Wonderland on Points | Credit Card Rewards & Budget Travel
Wonderland on Points | Credit Card Rewards & Budget Travel

Wonderland on Points | Credit Card Rewards & Budget Travel

Mary Ellen and Jo

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Episodes

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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.

Recent Episodes

169. BREAKING ALL THE RULES- Booking a Full Trip to Saint Martin on Points (Flights, Hotels AND Excursions) Through a Travel Portal!
DEC 8, 2025
169. BREAKING ALL THE RULES- Booking a Full Trip to Saint Martin on Points (Flights, Hotels AND Excursions) Through a Travel Portal!
<p>In this episode, we chat with author, graphic designer and avid savvy traveler <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/ktwilson.adventureon">Katie Wilson</a> about her incredible 16th-anniversary trip to St. Martin, planned entirely using points and miles—but with a twist! Katie shares how they booked flights, hotel stays, rental cars, and excursions with points, keeping their out-of-pocket costs under $600. She takes us through her adventures, including where they stayed and the amazing excursions they experienced. Katie explains her points and miles strategies, including how they are working towards a Southwest Companion Pass, and she shares how she maximizes rewards for airfare, hotels, and excursions. She also gives us a sneak peek at upcoming family trips, including a points-and-miles-funded adventure to Panama City. This episode is packed with practical tips, inspiring ideas, and real-life examples of how to travel more while spending less.</p><p><strong>EPISODE SPONSOR</strong></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://cardpointers.com/wonderlandonpoints">CardPointers Discount Link</a></p><p><strong>Find Us On Online</strong></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/familytravel4thewin/">Mary Ellen</a> | <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/pointstowonderland/">Jo</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/1801098990392968/">Facebook Group</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.ktpointstoadventure.com">Katie's Website</a></p><p><strong>Mentioned in this Episode</strong></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://grandcasebeachclub.com/">Grand Casa Beach Club</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.seatrekstmaarten.com/wp/">SeaTrek Helmet Diving</a></p><p><strong>Affiliate Links</strong></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://comfrt.com/?snowball=WonderlandOnPoints">Comfrt Hoodie 15% OFF!</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://wonderlandonpoints.com/our-favorite-credit-cards">Chase/Capital One/Amex Card Links</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://flykitt.pxf.io/MAYZ4P">FlyKitt- the BEST Jet Lag Solution!</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.tripiamo.com/a/2147528354/KTiVW9ky">Tripiamo Driving Tutorials</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://wonderlandonpoints.com/travel-necessities">Our Favorite Travel Necessities</a></p><p><em>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!</em></p>
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47 MIN
167. Midweek Mini: The 2026 Cruise Rankings with U.S. News Senior Travel Editor Nicola Wood
DEC 3, 2025
167. Midweek Mini: The 2026 Cruise Rankings with U.S. News Senior Travel Editor Nicola Wood
<p>In this Midweek Mini, we sit down with U.S. News Senior Travel Editor Nicola Wood to unpack the brand-new <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://travel.usnews.com/cruises/?src=usn_pr">2026 Best Cruise Lines rankings</a> and what they mean for families, value-seekers, and anyone curious about cruising. We talk through how the rankings are actually created, the surprising ways scores and traveler reviews factor in, and why Virgin Voyages continues to dominate the “Best for the Money” category. We share why Virgin’s inclusions make it such a standout for points users, how transfer partners can make a cruise nearly free, and the real math behind when it does or doesn’t make sense to book a cruise on points. Nicola walks us through the biggest surprises of the year, including a luxury newcomer that suddenly appeared in the top three for the Caribbean, and why Viking took the number-one spot for the Mediterranean thanks to small ships, deep cultural programming, and crowd-free Quiet Season itineraries. We take a closer look at the family rankings too, with Disney once again claiming the top position for its unmatched entertainment and private-island experiences. Whether you’re a long-time cruiser or planning your very first sailing, this episode breaks down what really matters when choosing a ship, when deals are best, and how to stretch your travel budget further while actually enjoying the process.</p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/usnews/">US News Instagram</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://travel.usnews.com/cruises/">US News and World Report - Cruises</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://cardpointers.com/wonderlandonpoints">30% off the CardPointers subscription!</a></p><p><strong>Find Us On Online</strong></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/familytravel4thewin/">Mary Ellen</a> | <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/pointstowonderland/">Jo</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/1801098990392968/">Facebook Group</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://wonderlandonpoints.com/">Wonderland On Points Blog</a></p><p><strong>Affiliate Links</strong></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.rakuten.com/r/MARYEL622?eeid=44971">Rakuten- Mary Ellen (Get 5000 AMEX or Bilt POINTS)</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.rakuten.com/r/JOANNA21472?eeid=44749">Rakuten- Joanna (Get 5000 AMEX or Bilt POINTS</a>)</p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://wonderlandonpoints.com/our-favorite-credit-cards">Chase/Capital One/Amex Card Links</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://cardpointers.com/wonderlandonpoints">30% off the CardPointers subscription!</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://flykitt.pxf.io/MAYZ4P">FlyKitt- the BEST Jet Lag Solution!</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.tripiamo.com/a/2147528354/KTiVW9ky">Tripiamo Driving Tutorials</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://wonderlandonpoints.com/travel-necessities">Our Favorite Travel Necessities</a></p><p><em>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!</em></p>
