MTM Travel - The Fun Side of Points & Travel!

Latest Episodes:

Episode 200 Reunion! Hyatt Family Resorts, Travel FOMO & The Danger of Not Knowing Your Limits in the Hobby Jun 08, 2023

Show notes

Episode Description

In this 200th episode of the podcast Mark Ostermann makes his triumphant return to chat with Shawn and Joe about his recent travels including bar hopping Manhattan, staying in Jersey and if the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay holds up as a family destination.

We also discuss travel FOMO and how it has become such a huge part of our society. Plus we dive into some recent happenings that are a good reminder of why we must all know our limits and how we must manage our risk as we pursue more miles & points. Can the pursuit of miles & points become an addiction and how can you protect yourself from disaster?

Episode Notes

Mark Ostermann from Travel on Points and original podcast co-host returns for our 200th episode!

4:39 - Joe's Nordstrom adventures

10:38 - NYC bar hop

19:01 - Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay

28:24 - Exposure and risk in the miles and points game (Reddit thread)

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

Macau & Hong Kong Trip Report, Booking the "Skycouch" & Europe Is So Expensive! Jun 01, 2023

Show notes

Episode Description

On this episode Joe Cheung joins Shawn to talk about Macau and Hong Kong including some hotel reviews and why Macau is not a knockoff Vegas. Plus what is it like traveling in these parts of China post-pandemic?

Joe also discusses booking the closing Star Wars hotel and the quirky Skycouch to New Zealand. Other topics covered include: a sweet Virgin Voyages points deal, Bilt's June giveaway, how Google Lens is a gamechanger and why BA Avios redemptions in Europe can be a great deal.

Episode Notes

1:04- Hong Kong and Hong Kong Disneyland

14:54 - Using FHR in Macau

26:27 - Australia update

28:01 - Galactic Starcruiser closing

39:45 - Virgin Voyages cruise on points

45:25 - Bilt Rent Day

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

Stranded in Memphis, JAL's Coffin Suite & Japan Hotel Overload with Jasmine Coomer May 25, 2023

Show notes

Episode Description

In this episode Jasmine Coomer returns to talk with Shawn about their recent travels, how she was stranded in Memphis and why Graceland is worth the hefty admission fee. Plus is the new Hyatt Caption brand any good?

They also discuss their recent adventures in Japan and flying in Japan Airlines business class in their unique coffin suite. Other topics discussed include: how traveling in Japan is so much easier than it used to be, which points hotel is best for Tokyo Disney, the best Hyatt Place in the world, whether the Park Hyatt Kyoto is worth 40K points per night, why the Hyatt Regency Osaka isn't worthy of being a Hyatt and how the G7 summit presented challenges in Hiroshima.

Episode Notes

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

7 Deadly Sins of Travel Hacking & Behind the Curtain of Freelancing with Lee Huffman May 18, 2023

Show notes

Episode Description

On this episode Shawn is joined by long time miles & points blogger and podcaster Lee Huffman from Bald Thoughts. Shawn and Lee discuss some of the pitfalls of miles & points and how to avoid them. They also discuss freelance corporate content vs. personal blogs, the dangers of some travel hacking social media content, leaving his job to relocate across the country, the joys and realities of family travel and some of the cool places to see around his new home in Tennessee.

Episode Notes

0:00 - Intro and hello to Lee Huffman from Bald Thoughts and We Travel There

8:45 - Bald Thoughts background and history

20:09 - Freelancing vs. having your own blog

27:40 - The Seven Deadly Sins of Travel Hacking

39:21 - How do you know who to trust on social media?

47:02 - Traveling in Tennessee

Automatic Miles Millionaire

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

Rakuten's Big Week, Air New Zealand's Skycouch and a New Southwest Perk May 11, 2023

Show notes

Episode Description

In this episode Shawn and Joe discuss their trip planning, a new Southwest perk, Rakuten's big week, travel pet peeves and a whole lot more! Plus, some random landscaping talk that's sure to be a lot of fun.

