Wonderland on Points | Credit Card Rewards & Budget Travel

It’s week two of our Summer Mini Series, where we spotlight lesser-known domestic destinations across the U.S.—and the best part is, these spots were submitted by you! We’ve absolutely loved reading your recommendations, and this week’s pick is a gem.We’re headed to the Pacific Northwest to explore the charming town of Cle Elum, Washington, and the beautiful Suncadia Resort. Whether you're a local looking for a quick escape or planning a road trip or flight into Seattle, this hidden destination is worth your attention—especially if you're booking with points.Tune in to find out why Suncadia is the perfect blend of nature, luxury, and rewards travel. We can't wait for you to start planning your PNW getaway.Submit Your Summer Road Trip Idea HEREFacebook Group | Support the Show: Buy Us A CoffeeFind Us On InstagramMary Ellen | JoAffiliate Links30% off the CardPointers subscription!Mary Ellen's Chase Sapphire Preferred LinkJo's Chase Sapphire Preferred LinkSign up for the Daily Drop NewsletterCredit Card Affiliate LinksWe receive a small commission when you use our links. This is an amazing way to show your support for the show at no cost to you ❤️

This week on the Wonderland on Points podcast, we're heading to the beautiful island of Aruba with special guest and Aruba expert @Erin_Loves_Travel. While most people have heard of Aruba, it doesn't get nearly enough attention in the points and miles community—and we think that needs to change. Erin has visited multiple times and brings a wealth of insider knowledge on how to experience Aruba using points.In this episode, she shares how to get to Aruba on points and miles, plus tips on where to stay using points—we even discuss two different hotel options. Erin also dives into her favorite places to snorkel, hidden gem activities that most tourists miss, and some of the best local food spots on the island.Whether you’ve always dreamed of visiting Aruba or have never considered it before, this episode is full of tips and inspiration that will make you want to add it to your travel plans.Submit Your Summer Roadtrip Series Story HEREFacebook Group | Support the Show: Buy Us A CoffeeFind Us On InstagramMary Ellen | Jo | ErinMentioned in this EpisodeErin's Facebook GroupKelsey GravesTrip Tales PodcastAffiliate Links30% off the CardPointers subscription!Mary Ellen's Chase Sapphire Preferred LinkJo's Chase Sapphire Preferred LinkSign up for the Daily Drop NewsletterCredit Card Affiliate LinksThe above link includes referrals for almost all travel cards (AMEX, CapitalOne, co-branded cards)If you need Chase links please reach out! We would be happy to send you our personal referral links or the Daily Drop newsletter link that will allow you to access our affiliate links.We receive a small commission when you use our links. This is an amazing way to show your support for the show at no cost to you ❤️

This week kicks off our Summer Road Trip series—and we’re starting strong with one of the dreamiest New England getaways: Newport, Rhode Island! We dive into everything that makes Newport the perfect points-powered summer escape, from a perfect location to stay on Chase points, to stunning Gilded Age mansions and hot dogs with personality. We also cover the latest buzz in the points and miles world, including the return of Instacart credits on several Chase cards (and yes, you can stack those benefits!). Whether you’re walking the halls of The Breakers, catching the historic Bristol 4th of July parade, or grabbing a fun bite at Wally’s Wieners, Newport is a magical destination for families and budget travelers alike. The episode also includes helpful hacks for using grocery delivery to stick to your travel budget and a reminder that domestic adventures can be just as exciting as those overseas—especially when points are involved.Submit Your Summer Road Trip Idea HEREFacebook Group | Support the Show: Buy Us A CoffeeFind Us On InstagramMary Ellen | JoMentioned in this EpisodeLink for Adding Chase Inks to InstacartLink for Adding Chase Cobranded Cards to InstacartNewport MansionsNewport Cliff WalkFastFerry To Martha's VineyardNantucket FerryAffiliate Links30% off the CardPointers subscription!Mary Ellen's Chase Sapphire Preferred LinkJo's Chase Sapphire Preferred LinkSign up for the Daily Drop NewsletterCredit Card Affiliate LinksWe receive a small commission when you use our links. This is an amazing way to show your support for the show at no cost to you ❤️

