocking travel experiences for a fraction of the normal cost? In this episode of Wonderland on Points, we share how Joanna is earning points on her student loan payments. We dive into how the Gift of College platform works, how points enthusiasts are maximizing everyday spending to chip away at student loan debt, and why flexible points currencies can be such a powerful financial tool when used responsibly. We also break down an incredible business class deal for truly $0 out of pocket roundtrip. If you’ve ever wanted to balance financial goals like debt repayment while still traveling the world, this episode is packed with practical tips for maximizing credit card rewards, finding cheap business class flights, earning travel points faster, and making travel more affordable without sacrificing your long-term financial future.

Girl's Trip Interest Form (April 7-10, 2027)

Mentioned in this Episode:

Ashley Gets Around Flight Deals List

Gift of College Website

Rakuten- Mary Ellen (Get 5000 AMEX or Bilt POINTS)

Rakuten- Joanna (Get 5000 AMEX or Bilt POINTS)

Find Us On Online:

Sign Up for the Y! Wonder Travel Newsletter

Wonderland on Points Youtube Channel

Mary Ellen | Jo

Facebook Group

Affiliate Links:

Cardpointers

Halara (use code "Wonderland" for 10% off)

Tobiq 15%

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!

Want to level up your points and miles strategy? In this episode of Wonderland on Points, we sit down with Taylor Thomas from QCGC to break down the world of gift card reselling, manufactured spending, and advanced credit card rewards strategies. We talk about how people use bonus categories, gift card deals, and resale platforms to earn huge amounts of travel points, while also discussing the risks involved. Taylor shares how QCGC works, how beginners can get started responsibly, and what tools can help simplify the process. If you’ve ever been curious about advanced points and miles strategies, manufactured spending, or maximizing travel rewards, this episode is packed with insider tips, practical advice, and a behind-the-scenes look at one of the most talked-about areas of the travel hacking world.

Girl's Trip Interest Form (April 7-10, 2027)

Mentioned in this Episode:

QCGC (gift card buying/selling)

Comfrt.com 15% OFF

Find Us On Online:

Sign Up for the Y! Wonder Travel Newsletter

Wonderland on Points Youtube Channel

Mary Ellen | Jo

Facebook Group

Affiliate Links:

Cardpointers

Halara (use code "Wonderland" for 10% off)

Tobiq 15%

Our Favorite Credit Cards

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!

Thinking about adding the American Express Gold Card to your wallet or wondering whether the recent updates make it even more valuable? In this episode we break down the latest changes to the Amex Gold Card for their 60th anniversary, including updated dining perks, Uber benefits, transfer bonuses, and strategies for maximizing Membership Rewards points for travel. We discuss why the Amex Gold continues to be one of the most popular travel rewards credit cards for families and food lovers, how to make the annual fee worth it, and the best ways to stack dining credits, Uber Cash, and limited-time offers for maximum value. If you love travel rewards, points and miles strategies, credit card perks, and maximizing everyday purchases for nearly free travel, this episode is packed with actionable tips to help you get the most value possible from the Amex Gold Card.

Girl's Trip Interest Form (April 7-10, 2027)

Mentioned in this Episode:

Amex Gold Link-Mary Ellen

Amex Gold Link- Joanna

Amex Deep Dive Episode

Rakuten- Mary Ellen (Get 5000 AMEX or Bilt POINTS)

Rakuten- Joanna (Get 5000 AMEX or Bilt POINTS)

Find Us On Online:

Sign Up for the Y! Wonder Travel Newsletter

Wonderland on Points Youtube Channel

Mary Ellen | Jo

Facebook Group

Affiliate Links:

Cardpointers

Halara (use code "Wonderland" for 10% off)

Tobiq 15%

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!

