MTM Travel - The Fun Side of Points & Travel!

Latest Episodes:

TMT News - Big Alaska Mileage Play, Easy 20K Amex, Travel Trolling, Real Mario Kart & Transfer Bonus Overload! Oct 23, 2024

Show notes

Twenty Minute Travel News has now joined the MtM Podcast feed! You can catch this show each week right here in addition to the regular MtM Travel podcast or watch both shows on Youtube!

Episode Description

This week the Alaska/Hawaiian merger fallout moves forward as the company is trying to combine loyalty programs. Until that happens there may be an opportunity to double dip with credit cards, but is it a good play and which Hawaiian Airlines cards should you consider before they go away forever? In other news Amex is back with 20K Pay Over Time offers. These can be the easiest points you'll ever earn if you are targeted. We also discuss: Spark Cash $750, the new United Mile Play offers, all of the many transfer bonuses right now, a hack to score an empty middle seat and where you can play Mario Kart in real life. Episode Guide

0:00 Viral hack for ensuring an empty middle seat
0:47 Ultimate travel troll - Once in a lifetime experiencial travel
2:03 Mark's incredible Choice "experience" redemption
4:00 Don't overlook housesitting - Incredible way to save on travel & pet sitting
7:35 Hawaiian Airlines credit card play before it is too late
9:56 Cap One Spark Cash $750 welcome offer with waived annual fee
11:11 Amex Pay Over Time 20K Offers - Easiest points ever!
12:45 United Mile Play offers - Huge potential depending on your offer
14:30 Most credit card transfer bonuses ever?
17:53 BattleKarts some really cool "s" to seek out on your next trip

Enjoying the podcast? Please consider leaving us a positive review on your favorite podcast platform! You can also connect with us anytime at podcast@milestomemories.com.

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Music: Rewind by Jay Someday | https://soundcloud.com/jaysomeday Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License

Spooky Time in Salem, Alaska Air Changes & Wins & Disney's New Theme Park at Sea Oct 21, 2024

Show notes

Episode Description

In this conversation, Mark discusses his recent trip to Salem, Massachusetts, focusing on the Halloween experience and the historical significance of the area. He shares insights about the attractions, food, and the overall vibe of Salem during the Halloween season. The conversation then shifts to Alaska Airlines, highlighting recent changes in their loyalty program, including the ability to earn qualifying miles through award flights and shopping. Other topics discussed include: new flight routes, the evolution of MTM Travel and our different shows, parenting lessons learned from buying a phone for Mark's son, the rise of content creation in the digital age, and the unique offerings of Disney's crazy new cruise ship. Episode Guide

0:00 Introduction & visiting Salem, MA for Halloween - Food, fun and what to do
11:29 Digging into Alaska's new milestones and other huge changes
14:35 Is airline status a scam?
21:40 The crazy things we say in the miles & points hobby
24:10 Behind the show housekeeping & important life lessons
37:19 Disney's insane new cruise ship - Theme park at sea?

Subscribe to MTM Travel & 20 Minute Travel in the same feed!

Enjoying the podcast? Please consider leaving us a positive review on your favorite podcast platform! You can also connect with us anytime at podcast@milestomemories.com.

You can subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Spotify, TuneIn, Pocket Casts, or via RSS. Don't see your favorite podcast platform? Please let us know!

Music: Rewind by Jay Someday | https://soundcloud.com/jaysomeday Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License

TMT News - Huge Hyatt AA Changes, Uber's Pricing Games, Bank Bonus Windfall & Capital One Lounge "Hack" Oct 16, 2024

Show notes

Twenty Minute Travel News has now joined the MtM Podcast feed! You can catch this show each week right here in addition to the regular MtM Travel podcast or watch both shows on Youtube!

