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Besties, we're back with another after show, and today we're covering everything from airplane snacks and questionable science to secondhand shopping and the VERY expensive reality of taking a family to Disneyland! First, we're clearing up a little confusion about ads on Wonderland on Points. We're explaining which episodes may include ads, why some of those ads are outside of our control, and why you'll NEVER hear an ad on the exclusive bonus content you're paying for as a Bestie! Then we're diving into a hilarious discussion about Southwest Airlines' bold-and-herby pretzels and a dietitian's theory about why they might be making passengers extra gassy. Yes, we're really talking about this! We're getting into the science behind airplane bloating, fermentable carbohydrates, and what happens to your body when you're flying at 35,000 feet. It's the kind of completely random conversation that could only happen in a Besties after show! Next up, Mary Ellen is sharing an update on her latest side hustle: selling on Vinted! We're chatting about the importance of checking seller reviews, why you might want to withdraw your earnings regularly, and how Vinted has become one of her favorite places to find inexpensive clothes and Disney accessories. Speaking of Disney, we're also getting into the details of their upcoming Disneyland trip! While flights and hotel stays are covered with points and miles, the park tickets are another story. From questionable airplane snacks to resale scams and the realities of family travel budgeting, this after show is full of laughs, honest conversations, and a few money-saving tips along the way. Thanks for being a Bestie and supporting Wonderland on Points! We love getting to share these behind-the-scenes conversations with you! 💕 And remember, The Wonderline is open! Leave us a voice message with your questions, travel dilemmas, hot takes, or something you want us to answer in a future Besties episode. ☎️✨ You can do this right from the internet- it's not actually a phone call! CALL THE WONDERLINE: https://www.speakpipe.com/WonderlandHotline

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 | Joanna Wonderland on Points Facebook Group OUR 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 Cards Rakuten — Mary Ellen (Get 5,000 Amex or Bilt Points) Rakuten — Joanna (Get 5,000 Amex or Bilt Points) Mary Ellen’s Fetch — Use code MARYELLEN Joanna’s Fetch — Use code JOANNALYNN CardPointers — Get Our Best Price Comfrt — 15% off Reliefband — 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 Referral 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 | Joanna Wonderland on Points Facebook Group OUR 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 Cards Rakuten — Mary Ellen (Get 5,000 Amex or Bilt Points) Rakuten — Joanna (Get 5,000 Amex or Bilt Points) Mary Ellen’s Fetch — Use code MARYELLEN Joanna’s Fetch — Use code JOANNALYNN CardPointers — Get Our Best Price Comfrt — 15% off Reliefband — 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 Details 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 | Joanna Wonderland on Points Facebook Group OUR 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 Cards Rakuten — Mary Ellen (Get 5,000 Amex or Bilt Points) Rakuten — Joanna (Get 5,000 Amex or Bilt Points) Mary Ellen’s Fetch — Use code MARYELLEN Joanna’s Fetch — Use code JOANNALYNN CardPointers — Get Our Best Price Comfrt — 15% off Reliefband — 25% off with code WONDERLAND

Besties, Mari is BACK, and we're keeping her around for a little extra behind-the-scenes fun! 💕 After hearing all about how she managed to get ELEVEN people to Italy using points and miles, we couldn't let her leave without getting into the real chaos, travel confessions, and hot takes that didn't make it into the main episode! We're talking about what happens when your family doesn't follow your carefully laid points and miles plan (spoiler alert: sometimes natural consequences involve paying CASH for flights 😬), the dream redemptions Mari is still chasing, and why Japan during cherry blossom season might be one of the trickiest trips to pull off. Then we're getting into the travel luxuries that have officially become nonnegotiable. Business class? Checked bags? Airport lounges? Mari is sharing which splurges are worth every point and why she's not willing to go back to the way she used to travel. And OH, the travel chaos. We're talking about a cruise stop in Rome that somehow involved two tours, two sprinter vans, a luggage drop, a bathroom emergency, AND a flight to London on the same day. Plus, Mari shares a completely different kind of airport nightmare involving flying solo with two little kids, a double stroller, car seats, and a terrifying candy incident. Of course, we're also talking favorite points currencies, why Amex is winning Mari's heart right now, and what's next on her family's travel calendar, including New Year's Eve overlooking NYC and a return to Hawaii! This is exactly why we love our Besties After Shows. A little less structured, a lot more personal, and full of the stories, opinions, and travel mishaps that don't always make it into the regular episodes. Grab your coffee (or your favorite beverage), Besties. We're hanging out with Mari a little longer, and you're invited! 💕