Is the newly refreshed Chase Sapphire Reserve actually worth the massive $795 annual fee? In this episode of Wonderland on Points, we break down every major benefit, travel credit, lounge perk, transfer partner, and strategy tied to one of the most talked-about premium travel credit cards on the market. We cover the huge welcome bonus, how to maximize Ultimate Rewards points, and the smartest ways to offset the annual fee. We also dive into Priority Pass lounge access, Chase Sapphire Lounges, airport travel benefits, luxury hotel partnerships, rental car insurance, trip delay coverage, baggage protections, and why these travel protections can save travelers hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Throughout the episode, we share our real-life strategies for using transferable points, stacking benefits, booking luxury travel for less, and deciding whether premium travel credit cards truly make sense for families and frequent travelers. If you’ve been considering the Chase Sapphire Reserve, trying to decide between premium travel cards, or looking for advanced points and miles strategies to maximize travel rewards, this episode is packed with practical tips, honest opinions, and detailed travel hacking advice to help you get the most value possible from your credit cards and points.

Girl's Trip Interest Form (April 7-10, 2027)

Mentioned in this Episode:

Chase Sapphire Link-Mary Ellen

Chase Sapphire Link- Joanna

Katie's Travel Tricks Stacking Map

Rakuten- Mary Ellen (Get 5000 AMEX or Bilt POINTS)

Rakuten- Joanna (Get 5000 AMEX or Bilt POINTS)

Find Us On Online:

Sign Up for the Y! Wonder Travel Newsletter

Wonderland on Points Youtube Channel

Mary Ellen | Jo

Facebook Group

Affiliate Links:

Cardpointers

Halara (use code "Wonderland" for 10% off)

Tobiq 15%

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!

From credit card chaos to major points wins, in this episode of Wonderland on Points we’re sharing the real-life ups and downs of traveling with points and miles. We walk through our frustrating experience applying for the Bilt Rewards Card, including identity verification hurdles and what to do when systems don’t work the way they should. We also break down new updates from Bilt Rewards, how we maximize earnings through Rakuten and American Express Membership Rewards, and the creative strategies we use to stretch our points even further. Plus, we share some of our favorite recent travel moments—from booking a quick getaway with World of Hyatt points to navigating last-minute changes for a Savannah Bananas game—and the practical tips that help us stay flexible and make the most of every trip.

Mentioned in this Episode:

Girl's Trip Interest Form (April 7-10, 2027)

Rakuten- Mary Ellen (Get 5000 AMEX or Bilt POINTS)

Rakuten- Joanna (Get 5000 AMEX or Bilt POINTS)

Find Us On Online:

Sign Up for the Y! Wonder Travel Newsletter

Wonderland on Points Youtube Channel

Mary Ellen | Jo

Facebook Group

Affiliate Links:

Mary Ellen's Fetch (Use code MARYELLEN!)

Joanna's Fetch (Use code JOANNALYNN)

Mary Ellen's Upside (Use code KV4QC)

Joanna's Upside (Use Code JOANNA32944)

Cardpointers

Halara (use code "Wonderland" for 10% off)

Tobiq 15%

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!

Planning a Hawaii trip with points? In this episode of Wonderland on Points, we sit down with Jamie to break down her incredible family vacation to Kauai and how she used smart points and miles strategies to save over 8 THOUSAND DOLLARS. We cover how she booked the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa using World of Hyatt points, flight strategies with Hawaiian Airlines and the Southwest Companion Pass, and what it’s really like traveling Hawaii with kids. From exploring Waimea Canyon to finding the best local food spots and using tools like the Shaka Guide, this episode is packed with Hawaii travel tips, Kauai itinerary ideas, and practical ways to maximize points and miles for a dream family vacation.

Mentioned in this Episode:

Previous episode with Jamie

Find Us On Online:

Sign Up for the Y! Wonder Travel Newsletter

Wonderland on Points Youtube Channel

Mary Ellen | Jo

Facebook Group

Affiliate Links:

Cardpointers

Halara (use code "Wonderland" for 10% off)

Tobiq 15%

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!

Keywords Hawaii travel, Kauai travel guide, Grand Hyatt Kauai, World of Hyatt points, Hawaii with points, family travel Hawaii, Hawaiian Airlines miles, Southwest Companion Pass, Kauai itinerary, Waimea Canyon, travel rewards, points and miles, Hawaii travel tips