MTM Travel - The Fun Side of Points & Travel!

Latest Episodes:

Chase Just for You, Wyndham Vacasa Deval & Andaz Costa Rica Nov 02, 2023

Show notes

Episode Description

On this episode Shawn and Joe discuss the recent tragic storm in Acapulco and how people are being impacted. They also look at some big targeted Chase offers, detail how Wyndham devalued Vacasa redemptions and Shawn reviews the Andaz Papagayo in Costa Rica.

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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

Citi's New Transfer Partner, Amex "Upgrades" Hilton Cards, Delta Backtracks & Seats.Aero Sued Oct 26, 2023

Show notes

Episode Description

On this episode Shawn and Joe discuss some recent changes in the hotel space. These include Hyatt's Home & Hideaways launching, Chase expanding their Luxury hotel collection and Citi adding a transfer partner that may actually present a great value. On the loyalty front just as Delta backtracked some of their many negative changes to SkyMiles, Southwest announced tweaks to their program that may make some flyers happy. We also discuss the Seats.Aero lawsuit, the changes made to Hilton's Amex cards and whether the new "Amex family rule" will spread to all cards across their portfolio.

Episode Notes

8:53 - Shawn's headed to Costa Rica

14:04 - Seats.Aero sued by Air Canada

18:45 - Delta partially walks back its changes

24:40 - Southwest improves A-List

29:06 - AMEX lifetime language changes

35:19 - Hilton Surpass and Aspire updates

38:45 - New hotel booking options news

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

Chicago Seminars Drama, Hilton Timeshare Windfall, Buyers Group Dangers & Crazy Choice Deal with Mark Ostermann Oct 19, 2023

Show notes

Episode Description

On this episode Mark Ostermann returns to the show to discuss his recent trip to New York which was driven by a very lucrative timeshare offer. He discusses what it was like to deal with the presentation and how he earned 150K points in about 15 minutes. He also dives into Roosevelt Island, the Conrad Midtown and how New York feels a bit different these days. Other topics discussed include: an amazing and profitable Choice experience deal, some of the past Buyers Group deals gone wrong, an update on the Travis Scott ticket deal fiasco and a recap of the Chicago Seminars including how it went and a little drama that happened along the way.

Episode Notes

0:00 - Chicago Seminars recap and drama

14:42 - PFS and Travis Scott issues (update)

23:51 - Mark in NYC - hotel experiences

31:46 - Mark's super secret way to get out of timeshare presentations

40:16 - Mark's amazing Choice Privileges redemption (in New Jersey!?)

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

Amex Gold Overhaul, Premium Hotel Programs & Luxury Travel Advisors with Jason Lawenda Oct 12, 2023

Show notes

Episode Description

On this episode Shawn is joined by Jason Lawenda of Mobius Journeys to discuss the hobby and luxury travel. Jason is a luxury travel adviser who has built a business helping others in the miles & points hobby book travel. We discuss whether becoming a travel agent is the "ultimate travel hack", why you might want to look at premium hotel programs like Impresario and Prive plus how American Express changed the Gold cards and what that means for the future of other cards.

Episode Notes

0:00 How the miles & points hobby has changed
08:21 Amex Gold card changes - New family rule coming to every card?
13:58 Business Gold revamp and 150K targeted offers
16:13 Luxury travel advisers and the miles & points hobby
23:29 Diving into luxury hotel programs (Prive, Impresario, etc.)
28:14 The Ultimate Travel Hack?
32:42 Jason's current points earning strategies

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

Delta Revenge Matches, Transparent Resort Fees, Hyatt Expands Again & More! Oct 05, 2023

Show notes

Episode Description

On this episode Shawn and joe discuss the targeted 4th quarter spending offers across Chase cards. These offers come with up to 10X points so it is definitely worth checking to see what you have been targeted for. Other topics discussed include: the evolution of family seating policies, Hyatt's expansion to vacation rentals, how resort fees are becoming more transparent, the new Capital One lounge in Dulles and how Delta's competitors are stepping up with revenge status matches after the recent SkyMiles changes.

