MTM Travel - The Fun Side of Points & Travel!

Get an easy $200 from Melio for making your first payment! (Affiliate link. Terms below) https://affiliates.meliopayments.com/travelonpointsteam Episode Description This week Shawn and Mark discuss some interesting items in the news. Amex is now offering perks for downgrading cards, but there is a catch. They also discuss the end of Amex to Alaska via Hawaiian and how Hilton's recent devaluation is shocking in many ways. Are Hilton's points worth anything and why their certs have become even better.   In other news Shawn goes over his upcoming trip to Europe including how the itinerary is shaping up last minute and why this way of booking works. He goes over his nonstop last minute business class redemption for 3, some of the other quirks of the trip and why it is exciting planning this stuff at the last minute versus a year in advance.   Episode Guide   0:00 Welcome to MTM Travel 1:15 The great Amex to Hawaiian to Alaska debate & end date 6:13 The cash value of points & how to use them properly 13:00 Last minute business class to Germany for 3! 18:10 European road trip, theme parks, culture & PH Zurich debate 26:25 Booking early or last minute - What is the best points strategy? 29:08 Amex “paying” customers to downgrade cards? 39:25 Hilton’s Devaluation - Max points way up Links https://travel-on-points.com/membership-rewards-transfers-to-alaska-airlines/ https://travel-on-points.com/hilton-honors-devaluation/ https://travel-on-points.com/amex-downgrade-bonus-offers/ 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, Spotify, TuneIn, Pocket Casts, or via RSS. Don't see your favorite podcast platform? Please let us know!

Get an easy $200 from Melio for making your first payment! (Affiliate link. Terms below) https://affiliates.meliopayments.com/travelonpointsteam Episode Description This week Mark and Shawn discuss a number of interesting topics in the travel realm including the rumored upcoming changes to Chase's premium flagship card Sapphire Reserve. As part of the rumors the fee is going way up and some benefits are being cut, but they are adding a lot. If this rumor proves true will this card be worth pursuing?   We also discuss the overall rejection of airport lounges in the travel space. Are weary travelers just too picky or have lounges jumped the shark? Shawn shares his real world "lounge skipping" experience along with how it was to fly on day one of Real ID. To close it out we discuss the fallout from a viral Frontier agent video and why Maho Beach in St. Martin is one of the cooler places to visit.   Episode Guide   0:00 Welcome to MTM Travel 0:22 Hyatt implements new rules on award transfers 4:46 Huge Chase Sapphire Reserve rumor - Higher fee & tons of “coupons” 13:19 REAL ID doomsday didn’t happen - Shawn’s experience 17:43 The airport lounge backlash 25:36 Viral Frontier video - Reinforces their reputation? 31:10 AA flight experience - 2 different ends of the spectrum 35:52 Maho Beach in St. Martin - Why its so cool for aviation enthusiasts and beyond 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, Spotify, TuneIn, Pocket Casts, or via RSS. Don't see your favorite podcast platform? Please let us know!

Get an easy $200 from Melio for making your first payment! (Affiliate link. Terms below) https://affiliates.meliopayments.com/travelonpointsteam Episode Description This week Mark and Shawn crossed paths to head towards opposite coasts for miles & points meetups. On this show they'll discuss their respective trips to Monterrey, CA and Virginia Beach, VA including the hotels and what they enjoyed along the way. Shawn also provides a tip for getting your digital priority pass quickly, Cardless has gotten much better, Rakuten is giving Amex points for getting a Chase card and why Mark likes Hilton Garden Inn.   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, Spotify, TuneIn, Pocket Casts, or via RSS. Don't see your favorite podcast platform? Please let us know!

Get an easy $200 from Melio for making your first payment! (Affiliate link. Terms below) https://affiliates.meliopayments.com/travelonpointsteam Episode Description This week several new card offers came out along with some that are ending. MGM launched their interesting Iconic card which gives you a path towards spending to higher status in a much better way. Capital One also released a 350K/400K offer that isn't for the faint of heart while IHG's record 200K bonus is ending soon.   In other #news digital arrival cards are spreading across the world and one of the most popular tourist destinations has now implemented one. We also discuss: misleading travel marketing, the death of an Aeroplan loophole and why it shouldn't have existed, a big MTM Travel shock and travel food presentations from the future.   Episode Guide   0:00 The big MTM Travel shock 0:23 Digital arrivals/visas - Thailand’s version is here 3:00 IHG Best Ever 200K business card offer ending soon 4:28 Capital One Venture X Business - 350K or 400K bonus?!? 6:46 MGM’s new Iconic Card - Spend towards huge perks! 9:00 Why you might want to spend your way to MGM Gold 10:16 Misleading travel marketing offers 12:05 Why reading the terms is one of the biggest secrets of the “game” 13:25 Aeroplan “trick” dies 15:13 The Aeroplan workaround & why they should change their policies 16:45 Cool S - Travel food presentations from the future   Links   Thai arrival - https://tdac.immigration.go.th/ Capital One 400K info - https://dannydealguru.com/400k-bonus-for-capital-one-venture-x-business/ MGM Iconic - https://milestomemories.com/check-out-the-new-mgm-rewards-iconic-mastercard/ Misleading ads - https://travel-on-points.com/hyatt-under-canvas-promotion/ Aeroplan loophole - https://travel-on-points.com/air-canada-flexible-pricing-switch/ Food from the future - https://x.com/kirawontmiss/status/1912621052758282260  https://x.com/TheGlobal_Index/status/1912820960413270307   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, Spotify, TuneIn, Pocket Casts, or via RSS. Don't see your favorite podcast platform? Please let us know!

