Wonderland on Points | Credit Card Rewards & Budget Travel

What if we told you that you could book a $17,000 luxury Caribbean vacation using points and free night certificates?! 🤯This week, we're joined by Abby from @WayfarenCo, who's sharing how she and her husband spent FIVE nights at the incredible Hermitage Bay in Antigua using Hilton points and free night certificates!We're diving into exactly how she booked this amazing redemption, her tips for finding award availability, and what it's REALLY like to stay at this luxurious all-inclusive resort. Think private pool villas, incredible food, beautiful beaches, and top-notch service!But the trip wasn't all smooth sailing! Abby is also sharing a costly airport booking mistake and the unexpected travel chaos that left them stranded when airspace closures disrupted their flights home. We're talking about what happened, how they handled it, and some important lessons about travel insurance and credit card protections.MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:Try Daily Drop Pro for FREEHilton Card 70K Offer + Free Night!Hilton BUSINESS Card 150k Offer + Free Night!Cabo episode with Abby1 on 1 Consultation with AbbyJOIN WONDERLAND BESTIES:Get ad-free bonus episodes, timely points & miles updates, member Q&As, and more with our Wonderland Besties membership!FIND US ONLINE:Mary Ellen | JoannaWonderland on Points Facebook GroupOUR 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 CardsRakuten — Mary Ellen (Get 5,000 Amex or Bilt Points)Rakuten — Joanna (Get 5,000 Amex or Bilt Points)CardPointers — Get Our Best PriceComfrt — 15% offReliefband — 25% off with code WONDERLAND

In true points and miles fashion, Bilt decided to announce a whole new round of changes just ONE DAY after we released our episode with Jared from Pointed by Jared explaining the previous program. Of course they did! 🤣We're breaking down all the latest Bilt updates, including the end of the 4% Bilt Cash earning option for new cardholders, changes to Bilt Cash expiration, and the new $600 annual Bilt Cash benefit for Palladium cardholders. But what about the accelerator?!We're also covering changes to rent and mortgage rewards, hotel redemptions, new cardholder perks, and the BIG question: Is the Palladium card still worth its $495 annual fee? Some changes are exciting, but we're left with plenty of unanswered questions!MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:Apply for a Bilt Card HereJOIN WONDERLAND BESTIES:Get ad-free bonus episodes, timely points & miles updates, member Q&As, and more with our Wonderland Besties membership!FIND US ONLINE:Mary Ellen | JoannaWonderland on Points Facebook GroupOUR 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 CardsRakuten — Mary Ellen (Get 5,000 Amex or Bilt Points)Rakuten — Joanna (Get 5,000 Amex or Bilt Points)Mary Ellen’s Fetch — Use code MARYELLENJoanna’s Fetch — Use code JOANNALYNNCardPointers — Get Our Best PriceComfrt — 15% offReliefband — 25% off with code WONDERLAND

This week on Wonderland on Points, we're diving into a topic you've been asking us to cover: BANK BONUSES! If you're not taking advantage of these opportunities, you could be leaving some serious money (and points!) on the table!We all love earning points and miles for nearly free flights and hotels, but what about those travel expenses that points don't always cover? Rental cars, Airbnbs, Disney tickets, and more! We're sharing how bank bonuses can help cover those costs by earning you hundreds of dollars or even valuable travel rewards.Joanna is sharing her own experiences, including a $750 Chase bonus and an Amex business account offer for 30,000 Membership Rewards points. We're breaking down where to find the best offers, how to meet direct deposit requirements, and how to move the same money from one bonus to the next!Plus, we're covering the important fine print, including taxes, fees, minimum balances, and deadlines, so you can decide which bonuses are actually worth your time!MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:Doctor of Credit Best Bank Bonuses@HomeschoolingonPoints@PointsandMilesDoc@TravelersinLawRakuten — Mary Ellen (Get 5,000 Amex or Bilt Points)Rakuten — Joanna (Get 5,000 Amex or Bilt Points)JOIN WONDERLAND BESTIES:Get ad-free bonus episodes, timely points & miles updates, member Q&As, and more with our Wonderland Besties membership!FIND US ONLINE:Mary Ellen | JoannaWonderland on Points Facebook GroupOUR 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 CardsMary Ellen’s Fetch — Use code MARYELLENJoanna’s Fetch — Use code JOANNALYNNCardPointers — Get Our Best PriceComfrt — 15% offReliefband — 25% off with code WONDERLAND

