MTM Travel - The Fun Side of Points & Travel!

Latest Episodes:

Defeating Jetlag, Meta Smartglasses for the Win, United's New Feature & Is Rio/Hyatt An Amazing Opportunity? Mar 28, 2024

Show notes

Episode Description

On this episode Shawn and Joe dive into a lot of recent happenings in the travel and miles & points space. From hating on budget airlines to United's new pooling feature there is a lot happening in the airline space. Other topics discussed include: how the Timeshifter jetlag app works, why the Meta Smartglasses are worth a consideration for upcoming trips and how the Rio/Hyatt integration is working in reality.

Episode Notes

0:00 Rayban Meta Smartglasses (Amazon affiliate link) - A new must have for travel?
10:09 Timeshifter app experience - Does it work to save you from jetlag
12:18 Rio/Hyatt partnership - On the ground experience
18:49 IHG Diamond Treatment & spending towards status
22:33 Being done with Spirit Airlines
25:26 Frontier's new seating is an elite downgrade
28:04 What the heck is going on with Boeing
30:05 Great Chase Disney card offers & why you might want one
34:07 United's new pooling feature

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

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Spring Break In Europe - Flights, Hotels, Practical Advice & Gratitude Mar 21, 2024

Show notes

Episode Description

On this episode Shawn discusses his recent family Spring Break trip to Lisbon and Paris. Learn about the flights and redemptions plus some of the cool things seen along the way. Family travel can be difficult, but it is so rewarding, even if it is squeezed into a tight timeframe. Shawn & Joe also discuss the power of returning places, where to stay at Disneyland Paris & how a drone show inspired the whole thing.

Episode Notes

3:38 One-way car rentals for repositioning
4:45 AA Business Class to Europe
6:40 How cool is Lisbon?
8:53 Why you need to start doing free walking tours in Europe & elsewhere
10:50 Hyatt Regency Lisbon
13:22 Daytripping from Lisbon - Stunning coastline, castles and more
18:50 Onward to Paris & why we didn't redeem miles for our flight
22:33 A great hotel for visiting Disneyland Paris
25:36 Paris hotel struggles & why we chose Hyatt Regency
33:51 Eiffel Tower & Louvre - Why we returned
36:50 Air Tahiti Nui Business Class
40:42 Takeaways from the 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.

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

Rethinking Your Hotel Loyalty & Elite Status Game with Benjy Harmon Mar 14, 2024

Show notes

Episode Description

On this episode of the podcast Shawn is joined by MtM Contributor and MtM Diamond moderator Benjy Harmon. Shawn & Benjy dive deep into why you may want to rethink your hotel elite strategy, why Hyatt may be overrated and a cool little place you can visit on your next stop into DFW.

Peak Summer Road Trips, Best Ever Marriott Bonuses & Hyatt Devaluation? Mar 07, 2024

Show notes

Episode Description

On this episode of the podcast Shawn & Joe discuss trip planning including national parks, the insanity of summer demand and why you might want to visit during off-peak seasons. They also follow up on their jetlag discussion including a cool app to help you out, go into the details of two new "best ever" Marriott card offers plus discuss the recent category changes for Hyatt which saw many hotels increase in cost.

Recycled Soup, a Haunted Hotel and Red Envelopes - Taiwan Trip Report Feb 29, 2024

Show notes

Episode Description

Joe recounts his trip to Taiwan, including Grand Hyatt Taipei, flying E-V-A Airlines in business class, highlights in Taipei, and eating at random bathroom tiled floor restaurants. How much money did the kids get in their red envelopes? Listen and find out!

Episode Notes

0:00 - Joe just got home and is jet lagged

9:30 - Grand Hyatt Taipei (haunted?)

15:32 - EVA business class

28:05 - Exploring Taiwan

31:13 - Aloft Tainan

33:27 - Taipei highlights

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

Epic Trip - Back to Back Asia in First Class, New JAL, DMZ, Angkor Wat & More with Han Chicago Feb 22, 2024

Show notes

Episode Description

On this episode Han Chicago joins Shawn to discuss his recent epic back to back First Class trips to Asia. Products discussed include the new Japan Airlines First Class, Korean Air First Class, Etihad's customer service, Singapore's foot well, a lofty Holiday Inn plus the redemptions along the way.