Besties, this is NOT the breaking news we wanted to bring you today. 😭 Southwest just dropped an absolute BOMBSHELL, and we're coming to you with an emergency Besties episode because the Companion Pass as we know it is essentially coming to an end. If you've been around here for a while, you KNOW how much we love the Southwest Companion Pass. It's one of our absolute favorite ways to make family travel affordable, and this news is honestly devastating for those of us who have built our travel strategies around it. The biggest blow? It sounds like credit card welcome bonuses will no longer count toward earning the Companion Pass. Yep. The strategy so many of us have used to fly our families for nearly free is going away. We're breaking down everything we know so far, including Southwest's brand-new Silver, Gold, and Platinum status tiers, the HUGE spending requirements to earn the new Companion Pass benefits, and why the unlimited Companion Pass will now be out of reach for so many everyday families. But there may be one last opportunity to earn a traditional Companion Pass before these changes take effect, and we're talking through the timing, the strategies, and what you need to consider RIGHT NOW if you've been planning to earn one. There is one tiny silver lining in all this chaos: Southwest is introducing international partner award flights! We're talking Icelandair, China Airlines, Etihad, and what these new redemption opportunities could mean for your Rapid Rewards points. Unfortunately, your Companion Pass won't work on those partner flights. We're also getting into what this means for Southwest credit cards moving forward, whether the program will still make sense for budget-conscious travelers, and why this change feels like such a huge loss for families who have relied on the Companion Pass to make travel possible. We're not going to lie, Besties. This one hurts. 💔 We're sharing this news with you the SAME DAY it was announced because we want you to have the information as quickly as possible, especially if you're in the middle of working toward a Companion Pass. Come process this one with us. Because we have A LOT of feelings, and we're guessing you do too. If you decide that you want to earn the CP it would mean the world to us if you sign up for your Southwest Card with our link here: https://www.referyourchasecard.com/226j/1IQJGISQ5M

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 Link Hilton Honors Card Referral Link JOIN 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 | Joanna Wonderland on Points Facebook Group OUR 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 Cards Rakuten — Mary Ellen (Get 5,000 Amex or Bilt Points) Rakuten — Joanna (Get 5,000 Amex or Bilt Points) Mary Ellen’s Fetch — Use code MARYELLEN Joanna’s Fetch — Use code JOANNALYNN Seats.Aero CardPointers — Get Our Best Price Halara — 10% off with code WONDERLAND Comfrt — 15% off Reliefband — 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 Tour JOIN 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 | Joanna Wonderland on Points Facebook Group OUR 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 Cards Rakuten — Mary Ellen (Get 5,000 Amex or Bilt Points) Rakuten — Joanna (Get 5,000 Amex or Bilt Points) Mary Ellen’s Fetch — Use code MARYELLEN Joanna’s Fetch — Use code JOANNALYNN Seats.Aero CardPointers — Get Our Best Price Halara — 10% off with code WONDERLAND Comfrt — 15% off Reliefband — 25% off with code WONDERLAND

Besties, we have a little bit of everything for you today! Breaking travel news, a chance to score FREE Southwest points, passport updates, and somehow… a full-blown rant about Kindles. 😂 First up, ST. LOUIS TO ICELAND?! We’re talking about the exciting new nonstop route and why we’re loving seeing more international flight options popping up from airports that don't always get the love. Then we have possibly the most ridiculous (and amazing) Southwest promotion we’ve ever seen. They're giving away points based on the number of unread notifications on your phone, and let's just say Joanna's 44,410 unread emails have FINALLY found their purpose in life. 😂 We're breaking down how the promotion works, how to turn on your Gmail notification badges, and how you could potentially score up to 10,000 Southwest points! We’re also chatting about online passport renewals, who qualifies, and some upcoming changes that could make getting a passport a whole lot easier. And because this is Besties and we have absolutely no obligation to stay on topic, we somehow end up discussing our hatred of home printers and why on EARTH Kindles are still so expensive. Seriously. Can someone explain this to us?! Finally, WE HIT ONE MILLION STREAMS!!! 🎉 We’re celebrating this huge milestone with a giveaway for our listeners, and we’re sharing exactly how to enter, including how our Apple Podcasts Besties can make sure they're included! Thanks for being here, Besties. We love getting to share these slightly chaotic, completely unfiltered bonus episodes with you. And we definitely wouldn't have made it to a million streams without you! 💕 And remember, The Wonderline is open! Leave us a voice message with your questions, travel dilemmas, hot takes, or something you want us to answer in a future Besties episode. ☎️✨ You can do this right from the internet- it's not actually a phone call! CALL THE WONDERLINE: https://www.speakpipe.com/WonderlandHotline