Episode Notes

6:01 - Trip planning to New Zealand, Japan, Asia and more

23:10 - Southwest adds a long needed perk

25:14 - Rakuten's big week

30:44 - Travel grievances

37:10 - Shawn visits Wynn Las Vegas

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

Last Minute Shift to Japan, The Ultimate Travel Hack & Some Chase Apps Skipping 5/24 May 04, 2023

Show notes

Episode Description

In this episode Shawn and Joe discuss the many recent changes to travel plans including a last minute business class saver award to Japan and how Shawn just couldn't resist. They'll talk through the planning process, getting hotels and upgrades plus the Japan rail pass. Other topics covered include: recent Chase Sapphire Preferred apps avoiding 5/24, the 165K IHG Business card offer, understanding Hilton's food and beverage credit and the Ultimate Travel hack.

Episode Notes

0:00 - Stranded in Memphis

4:51 - Japan!

14:26 - Park Hyatt Tokyo closing for refurbishment

18:35 - Hilton food and beverage credit experiences

22:51 - Las Vegas resort fees updates

30:12 - The golden rule

36:30 - Chase IHG offer

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

Chase Sapphire Preferred Offer, Bilt Dining and Goodbye to Bed Bath and Beyond Apr 27, 2023

Show notes

Episode Description

On this episode Shawn and Joe discuss the Chase Sapphire Preferred offer going public, the new Bilt dining program and reminisce about some old Bed, Bath and Beyond plays. You will be missed! A little bit.

We spend some time chatting about the current cost of earning miles and points and also reminisce about old coupon deals and chat some general travel.

Episode Notes

12:02 - 80K Chase Sapphire Preferred now public

16:01 - The current status of earning miles and points

23:51 - Bilt dining

27:40 - RIP BBB

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

Chase Shutdown, Big Bonvoy Bonus Returns, New vs. Old Hyatt & Expedia Killing Popular Program! Apr 20, 2023

Show notes

Episode Description

On this episode Shawn and Joe discuss Charlotte and Joe's recent revelations about the Hyatt House brand. Hyatt's limited service brands can be broken into "old" and "new" categories and there is a big difference even under the same brand.

Other topics discussed in this episode include: missed opportunities for student discounts to save on travel, Expedia launching a new rewards program while killing an old popular one, LifeMiles is back with a transfer bonus, Marriott Bonvoy has brought back a popular welcome offer and Chase Aeroplan Pay Yourself Back has claimed its first victim with a full shutdown for violating the promotional terms.

Episode Notes

8:04 - Hyatt House brand old vs. new

16:24 - Hyatt family rate and how it can save you money

19:29 - Marriott Bonvoy Boundless big offer returns

21:39 - Missed opportunities with student discounts

24:49 - Expedia launching new rewards program and killing a popular old one

27:07 - Lifemiles transfer bonus to multiple programs

28:12 - Chase Aeroplan Pay Yourself Back shutdown

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

Citi Retention Windfall, Analyzing 5X Categories & Does Virgin Voyages Live Up to the Hype? Apr 13, 2023

Show notes

Episode Description

On this episode Shawn and Joe discuss Citi retention strategies, some recent data points and how you can get multiple offers with just one phone call. They also dive into rotating 5X categories on some cards and United's new promo that may be worth looking at.

In the main segment Shawn discusses his recent Virgin Voyage top to bottom looking at the cabins, service, entertainment and the food. This adults only cruise line delivers a unique experience in many ways but it also falls flat sometimes. Overall is it worth booking a Virgin Voyage, especially if a new points promo surfaces this year?

Episode Notes

9:42 - Q2 5x categories

12:38 - United MilePlay promo

14:02 - Citi retention offers

19:25 - Shawn's trip on Virgin Voyages

21:17 - Stateroom

28:41 - Food

40:48 - Entertainment

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

Taking A Different Perspective on Miles & Points with Benjy Harmon Apr 06, 2023

Show notes

Episode Description

On this episode Shawn is joined by MtM Senior Contributor and miles & points expert Benjy Harmon. Benjy is known for looking at "the hobby" in a different way and urges others to do the same.

Topics discussed in this episode include: the importance of goals in the hobby, how to keep the miles & points game fun, changing our perspectives on things over time, lifestyle creep with miles & points and why cashing in points is something you might want to seriously consider even if it isn't the popular thing to do.

Episode Notes

3:21 - Benjy's background

7:52 - Cashback vs. Travel rewards

17:50 - The analytical side of the hobby

21:20 - AMEX offers

28:42 - Better late than never

36:47 - Losing AA elite status

44:24 - The value of free night certificates

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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