Han also discusses avoiding the Park Hyatt Siem Reap plus his favorite parts of Angkor Wat and why you should visit now. He also discusses why Seoul is so underrated, visiting the DMZ, his favorite place to eat in Singapore, where you want to stay when in Bangkok and more. A jam packed episode. Enjoy!

Episode Notes

01:56 - Solo trips & how they have changed over the years
05:12 - Korean Air First Class & Seoul
11:36 - Underrated Seoul & DMZ Tour
19:04 - Japan Airlines new First Class
25:28 - Park Hyatt Tokyo Before It Closes
29:45 Singapore Quirky Rooms & Hawker Fun
33:54 Visiting Cambodia & Angkor Wat
41:01 - Bangkok Takeaways - Best Area?
44:12 - Flying Etihad - Disappointing Service
48:24 - Homesickness During Travel?
53:38 - Importance of Networking in the Hobby

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

Hyatt Concierge Frustration, Companion Pass Shortcut & New Vegas Status Match Feb 15, 2024

Show notes

Episode Description

On this episode Shawn and Joe discuss the Super Bowl in Las Vegas and what the experience is like seeing U2 at the Sphere. They also discuss tons of new card offers that have dropped in the past week including a fast track to the Southwest Companion Pass. Other topics include: Hyatt concierge frustration, losing Vendome, Chinese New Year & Joe's upcoming trip to Taiwan.

Episode Notes

0:00 - Las Vegas baby

16:44 - Shawn spring break updates and pivots, Hyatt concierge frustrations

27:25 - Joe's going to Taiwan

39:08 - Credit card updates

New green restrictions: https://milestomemories.com/new-bonus-restriction-for-american-express-green-card/

US Bank Business Altitude Power: https://milestomemories.com/us-bank-launches-new-business-altitude-power-card/

Southwest CP + 30K offer after $4K spend in 3 months: https://milestomemories.com/southwest-cards-companion-pass-30k-3/

Amex Delta NLL: https://milestomemories.com/amex-delta-offers-with-no-lifetime-restriction-2/

JetBlue 70K after $1K (normally 60K): https://milestomemories.com/improved-jetblue-plus-card-offer-earn-70000-points/

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

Attempted Vendoming, Missing Icon, Epic Universe & Foreign Currency Return Trap Feb 08, 2024

Show notes

Episode Description

On this episode Shawn and Joe discuss the newly announced Epic Universe park in Orlando. This new theme park should be on everyone's radar and we'll tell you why. We also discuss the trap when returning things in a foreign currency, Shawn attempts to Vendome, Joe isn't impressed with Trip It Pro and why Icon of the Seas will have to wait for next time.

Episode Notes

1:54 - Joe's no good very bad weekend

9:58 - TripIt Pro and Halfday

16:49 - Losing money on a return??

26:38 - Shawn's spring break updates

31:51 - EPIC Universe

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, Sticher, 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

Miracle in Hawaii - Surviving A 1,000 Foot Fall, The Dramatic Rescue & Lessons Learned with Ian Snyder Feb 01, 2024

Show notes

Episode Description

On this episode Shawn is joined by Mark Ostermann and Ian Snyder to discuss a recent set of events that could have proved tragic, but thankfully has a happy ending. Ian recently fell 1,000 feet during a difficult hike in Hawaii and spent 3 days waiting to be rescued. We discuss the story, his rescue and all of the lessons learned along the way with the laughter and fun you would expect! This is a crazy story you definitely want to hear.

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, Sticher, Spotify, TuneIn, Pocket Casts, or via RSS. Don't see your favorite podcast platform? Please let us know!

Traveling to Every Country in the World with Ryan Smith Jan 25, 2024

Show notes

Episode Description

On this episode Shawn is joined by former MtM Contributor Ryan Smith to discuss his recent accomplishment of visiting every single country in the world. We'll discuss his journey as a writer in the miles and points space plus dive into his country collecting. Find out how his journey began, how he chose his last country and all of the amazing and challenging things along the way.

Episode Notes

0:00 Freelancing in this space & what it is like being a writer.
08:25 The community of country counters & proving your "track record"
16:59 Setting a goal of visiting every country
24:56 Most challenging countries/experiences
38:27 Favorite countries/experiences through Ryan's entire journey
47:57 The exposure to travel via social media
53:47 Choosing the "last country" and completing the journey

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, Sticher, Spotify, TuneIn, Pocket Casts, or via RSS. Don't see your favorite podcast platform? Please let us know!

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