There is a LOT happening in the points and miles world this week, and we’re breaking down the updates that actually caught our attention. We’re talking about a surprising new transferable points partnership from Bank of America, some very interesting premium airline experiences on the horizon, and new credit cards—including an Atmos Rewards debit card coming in 2027 and a new premium IHG card. We also have another Rove transfer bonus just in time to start thinking about holiday shopping. Plus, Amtrak is entering the transferable points conversation, which could open up some really fun possibilities for train travel, and we need to talk about what’s happening with Hyatt transfer ratios and what it could mean for the way we move our points going forward. And, as always, we get into what all of these changes actually mean for us—including how they might affect our own points strategies and the cards we’re keeping, using, or reconsidering. MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Rove — Get 1,500 Free Miles JOIN 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 | Joanna Wonderland on Points Facebook Group OUR 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 Cards Rakuten — Mary Ellen (Get 5,000 Amex or Bilt Points) Rakuten — Joanna (Get 5,000 Amex or Bilt Points) Mary Ellen’s Fetch — Use code MARYELLEN Joanna’s Fetch — Use code JOANNALYNN Seats.Aero CardPointers — Get Our Best Price Halara — 10% off with code WONDERLAND Comfrt — 15% off Reliefband — 25% off with code WONDERLAND

What happens when the trip you planned suddenly isn’t the trip you need anymore? Today we’re joined by Rachel and Margaux, the dynamic duo behind Raise Her Roaming, to talk about one of our favorite benefits of points and miles: the freedom to change your mind. We’re talking about traveling with kids, last-minute pivots, rebooking flights and hotels, unexpected family emergencies, and why we never stop checking our reservations even after everything is booked. From a child getting sick on a flight to swapping hotels in Japan and a trip to Santa Fe somehow turning into Portugal, Rachel and Margaux have some incredible stories of plans changing on the fly. But this conversation goes so much deeper than points and miles. We talk about the incredible value of traveling with our kids and what they learn when they see us navigate unfamiliar places, solve problems, change plans, and keep going when things feel uncomfortable. Sometimes we have to “do it scared,” and there’s something really powerful about teaching the next generation that they can do that too. This episode is such a good reminder that points and miles aren’t just about traveling for less. They give our families the flexibility to take more chances, experience more of the world together, and raise kids who know they’re capable of figuring things out—even when the plan completely falls apart. JOIN 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 | Joanna Wonderland on Points Facebook Group OUR 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 Cards Rakuten — Mary Ellen (Get 5,000 Amex or Bilt Points) Rakuten — Joanna (Get 5,000 Amex or Bilt Points) Mary Ellen’s Fetch — Use code MARYELLEN Joanna’s Fetch — Use code JOANNALYNN Seats.Aero CardPointers — Get Our Best Price Halara — 10% off with code WONDERLAND Comfrt — 15% off Rove — Get 1,500 Free Miles

Besties, the main episode may be over, but Margaux and Rachel are sticking around for a little behind-the-scenes after show just for you! We’re going beyond the main conversation with rapid-fire questions, hot takes, travel confessions, favorite redemptions, mistakes we’ve made, bucket-list trips, and the opinions we might not necessarily share on the regular show. We get into the reality of maximizing points and miles, the redemptions that sounded better on paper, why flexibility can completely change the way you travel, and some of the bold travel decisions that have shaped all of us along the way. We also dig a little deeper into the idea of “doing it scared” — from Margaux moving her family from Seattle to Portugal to traveling internationally with kids and letting the next generation see us tackle things that feel intimidating. There’s so much value in showing our kids that we don’t have to have everything figured out before we try something new. And because this is Besties, we’re keeping things a little less polished and a lot more fun. Expect rapid-fire questions, spicy travel hot takes, funny stories, and plenty of behind-the-scenes conversation. Consider this the conversation that happens after we stop recording the regular episode… except we left the microphones on for the Besties. 💕 And remember, The Wonderline is open! Leave us a voice message with your questions, travel dilemmas, hot takes, or something you want us to answer in a future Besties episode. ☎️✨ CALL THE WONDERLINE: https://www.speakpipe.com/WonderlandHotline