This week's Midweek Mini is packed with travel updates, money-saving opportunities, and some BIG changes to popular rewards programs!We're kicking things off with a surprising new perk for Sam's Club Plus members: Walmart+ is now included! We're breaking down the benefits and comparing them to Costco Executive to see which membership offers the most value.Then we're talking about an exciting new Atmos Rewards benefit that gives families 20% back on eligible award flights for kids 12 and under! Plus, Mary Ellen is officially walking away from her Southwest Companion Pass strategy and making the switch to United. We're chatting about why she chose the United Quest card and a targeted Southwest offer you might want to check your inbox for!We're also covering some great Paze promotions for StubHub and Domino's, Airbnb's upcoming crackdown on ridiculous checkout cleaning requirements, and an important change to the Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts credit that could impact your future bookings.And don't forget to join us over on Wonderland Besties for exclusive bonus episodes, after shows, and even more behind-the-scenes conversations!MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:Atmos Communities PageSouthwest Credit Card ReferralJOIN WONDERLAND BESTIES:Get ad-free bonus episodes, timely points & miles updates, member Q&As, and more with our Wonderland Besties membership!FIND US ONLINE:Mary Ellen | JoannaWonderland on Points Facebook GroupOUR 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 CardsRakuten — Mary Ellen (Get 5,000 Amex or Bilt Points)Rakuten — Joanna (Get 5,000 Amex or Bilt Points)Mary Ellen’s Fetch — Use code MARYELLENJoanna’s Fetch — Use code JOANNALYNNCardPointers — Get Our Best PriceComfrt — 15% offReliefband — 25% off with code WONDERLAND

This week we're welcoming points and miles creator, Jared, to break down one of the most talked-about rewards programs right now: Bilt Rewards!Between the new credit cards, Bilt Cash, spending requirements, and changes to transfer partners, there's A LOT to unpack! Jared is joining us to explain how Bilt 2.0 works and why he believes Bilt still offers some of the most valuable points in the game.We're diving into the three Bilt credit cards, how to earn points on rent and mortgage payments, and how to maximize Bilt Cash without letting valuable rewards go to waste. We're also discussing the new accelerator feature, changes to Hyatt transfers, and some absolutely WILD transfer bonuses. Jared even shares how he turned 444,000 Bilt points into nearly ONE MILLION Japan Airlines miles!Whether you're brand new to Bilt or trying to navigate all the recent changes, this episode is packed with practical strategies to help you earn more points, maximize your rewards, and make your next dream trip a reality!MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:Bilt Credit Card Referral LinkJOIN WONDERLAND BESTIES:Get ad-free bonus episodes, timely points & miles updates, member Q&As, and more with our Wonderland Besties membership!FIND US ONLINE:Mary Ellen | JoannaWonderland on Points Facebook GroupOUR 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 CardsRakuten — Mary Ellen (Get 5,000 Amex or Bilt Points)Rakuten — Joanna (Get 5,000 Amex or Bilt Points)Mary Ellen’s Fetch — Use code MARYELLENJoanna’s Fetch — Use code JOANNALYNNCardPointers — Get Our Best PriceComfrt — 15% offReliefband — 25% off with code WONDERLAND

This week's Midweek Mini is packed with points and miles news, money-saving tricks, and some exciting updates that could make your next trip even more affordable!We're kicking things off with a Costco savings hack that could help you save nearly 40% by stacking discounts through DoorDash and Uber Eats. We're breaking down exactly how it works and why you might want to take advantage of these deals before your next Costco run!Then we're diving into some important credit card and hotel updates, including changes to American Express Platinum benefits. Plus, Hyatt has finally introduced online points transfers between members, making it easier than ever to share points without all the paperwork!We're also chatting about Rove's newest transfer partner, JetBlue, and what this addition could mean for your future award bookings. With more ways to earn and transfer points, we're always excited to see new opportunities to stretch those travel rewards even further.And of course, we're sharing another reminder about our HUGE one million streams giveaway! We've got some incredible prizes up for grabs, and we don't want you to miss your chance to enter.Whether you're looking to save on everyday purchases, maximize your credit card perks, or find new ways to book travel with points and miles, we've got plenty to talk about this week!MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:✈️💙Rove Referral Link- A FREE 1500 miles🎉JOIN WONDERLAND BESTIES:Get ad-free bonus episodes, timely points & miles updates, member Q&As, and more with our Wonderland Besties membership!FIND US ONLINE:Mary Ellen | JoannaWonderland on Points Facebook GroupOUR 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 CardsRakuten — Mary Ellen (Get 5,000 Amex or Bilt Points)Rakuten — Joanna (Get 5,000 Amex or Bilt Points)Mary Ellen’s Fetch — Use code MARYELLENJoanna’s Fetch — Use code JOANNALYNNCardPointers — Get Our Best PriceComfrt — 15% offReliefband — 25% off with code WONDERLAND