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21 MIN
166. Europe on a Budget: The BEST City for Major European Charm Without the Major Price Tag with @German.Samvel
DEC 1, 2025
166. Europe on a Budget: The BEST City for Major European Charm Without the Major Price Tag with @German.Samvel
<p>In this episode of <em>Wonderland on Points</em>, we sit down with <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/german.samvel/">German Samvel</a> to talk about his recent trip to Prague and why it’s quickly becoming one of the best budget-friendly destinations in Europe. German shares what surprised him most about the city, especially the incredible food scene, from traditional Czech dishes to one of the best tapas meals he’s ever had. We chat about what dinners actually cost, why two people can eat a full meal with drinks for under $35, and how Prague delivers major European charm without the major European prices.</p><p>We also dive into German’s favorite experiences, including paddle boating on the river, exploring Prague Castle, wandering through historic neighborhoods, and checking out the famous “mini Eiffel Tower” viewpoint. He talks through what it’s really like to get around the city, why it’s so easy for first-time visitors, what weather to expect in the summer, and how surprisingly comfortable the city is for English speakers.</p><p>Of course, we couldn’t resist talking points and miles. German shares his favorite welcome offer right now, why Prague is such a beginner-friendly city for award travelers, and the realities of flying intra-Europe “business class.” If you’re dreaming of a European weekend getaway that’s beautiful, affordable, and easy to book with points, this episode will put Prague firmly on your list.</p><p><strong>Find Us On Online</strong></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/familytravel4thewin/">Mary Ellen</a> | <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/pointstowonderland/">Jo</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/1801098990392968/">Facebook Group</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://wonderlandonpoints.com/">Wonderland On Points Blog</a></p><p><strong>Find German Online</strong></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/german.samvel/">Instagram</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@germansamvel">TikTok</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiJAA_xwyAamL_vlRusoJpQ">Youtube</a></p><p><strong>Affiliate Links</strong></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.rakuten.com/r/MARYEL622?eeid=44971">Rakuten- Mary Ellen (Get 5000 AMEX or Bilt POINTS)</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.rakuten.com/r/JOANNA21472?eeid=44749">Rakuten- Joanna (Get 5000 AMEX or Bilt POINTS</a>)</p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://wonderlandonpoints.com/our-favorite-credit-cards">Chase/Capital One/Amex Card Links</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://cardpointers.com/wonderlandonpoints">30% off the CardPointers subscription!</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://flykitt.pxf.io/MAYZ4P">FlyKitt- the BEST Jet Lag Solution!</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.tripiamo.com/a/2147528354/KTiVW9ky">Tripiamo Driving Tutorials</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://wonderlandonpoints.com/travel-necessities">Our Favorite Travel Necessities</a></p><p><em>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!</em></p>
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47 MIN
165. 10 Strategies Every Travel Sports Family NEEDS to Know to Help Mitigate Travel Expenses
NOV 26, 2025
165. 10 Strategies Every Travel Sports Family NEEDS to Know to Help Mitigate Travel Expenses
<p>In this Midweek Mini episode, we share ten strategies every travel sports family needs to know to save on tournament travel. From using travel credit cards and transferable points to apps like Rakuten, BILT, Upside, and Fetch, we show how everyday expenses—hotels, gas, dining, and gear—can turn into free nights, points, and cash back. Whether your kids are chasing their sports dreams or you just love to travel, these tips will help you keep costs down while making the most of points and miles.</p><p><strong>Find Us On Online:</strong></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/familytravel4thewin/">Mary Ellen</a> | <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/pointstowonderland/">Jo</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/1801098990392968/">Facebook Group</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://wonderlandonpoints.com/">Wonderland On Points Blog</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://wonderlandonpoints.com/holiday-gift-ideas-for-travel-lovers">Holiday Gift Ideas for Travel Lovers</a></p><p><strong>Mentioned in this episode:</strong></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://referral.fetch.com/vvv3/referraltext?code=43M2YE">Fetch-Mary Ellen’s Code</a>: 43M2YE</p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://referral.fetch.com/vvv3/referralqr?code=WJVADR">Fetch- Joanna</a></p><p>Upside- Mary Ellen’s Code: KV4QC</p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://upside.app.link/JOANNA32944">Upside- Joanna</a></p><p><strong>Affiliate Links:</strong></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://comfrt.com/?snowball=WonderlandOnPoints">Comfrt.com 15% OFF</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.rakuten.com/r/MARYEL622?eeid=44971">Rakuten- Mary Ellen (Get 5000 AMEX or Bilt POINTS)</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.rakuten.com/r/JOANNA21472?eeid=44749">Rakuten- Joanna (Get 5000 AMEX or Bilt POINTS</a>)</p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://wonderlandonpoints.com/our-favorite-credit-cards">Chase/Capital One/Amex Card Links</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://cardpointers.com/wonderlandonpoints">30% off the CardPointers subscription!</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://flykitt.pxf.io/MAYZ4P">FlyKitt- the BEST Jet Lag Solution!</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.tripiamo.com/a/2147528354/KTiVW9ky">Tripiamo Driving Tutorials</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://wonderlandonpoints.com/travel-necessities">Our Favorite Travel Necessities</a></p><p><em>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!</em></p>
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24 MIN