Wonderland on Points | Credit Card Rewards & Budget Travel

This week's Midweek Mini is a BIG one, and we have some exciting news to share!

We're talking about why we're testing podcast ads, a Chase promotion that could earn you thousands of extra points, an exciting Hilton credit card offer, and a new reselling side hustle that's already bringing in extra travel money! Plus, Joanna has an update on her missing Chase Edit breakfast benefit from Vegas.

And we're saving the BEST for last! Wonderland on Points has officially hit ONE MILLION STREAMS!!! We're celebrating with a special listener giveaway, and we can't wait to share all the details. We truly couldn't have done this without you!

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

Vinted Link

Hilton Honors Card Referral Link

JOIN WONDERLAND BESTIES:

Get bonus episodes, ad-free listening, timely points & miles updates, member Q&As, and more with our Wonderland Besties membership!

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Mary Ellen | Joanna

Wonderland on Points Facebook Group

OUR FAVORITE LINKS & DISCOUNTS:

Some of the links below are affiliate or referral links, which means we may receive a commission or referral bonus when you use them. Thank you for supporting Wonderland on Points!

Our Favorite Credit Cards

Rakuten — Mary Ellen (Get 5,000 Amex or Bilt Points)

Rakuten — Joanna (Get 5,000 Amex or Bilt Points)

Mary Ellen’s Fetch — Use code MARYELLEN

Joanna’s Fetch — Use code JOANNALYNN

Seats.Aero

CardPointers — Get Our Best Price

Halara — 10% off with code WONDERLAND

Comfrt — 15% off

Reliefband — 25% off with code WONDERLAND

What happens when you plan an entire trip around a concert...and then the concert gets canceled?! Today we're recapping Joanna's recent Las Vegas getaway, which didn't exactly go according to plan!

We're breaking down how she used Southwest points, the Companion Pass, and Chase Sapphire Reserve's The Edit benefits to save big on flights and four nights at Park MGM. From missing breakfast benefits to unexpected dining credits, we're sharing what worked, what didn't, and what we'd do differently.

Plus, we're talking incredible food, Cirque du Soleil, exploring the Strip, and an unforgettable day trip to Valley of Fire. And why Vegas might surprise you even if gambling and partying aren't your thing!

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

Valley of Fire Audio Tour

JOIN WONDERLAND BESTIES:

Get bonus episodes, ad-free listening, timely points & miles updates, member Q&As, and more with our Wonderland Besties membership!

FIND US ONLINE:

Mary Ellen | Joanna

Wonderland on Points Facebook Group

OUR FAVORITE LINKS & DISCOUNTS:

Some of the links below are affiliate or referral links, which means we may receive a commission or referral bonus when you use them. Thank you for supporting Wonderland on Points!

Our Favorite Credit Cards

Rakuten — Mary Ellen (Get 5,000 Amex or Bilt Points)

Rakuten — Joanna (Get 5,000 Amex or Bilt Points)

Mary Ellen’s Fetch — Use code MARYELLEN

Joanna’s Fetch — Use code JOANNALYNN

Seats.Aero

CardPointers — Get Our Best Price

Halara — 10% off with code WONDERLAND

Comfrt — 15% off

Reliefband — 25% off with code WONDERLAND

There is a LOT happening in the points and miles world this week, and we’re breaking down the updates that actually caught our attention.

We’re talking about a surprising new transferable points partnership from Bank of America, some very interesting premium airline experiences on the horizon, and new credit cards—including an Atmos Rewards debit card coming in 2027 and a new premium IHG card. We also have another Rove transfer bonus just in time to start thinking about holiday shopping.

Plus, Amtrak is entering the transferable points conversation, which could open up some really fun possibilities for train travel, and we need to talk about what’s happening with Hyatt transfer ratios and what it could mean for the way we move our points going forward.

And, as always, we get into what all of these changes actually mean for us—including how they might affect our own points strategies and the cards we’re keeping, using, or reconsidering.

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

Rove — Get 1,500 Free Miles

JOIN WONDERLAND BESTIES:

Get bonus episodes, ad-free listening, timely points & miles updates, member Q&As, and more with our Wonderland Besties membership!