Get an easy $200 from Melio for making your first payment! (Affiliate link. Terms below) https://affiliates.meliopayments.com/travelonpointsteam Episode Description On this episode of MTM Travel Shawn and Mark discuss last minute plans including Shawn's "free" cruise and his upcoming trip to Europe. Economy vs. business, flying into other airports, repositioning and calculating fuel surcharges are all factors, but what is the best option? We also discuss why you may want tons of Hilton credit cards and the headache they bring, Shawn's upcoming visit to Epic Universe, picking Orlando hotels and why Frontier status continues to pay off.   Subscribe to MTM Travel & 20 Minute Travel in the same feed! Youtube Podcast 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, Spotify, TuneIn, Pocket Casts, or via RSS. Don't see your favorite podcast platform? Please let us know! Melio Offer Terms: This is a business to business payment platform - no personal bills / payments. The offer is for new accounts only. If you sign up using the 20 Minute Travel link new members will get $200 cash back after making a $2000+ in payments via Melio pay. Gal from Melio will reach out to finalize the details of your payment. That is $60 in processing fees for a $200 bonus! After signing up and making your first payment with a vendor you will want to upload your bank info to your Melio account. Do it as the receiving method so you have a checking account set up to receive payments. You will then receive an email from (Gal) Melio saying you are eligible for the $200 bonus and it will tell you to set up your receiving method, or you can share your bank information if you prefer that. 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  

Get an easy $200 from Melio for making your first payment! (Affiliate link. Terms below) https://affiliates.meliopayments.com/travelonpointsteam Episode Description This week several increased card offers came out including a new version of Amex's popular "no lifetime language" Business Platinum offer. Find out how to see if you are targeted for 250K points plus a new type of kicker. Other offers include Marriott's new hybrid 3 nights + 50K and AA's 75K business card.   In other news Brazil now has an e-visa but we will show you how to get it. We also discuss: food at the Masters, very good Wells Fargo checking bonuses, safety of helicopters, a crazy shark in Switzerland and why Evermore is probably the best Hilton value in the U.S. right now.   Episode Guide 0:00 Insane diving shark in Switzerland 0:48 Brazil’s new e-visa is here - What is the process? 3:25 Talking about the Hudson helicopter crash & safety 6:30 Evermore Orlando now bookable with Hilton - Good deal? 8:36 Amex Business Platinum 250K + a kicker 10:44 Bonvoy Boundless 3 free nights + 50K hybrid offer 12:10 AAdvantage Business 75K + special perks 13:25 New Chase MyBonus 5X offers for Q2 14:34 Wells Fargo’s VERY good bank business bonuses 16:27 Cool S - Food at the Masters 18:10 How the Masters keeps prices low Links Shark - https://www.ladbible.com/news/world-news/shark-statue-lake-neuchtel-switzerland-460708-20231027 https://x.com/AvatarDomy/status/1355402936638189568 Brazil visa - https://travel-on-points.com/brazil-visa-application-process/ Evermore Hilton - https://travel-on-points.com/evermore-orlando-resort-joining-hilton/ Biz Plat 250K - https://travel-on-points.com/200k-amex-business-platinum-offer/ AAdvantage Biz 75K - https://milestomemories.com/75k-bonus-and-waived-fee-for-citi-aadvantage-business-card/ Chase MyBonus - https://travel-on-points.com/chase-my-bonus-spending-offers/ Wells Fargo Bank - https://travel-on-points.com/wells-fargo-business-checking-bonus/ Masters Food - https://x.com/top100rick/status/1909580552111300643?s=46 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, Spotify, TuneIn, Pocket Casts, or via RSS. Don't see your favorite podcast platform? Please let us know!

