MTM Travel - The Fun Side of Points & Travel!

Latest Episodes:

MtM's Origin Story + Preview of 20 Minute Travel! Jun 07, 2024

Show notes

Episode Description

Learn about the MtM origin story plus get a preview of Shawn's new Youtube show/podcast 20 Minute Travel. We'll be back with a normal episode next week! Links

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

Thinking Outside of the Box in the Miles & Points Hobby with Dia Adams May 30, 2024

Show notes

Episode Description

On this episode Shawn is joined by long time creator and Senior Editor at Fortune Recommends Dia Adams. Dia has long been one of the people who thinks outside the box in this hobby. From which hotel programs are a sleeper to why FOMO is something to be avoided, she brings opinions that aren't always the mainstream and that's a good thing. On this show we discuss why meetups are key, how the demographics of the space have changed, lessons learned the hard way, how status can be overrated and much more! Episode Notes

1:45 - Dia's journey as a miles & points creator
4:03 - Family Travel for Real Life
13:05 - How great redemptions can solidify you in the hobby
17:28 - Thinking outside of the box
24:05 - Lessons learned the hard way
30:15 - Points are not an asset
32:11 - Vendoming
35:36 - Curated content and social media FOMO
41:34 - Why credits are meant to go to waste
44:56 - How status can be wildly overrated

Links

Dia at Fortune Recommends

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

Visiting Japan for the 1st or 37th Time with PDX Deals Guy May 23, 2024

Show notes

Episode Description

In this episode of the Miles to Memories podcast, Shawn Coomer is joined by PDX Deals Guy to discuss his recent first ever trip to Japan. How it was flying JAL, making last minute changes, hotels, food and how hard is it for a first time traveler? Plus bullet trains and whether it makes sense to day trip to Kyoto. Shawn also provides an update on his upcoming trip which is both crazy and changing rapidly but should be fun. Get ready for some inspiration as we bring you the virtual sights, smells and tastes of Japan to inspire your travels!

Episode Notes

02:31 - Why Shawn's upcoming trip is crazy
08:33 - Flexibility and last minute flight changes
15:57 - Tokyo hotels including Hilton Shinjuku & Hyatt Regency
23:12 - Bullet training to Kyoto
28:30 - Priorities & What to do - first time in Japan
34:26 - Tackling Japanese food
40:33 - How tech is making it easier than ever to travel to Japan

Links

PDX Deals Guy Twitter

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

Conrad Orlando Wow, Rise of Video, Free Cruise Strategies & The Changing Game with Mark Jackson May 16, 2024

Show notes

Episode Description

In this episode of the Miles to Memories podcast, Shawn Coomer and Mark Jackson discuss various topics related to travel, including alternate content, cruising, and hotels in Orlando. They talk about the shift from reading blogs to watching videos, the popularity of cruising, and how to score deals while generating spend on cruises. They also review the Conrad hotel in Orlando and compare it to other Hilton properties in the area. Additionally, they discuss the Brightline train service in Florida before diving into the evolution of earning miles and points, AI and the changing landscape of shopping portals.

Episode Notes

04:21 - Creating a different kind of travel content
05:55 - Strategies for saving and spending on cruises
11:30 - Is Virgin Voyages worth booking with the latest offer?
14:52 - Being blown away by Conrad Orlando - Does it live up to the brand?
20:55 - Which Hilton for Disney World?
23:38 - Future of high speed trains and Brightline Florida
27:34 - How Mark is earning his miles & points
31:10 - Suckered into AA Loyalty Points?
34:08 - Checking our shopping portal strategy & how the game has changed

Links

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

Time for Some Big Announcements! May 09, 2024

Show notes

Episode Description

On this episode Shawn and Joe recap the Denver MtM Diamond meetup including some tips for your next Denver trip and how the Grand Hyatt is holding up. They also announce some exciting changes and are joined by a special guest for one more thing.

Episode Notes

Subscribe to 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

Demystifying Hilton Brands, Hilton Honors Insights & Southwest's Big Change? May 02, 2024

Show notes

Episode Description

On this episode Shawn and Joe discuss Shawn's recent trip to Nashville and all of the takeaways from his time spent there. They go over why there are so many brands these days and how consumers are changing. Plus will there be more changes to Hilton credit cards and how will they integrate all of their upcoming partnerships into the program? Joe also discusses his Spirit adventure and why Southwest may be finally moving away from their cattle call boarding.