FIND US ONLINE:

Mary Ellen | Joanna

Wonderland on Points Facebook Group

OUR FAVORITE LINKS & DISCOUNTS:

Some of the links below are affiliate or referral links, which means we may receive a commission or referral bonus when you use them. Thank you for supporting Wonderland on Points!

Our Favorite Credit Cards

Rakuten — Mary Ellen (Get 5,000 Amex or Bilt Points)

Rakuten — Joanna (Get 5,000 Amex or Bilt Points)

Mary Ellen’s Fetch — Use code MARYELLEN

Joanna’s Fetch — Use code JOANNALYNN

Seats.Aero

CardPointers — Get Our Best Price

Halara — 10% off with code WONDERLAND

Comfrt — 15% off

Reliefband — 25% off with code WONDERLAND

What happens when the trip you planned suddenly isn’t the trip you need anymore? Today we’re joined by Rachel and Margaux, the dynamic duo behind Raise Her Roaming, to talk about one of our favorite benefits of points and miles: the freedom to change your mind.

We’re talking about traveling with kids, last-minute pivots, rebooking flights and hotels, unexpected family emergencies, and why we never stop checking our reservations even after everything is booked. From a child getting sick on a flight to swapping hotels in Japan and a trip to Santa Fe somehow turning into Portugal, Rachel and Margaux have some incredible stories of plans changing on the fly.

But this conversation goes so much deeper than points and miles. We talk about the incredible value of traveling with our kids and what they learn when they see us navigate unfamiliar places, solve problems, change plans, and keep going when things feel uncomfortable. Sometimes we have to “do it scared,” and there’s something really powerful about teaching the next generation that they can do that too.

This episode is such a good reminder that points and miles aren’t just about traveling for less. They give our families the flexibility to take more chances, experience more of the world together, and raise kids who know they’re capable of figuring things out—even when the plan completely falls apart.

JOIN WONDERLAND BESTIES:

Get bonus episodes, ad-free listening, timely points & miles updates, member Q&As, and more with our Wonderland Besties membership!

FIND US ONLINE:

Mary Ellen | Joanna

Wonderland on Points Facebook Group

OUR FAVORITE LINKS & DISCOUNTS:

Some of the links below are affiliate or referral links, which means we may receive a commission or referral bonus when you use them. Thank you for supporting Wonderland on Points!

Our Favorite Credit Cards

Rakuten — Mary Ellen (Get 5,000 Amex or Bilt Points)

Rakuten — Joanna (Get 5,000 Amex or Bilt Points)

Mary Ellen’s Fetch — Use code MARYELLEN

Joanna’s Fetch — Use code JOANNALYNN

Seats.Aero

CardPointers — Get Our Best Price

Halara — 10% off with code WONDERLAND

Comfrt — 15% off

Rove — Get 1,500 Free Miles

What kind of points traveler are you? Are you constantly calculating cents per point, saving every point for the “perfect” redemption, hunting for impossible-to-find award space, or just happy your points saved you money?

In this episode, we’re breaking down eight types of points travelers: The Maximizer, The Hoarder, The Hunter, The Luxury Convert, The Strategist, The Chaotic Optimist, The Budget Boss, and The Churn & Burner.

We’re sharing which types we think we are (spoiler: neither of us fits neatly into just one 😂), calling each other out along the way, and figuring out what our points habits say about the way we travel.

Listen in and then tell us: What’s your primary points traveler type—and what’s your secondary?

And TAKE THE QUIZ here on our Blog!

JOIN WONDERLAND BESTIES:

Get bonus episodes, ad-free listening, timely points & miles updates, member Q&As, and more with our Wonderland Besties membership!

FIND US ONLINE:

Mary Ellen | Joanna

Wonderland on Points Facebook Group

OUR FAVORITE LINKS & DISCOUNTS:

Some of the links below are affiliate or referral links, which means we may receive a commission or referral bonus when you use them. Thank you for supporting Wonderland on Points!