Get an easy $200 from Melio for making your first payment! (Affiliate link. Terms below) https://affiliates.meliopayments.com/travelonpointsteam Episode Description On this episode of MTM Travel Shawn and Mark follow up on Mark's AA status match "battle" including a great resolution and some tips if you are in the same position. They also discuss the prevalence of service apps and how they just aren't working out, Universal's crazy expansions including their brand new Epic Universe theme park and Universal Studios Great Britain plus how Chinese manufacturers are taking to social media to fight back in a unique way.   Subscribe to MTM Travel & 20 Minute Travel in the same feed! Youtube Podcast 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, Spotify, TuneIn, Pocket Casts, or via RSS. Don't see your favorite podcast platform? Please let us know! Melio Offer Terms: This is a business to business payment platform - no personal bills / payments. The offer is for new accounts only. If you sign up using the 20 Minute Travel link new members will get $200 cash back after making a $2000+ in payments via Melio pay. Gal from Melio will reach out to finalize the details of your payment. That is $60 in processing fees for a $200 bonus! After signing up and making your first payment with a vendor you will want to upload your bank info to your Melio account. Do it as the receiving method so you have a checking account set up to receive payments. You will then receive an email from (Gal) Melio saying you are eligible for the $200 bonus and it will tell you to set up your receiving method, or you can share your bank information if you prefer that. 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  

This week, the discussion highlights the downsizing of benefits on the American Express Business Platinum card, questioning its value for cardholders. Chase may surprise some with increased offers—check if you're targeted! There's also excitement around airline status matches for those seeking new perks. Plus, unpacking essential travel gear leads to humorous anecdotes, while a thrilling travel treasure hunt promises family fun and potential cash prizes!

Get an easy $200 from Melio for making your first payment! (Affiliate link. Terms below) https://affiliates.meliopayments.com/travelonpointsteam   Episode Description On this episode of MTM Travel Shawn and Mark go over their recent weekend adventures in Vegas which includes many off the Strip sights plus the Capital One lounge, New York New York hotel and a lot more. They also discuss Mark's epic battle brewing with American Airlines, an easy $200 offer that also supports the show plus how amazing service can still exist in 2025.   Subscribe to MTM Travel & 20 Minute Travel in the same feed! Youtube Podcast 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, Spotify, TuneIn, Pocket Casts, or via RSS. Don't see your favorite podcast platform? Please let us know! Melio Offer Terms: This is a business to business payment platform - no personal bills / payments. The offer is for new accounts only. If you sign up using the 20 Minute Travel link new members will get $200 cash back after making a $2000+ in payments via Melio pay. Gal from Melio will reach out to finalize the details of your payment. That is $60 in processing fees for a $200 bonus! After signing up and making your first payment with a vendor you will want to upload your bank info to your Melio account. Do it as the receiving method so you have a checking account set up to receive payments. You will then receive an email from (Gal) Melio saying you are eligible for the $200 bonus and it will tell you to set up your receiving method, or you can share your bank information if you prefer that. 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  

Get an easy $200 from Melio for making your first payment! (Affiliate link. Terms below) https://affiliates.meliopayments.com/travelonpointsteam Episode Description This week Chase & United launched all new revamped credit cards top to bottom. In addition to increased welcome offers they raised the prices on their annual fees and added a bunch of other perks. Should you pick up one of the new Chase United cards and which offer is best? Plus how should you deal with the new "coupons" they offer.   In other news Southwest's new pricing is coming online and the news isn't good. With fare buckets and lower overall values it isn't the best move but there are some sweet spots you should know about. Other topics discussed include: crazy $89 NYC hotel room, the longest walking airports, Chase Sapphire Preferred 100K online, Hyatt's new casino promo, why high annual fees aren't all bad and how you can drive on part of the Las Vegas F1 Grand Prix circuit.   Episode Guide 0:00 Swanky NYC $89 hotel room 0:50 The longest and shortest walking airports 3:03 Diving into Southwest’s new award pricing - New fare buckets? 4:40 What is the value of Rapid Rewards now & best award redemptions? 7:14 United and Chase’s huge relaunch - New cards, bonuses and coupons! 9:53 Which new United card offer is the best to pickup? 11:44 Chase Sapphire Preferred 100K going online soon? 13:21 Hilton gift card mess continues & “hack” to cash them out 15:15 Hyatt’s new casino promo - Earn bonus points on every night 17:11 $10K in credit card annual fees & why that might not be a bad thing 20:57 Cool S - LV Grand Prix Plaza - Drive on the F1 course Links NYC hotel - https://www.facebook.com/watch/?mibextid=UalRPS&v=2739262022947168&rdid=zEn8QD6grbeMovXD Long/short airport walks - https://www.kurufootwear.com/blogs/articles/airport-walking-distances Southwest pricing - https://travel-on-points.com/new-southwest-pricing/ CSP online - https://www.reddit.com/r/ChaseSapphire/comments/1jm6spa/100k_sub_will_be_online_43_per_chase_customer/ $10K annual fees - https://travel-on-points.com/my-credit-card-annual-fees/ Vegas Grand Prix go karts - https://www.facebook.com/watch?v=1553490775348209 Hyatt casino promo - https://milestomemories.com/earn-bonus-points-at-20-hyatt-casino-destinations/ 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, Spotify, TuneIn, Pocket Casts, or via RSS. Don't see your favorite podcast platform? Please let us know!