Episode Notes

8:08 - Jetblue family seating changes

11:58 - More hotels making fees visible

14:51 - Two new hotel brands

20:14 - Capital One Lounge Dulles

24:55 - Status matches for disgruntled Delta Skymiles members

32:44 - Q4 Chase spending offers

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

Picking up 75K, New Global Entry App & 10 Words Ruined By "The Hobby" Sep 28, 2023

Show notes

Episode Description

On this episode Shawn and Joe discuss why 0% APR offers can be something to look for and how Shawn grabbed a quick 75K Membership Rewards on a no annual fee card. They also discuss the return of Chase Ink 90K offers, Global Entry's new app and why it probably isn't important, more info on the Chicago Seminars and 10 words that are ruined by the miles & points hobby.

Episode Notes

9:43 - Blue Business Plus and small business discussion 22:33 - Chase Ink 90K 25:41 - Global Entry 28:48 - 10 words miles and points have ruined

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

Delta Downgrades Skymiles, Las Vegas Hacked & Why to Jump on Frontier's Big Status Match! Sep 21, 2023

Show notes

Episode Description

On this episode Shawn and Joe discuss the recent hacks of many of the major Las Vegas casinos. Both Caesars and MGM suffered cyberattacks, but what has the reality been on the ground and should it affect your decision to go to Vegas? They also go into the details of the brand new Fontainebleau Las Vegas megaresort including when it is opening and why it has been under construction for over 15 years. Other topics discussed include: Credit card 4th quarter 5X bonus categories, the big changes Delta made to Skymiles and why the Frontier status match opportunity is maybe the best deal going on right now.

Episode Notes

7:56 - New Frontier status match

18:37 - Delta's massive status devaluation

28:46 - Vegas news and meltdowns

42:25 - Q4 credit card bonuses

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

United's Interesting New Product, Canada Quirks, Hyatt's New Premium Credit Card & More Sep 14, 2023

Show notes

Episode Description

On this episode of the podcast Shawn and Joe discuss so some of the quirks of Air Canada plus a recap of the MtM Diamond meetup in Vancouver. They also discuss links for increased Chase Ink offers, remembering 9/11, United's new narrowbody business class, Marriott's soft landing, what JetBlue is doing to merge with Spirit and Hyatt's new survey that teases a premium credit card offering you will want to know about!

Episode Notes

0:00 - Vancouver MTM Diamond meetup stories and Air Canada

18:46 - Premium Hyatt Chase card?

25:44 - Marriott status soft landings

30:24 - Chase Ink offers

31:40 - Jetblue/Spirit merger updates

39:00 - United's new narrowbody business class

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

Hilton Lounge Downgrades, 30 Days On A Cruise Ship & A Traveler's of Flying Sep 07, 2023

Show notes

Episode Description

On this episode Shawn and Joe discuss some new Hilton Amex no lifetime language offers and ponder how their lounges have changed in the past few years. They also discuss whether 30 nights on a cruise ship is a dream or a nightmare, how Priority Pass is getting more expensive and why even the most seasoned flyers can become overwhelmed with fear.

Episode Notes

4:20 - Air Canada redemption to YVR

7:32 - Thirty (!) day Carnival cruise

16:20 - Growing up in the miles and points game

21:20 - Useless Hilton lounges

26:11 - Priority Pass lounge price increasing

28:54 - Hilton No Lifetime Language offers

31:13 - Fear of Flying and some of our roughest flight 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, 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

New Cathay First, JetBlue's Dirty Secret & Those Who Divide Us Aug 31, 2023

Show notes

Episode Description

On this episode Shawn and Joe discuss the quirky new Cathay Pacific First Class seat that is coming to the 777-9. It is sure to be a popular product when it launches. They also discuss how JetBlue will raise fares after the Spirit merger and why divisive people are hurting the miles and points hobby.

Episode Notes

10:28 - Cathay Pacific new first class seats

15:28 - Jetblue raising Spirit prices

18:43 - Renting timeshares with points

23:36 - Be positive

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

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