Our Favorite Credit Cards

Reliefband — 25% off with code WONDERLAND

Rakuten — Mary Ellen (Get 5,000 Amex or Bilt Points)

Rakuten — Joanna (Get 5,000 Amex or Bilt Points)

Mary Ellen’s Fetch — Use code MARYELLEN

Joanna’s Fetch — Use code JOANNALYNN

Seats.Aero

CardPointers — Get Our Best Price

Halara — 10% off with code WONDERLAND

Comfrt — 15% off

Rove — Get 1,500 Free Miles

Today on the show, we’re joined by our friend and listener Holly to hear all about her incredible points and miles trip to San Diego! From staying at a hotel that would have cost nearly $11,000 for $0 out of pocket to using TWO Companion Passes for flights, this trip is a perfect example of just how far a good points strategy can take a family.

Holly breaks down the cards and strategies that made the trip possible, including how she used bank bonuses and Capital One miles to cover excursions and other vacation expenses. We also get into the details of where they stayed, what they did, and her honest reviews of the properties and excursions along the way. This was truly a mind-blowing vacation with next to nothing out of pocket!

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

Reliefband — 25% off with code WONDERLAND

JOIN WONDERLAND BESTIES:

Get bonus episodes, ad-free listening, timely points & miles updates, member Q&As, and more with our Wonderland Besties membership!

FIND US ONLINE:

Mary Ellen | Joanna

Wonderland on Points Facebook Group

OUR FAVORITE LINKS & DISCOUNTS:

Some of the links below are affiliate or referral links, which means we may receive a commission or referral bonus when you use them. Thank you for supporting Wonderland on Points!

Our Favorite Credit Cards

Rakuten — Mary Ellen (Get 5,000 Amex or Bilt Points)

Rakuten — Joanna (Get 5,000 Amex or Bilt Points)

Mary Ellen’s Fetch — Use code MARYELLEN

Joanna’s Fetch — Use code JOANNALYNN

Seats.Aero

CardPointers — Get Our Best Price

Halara — 10% off with code WONDERLAND

Comfrt — 15% off

Rove — Get 1,500 Free Miles

The news just keeps coming! This week, we’re breaking down the new Chase Freedom Flex Q4 bonus categories, including why dining and groceries could make this an especially lucrative quarter. We also talk about Qatar making it easier to book award flights for friends and family, a huge 70% Chase-to-Marriott transfer bonus, reported delays with some Amex transfers, and a pretty painful Wyndham devaluation.

Plus, Chase is celebrating the Sapphire Reserve’s 10th anniversary with new limited-time perks and credits. We go through what’s included, which ones we think are actually useful, and how we might take advantage of them. And finally, we clear up the difference between joining Wonderland Besties through Patreon versus subscribing through Apple Podcasts—and why we wanted to give you both options.

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

Chase Sapphire Reserve 10 Million Points Giveaway

JOIN WONDERLAND BESTIES:

Get bonus episodes, ad-free listening, timely points & miles updates, member Q&As, and more with our Wonderland Besties membership!

FIND US ONLINE:

Mary Ellen | Joanna

Wonderland on Points Facebook Group

OUR FAVORITE LINKS & DISCOUNTS:

Some of the links below are affiliate or referral links, which means we may receive a commission or referral bonus when you use them. Thank you for supporting Wonderland on Points!

Our Favorite Credit Cards

Reliefband — 25% off with code WONDERLAND

Rakuten — Mary Ellen (Get 5,000 Amex or Bilt Points)

Rakuten — Joanna (Get 5,000 Amex or Bilt Points)

Mary Ellen’s Fetch — Use code MARYELLEN

Joanna’s Fetch — Use code JOANNALYNN

Seats.Aero

CardPointers — Get Our Best Price

Halara — 10% off with code WONDERLAND

Comfrt — 15% off

Rove — Get 1,500 Free Miles

This week, Jamie joins us to recap her family trip through Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks! She shares how they used Southwest points and a Companion Pass to fly into Boise and home from Bozeman, plus how they covered lodging with Wyndham points, Capital One miles, and credit card benefits. We talk about exploring Jenny Lake, Hidden Falls and String Lake in the Tetons before cold and rainy weather completely changed their plans.

