MTM Travel - The Fun Side of Points & Travel!

Episode Description In this episode of the Miles to Memories podcast we talk about Hyatt giving away bonus points for otherwise worthless perks. We also talk about our Amex airline credits game plans, how US Bank beat us at our own game and Joe getting his Chase account robbed.  Episode Notes 1:33 - Dealing with expiring Hyatt awards 10:11 - AMEX end/beginning of year credits 19:57 - Booking more...

Episode Description In this episode of the Miles to Memories podcast we talk about some of the worst Christmas/Chanukah gifts we have received over the years. Plus Shawn & Mark discuss some of the highlights of 2021 travel including coolest redemptions, best places visited and our favorite moments. We also dive into our 2022 plans, some of the pains of planning almost two years into the pandemic a...

Episode Description In this episode of the Miles to Memories podcast we talk about Shawn's recent trip to the bay area in California, planning future travels in this environment and what to do with expiring Hyatt free night certificates.  We also give a quick overview of the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay, discuss Shawn's big family shake up and Chase's recent dud. Episode Notes 6:37 - The last day...

Episode Description In this episode of the Miles to Memories podcast we talk about Delta's recent devaluation, buying American Airlines miles at less than half a cent and maximizing Amex Offers for the holidays. We also talk about a potential Southwest devaluation, why Instacart gift cards are dangerous and how to save money on Amazon. Episode Notes 5:50 - Instacart followup 11:44 - Delta eliminat...

Episode Description In this episode of the Miles to Memories podcast Shawn and Mark talk about drinking / eating around the world at Epcot. We also discuss earning free cruises through status matches, taking advantage of Frontier status, a new timeshare offer and Mark's Instacart gift card failure. Episode Notes 2:40 - MTM Diamond meetup in Orlando: Great success! 14:16 - Instacart's gift card dep...

Episode Description In this episode of the Miles to Memories podcast we discuss Chase finally dropping 5/24, well on some cards at least. We also talk about Mark's house being overtaken by covid, Joe getting the bonvoy'd treatment and Amex finally righting their wrong. Episode Notes 7:10 - Mark's covid experience 15:07 - No more 5/24? 21:33 - Joe Gets BONVOYED 36:19 - AMEX reinstatements 39:21 - B...

Episode Description In this episode of the Miles to Memories podcast the majority of the team gets together to discuss Bank of America's new hot (garbage?) card, play some games and share what they're thankful for. Thank you everyone for listening and Happy Thanksgiving! Episode Notes 8:13 - New BofA premium card 20:20 - Two truths and a lie 32:43 - Giving thanks Enjoying the podcast? Please consi...

Episode Description In this episode of the Miles to Memories podcast Leslie from Trips With Tykes joins along with Disney Deciphered podcast co-host Joe to talk about the myriad of changes that have come to Disney World lately. What you need to know about how those changes affect you so you can  plan a successful Disney vacation.  Episode Notes 6:53 - Walt Disney World's 50th Anniversary Celebrati...

Episode Description In this episode we speak to Richard Kerr who is the Director of Travel Rewards for Bilt Rewards. He gets a little nerdy with us and pulls back the curtains a bit into the other side of travel loyalty programs. What goes into developing a great program and how it may be different than you think. We also dive into Bilt Rewards including how it works and why it is different than o...

Episode Description In this episode of the Miles to Memories podcast we talk about canceling the most rewarding card on the market, Chase's customer service failing and maximizing the tons of 5X offers this quarter. We also talk about an awesome Hilton credit card targeted offer, Chase adding more limited time perks and our favorite Amex Offer returns. Episode Notes 8:21 - Maximizing 5X card offer...

Episode Description In this episode of the Miles to Memories podcast Shawn shares the details of his recent trip to Moskito Island traveling like the rich and famous.  We also talk about Marriott gutting their program, American Airlines completely changing up their program Episode Notes 4:42 - Moskito Island 16:11 - Moskito highlights, bookable on points? 21:51 - American Airlines flight mistakes...

Episode Description In this episode of the Miles to Memories podcast we are joined by a special guest Bethany Walsh of Bougie Miles. We discuss our biggest travel pet peeves, our biggest travel blunders and whether or not the new Amex Business Platinum changes are good or bad.  We also talk about avoiding resort fees in Vegas, why Mark loves the newest Citi ThankYou point addition and maximizing a...