Episode Notes

0:00 - Flying Spirit

8:06 - DOT forcing airlines to pay penalties

10:55 - Southwest boarding changes

16:26 - What Shawn learned at Hilton

29:55 - The Conrad brand

33:04 - Hilton brand expansion

37:05 - Hilton credit cards

41:09 - Hilton experiences

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

Evolution of the Miles and Points Space, Extreme Tracking & Picking Cards with Grant Thomas Apr 25, 2024

Show notes

Episode Description

In this episode, Shawn and Grant discuss their experiences in the miles and points hobby. They talk about the evolution of the space, the changing credit card landscape, and strategies for maximizing rewards. They also touch on the importance of organization and tracking, especially when it comes to credit card offers and free night certificates. Finally they dive behind the scenes of upcoming trips, share their love of Scandinavia and discuss how cruise hacking has become such a good opportunity lately.

Episode Notes

0:00 - Introduction to Travel with Grant
7:58 - Keeping up with the changing game
16:29 - Keeping track of credit cards and various offers
21:51 - Dealing with free night certificates
28:17 - Are Hilton cards changing again?
32:06 - Higher annual fees are a challenge
35:04 - Why people shouldn't underestimate InKind
38:21 - Behind Grant's upcoming bookings
44:03 - Enjoying tons of free cruises

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

Maximizing 0% APR Offers, Turning Down An Amazing Retention Offer & Is Chase's Disney Offer Good? Apr 18, 2024

Show notes

Episode Description

In this episode of the Miles to Memories podcast, Shawn and Joe discuss their experiences recording on the road and share some travel hacks for setting up recording equipment in different environments. They also talk about their missed opportunity to see the solar eclipse and the impact of the eclipse on wildlife. The conversation then shifts to regional food chains like Bojangles and Waffle House, and the excitement of these chains expanding to new locations. On the credit card side of things, a new offer for Chase Disney Visa cardholders has been released, but is it actually good? Other topics discussed include: turning down an amazing Amex retention offer, the importance of doing the math to determine if the annual fee on a credit card is worth it, a 250K Amex welcome offer, the strategy of using 0% APR offers to earn interest on money while avoiding interest charges on credit cards and Shawn shares his upcoming trip to Nashville with Hilton and his plans to explore their different hotel brands.

Episode Notes

0:00 - Recording on the road & Eclipse FOMO
8:56 - Chase Disney Visa card offer - Is it good?
13:36 - Changes to Disney's Disability Access Service - More planning required
19:58 - Turning down an amazing Amex retention offer
23:41 - 250K targeted Business Platinum Offer
26:15 - Interesting Amex referral offers you shouldn't overlook
28:12 - Pursuing credit cards without a sign-up bonus
32:28 - Taking advantage of 0% APR offers & why what is old is new again
35:35 - Preview of Nashville & meeting with Hilton

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

Global Entry Price Increase, Spirit Airlines Booking and Wynn Status Matches Apr 11, 2024

Show notes

Episode Description

We discuss Shawn's experience with the Wynn status match, Hilton buying the Nomad brand, increases in Global Entry fees and much more! Plus some quick deals to help you along your way.

Episode Notes

0:00 - Eclipsing

7:05 - Wynn status match experience

12:07 - Joe booked a Spirit flight

28:04 - Nomad hotels are going under the Hilton brand (except Vegas)

31:50 - Global Entry and NEXUS costs increasing

38:13 - Quick deals

Benjy's Choice Hotels article

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

Down a Hilton in Vegas, Amex Changes Again, 3% Everywhere Coming & More! Apr 04, 2024

Show notes

Episode Description

Joe's back from an epic Disney trip, Shawn visits the Tropicana before it closes and a ton of credit card news in this week's podcast. Plus, Joe considers booking Spirit and we discuss what's going on with the blogosphere and Google's negative SEO changes (negative for independent people, that is).

Episode Notes

0:00 - Joe just got home and is Disneyed out

6:43 - Tropicana closing

10:01 - Booking Spirit Airlines

18:41 - Amex updates Delta card rules to minimize churning?

23:11 - Amex Hilton Business updates

26:26 - Chase Sapphire Reserve removes Priority Pass

30:13 - Robinhood 3% card

35:10 - Founders Card and Caesars

39:32 - The value of the Swan Reserve

44:36 - How Google is hurting independent blogs

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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