Huge Miles & Points Pitfalls & Hilton's Big Devaluation
Dec 23, 2024
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This discussion dives into the challenging pitfalls of the miles and points hobby, highlighting Shawn's struggles with reselling and the evolving landscape ahead. Illness during travel gets a spotlight, illustrating the emotional toll and choices faced by travelers. The talk also covers Hilton's significant devaluation, introducing new pricing tiers and complexities. Plus, they vent about the frustrations of Amazon reselling, including restrictive policies and seller challenges, while navigating the engaging and sometimes chaotic world of travel rewards.
The podcast highlights the significant financial risks associated with Amazon reselling due to unpredictable policy changes, demanding a cautious approach for sellers.
Listeners are warned about the recent changes in the Hilton Honors program, which introduce dynamic pricing and can lead to unexpected costs when redeeming points.
The discussion emphasizes the importance of maintaining health while traveling, particularly during the busy holiday season when illness can easily spread among travelers.
Deep dives
Affordable Wireless Services
The episode highlights the financial benefits of switching to affordable wireless options, specifically discussing Mint Mobile's offer of premium wireless service for just $15 a month. This insight encourages consumers to reconsider their current expenses on wireless plans and emphasizes the potential savings that come with alternative services. By showcasing the drastic difference in pricing, the discussion underlines the idea that many people unknowingly overpay for their mobile plans. This shift to a more budget-friendly option could significantly impact household finances, particularly for those who are looking to cut unnecessary expenses.
Navigating Holiday Travel Challenges
Traveling during the holiday season can be fraught with complications, including illness, flight changes, and navigating congested airports. A personal anecdote illustrates the difficulty of flying while sick, as the speaker describes past experiences of getting ill during international travel, leading to a miserable journey home. This discussion opens up a broader conversation about the importance of health and wellness while traveling, especially when in close quarters with many people. As families gather for the holidays, there is an underlying responsibility to care for one's health to avoid spreading illness to others.
Reselling Challenges on Amazon
The challenges of reselling on platforms like Amazon are explored, particularly regarding the unpredictable and often harsh policies that sellers face. A significant point raised includes the sudden removal of a seller's ability to sell certain brands, which can drastically impact their income. This not only highlights the inherent risks of investing in inventory for resale but also calls attention to Amazon's unpredictable policies that can shut down profitable businesses overnight. The discussion also touches on the mental stress and time investment involved in maintaining an Amazon reselling operation, where success can hinge on ever-changing rules.
The Shift in Loyalty Programs
Changes in loyalty programs, specifically within the Hilton Honors program, are discussed as a critical insight for frequent travelers. This includes the shift to dynamic pricing where reward nights may cost significantly more during peak times, creating frustration for users who can no longer rely on static redemption values. The episode emphasizes how these changes can devalue points over time and the importance of remaining informed about program policies to maximize benefits. It raises awareness that while obtaining points can seem straightforward, redeeming them might lead to unexpected costs and diminished value.
The Importance of Preparedness in Reselling
The conversation around being prepared for losses in reselling initiatives offers valuable lessons for potential entrepreneurs. It underscores that a successful strategy should account for the possibility of unexpected losses, whether through inventory issues or policy changes in platforms like Amazon. A personal account of a significant financial loss due to fraud illustrates the urgency of having security measures in place and emphasizes the necessity of smart business practices. This insight serves as a cautionary tale for those venturing into the world of reselling, urging them to adopt a realistic approach to potential risks.
On this episode of MTM Travel Shawn & Mark discuss many of the pitfalls of earning in the miles & points hobby. Shawn discusses his reselling efforts over the years and how difficult they have become. What is worth doing in 2025 and what pitfalls should you be aware of when pursuing other avenues of earning?
We also discuss Hilton's big devaluation which includes higher prices and multiple tiers for the first time plus Mark's big trip and being sick on the road.
Episode Guide
0:00 Getting ready for big travel & sick on the road
7:00 The downsides of Amazon reselling & other points plays
21:12 Why you need to be prepared to “lose” when playing the miles & points game
29:50 Hilton’s devaluation - Split awards, higher prices & more
41:19 The games that they play
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