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

This week, we’re catching up on a little bit of everything! We share an incredible VIP Minnesota Vikings experience made possible by one of our listeners, plus how we used points for the trip and checked out some unique Priority Pass options at MSP. We also talk about a recent credit card fraud scare, why we prefer credit over debit cards, and our strategies for earning the Southwest Companion Pass. Plus, we’re covering spring break planning, an important reminder to always register for Hyatt promos, and some new Rove features we’re excited about.Mentioned in this Episode:Old Companion Pass Episode✈️💙Rove Referral Link- A FREE 1500 miles🎉Rakuten- Mary Ellen (Get 5000 AMEX or Bilt POINTS)Rakuten- Joanna (Get 5000 AMEX or Bilt POINTS)Find Us On Online:Sign Up for the Y! Wonder Travel NewsletterMary Ellen | JoFacebook GroupAffiliate Links:Seats.AeroBEST PRICE on CardPointers subscription!Comfrt.com 15% OFFChase/Capital One/Amex Card LinksOur Favorite Travel NecessitiesWe 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!

SURPRISE! For the first time ever, Wonderland on Points is dropping a brand-new episode on a FRIDAY. We just could’t wait on this one because Rove has massive new updates! We’re talking a NEW Rove app, Rove Dining, Instant-Earning Gift Cards and more!We’re joined by Carissa Rawson from Rove to talk about the exciting new developments within the Rove program. If you’re already using Rove—or have been curious about how it could fit into your points-and-miles strategy, you’ll want to hear what’s coming next.Carissa gives us an inside look at Rove, explains what makes the program different, and shares several new changes designed to make earning and using rewards even more exciting. We also discuss how travelers can take advantage of the program and why Rove is one to watch in the points-and-miles world.Tune in for all the details—and enjoy this special Friday surprise!Justplanepoints.comInstagram: @JustPlanePointsMentioned in this Episode:✈️💙Rove Referral Link- A FREE 1500 miles🎉Find Us On Online:BLOG post on the NEW Rove UpdatesSign Up for the Y! Wonder Travel NewsletterMary Ellen | JoFacebook GroupAffiliate Links:Seats.AeroBEST PRICE on CardPointers subscription!Comfrt.com 15% OFFChase/Capital One/Amex Card LinksOur Favorite Travel NecessitiesWe 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!

We’re recapping Joanna’s points-powered mother-daughter road trip through Ireland and Northern Ireland! We break down how she snagged an Aer Lingus Business Class mistake fare for just 87,000 Amex points for two, used Hyatt, Hilton, Capital One points, and travel credits for lodging, and put Chase Sapphire Reserve benefits to work on the rental car. Then we hit the road for castles, the Giant’s Causeway, Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, Neolithic sites, horseback riding, and an unforgettable sheepdog experience—plus why the unplanned, crowd-free stops became some of the trip’s biggest highlights.02:10 Mistake fare and booking process10:59 Arrival lounge and Dublin airport17:35 Wilder Townhouse and Dublin22:16 Weather, crowds, and Dublin impressions23:10 Driving through the Irish countryside27:45 Tollymore Forest29:00 Airbnb and Fetch savings33:12 Northern Ireland day trip and scenic stopsMentioned in this Episode:Passport EpisodeBusiness Class Flight DealsChasingmemories.coDromara AirbnbRakuten- Mary Ellen (Get 5000 AMEX or Bilt POINTS)Rakuten- Joanna (Get 5000 AMEX or Bilt POINTS)Glenshane Country FarmIslandmagee Riding CenterIreland & Northern Ireland Blog PostFind Us On Online:Sign Up for the Y! Wonder Travel NewsletterMary Ellen | JoFacebook GroupAffiliate Links:Comfrt.com 15% OFFBEST deal on CardpointersOur Favorite Credit CardsWe may receive a small commission when you choose to use any of our links to purchase your products or apply for your cards

We sit down with listener and friend of the pod, Karla, to talk about her points-powered trip to Acadia National Park, where she combined Hyatt points, a Delta companion pass, travel credits, and smart booking strategies to keep costs low.Karla shares how she chose Acadia, what it’s really like staying at Under Canvas using Hyatt points, and why she and her husband embraced different vacation styles—he hiked while she relaxed and recharged. Plus, we talk Bar Harbor, a foggy schooner sail, and a canceled Delta flight that put travel protections to the test.Find Us On Online:Sign Up for the Y! Wonder Travel NewsletterMary Ellen | JoFacebook GroupAffiliate Links:Comfrt.com 15% OFFRakuten- Mary Ellen (Get 5000 AMEX or Bilt POINTS)Rakuten- Joanna (Get 5000 AMEX or Bilt POINTS)CardpointersHalara (use code "Wonderland" for 10% off)Our Favorite Credit CardsWe may receive a small commission when you choose to use any of our links to purchase your products or apply for your cards