We're thrilled to welcome back a returning guest and friend of the pod, Joy from Savvy Travel Mamas!When we first floated the idea of a Vegas episode, we were honestly a little skeptical—does Sin City really have anything to offer beyond the party scene? As family-focused travelers, we weren’t sure it would resonate with our audience. But spoiler alert: we were totally wrong.Joy completely changed our perspective. From free and affordable attractions to stunning hikes and family-friendly experiences, she walks us through her surprisingly refreshing Vegas weekend getaway— which can be done using points ORRRRR a surprising hack that you might not have considered!Tune in to hear how Vegas can be more than neon lights and slot machines, and how you can plan an unforgettable trip without blowing your budget.Submit Your Summer Road Trip Series Story HEREFacebook Group | Support the Show: Buy Us A CoffeeFind Us On InstagramMary Ellen | Jo | JoyMentioned in this EpisodeEpisode 55 with Savvy Travel MamasGo City LinkAffiliate Links30% off the CardPointers subscription!Mary Ellen's Chase Sapphire Preferred LinkJo's Chase Sapphire Preferred LinkSign up for the Daily Drop NewsletterCredit Card Affiliate LinksThe above link includes referrals for almost all travel cards (AMEX, CapitalOne, co-branded cards)If you need Chase links please reach out! We would be happy to send you our personal referral links or the Daily Drop newsletter link that will allow you to access our affiliate links.We receive a small commission when you use our links. This is an amazing way to show your support for the show at no cost to you ❤️

This week on our Midweek Mini episode, we’re going first but we want to hear from you next! We’re diving into the things we wish we had known when we first started our journey into the world of points, miles, and travel rewards. From rookie mistakes to "a-ha!" moments, we’re sharing the insights that could have saved us time, money, and missed opportunities.Whether you're new to the game or a seasoned pro, this episode is packed with reflections, tips, and lessons learned the hard way. Consider it the advice we wish someone had given us before our first credit card sign-up.But we also want to hear from you! What did we miss? What do you wish you'd known when you started?Join the conversation and let us know in the Facebook group, in our Instagram DMs, or by sending us a email at WonderlandonPoints@gmail.com. Your feedback might even make it into a future episode!Submit Your Summer Roadtrip Series Story HEREFacebook Group | Support the Show: Buy Us A CoffeeFind Us On InstagramMary Ellen | JoAffiliate Links30% off the CardPointers subscription!Mary Ellen's Chase Sapphire Preferred LinkJo's Chase Sapphire Preferred LinkSign up for the Daily Drop NewsletterCredit Card Affiliate LinksThe above link includes referrals for almost all travel cards (AMEX, CapitalOne, co-branded cards)If you need Chase links please reach out! We would be happy to send you our personal referral links or the Daily Drop newsletter link that will allow you to access our affiliate links.We receive a small commission when you use our links. This is an amazing way to show your support for the show at no cost to you ❤️

This week on the Wonderland on Points Podcast, Mary Ellen is back from an unforgettable girls’ trip to stunning St. Kitts—and she’s spilling every detail! While Jo sadly couldn’t make it, she’s hearing all about it for the first time, right along with you.From scoring a steal of a business class flight on points to navigating arrival, transportation, and luxury accommodations (think $7,300 room for zero dollars), Mary Ellen breaks down exactly how this dream trip came together.Plus, don’t miss the wild story that almost turned this vacation into a Dateline episode—yes, really!Get ready to be inspired, amazed, and maybe even a little bit jealous—and of course, learn how you can plan your own points-powered island escape.Submit Your Summer Roadtrip Series Story HEREFacebook Group | Support the Show: Buy Us A CoffeeFind Us On InstagramMary Ellen | JoAffiliate Links30% off the CardPointers subscription!Mary Ellen's Chase Sapphire Preferred LinkJo's Chase Sapphire Preferred LinkSign up for the Daily Drop NewsletterCredit Card Affiliate LinksThe above link includes referrals for almost all travel cards (AMEX, CapitalOne, co-branded cards)If you need Chase links please reach out! We would be happy to send you our personal referral links or the Daily Drop newsletter link that will allow you to access our affiliate links.We receive a small commission when you use our links. This is an amazing way to show your support for the show at no cost to you ❤️

Today on our Midweek Mini, we're diving into some seriously sad news — the beloved AMEX to Alaska Airlines transfer loophole (aka our secret weapon for booking awesome American Airlines flights) might be coming to an end. Word on the street is that this workaround is on its last legs, and we’re breaking down what that could mean for our points strategy.Should we be moving points speculatively to lock in sweet redemptions while we still can? We’ve got thoughts — and a few tips to help you navigate what’s next.Then, to cheer things up, we’re capping off the episode with a BIG ANNOUNCEMENT: our Summer Roadtrip Series is coming to your earbuds soon! 🚗✨ We want to feature your favorite domestic weekender destinations on upcoming Midweek Minis — so send us your recs!Submit Your Summer Roadtrip Series Story HEREFacebook Group | Support the Show: Buy Us A CoffeeFind Us On InstagramMary Ellen | JoAffiliate Links30% off the CardPointers subscription!Mary Ellen's Chase Sapphire Preferred LinkJo's Chase Sapphire Preferred LinkSign up for the Daily Drop NewsletterCredit Card Affiliate LinksThe above link includes referrals for almost all travel cards (AMEX, CapitalOne, co-branded cards)If you need Chase links please reach out! We would be happy to send you our personal referral links or the Daily Drop newsletter link that will allow you to access our affiliate links.We receive a small commission when you use our links. This is an amazing way to show your support for the show at no cost to you ❤️

