MTM Travel - The Fun Side of Points & Travel!

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...

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 J...

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 tra...

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 an...

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:...

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...

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 - 8...

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 reward...

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, entertainmen...

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...

Episode Description On this episode Shawn is joined by MtM Senior Contributor and FamilyFlysFree author Ian Snyder. Ian has been earning and redeeming miles & points at a high level for many years and also writes for Award Wallet and other outlets. In this episode we dive deep into Ian's recent back to back Europe trips which included treks to Scandinavia and Switzerland. He breaks down his redemp...

Episode Description On this episode Shawn and Joe discuss the headaches that can be associated with booking awards. Joe's recent booking included misinformation, strange phone numbers hangups and a lot of patience. Was it worth it? Other topics discussed include: the true value of the Chase Sapphire Reserve, Hyatt's tricky new Bonus Journeys promotion and Alaska's sudden devaluation that adds to a...

Episode Description In this episode Shawn & Joe discuss the recent death of a few award sweet spots. Is the rise of virality on social media platforms like Tik Tok causing deals to die sooner and does this mean casual travelers really shouldn't invest time and energy into learning the miles & points hobby? In other news Amazon has brought back their popular Amex Membership Rewards Pay with Points...

Episode Description On this episode Shawn discusses his return to the Waldorf Cabo and why he isn't in Japan instead. Miles and points present the ultimate in flexibility and thankfully they came in handy here. How is the Waldorf Cabo on a second visit? In other news Shawn and Joe discuss the big Hyatt changes and how they are just plain ugly. Plus what is the first thing you do in a hotel room, w...

Episode Description On this episode Joe returns from his trip to talk about Disney Cruise line concierge level, the costs and whether it's worth booking over standard rooms. Is it possible to score an upgrade for cheaper than the full cost? Shawn and Joe also talk Genting Highlands, the Alila Kuala Lumpur, pains with Chase Travel, award alerts and what exactly the Amex Business Platinum is worth....

Episode Description In this episode Shawn talks with Amy & Tim Rutherford from GoWithLess. Amy & Tim are nomads who retired early and now spend their days traveling full time. They have started an amazing community of travel hackers and nomads and meet up with people all over the world. This episode touches on a lot including the challenges of living on the road, the ultimate travel hack, earning...

Episode Description In this episode Shawn and long time MtM contributor PDX Deals Guy discuss the earning side of the miles & points hobby and how people are juicing up there earnings via reselling of various types. Gift card, merchandise and ticket reselling can lead to great returns, but there are potential headaches along the way. Buyers Clubs can also be a good way to earn points, but what are...

Episode Description On this episode Shawn and Joe discuss the new Southwest card welcome offers that include a year+ of the Companion Pass. They also discuss new airline mileage portal bonuses, Shawn's interesting run in with Uber at the airport, a new rewarding perk of Delta cards and an update on Joe's controversial booking. Episode Notes 0:30 - Updating Joe's Delta redemption plus thoughts on a...

Episode Description On this episode Shawn and Joe discuss how we redeem points and why it doesn't always mesh with what others would do. Redemption shaming can be a problem in the hobby, but how can we all do better? We also discuss miles & points for budget travel and how they can be incredible to get more travel when not focusing on premium redemptions, IHG's best ever 175K welcome offer and how...

Episode Description On this episode MtM Contributor and miles and points phenom John Ryan joins Shawn to discuss some of the challenges of being so young in the miles & points hobby and how he learned to travel for "free" at such a young age. Learn his favorite award sweet spots, how the phone can be an incredible tool and some of the cool places the hobby has taken him. Follow John @vegasteenager...

Episode Description On today's episode of Miles to Memories Shawn and Joe chat about their early spending plans for the year and new credit cards they're working on. They also discuss Hyatt's botched IT on their latest promo, a new Hilton brand and a short theme park update. Plus, unlimited pay yourself back on Aeroplan? Episode Notes 1:48 - Quick theme park updates 12:04 - Hilton Spark 16:25 - Hy...

Episode Description Shawn and Joe are joined by Leslie Harvey from Trips with Tykes to talk Disney in 2023. Going to Disney parks has grown into a complicated task, but Joe and Leslie have you covered with all of the latest info and what you need to know before visiting. In this episode we tackle both coasts (Disneyland and Walt Disney World) talking strategy and what we have to look forward to as...

Episode Description On this second part of the MtM Origin Story Shawn and Jasmine talk about the miles & points part of their journey. Learn about some of the dream trips they have taken for free and why that first taste of hotel elite status was so yummy. They also dive into their decision to go semi-nomadic with their 7 year old daughter, somewhat recreating their original trip from 2007. What a...

Episode Description Join Shawn and his wife Jasmine for a fun conversation that explains the origin of Miles to Memories. In this first part we talk about our decision to sell everything to travel around the world with our 6 year old son and some of the crazy stuff that happened along the way. From hostel life to rat infested cruises it was quite an adventure. And we did it all with a kid. Is this...

Episode Description In this episode of the Miles to Memories podcast we say goodbye to Mark with one last session of Doordash Diaries. We also discuss the crazy Southwest meltdown, why Chase didn't suspend 5/24 and our predictions for miles, points & travel in 2023! Episode Notes 03:52 Crazy winter weather & Southwest meltdown 10:55 Is it time to get travel insurance? 15:08 Insane Christmas travel...