Wonderland on Points | Credit Card Rewards & Budget Travel | Presented by Yahoo! Travel

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 p...

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 poin...

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...

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 happ...

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...

In this episode of the Wonderland on Points Podcast , we’re joined by one of our favorite fellow podcasters, Devon Gimbel from Point Me To First Class . Devon is a master at helping business owners turn everyday expenses into thousands of dollars worth of free travel. Whether you have a high-spending business or are just getting started with a side hustle, Devon shares her expert tips for making y...

This week on our Mid-Week Mini episode of Wonderland on Points , Mary Ellen shares details about her quick trip to D.C. with a couple of girlfriends for a mom's getaway. They were able to stay at the Grand Hyatt D.C. for $0 out of pocket by using credit card points, and even upgraded their experience with a Club Access Award for access to the lounge, which provided free food. Mary Ellen tells us a...

Welcome to Wonderland on Points ! In today’s episode, Jo shares her unforgettable stay at the Manchester Grand Hyatt in San Diego , where she enjoyed exclusive perks and luxury accommodations. Jo covers how to use Club Access Awards and Guest of Honor bookings to unlock VIP upgrades and amenities, giving you insider tips to elevate your hotel experience. Beyond the hotel, Jo dives into San Diego t...

In today’s mini episode of Wonderland on Points , we’re sharing all the stacks we’re currently taking advantage of to boost our travel rewards. From shopping portals to receipt scanning apps, we’re using every creative strategy in the book to earn more for our adventures—and we’re not keeping any of it to ourselves! Tune in as we break down the top ways we’re maximizing our points and miles right...

Dive into paradise with the Wonderland on Points Podcast as we welcome Mari from @Marionthemap to explore the allure of Hawaii, focusing on the vibrant island of Oahu. Mari shares her ingenious strategy for turning this dream vacation into a points-powered reality, proving that luxury destinations can be done on a budget! Discover Mari's expert tips on maximizing credit card rewards for free fligh...

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, everyone! In this special episode, we’re taking a moment to reflect on an incredible first year of the Wonderland on Points Podcast . Whether you've been with us from the beginning or are just joining the community, we’re so grateful for your support and thrilled you’re part of this journey. We’re excited to share some highlights and milestones from our first ye...

This week on The Wonderland on Points Podcast , we’re joined by Kam from @OurFamilyPassport, a points and miles expert who’s mastered the art of using rewards for amazing family vacations. Kam travels with her family of six and shares her top strategies for earning and redeeming points to make dream trips a reality without the hefty price tag. In this episode, Kam reveals her surprising favorite f...

Welcome to today’s Wondering Wednesday mini episode! If you're looking to level up your points and miles game, this quick, bite-sized episode is packed with all the key info you need on transfer bonuses . We dive into what transfer bonuses are, how they work, and why they’re such a powerful tool in your travel rewards strategy. Plus, we break down a simple math formula to help you calculate exactl...

In today’s episode of Wonderland on Points , we’re joined by the amazing Annie from @LetsTravelTalk, who shares her incredible experience taking her family of five on a dream vacation to French Polynesia. Annie takes us through her trip to the stunning islands of Tahiti & Mo'orea , revealing how she saved $20,000+ on their flights and hotels during this trip! Annie walks us through the best ai...

In this Wondering Wednesday mini episode of Wonderland on Points , we’re breaking down a huge shift in the world of points and miles: American Airlines has announced it is ending its partnership with Barclays and will now be exclusively working with Citi for its co-branded credit cards. We’ll explain what this means for American Airlines AAdvantage members, why this change is significant, and what...

This week, we’re joined by Katherine Fan, a personal finance and points and miles expert, to discuss her incredible trip to Antarctica. Katherine shares how she used points and miles to book a once-in-a-lifetime cruise to the southernmost continent. While you can’t currently book the cruise with points, she offers great tips for finding deals on these rare and expensive trips. We also dive into ho...

*****This this episode has come out MANY things have changed in the world of points and miles. Please do your own research to determine how many months before you can reapply for various cards****** This week on the Wonderland on Points Podcast mid-week mini episode, we’re tackling a question we’ve gotten multiple times: How do you earn the sign-up bonus on the same credit cards more than once? If...

Today on the Wonderland on Points Podcast , we’re thrilled to be joined by Tommy Lonergan for a deep dive into United Airlines . In this episode, we break down the MileagePlus program and explore who it still holds value for in today’s travel landscape. From how the program has evolved over the years to how you can maximize your benefits, Tommy offers insights that will help you get the most out o...

This week on our mini-episode, we’re answering an exciting question: How do you get free hotel upgrades? You’re in luck! We’re sharing a simple template that can help you score upgrades and hotel perks—even without elite status. Both of us have used this method successfully, and we’re excited to pass along our tips so you can enjoy the same benefits on your travels! Facebook Group | Support the Sh...

Today on the Wonderland on Points Podcast , we’re thrilled to chat with our FAVORITE Delta influencer, Janelle! She shares all the incredible perks and insights she’s discovered about flying with Delta. We also dive into the session she presented at TravelMore Con, where she breaks down your rights as a traveler when things go wrong. From US travel to navigating issues in Europe, Janelle offers es...

In today’s Wondering Wednesday mini episode of the Wonderland on Points podcast, we’re answering a common question: When is the right time to actually use the travel portal? The conventional wisdom in the points and miles world is that you typically get the best value when you transfer your points and book travel outside of the portal—and that’s absolutely true. But there are definitely times when...

In this episode of the Wonderland on Points podcast, we’re joined by the incredible Allison, a travel expert we met at the TravelMore Conference. Last year alone, her business has redeemed over 100 MILLION points for their clients. Allison has set an ambitious, yet inspiring goal for herself: over the course of 12 months, she aims to experience 12 different lie-flat business class products (all bo...

On our Wondering Wednesday episode this week, we break down how to calculate your cents per point (CPP) to better understand the value of your points redemptions. We walk you through two straightforward methods for calculating CPP, empowering you to assess the true worth of your points, as well as three examples of why transferring points gets you maximum value! Whether you're booking travel or re...

In this week’s episode of Wonderland on Points, we dive into the art of maximizing your points and miles when you’re not focusing on sign-up bonuses. We highlight the best pairings from the three major banks, showcasing how combining one annual fee card with a no annual fee card can elevate your earning potential. Join us as we walk you through three exceptional card pairings that can help you lev...

In today’s Wondering Wednesday mini-episode, we discuss the pros and cons of adding an authorized user to your credit card. We'll cover when it can be beneficial—like helping a family member build credit or sharing rewards—and when it might not be the best idea, such as the risks to your credit score from their spending and some other things you may not have considered. Tune in for practical advic...