Episode Description

This week American Airlines and Hyatt announced a ton of changes to their ongoing partnership. Points earning from the past is gone, but in its place are a ton of new "milestone rewards" and perks you can choose. Both Hyatt and AA members will be able to choose perks at various milestones plus will be able to purchase status for the day with points and more. Is this an improvement over the old Hyatt American Airlines partnership? In other news it seems Uber is being sneaky again. Some data points seem to show them charging more for people with Uber Cash, but is it a game and who is winning? In other #news we cover some new card offers, go over three awesome bank bonuses to pursue, discuss a true American castle, show you how to fast track into Capital One lounges and fight over the Wendy's Spongebob popup. Episode Guide

0:00 Wendy's Spongebob popup
1:00 More evidence of Uber overcharging
3:46 How to fast track into Capital One lounges
6:32 Best ever AAdvantage Business card 75K offer
7:39 Last chance for Southwest 85K / companion pass timing
8:45 Bilt adds two new transfer partners
10:16 AA/Hyatt announce tons of partnership changes/milestone rewards
12:17 Do these new partnership rewards make sense as a choice?
13:40 AA status for a day - Is this going to be worth it?
15:27 Great bank bonuses for Chase, US Bank & Wells Fargo - Up to $900
19:05 American castles? Hammond Castle in Gloucester, MA

Enjoying the podcast? Please consider leaving us a positive review on your favorite podcast platform! You can also connect with us anytime at podcast@milestomemories.com.

You can subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Spotify, TuneIn, Pocket Casts, or via RSS. Don't see your favorite podcast platform? Please let us know!

Music: Rewind by Jay Someday | https://soundcloud.com/jaysomeday Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License

Value of "Free" Weekend Trips, New Mexico's Incredible Balloon Fiesta & MTM Travel Goes Video! Oct 14, 2024

Show notes

Episode Description

On the first video edition of MTM Travel (you can still listen!) Shawn & Mark discuss some of their recent escapades including Mark's time in New Mexico for the balloon fiesta and his upcoming trip to Salem, MA for Halloween festivities. New Mexico features a number of surprises including unique food and interesting landscapes. Joe Cheung also joins in discussing his recent points funded trip to see the Mets and all of the fun we've had over the years of doing this podcast.

Subscribe to MTM Travel & 20 Minute Travel in the same feed!

Enjoying the podcast? Please consider leaving us a positive review on your favorite podcast platform! You can also connect with us anytime at podcast@milestomemories.com.

You can subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Spotify, TuneIn, Pocket Casts, or via RSS. Don't see your favorite podcast platform? Please let us know!

Music: Rewind by Jay Someday | https://soundcloud.com/jaysomeday Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License

TMT News - 2025 Trending Travel, 5 Free Hyatt Nights, Paid Hyatt Place Breakfast, LoungeBuddy Dies & Newark! Oct 09, 2024

Show notes

Twenty Minute Travel has now joined the MtM Podcast feed! You can catch this show each week right here in addition to the regular MtM Podcast or watch it on Youtube!

Episode Description

This week Chase was in the news a lot for a number of different reasons. To start, they added Air Canada lounge access for Sapphire Reserve cardholders. This is a good perk, but it has a huge downside. Chase also released their Q4 spending offers on cards with targeted deals giving 5-7X back on grocery and more. Finally, Chase also has newly increased offers on Sapphire Preferred and the World of Hyatt credit card. The latter is giving 5 free nights as a welcome offer. Is this better than points? In other news after 5 years of ownership, American Express has announced they are killing off LoungeBuddy. RIP. We also discuss: a fire at Newark airport, the Albuquerque Balloon Festival, 2025 trending travel destinations, Virgin Atlantic going revenue based, the search for Ramada's "CEO" and the new show we are launching on this channel. Episode Guide

0:00 Newark can't have nice things
0:36 You can be Ramada's new "CEO"
3:15 Amex's 2025 trending travel destinations
5:07 Hyatt Place paid breakfast spreading?
8:17 Sapphire Preferred's new 60K offer with a twist
9:47 Hyatt's new 5 free night welcome offer
11:37 Sapphire Reserve adds Air Canada lounge access
13:10 Amex shutting down LoungeBuddy
14:49 Lucrative targeted Chase spending offers for Q4
16:23 Virgin Atlantic revenue based redemptions - Good or bad?
17:58 Mark visiting the Albuquerque Balloon Festival
19:14 Our new show coming to this channel

Enjoying the podcast? Please consider leaving us a positive review on your favorite podcast platform! You can also connect with us anytime at podcast@milestomemories.com.

