Wonderland on Points | Credit Card Rewards & Budget Travel

Wonderland on Points | Credit Card Rewards & Budget Travel

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.

Episodes

November 12, 2025 18 mins

This week on Wonderland on Points, we’re unpacking one of the biggest shakeups in travel rewards — the new Bilt and Rakuten partnership. You can now link your Rakuten and Bilt accounts to turn cashback into Bilt Rewards points, even without the Bilt card. We explain how it works, why it matters, and what this means for anyone earning through shopping portals.

We also share updates on Bilt Card 2.0, new Hyatt rumors, and how Chase Sa...

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In this episode we talk with Michelle of @OhthePlacesYoullGoTravels about the Denmark and Sweden part of their 10-day family trip to European, which proves that travel with kids can be affordable, flexible, and genuinely kid-friendly when you use points, stopovers, and creative lodging. Michelle walks us through the itinerary that started with a Flying Blue stopover in Amsterdam, an unforgettable day at LEGO House in Billund, and t...

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In this week’s Midweek Mini, we’re breaking down one of the biggest and best deals in the entire world of points and miles — the Southwest Companion Pass. Whether you’re new to travel hacking or already a seasoned Southwest flyer, this episode walks you through exactly how to earn and maximize this incredible perk.

We share two main strategies to earn the pass — the classic two-card combo (personal plus business) and the real-life “...

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This week on the Wonderland on Points podcast, we’re joined by Jenna from @TravelersinLaw for one of the most sporty trips we’ve ever talked about — her points-and-miles-fueled adventure to Milan for the Formula 1 Italian Grand Prix. We go behind the scenes on how it all happened, from locking in flights right when the availability opened to booking last minute puddle jumpers and hotels using points.

Jenna shares what it’s like atte...

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This week, we begin with some less than thrilling news in the points and miles world. We love to keep you up to date but it's not always fun to share. THEN- we’re pulling back the curtain on how a trip actually comes together — from that first spark of inspiration to locking in the flights. It started with an Instagram video, a great transfer bonus, and some unbelievable business class redemptions, and by the end of the day, we had...

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In this episode, we’re joined by Allison from @PointstoBoardingPass to break down one of the most powerful but underrated perks in the award travel world — Air Canada’s Aeroplan stopover program. Allison shares how travelers can add a stopover of up to 45 days for just 5,000 extra points and walks us through exactly how to find and book these deals using tools like Seats.aero and Air Canada’s multi-city search.

We talk about how to ...

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Citi just launched a new American Airlines card - the Citi Advantage Globe Mastercard - and we are diving into what makes it stand out. With a $350 annual fee, it comes with solid perks like four Admiral’s Club passes, a domestic companion certificate, and Turo and Splurge credits that feel a little hit or miss. We break down the 90,000-mile welcome offer, easy $5,000 minimum spend, and new “Flight Streak Bonus” that helps earn AA ...

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In this episode, Jo shares the story of an unforgettable road trip — four teenagers, one mom, and a weekend that proved you don’t have to go far (or spend a fortune) to make magic happen. What started as a plan to see a concert turned into a full-blown adventure that got the teens off their devices and completely hooked on exploring a small town full of surprises.

From finding a Hyatt stay for just 6,500 points a night to discoverin...

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In this midweek mini, we’re back from the TravelMore Conference and sharing all the behind-the-scenes details. From reconnecting with our favorite points-and-miles friends to some wild things we learned — and a few future guests who will be joining us on the podcast — we’re diving into everything that made this weekend truly amazing. We also get into “The Big Leak,” potentially the biggest points-and-miles news that could change th...

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This week on Wonderland on Points, we’re chatting with our friend Joy from @SavvyTravelMamas about her family’s European Harry Potter trip—and how she made it all happen with points. From planning the Warner Bros. Studio Tour in London to finding family-friendly stays, Joy shares the highs, the hiccups, and what she’d do differently next time. She talks us through the best tips and tricks for an amazing Harry Potter experience in b...

