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 you need to know about the future of the Barclays Aviator Red credit card. This episode is packed with essential info for anyone who wants to stay on top of the latest changes in the points and miles world—whether you’re an experienced traveler or just getting started. Tune in for a quick breakdown of what’s happening and how to make the most of it before it’s too late.Facebook Group | Support the Show: Buy Us A CoffeeFind Us On InstagramMary Ellen | JoReferral LinksSouthwest Airlines CardCapital One Venture CardFavorite Bank CardsFavorite Bank Business CardsVenture X CardAmex GoldAMEX Platinum

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 how to prepare for compensation if you’re ever asked to give up your airline seat.Katherine’s insights are packed with valuable advice for travelers and anyone looking to make the most of their rewards points.InstagramMary Ellen | Jo | KatherineMentioned In This EpisodeTravel ZooAntarctica 21Survival Tails: Endurance in AntarcticaBusiness Insider Article@JustPlanePoints@PointChaserReferral LinksCapital One Venture CardFavorite Bank CardsFavorite Bank Business CardsVenture X CardAmex GoldAMEX Platinum

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 you’ve ever wondered about card churning or how to strategically maximize sign-up bonuses, this episode is for you. We break down effective strategies for various cards and banks, sharing the dos and don’ts of churning.By the end of this episode, we hope you’ll feel confident and ready to keep earning those valuable sign-up bonuses year after year—so you can make the most of your credit card rewards and travel goals!Facebook Group | Support the Show: Buy Us A CoffeeFind Us On InstagramMary Ellen | JoReferral LinksSouthwest Airlines CardCapital One Venture CardFavorite Bank CardsFavorite Bank Business CardsVenture X CardAmex GoldAMEX Platinum

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 of United.We also tackle a topic we don’t often see discussed in the points and miles community—when is it actually a good time to buy points? Whether you’re looking to top off your account for an award booking or wondering if purchasing points is ever a worthwhile strategy, we’ve got you covered.This episode is packed with valuable information, so whether you’re a seasoned United flyer or new to the world of airline loyalty programs, you’ll find plenty of tips to boost your travel game. Join us as we unpack the ins and outs of United’s program and give you the tools to make smarter decisions with your miles and points.Facebook Group | Support the Show: Buy Us A CoffeeFind Us On InstagramMary Ellen | Jo | TommyMentioned In This EpisodeUnited Club InformationReferral LinksSouthwest Airlines CardCapital One Venture CardFavorite Bank CardsFavorite Bank Business CardsVenture X CardAmex GoldAMEX Platinum

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 Show: Buy Us A CoffeeFind Us On InstagramMary Ellen | JoReferral LinksSouthwest Airlines CardCapital One Venture CardFavorite Bank CardsFavorite Bank Business CardsVenture X CardAmex GoldAMEX Platinum

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 essential advice on what you should be aware of in case of disruptions. We had an absolute blast recording this episode, and we hope you enjoy listening as much as we enjoyed making it!Facebook Group | Support the Show: Buy Us A CoffeeFind Us On InstagramMary Ellen | Jo | JanelleMentioned In This EpisodeRakuten- Feel free to DM either of us if you need a referral linkTravel.state.govAMEX Gold Deep DiveAMEX Platinum Deep DiveJapan on Points with RaimeeRaimeeReferral LinksSouthwest Airlines CardCapital One Venture CardFavorite Bank CardsFavorite Bank Business CardsVenture X CardAmex GoldAMEX Platinum

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 using the travel portal is your best bet. In this episode, we break down those situations and share real-life examples of when we’ve booked travel through the portal and why it worked out in our favor.If you’ve ever been unsure about when to use the travel portal, this episode will clear it up for you and help you make smarter decisions with your points!Facebook Group | Support the Show: Buy Us A CoffeeFind Us On InstagramMary Ellen | JoReferral LinksSouthwest Airlines CardCapital One Venture CardFavorite Bank CardsFavorite Bank Business CardsVenture X CardAmex GoldAMEX Platinum

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 booked with points!), visit 12 new countries, and stay in 12 new hotels. And she's doing it all without breaking the bank—just by leveraging her knowledge of points and miles!Allison shares her journey so far, detailing the highs and lows of this year-long challenge. From earning points to hunting for award flights, she also drops valuable tips on how to make the most of your points and choose the best flights based on the aircraft you'll be flying. Whether you're a points newbie or a seasoned traveler, Allison's insights are bound to inspire and help you level up your own travel game.We were blown away by Allison's knowledge and passion for travel, and we can’t wait for you to hear this conversation!Facebook Group | Support the Show: Buy Us A CoffeeFind Us On InstagramMary Ellen | Jo | AllisonMentioned In This EpisodePaid With PointsTravel Like TommyAerolopaReferral LinksSouthwest Airlines CardCapital One Venture CardFavorite Bank CardsFavorite Bank Business CardsVenture X CardAmex GoldAMEX Platinum

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 redeeming rewards, knowing your CPP helps you make informed decisions and maximize your benefits. Tune in to gain clarity on your points' value and enhance your rewards strategy!Facebook Group | Support the Show: Buy Us A CoffeeFind Us On InstagramMary Ellen | JoReferral LinksSouthwest Airlines CardCapital One Venture CardFavorite Bank CardsFavorite Bank Business CardsVenture X CardAmex GoldAMEX Platinum

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 level up your rewards strategy. Our discussion aims to inspire you to explore the wealth of opportunities beyond just sign-up bonuses, proving that there’s so much more to this rewarding hobby. Tune in to discover how to make the most of your everyday spending and enhance your travel experiences!Facebook Group | Support the Show: Buy Us A CoffeeFind Us On InstagramMary Ellen | JoReferral LinksSouthwest Airlines CardCapital One Venture CardFavorite Bank CardsFavorite Bank Business CardsVenture X CardAmex GoldAMEX Platinum