You can subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Spotify, TuneIn, Pocket Casts, or via RSS. Don't see your favorite podcast platform? Please let us know!

Music: Rewind by Jay Someday | https://soundcloud.com/jaysomeday Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License

Childhood Independence & Travel, Frontier's Big Glitch & A Big Announcement for the Show! Oct 05, 2024

Show notes

Episode Description

In this episode of the Miles to Memories podcast, hosts Shawn and Mark discuss the exciting changes to the show, including Mark's return as co-host and the introduction of video content. They share their recent travel experiences, including redeeming Frontier Miles and visiting Cedar Point amusement park. The conversation delves into the challenges of parenting in today's world and the importance of giving children independence while traveling. They also provide hotel recommendations and wrap up with future plans for the podcast.

Subscribe to our other travel podcast - 20 Minute Travel!

Enjoying the podcast? Please consider leaving us a positive review on your favorite podcast platform! You can also connect with us anytime at podcast@milestomemories.com.

You can subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Spotify, TuneIn, Pocket Casts, or via RSS. Don't see your favorite podcast platform? Please let us know!

Music: Rewind by Jay Someday | https://soundcloud.com/jaysomeday Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License

Twenty Minute Travel - Amex Kills Popular Cards, China's Insane Drone Show, Alaska Transfer Drama, Tricky Hyatt & New 100K! Oct 02, 2024

Show notes

Twenty Minute Travel has now joined the MtM Podcast feed! You can catch this show each week right here in addition to the regular MtM Podcast or watch it on Youtube!

Episode Description

This week American Express announced the death of several of their cards including the Cash Magnet and the popular Everyday cards. With the loss of Everyday, is Amex retooling their lineup in preparation of a new card or are they trying to push customers up to their more expensive Gold card? In other news the Alaska/Hawaiian merger drama continued this week as transfers from American Express broke briefly, but then came back again. Some terms leave us a bit worried about the future of transfers, but the big question is whether it makes sense to move points now or not. We also discuss China's insane 10,000 drone show, where to use the Hilton Aspire credit, Aeroplan's new 100K welcome offer, 5% categories for the 4th quarter, Hyatt's fall promotion, a tricky Hyatt property and new Amex Offers you want to know about. Episode Guide

0:00 Saving money for travel
0:39 Alaska/Hawaiian transfer woes and developments
2:44 Will Amex to Hawaiian transfers remain & should you transfer now?
4:25 One Hyatt's tricky "mandatory" charge
7:10 Chase Aeroplan's new 100K welcome offer
8:30 RIP to Amex Everyday cards
10:05 Will Amex replace the Everyday cards in their lineup?
11:20 4th quarter 5% Categories for Chase, Citi and Discover
13:24 Hyatt's new fall promotion is sort of terrible
14:37 Hilton Aspire Resort Credit - How to use it & where it works
15:56 New Amex Offers for Marriott, Hilton, Lowe's & Google Pay
17:35 China's INSANE 10,000 drone show

Enjoying the podcast? Please consider leaving us a positive review on your favorite podcast platform! You can also connect with us anytime at podcast@milestomemories.com.

You can subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Spotify, TuneIn, Pocket Casts, or via RSS. Don't see your favorite podcast platform? Please let us know!

Music: Rewind by Jay Someday | https://soundcloud.com/jaysomeday Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License

Sneaky Uber, Citi's Aggressive Move, JetBlue's Lounges & Do This Soon! Sep 28, 2024

Show notes

Episode Description

In this episode, Joe and Shawn discuss various topics related to travel, credit cards, and the evolving hotel industry. They delve into the controversy surrounding Uber's pricing strategies, particularly in relation to American Express credits, and explore the importance of community connections at travel events. The conversation also touches on the upcoming changes to American Express Schwab limits, Citi's pursuit of an exclusive partnership with American Airlines, and JetBlue's plans for new lounges. Additionally, they discuss Oyo's acquisition of Motel 6 and the competitive landscape of shopping events between Walmart and Amazon.