Courtney from @PointsEverywhere joins us to share one of the most incredible points redemptions we've ever featured. After spotting a Hyatt Mr. & Mrs. Smith mistake rate, she booked a luxury stay at Santorini Sky for just 14,250 Hyatt points. She shares how she found the deal, why she expected Hyatt to cancel it, and what happened when the reservation was honored.We also dive into her Emirates Business Class flights booked with Amex Membership Rewards, what it's really like to stay at Santorini Sky, and why she skipped an expensive upgrade to save points for a future trip. Finally, Courtney shares her best tips for visiting Santorini, including why shoulder season is ideal, whether to rent a car, her favorite island experiences, and practical advice for getting the most out of your points and miles.Mentioned in this episode:Points Everywhere PodcastPointseverywhere.comCruise Mapper WebsiteRelief Band - Use code WONDERLAND for 25% off!Find Us On Online:Sign Up for the Y! Wonder Travel NewsletterMary Ellen | JoFacebook GroupAffiliate Links:Rakuten- Mary Ellen (Get 5000 AMEX or Bilt POINTS)Rakuten- Joanna (Get 5000 AMEX or Bilt POINTS)CardpointersHalara (use code "Wonderland" for 10% off)Our Favorite Credit CardsWe may receive a small commission when you choose to use any of our links to purchase your products or apply for your cards

Avios is one of the most valuable—and most overlooked—airline currencies in the points and miles world. In this episode, Deanna from The Points Fly Girl shares how to use Avios to book incredible award flights on airlines like British Airways, Aer Lingus, Iberia, Qatar Airways, and Finnair.You'll learn how to transfer credit card points to Avios, find award availability, avoid costly taxes and fees, and uncover some of the best sweet spots for flights to Europe and beyond. Whether you're just getting started with points and miles or looking to maximize your next redemption, this episode is packed with practical strategies to help you travel farther for fewer points.Mentioned in this Episode:ThePointsFlyGirl.comFollow Deanna on TikTokFollow Deanna on YoutubeRakuten- Mary Ellen (Get 5000 AMEX or Bilt POINTS)Rakuten- Joanna (Get 5000 AMEX or Bilt POINTS)Find Us On Online:Sign Up for the Y! Wonder Travel NewsletterMary Ellen | JoFacebook GroupAffiliate Links:Mary Ellen's Fetch (Use code MARYELLEN!)Joanna's Fetch (Use code JOANNALYNN)Relief Band - Use code WONDERLAND for 25% off!Seats.AeroComfrt.com 15% OFFCardpointersHalara (use code "Wonderland" for 10% off)Our Favorite Credit CardsWe may receive a small commission when you choose to use any of our links to purchase your products or apply for your cards

We are back with Part 2 of Mary Ellen's unforgettable family adventure through Norway! In this episode, she takes us through some of the most breathtaking and adrenaline-filled moments of the trip, including the Loen Skylift, Via Ferrata, kayaking, Trollstigen, and the challenging Seven Sisters waterfall hike. She also shares the honest realities of traveling Norway with kids, from choosing the right hikes and accommodations to navigating unpredictable weather and knowing when an activity may be too much.We also talk about scenic viewpoints like Stegastein and Mount Aksla, why Ålesund made such a great home base, and what Mary Ellen would keep, skip, or change when planning the trip again. From dramatic fjords and waterfalls to family travel logistics, budgeting tips, and the journey home, this episode is packed with practical advice and inspiration for anyone dreaming of a Norwegian road trip.Mentioned in this episode:Rakuten- Mary Ellen (Get 5000 AMEX or Bilt POINTS)Rakuten- Joanna (Get 5000 AMEX or Bilt POINTS)Find Us On Online:Girl's Trip Interest Form (April 7-10, 2027)Summer Road Trip Submissions ARE BACK!Sign Up for the Y! Wonder Travel NewsletterWonderland on Points Youtube ChannelMary Ellen | JoFacebook GroupAffiliate Links:Comfrt.com 15% OFFSeats.AeroCardpointersHalara (use code "Wonderland" for 10% off)Our Favorite Credit CardsOur Favorite Travel NecessitiesWe 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!

What if you never had to manually check whether the price of your flight or hotel dropped after booking? In this episode, we sit down with Sam Hollander, founder of Autopilot, to discuss how his platform is helping travelers save money by automatically monitoring reservations and identifying opportunities for refunds, travel credits, and lower prices. For anyone who loves points, miles, and maximizing travel value, this technology could be a game changer.Sam walks us through how Autopilot works, which airlines and hotel programs are currently supported, and what's coming next—including Southwest integration, international bookings, upgrade tracking, and more. We also discuss security, award travel support, and how automation can help busy travelers avoid leaving money on the table. Whether you're booking with cash, points, or a mix of both, this episode is packed with practical tips to help you get more value from every trip.Mentioned in this Episode:Try out Autopilot hereCardpointersFind Us On Online:Girl's Trip Interest Form (April 7-10, 2027)Summer Road Trip Submissions ARE BACK!Sign Up for the Y! Wonder Travel NewsletterWonderland on Points Youtube ChannelMary Ellen | JoFacebook GroupAffiliate Links:Rakuten- Mary Ellen (Get 5000 AMEX or Bilt POINTS)Rakuten- Joanna (Get 5000 AMEX or Bilt POINTS)Comfrt.com 15% OFFSeats.AeroCardpointersHalara (use code "Wonderland" for 10% off)Our Favorite Credit CardsOur Favorite Travel NecessitiesWe 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!