Join us for an unforgettable journey through the lush beauty of Costa Rica, as we explore how to travel this stunning country on points.Our guest this week is Lauren, one half of the dynamic travel duo behind KC Savvy Travelers. She shares all the juicy details from her recent family adventure, including:🌿 Rainforest hikes and wild adventures in La Fortuna🚌 Smart transportation hacks and budget tips that made everything seamless💎 A luxurious stay at the Andaz Papagayo — a $4,000+ resort experience booked entirely with points!If you've been dreaming of a warm-weather escape filled with natural beauty, adventure, and luxury (without the luxury price tag), this episode is your blueprint.✅ Learn how to maximize your points for big savings✅ Steal Lauren’s itinerary for your own epic Costa Rica getaway✅ And get inspired to plan a trip that’s unforgettable and affordableDon't miss this one — Costa Rica has never looked better!Facebook Group | Support the Show: Buy Us A CoffeeFind Us On InstagramMary Ellen | Jo | LaurenMentioned in this EpisodeKC Savvy Travelers Facebook Group@Jamie.Travel.TipsAffiliate Links30% off the CardPointers subscription!Mary Ellen's Chase Sapphire Preferred LinkJo's Chase Sapphire Preferred LinkSign up for the Daily Drop NewsletterCredit Card Affiliate LinksThe above link includes referrals for almost all travel cards (AMEX, CapitalOne, co-branded cards)If you need Chase links please reach out! We would be happy to send you our personal referral links or the Daily Drop newsletter link that will allow you to access our affiliate links.We receive a small commission when you use our links. This is an amazing way to show your support for the show at no cost to you ❤️

This week on our Midweek Mini episode, we're sharing a truly chilling cautionary tale. One of our listeners recently experienced something that left us completely stunned — a major lesson in what can go wrong when adding someone as an authorized user.We’ve honestly never heard of a situation quite like this before. It’s eye-opening, a little scary, and definitely something anyone in the points and miles world needs to hear.We hope this story helps you better understand the risks involved, how to protect yourself, and how to make smarter decisions as you build your strategy in this hobby.Facebook Group | Support the Show: Buy Us A CoffeeFind Us On InstagramMary Ellen | JoMentioned in this EpisodeCredit Score EpisodeFreezing Your Credit EpisodeAffiliate Links30% off the CardPointers subscription!Mary Ellen's Chase Sapphire Preferred LinkJo's Chase Sapphire Preferred LinkSign up for the Daily Drop NewsletterCredit Card Affiliate LinksThe above link includes referrals for almost all travel cards (AMEX, CapitalOne, co-branded cards)If you need Chase links please reach out! We would be happy to send you our personal referral links or the Daily Drop newsletter link that will allow you to access our affiliate links.We receive a small commission when you use our links. This is an amazing way to show your support for the show at no cost to you ❤️

Today on Wonderland on Points, we're joined by Emmanuel, the founder and tech-savvy mastermind behind the incredible points and miles app, CardPointers.We've been amazed by what this app can do, and we wanted our audience to hear about it straight from the founder himself. Not only did Emmanuel create the app—he personally built every single line of code.From dedicated points and miles enthusiast to the creator of a rapidly growing app that truly addresses so many of our pain points, Emmanuel shares the full story. He also tackles common concerns like data privacy and dives into all the ways—both simple and advanced—that CardPointers can be used to maximize your rewards.We were thrilled to have this conversation, and we can't wait for you to hear it. This episode will leave you wondering why you didn’t download CardPointers sooner!Facebook Group | Support the Show: Buy Us A CoffeeFind Us On InstagramMary Ellen | Jo | EmmanuelMentioned in this EpisodeDaniel Braun Youtube@MaxMilesPointsAffiliate Links30% off the CardPointers subscription!Mary Ellen's Chase Sapphire Preferred LinkJo's Chase Sapphire Preferred LinkSign up for the Daily Drop NewsletterCredit Card Affiliate LinksThe above link includes referrals for almost all travel cards (AMEX, CapitalOne, co-branded cards)If you need Chase links please reach out! We would be happy to send you our personal referral links or the Daily Drop newsletter link that will allow you to access our affiliate links.We receive a small commission when you use our links. This is an amazing way to show your support for the show at no cost to you ❤️