Subscribe to our other travel podcast - 20 Minute Travel!

Enjoying the podcast? Please consider leaving us a positive review on your favorite podcast platform! You can also connect with us anytime at podcast@milestomemories.com.

You can subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Spotify, TuneIn, Pocket Casts, or via RSS. Don't see your favorite podcast platform? Please let us know!

Music: Rewind by Jay Someday | https://soundcloud.com/jaysomeday Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License

Twenty Minute Travel - Alaska Scores Big, Citi Fighting Hard, Free Starbucks from Marriott & Visiting the Top Gun Bar! Sep 25, 2024

Show notes

Twenty Minute Travel has now joined the MtM Podcast feed! You can catch this show each week right here in addition to the regular MtM Podcast or watch it on Youtube!

Episode Description

This week Alaska Airlines closed on their merger with Hawaiian Airlines. The government laid out a ton of rules for the new airline to follow including keeping the value of points and allowing points to be transferred 1:1 between programs. This has opened up some opportunities to get Alaska miles as Amex is now basically a transfer partner. In other news tons of new increased card offers dropped this week including Southwest, Hilton and Marriott. We also discuss the new way to change your Southwest companion and the best strategy to get two years of the Companion Pass with these new offers. Other topics include: The Top Gun bar in San Diego, a suspended soccer field in China, how Citi is going hard for the AA card business, Jetblue's new lounges and how to get free points or coffee from Starbucks and Marriott. Episode Guide

0:00 Hangovers are temporary travel meme
0:32 Alaska now a defacto Membership Rewards transfer partner
2:15 Government lays down several rules for Alaska merger
4:07 JetBlue announces airport lounges coming to two major airports
5:14 JetBlue's new premium credit card?
6:03 Visiting the Top Gun bar in San Diego
8:31 Other takeaways from Mark's San Diego trip
9:41 Southwest increased offers & companion pass strategy
12:03 Increased offers for Hilton cards as well
12:59 Playing the Amex upgrade/downgrade game
13:57 Bonvoy Business 5 free night offer returns
14:45 Citi is going hard for the AA credit card business
16:28 Big payday coming for American Airlines?
17:43 How to change your Southwest Companion online
18:38 Starbucks/Marriott partnership - Free points or coffee!
21:00 Suspended Chinese soccer field 600 feet above the ground

Enjoying the podcast? Please consider leaving us a positive review on your favorite podcast platform! You can also connect with us anytime at podcast@milestomemories.com.

You can subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Spotify, TuneIn, Pocket Casts, or via RSS. Don't see your favorite podcast platform? Please let us know!

Music: Rewind by Jay Someday | https://soundcloud.com/jaysomeday Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License

Simplicity in Travel, Hilton's Big Score & Amex Account Hacked? Sep 19, 2024

Show notes

Episode Description

In this episode of the Miles to Memories podcast, hosts Shawn and Joe discuss a variety of topics ranging from sports banter to travel tips. They share a personal story about a potential hack on Joe's American Express account, emphasizing the importance of security measures and password management. The conversation shifts to family travel, discussing the balance between using points and creating memorable experiences. They also touch on changes to American Express Uber credits, the introduction of free Wi-Fi on airlines, and the addition of Graduate Hotels to the Hilton Honors program. Finally, they reflect on Benjy's travel tips, highlighting the importance of simplicity in travel planning.

Subscribe to our other travel podcast - 20 Minute Travel!

Enjoying the podcast? Please consider leaving us a positive review on your favorite podcast platform! You can also connect with us anytime at podcast@milestomemories.com.

You can subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Spotify, TuneIn, Pocket Casts, or via RSS. Don't see your favorite podcast platform? Please let us know!

Music: Rewind by Jay Someday | https://soundcloud.com/jaysomeday Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License

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