MTM Travel - The Fun Side of Points & Travel!

Citibank 29 Million Points Shutdown, Chase Cardholder Gifts, Squeezing in Maui & Chicago Xmas Market

Dec 2, 2024

Shawn and Mark dive into the evolving world of credit card rewards, discussing Chase's customer gifts and the fallout from Citibank's controversial account closure. They compare Hawaiian travel experiences, debating the merits of Oahu versus Maui. The duo also explores how banks are stepping into the role of travel agents, affecting redemption rates and travel perks. Finally, they share their festive adventures at Chicago's Christmas markets, reminiscing about holiday shopping highlights and the allure of European markets.

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ANECDOTE

Chase Gift

Shawn received a gift from Chase for being a 10-year Ink cardholder.
The gift included cookies and coffee, but the pastries were dry.

ANECDOTE

Amex Gift

Mark received a wooden cell phone holder from American Express.
He used it to level his filing cabinet.

ADVICE

Credit Card Rewards Evolution

Consider the evolution of credit card rewards programs and their rules over time.
Remember the era of easy sign-ups, vanilla reloads, and flexible Chase recon.

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Episode Description

In this conversation, Shawn and Mark discuss their experiences with credit card rewards, particularly focusing on Chase's loyalty program and the gifts received for long-term cardholding. They delve into the evolution of credit card rewards, the importance of social engineering in banking, and a recent controversial case involving Citibank's account closure of a high-profile customer. The discussion also touches on the allure and perks of the American Express black card, highlighting the differences in customer service and experience for high-spending clients.

The two also discuss more on Shawn's redemption decision to Hawaii, Mark's small town weekend trip, Chicago Christmas markets and how Black Friday went.

Episode Guide

0:00 Chase cardholder gifts & debating their rules & product changes over the years
10:51 Citibank shuts down customer, takes 29 million ThankYou points
14:55 The best card for high net worth/big spenders?
19:21 Squeezing in multiple Hawaiian islands to a trip?
24:00 Bank travel portals & behind their redemption rates
27:28 Universal Orlando free Express pass - Mark's recent booking experience with FHR
30:38 Visiting the Chicago Christmas markets

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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