Then it’s on to Yellowstone for bison, bears, Old Faithful, the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center, and some seriously wild traffic. Jamie also shares what she would do differently next time, where she would stay, and her biggest tips for planning a Yellowstone and Grand Teton trip with kids. This one is full of practical advice for planning your own national parks adventure—and a good reminder that sometimes the best family trips require a little flexibility!

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

Relief Band - Use code WONDERLAND for 25% off!

JOIN WONDERLAND BESTIES:

Get bonus episodes, ad-free listening, timely points & miles updates, member Q&As, and more with our Wonderland Besties membership!

FIND US ONLINE:

Mary Ellen | Joanna

Wonderland on Points Facebook Group

OUR FAVORITE LINKS & DISCOUNTS:

Some of the links below are affiliate or referral links, which means we may receive a commission or referral bonus when you use them. Thank you for supporting Wonderland on Points!

Our Favorite Credit Cards

Rakuten — Mary Ellen (Get 5,000 Amex or Bilt Points)

Rakuten — Joanna (Get 5,000 Amex or Bilt Points)

Mary Ellen’s Fetch — Use code MARYELLEN

Joanna’s Fetch — Use code JOANNALYNN

Seats.Aero

CardPointers — Get Our Best Price

Halara — 10% off with code WONDERLAND

Comfrt — 15% off

Rove — Get 1,500 Free Miles

This week’s Midweek Mini has some important travel updates plus a BIG Wonderland on Points announcement! We’re talking about the new Trusted Traveler app replacing the old Global Entry app, Alaska Airlines making international lap infant award travel much more affordable, and the current Capital One Venture offer. We also cover a major change to Chase-to-Hyatt transfers and what you may want to do before it takes effect. Then, Wonderland Besties is officially HERE! We’re breaking down everything included in our new membership, from bonus episodes and ad-free listening to timely news, voicemail questions, community input, giveaways, group trip access, and more—plus we explain the differences between joining through Patreon and Apple Premium.

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

Venture referral link

JOIN WONDERLAND BESTIES:

Get bonus episodes, ad-free listening, timely points & miles updates, member Q&As, and more with our Wonderland Besties subscription!

FIND US ONLINE:

Mary Ellen | Joanna

Wonderland on Points Facebook Group

OUR FAVORITE LINKS & DISCOUNTS:

Some of the links below are affiliate or referral links, which means we may receive a commission or referral bonus when you use them. Thank you for supporting Wonderland on Points!

Our Favorite Credit Cards

Reliefband — 25% off with code WONDERLAND

Rakuten — Mary Ellen (Get 5,000 Amex or Bilt Points)

Rakuten — Joanna (Get 5,000 Amex or Bilt Points)

Mary Ellen’s Fetch — Use code MARYELLEN

Joanna’s Fetch — Use code JOANNALYNN

Seats.Aero

CardPointers — Get Our Best Price

Halara — 10% off with code WONDERLAND

Comfrt — 15% off

Rove — Get 1,500 Free Miles

Elizabeth von Tersch from U.S. News & World Report joins us to break down the latest rankings of the best airline and hotel loyalty programs—and there are definitely some surprises! We talk about why American took the top airline spot, what caused Atmos and United to fall, why JetBlue is gaining ground, and where Delta struggles. On the hotel side, we dig into Wyndham taking #1, why Hyatt remains strong despite its smaller footprint, and how programs like Choice, Hilton, Sonesta, and IHG compare. Plus, we talk about devaluations, transfer partners, redemption value, and why your points are almost always worth more today than they will be tomorrow.

Mentioned in this episode:

Travel.usnews.com

@USNewsTravel

Travel Essentials Links

Elizabeth TikTok

Elizabeth Youtube

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Wonderland Besties Subscription

Mary Ellen | Jo

Facebook Group

Affiliate Links:

Relief Band - Use code WONDERLAND for 25% off!

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

Rakuten- Joanna (Get 5000 AMEX or Bilt POINTS)

Seats.Aero

BEST PRICE on CardPointers subscription!

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

Our Favorite Credit Cards

Comfrt.com 15% OFF

✈️💙Rove Referral Link- A FREE 1500 miles🎉

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