Southwest Airlines has dropped some MAJOR news, and we're breaking it all down in this episode of Wonderland on Points!We're diving into the newly announced Companion Pass changes, including the introduction of new loyalty tiers, updated qualification requirements, and what these changes could mean for travelers who have relied on this incredible benefit to stretch their travel budgets. We're also talking about why this announcement isn't entirely surprising, how the timing could impact your strategy, and whether there's still an opportunity to earn the Companion Pass under the current rules before the end of the year.But it's not all bad news! Southwest is also opening the door to international partner award flights, which could bring some exciting new redemption opportunities. We're discussing what we know so far, what we're still waiting to learn, and how these changes could impact the way we earn and redeem Southwest Rapid Rewards points moving forward.If you've been working toward earning the Companion Pass, already have one, or have been considering adding a Southwest credit card to your wallet, this is an episode you won't want to miss. We're sharing our thoughts on what these changes mean for everyday families and how to make the most of the Companion Pass while we still can!MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:Southwest Credit Card ReferralJOIN WONDERLAND BESTIES:Get ad-free bonus episodes, timely points & miles updates, member Q&As, and more with our Wonderland Besties membership!FIND US ONLINE:Mary Ellen | JoannaWonderland on Points Facebook GroupOUR 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 CardsRakuten — Mary Ellen (Get 5,000 Amex or Bilt Points)Rakuten — Joanna (Get 5,000 Amex or Bilt Points)Mary Ellen’s Fetch — Use code MARYELLENJoanna’s Fetch — Use code JOANNALYNNCardPointers — Get Our Best PriceComfrt — 15% offReliefband — 25% off with code WONDERLAND

We're welcoming back a familiar voice to Wonderland on Points this week! Our returning guest, Mari, is joining us to share all about her incredible multigenerational trip to Italy, where she managed to get 11 people to Europe using points and miles! Yes, ELEVEN.From the logistics of planning an international adventure with such a large group to the unforgettable experiences they had along the way, Mari is taking us through all the details of this whirlwind Italian getaway. We're chatting about how she made it happen, what it was like traveling with multiple generations, and why this trip is proof that points and miles can make even the biggest family adventures possible.MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:♥️ Agriturismo link ♥️Blog Post with Trip DetailsJOIN WONDERLAND BESTIES:Get ad-free bonus episodes, timely points & miles updates, member Q&As, and more with our Wonderland Besties membership!FIND US ONLINE:Mary Ellen | JoannaWonderland on Points Facebook GroupOUR 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 CardsRakuten — Mary Ellen (Get 5,000 Amex or Bilt Points)Rakuten — Joanna (Get 5,000 Amex or Bilt Points)Mary Ellen’s Fetch — Use code MARYELLENJoanna’s Fetch — Use code JOANNALYNNCardPointers — Get Our Best PriceComfrt — 15% offReliefband — 25% off with code WONDERLAND

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 LinkHilton Honors Card Referral LinkJOIN 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 | JoannaWonderland on Points Facebook GroupOUR 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 CardsRakuten — Mary Ellen (Get 5,000 Amex or Bilt Points)Rakuten — Joanna (Get 5,000 Amex or Bilt Points)Mary Ellen’s Fetch — Use code MARYELLENJoanna’s Fetch — Use code JOANNALYNNSeats.AeroCardPointers — Get Our Best PriceHalara — 10% off with code WONDERLANDComfrt — 15% offReliefband — 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 TourJOIN 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 | JoannaWonderland on Points Facebook GroupOUR 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 CardsRakuten — Mary Ellen (Get 5,000 Amex or Bilt Points)Rakuten — Joanna (Get 5,000 Amex or Bilt Points)Mary Ellen’s Fetch — Use code MARYELLENJoanna’s Fetch — Use code JOANNALYNNSeats.AeroCardPointers — Get Our Best PriceHalara — 10% off with code WONDERLANDComfrt — 15% offReliefband — 25% off with code WONDERLAND