Episode Description In this episode of the Miles to Memories podcast we talk about a slew of Amex shut downs, an underwhelming Hyatt card launch and Mark's trip to Fort Myers Beach. We also talk about the power of the product change, stacking credits on Hyatt stays & how to get some free food. Episode Notes 4:37 - AmAxe 17:24 - Florida trip report (not Disney!) 25:22 - Chase Hyatt business card 31...

Episode Description In this episode of the Miles to Memories podcast we talk Marriott playing games with suite upgrades, Mark's recent trip to the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay and why is Puerto Rico so cheap right now? We also talk about game planning Delta status, Southwest's Disney plant and Shawn's Amex Business retention offer. Episode Notes 5:56 - Marriott hotel playing games with suite inven...

Episode Description In this episode of the Miles to Memories podcast we talk about what we would want in a Hyatt premium card, Marriott blowing the doors off with their increased offers and why redeyes are the best...or are they?  We also talk about more rumored coupons for the Amex Platinum coupon book, end of month reminders and 40+ Amex Platinum benefits. Episode Notes 5:43 - Marriott card incr...

Episode Description In this episode of the Miles to Memories podcast we discuss cleaning out our credit card closet, Mark doing Vegas as bougie as possible at a huge discount.  We also discuss Hilton playing games with their new breakfast credits, an awesome HBO Max deal and the US reopening to international travelers. Episode Notes 6:36 - Cleaning out the credit card closet 13:12 - Four Seasons V...

Episode Description In this episode of the Miles to Memories podcast we discuss the stupid stuff we do that flight attendants hate, how to social engineer your way to more points and how quickly travel is changing. We also talk about how you can make some money from your miles and points knowledge, how to use Aeroplan miles and why class action settlements can be awesome...even if they take foreve...

Episode Description In this episode of the Miles to Memories podcast we discuss Amex's transfer bonus bonanza, AA's latest consumer unfriendly move and whether staying at all-inclusives are our jam. Also, a really random Southwest companion pass offer to consider and happy 4 year anniversary to Mark! Episode Notes 0:00 - 4 years of MARK 5:29 - Amex Transfer Bonuses Galore, Which Ones Do We Like Be...

Episode Description In this episode of the Miles to Memories podcast we discuss where we could go if we could work remotely for a year, why we had a breakup with Citi and whether or not we took the Schwab cash out plunge.  We also talk about Hyatt's underrated offer, using Citi's system to our advantage and some new Chase Offers. Episode Notes 6:54 - Why Citi dumped us 14:22 - Working remotely - w...

Episode Description In this episode of the Miles to Memories podcast we discuss if you can trust travel blogs or not. We also discuss Joe's month long trip, whether we like the Disney Fastpass news, Mark's awesome Amex Platinum retention offer and more. Episode Notes 6:55 - Can you trust travel blogs? 17:40 - Joe's 2400 mile road trip 33:24 - Disney's Fastpass replacement 45:02 - AMEX retention of...

Episode Description In this episode of the Miles to Memories podcast Bethany Walsh from Bougie Miles joins us to discuss the recent changes Chase made to their Sapphire cards. Why is Chase Sapphire Reserve getting very little love and does it make sense over the now supercharged Sapphire Preferred? Plus we'll also dive into the economics of Mark's Alaska trip including why he paid so much cash for...

Episode Description In this episode of the Miles to Memories podcast we debate if travel will ever return to normal or if it will continue to suck. We also go over a new slew of huge credit card offers and talk about our amazing meetup in Denver. We finish up discussing Clear being a lifesaver and the sign up process, Citi's quirks & easy tips on meeting minimum spend. Episode Notes 2:22 - Some no...

Episode Description In this episode of the Miles to Memories podcast we debate if we would leave a completely covid free country like Zoe is to go home.  We also talk about the quickly changing travel landscape and new mandates, some interesting travel survey results, saving for college with travel hacking skills and what happens to your travel insurance if you cancel your credit card. Episode Not...

Episode Description In this episode of the Miles to Memories podcast we discuss how Citi has become the hardest approval in the game, which hotel gives you the best bang for your buck and we share our recent application successes. We also talk about how long miles and points transfers take, Amazon freebies and our favorite travel gear. Episode Notes 5:20 - MTMPod credit card application successes...

Episode Description In this episode of the Miles to Memories podcast we discuss what makes airports good, a new Citi ThankYou point transfer partner and Shawn's trip to Michigan. Plus, why you should get your passport renewed NOW! Episode Notes 3:46 - Citi adds AA as a transfer partner 10:28 - Michigan trip report 12:05 - Getting flights 15:05 - Hotels 18:07 - Sightseeing in Michigan 21:47 - What...