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****We had MANY technical issues recording this episode. During the course of the episode you will hear some overlapping audio and also large pauses as there was a lag. We wanted to make sure you we got you an episode on time since we have been traveling so we hope you can be patient with us and that you enjoy this despite the tech problems. If this cuts out mid sentence at the end, delete and re-download and it should be the full ...

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This week on Wonderland on Points, we’re joined by Ross Alcorn — better known as the Itinerary Boss — to talk about turning big life expenses into even bigger travel rewards. Ross shares how he and his fiancée strategically used their wedding hotel block, rehearsal dinner, and other wedding costs to rack up massive points, including IHG free nights they’re putting toward a Grand Cayman trip.

We also dive into how Ross approaches rea...

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Mary Ellen’s Europe trip continues! In this Midweek Mini, we dive into the first half of her family’s adventures in Amsterdam. From late-night train arrivals to Hyatt stays with Club Access, to Dutch chocolate surprises and the reality of navigating Amsterdam’s overwhelming bike culture—this one has plenty of laughs and lessons.

We chat about the Hyatt Regency Amsterdam and how points strategy paired with club access made the stay s...

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This week we’re diving into Scandinavia with returning guest Cami, who has mastered the art of using Choice Privileges Rewards to travel Norway and beyond. Cami shares how she’s stretched her points further than she ever expected, what makes Choice Hotels such a hidden gem, and why the free breakfasts in Scandinavia alone make redemptions here such a win.

We also chat about the variety of hotel brands within the Choice portfolio, ho...

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This week’s Midweek Mini is packed with updates you won’t want to miss. We break down the brand new additions to the Chase Sapphire Reserve refresh, including changes to the $500 Edit Hotel Credit and a brand-new $250 partner hotel credit, plus how to stack them for even more value. We also share details on the limited-time Infatuation dining promo available to Sapphire Preferred cardholders in select cities, the quirks of the Hawa...

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The Amex Platinum just got a major refresh for 2025 — and the changes are big. The annual fee is now an eye-watering $895, but with that increase comes a whole new set of perks. From a fresh $100 a quarter Resy credit to expanded travel benefits and lifestyle perks, the Platinum is looking different than ever before.

In this episode, we break down what’s new, what’s disappearing, and whether the Platinum still earns its spot in your...

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It’s time for another Midweek Mini, and this week we are serving up a News Roundup Sandwich. From exciting new transfer bonuses to one painful devaluation, and one VERY exciting elevated offer -we’re walking through the latest points and miles updates you need to know.

We’re breaking down the Capital One 30% transfer bonus to Virgin Atlantic, Citi’s Wyndham bonus, Chase’s Air France/KLM offer, and why the Amex to Hilton 25% transfer...

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What’s it really like to explore Paris, Bayeux and Normandy on points with three kids in tow? In this episode, Mary Ellen picks up the next chapter of her European adventure and shares the highlights (and surprises!) from her family’s time in France. From climbing to a free Parisian viewpoint with stunning Eiffel Tower views to staying in a charming chateau in Bayeux booked with her Venture X credit, this leg of the trip was unforg...

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This week on our Midweek Mini, we get real about the struggle of choosing between multiple credit cards, elevated signup bonuses, and chasing a Southwest companion pass. We share our own moments of analysis paralysis and shiny new card syndrome, plus a few really hasty decisions that got one of us into some trouble. We also share tips for families on maximizing points, lounge access, and making smarter credit card decisions without...

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This week on Wonderland on Points, we’re joined by Kate from Kate’s on a Plane to hear all about her family’s recent trip to Wild Dunes Resort near Charleston, South Carolina — and how she booked the stay on Hyatt points. Kate shares what worked well, what she’d do differently, and some really practical tips for families considering a beach resort getaway. From whether it’s better to bring your own gear or rent, to her suggestion o...

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