Besties, airports bring out some truly fascinating behavior in people—and apparently we have THOUGHTS. In this episode, we’re going through 10 weird people you will inevitably meet at the airport, from the overpacker frantically rearranging their suitcase on the floor and the dreaded duty-free perfume sprayer to gate lice, business nomads, family caravans, airport explorers, and, of course, the person who claps when the plane lands. Along the way, we realize that we might actually be some of these people. 😂 Mary Ellen tells the story of hearing her own name announced over the airport loudspeaker after leaving her wallet in a bathroom stall, Joanna admits to being a shoes-off-on-long-flights traveler, and we discuss TSA's questionable definition of a liquid, scooter-suitcase justice, 4 a.m. airport pizza, and why spraying perfume before getting onto an enclosed metal tube should possibly be illegal. And naturally, we added a few airport personalities of our own because we have got hot takes. Now we want yours! What airport person drives you absolutely insane—or which one are YOU? Send us your weirdest airport encounters, travel confessions, or points and miles hot takes on the Wonderline. You might just hear it on an upcoming Besties episode! https://www.speakpipe.com/wonderlandhotline

Besties, apparently October 1 decided to bring ALL the points and miles news at once. We’re breaking down three big updates that dropped today, starting with some seriously tempting Rove transfer bonuses. Japan Airlines at 50%? Flying Blue at 40%? Qatar at 35%? We’re talking about where we see the biggest opportunities, whether we’d actually transfer speculatively, and the very important catch with JAL miles that has us hesitating. Then… we need to talk about Bilt. After Chase recently dropped the Sapphire Preferred-to-Hyatt transfer ratio, Bilt is officially following suit. Beginning January 1, Hyatt transfers will move to 4:3 — and even premium Bilt cardholders aren’t escaping the devaluation. We get into why this one feels particularly disappointing and what it means for the role Bilt has played in our points strategies. But Bilt also dropped some huge Rent Day bonuses, including 75% to Amtrak and 150% to Hilton. And somehow we’ve found ourselves contemplating AMTRAK POINTS?! We look at sleeper-car pricing, Hilton status, Rent Day Costco shopping, and whether any of these bonuses are tempting enough to make us move points today. Finally, we walk through the brand-new IHG One Rewards Premiere Select card and its $350 annual fee, 200,000-point welcome offer, 60K anniversary night, elite night credits, statement credits, and more. We also look at the changes coming to the existing IHG Premier card — because that card is getting more expensive while also changing some of its benefits. There is A LOT happening, Besties. Come tell us what you think: Which of these updates are you excited about, which ones are you taking advantage of, and which devaluation has you the most annoyed? Get Rove Miles here when you sign up for a free account! 💕 And remember, The Wonderline is open! Leave us a voice message with your questions, travel dilemmas, hot takes, or something you want us to answer in a future Besties episode. ☎️✨ CALL THE WONDERLINE: https://www.speakpipe.com/WonderlandHotline

What kind of points traveler are you? Are you constantly calculating cents per point, saving every point for the “perfect” redemption, hunting for impossible-to-find award space, or just happy your points saved you money? In this episode, we’re breaking down eight types of points travelers: The Maximizer, The Hoarder, The Hunter, The Luxury Convert, The Strategist, The Chaotic Optimist, The Budget Boss, and The Churn & Burner. We’re sharing which types we think we are (spoiler: neither of us fits neatly into just one 😂), calling each other out along the way, and figuring out what our points habits say about the way we travel. Listen in and then tell us: What’s your primary points traveler type—and what’s your secondary? And TAKE THE QUIZ here on our Blog! JOIN 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 | Joanna Wonderland on Points Facebook Group OUR 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 Cards Reliefband — 25% off with code WONDERLAND Rakuten — Mary Ellen (Get 5,000 Amex or Bilt Points) Rakuten — Joanna (Get 5,000 Amex or Bilt Points) Mary Ellen’s Fetch — Use code MARYELLEN Joanna’s Fetch — Use code JOANNALYNN Seats.Aero CardPointers — Get Our Best Price Halara — 10% off with code WONDERLAND Comfrt — 15% off Rove — Get 1,500 Free Miles