MTM Travel - The Fun Side of Points & Travel!

Want to work with us? Reach out! inquiries at milestomemories dot com Frontier status match (MTM affiliate link) - https://www.frontierstatusmatch.com/?fpr=xf83a Episode Description This week Southwest announced a positive change for once! WiFi has been getting cheaper on planes over the years, but most still charge. That has been changing and Southwest will finally bring free internet to their planes. When will this happen and how long will it be before every airline offers free internet in the skies?   In other news Hyatt has a couple of cool new promos, but one of them has a new twist. Should we be weary of travel apps and all of the data tracking or is that just life in 2025? We also discuss: Mario Kart in real life, why AA is flying 20 empty transatlantic legs and how you can score an easy $200 bonus offer from our partner Melio.   Episode Guide 0:00 Welcome to MTM Travel 2:05 More free WiFi on planes - Southwest drops new perk 6:37 Why AA is flying 20 empty transatlantic legs 10:50 New Hyatt promos - with a troubling twist? 13:23 Why companies are trying to force us into using their apps 17:27 The big consumer data problem in 2025 21:23 Battle of Chase Sapphires - A surprising result? 28:42 Mario Kart in real life! Links Melio Offer (affiliate link) - https://affiliates.meliopayments.com/travelonpointsteam  Mario Kart - https://www.roadandtrack.com/news/a64188246/vietnam-downhill-karting-spot-mario-kart-dreams/ Southwest WiFi - https://milestomemories.com/southwest-rapid-rewards-members-will-get-free-wi-fi/ AA empty flights - https://onemileatatime.com/news/american-flying-empty-airbus-a321neo-across-atlantic/ Hyatt new property - https://travel-on-points.com/hyatt-new-hotel-promo/ Hyatt app promo - https://travel-on-points.com/hyatt-regency-promo/ CSR vs CSP - https://travel-on-points.com/your-next-card-csp-or-csr/ 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!

Exciting new leaks reveal potential changes to the Amex Platinum card, including big hotel credits. Frontier Airlines is offering an easy status match, prompting debate over their reputation amidst personal flight tales. There's fun news about Hampton seeking a new Waffle Boss with a million-point prize! Hyatt faces scrutiny after a controversial points deduction, while changing tastes in hotel cookies stir nostalgia. The hosts analyze the impact of low-cost carriers and the complexities of hotel loyalty programs, all wrapped in witty anecdotes.

Want to work with us? Reach out! inquiries at milestomemories dot com Episode Description This week Alaska finally released the details of their new post-merger loyalty program Atmos Rewards. This new program comes with different ways to earn, milestones and other unique perks, but they also launched a new premium credit card that takes it further. Is Alaska's new loyalty program a good thing, how is this airline growing up and should you grab their new premium credit card offering with its big bonus?   In other news Cracker Barrel was in the news this week because of a brand refresh. Is this getting more difficult in 2025 and what trends are we seeing in the travel space? We also discuss: Chase's strange welcome offer decision, more free cruises in 2025 and how Shawn's upcoming China trip is changing...again.   Episode Guide 0:00 Welcome to MTM Travel 0:40 Shawn’s China trip headaches & ninja skills 3:04 Free cruise updates - Is this still working in 2025? 11:06 Debating Chase’s weird new welcome offer - Why? 16:33 Alaska launches brand new Atmos Rewards 21:00 Rebrands in 2025 - Cracker Barrel, etc. 28:17 New Atmos Rewards Summit card - Is this a card you should get now? 33:22 Alaska’s choice for unique perks makes this new card/program a winner? Links Atmos - https://travel-on-points.com/atmos-rewards-summit-visa-credit-card-review/ https://travel-on-points.com/alaska-hawaiian-atmos-rewards/ https://travel-on-points.com/atmos-soccer-goals-promo/   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!

The podcast dives into a leaked upgrade for the American Express Platinum card, leaving listeners questioning if the new benefits justify higher fees. Chase faces scrutiny as it drops a major transfer partner and ends its enticing Sapphire Reserve offer. Amidst travel chaos, the hosts share tales of adapting plans and the pitfalls of brand loyalty in the airline industry, especially with Southwest. Listeners are also treated to bizarre global attractions, including a conveyor belt hill climb in China, and quirky travel experiences that prompt a rethink of loyalty programs.

Want to work with us? Reach out! inquiries at milestomemories dot com Episode Description This week Chase surprised some of their top cardholders with a perk that is unadvertised. Why don't we get more of this kind of stuff? We also discuss: how to check if you are targeted for an AA/Hyatt match, whether those matches are worth pursuing, our childhood bucket lists, the melancholy of travel & time plus Shawn discusses his big passport mistake.   Episode Guide 0:00 Welcome to MTM Travel 8:35 No good deed goes unpunished 10:10 EV Rebates going away - Is now the time to look at a lease deal? 13:21 The melancholy of time & travel 17:16 Chase’s unexpected Aeroplan 5K bonus for Sapphire Reserve 19:54 Air Canada is a surprising airline 22:16 Hyatt and AA bring back targeted status matches 27:11 Pursuing AA status through spend - Is it worth it? 29:12 China trip planning follow up - Awards still haven’t recovered 33:23 Shawn’s passport conundrum 37:28 Achieving the inner child’s bucket list   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!

Want to work with us? Reach out! inquiries at milestomemories dot com Episode Description This week Citi finally brought their new premium credit card to market. While many of the leaks were true, does this card measure up to its competition and will it drive further loyalty. Plus Citi added transfers from ThankYou to American Airlines, but is it as good as it sounds and will it drive sign-ups for this card? Most importantly should you get it?   Joe Cheung also joins us to discuss his recent near miss on a welcome offer and how he still managed to save it. Are grace periods a thing? We also discuss international tipping culture as Americans and how we may be expected to tip when traveling even if locals aren't. Episode Guide 0:00 Welcome to MTM Travel 1:27 Royal Caribbean battling back - Loophole closed for viral hack 9:26 Why the future of cruise loyalty says a lot about where we are heading 15:35 Hyatt’s Brand Explorer grows to 7 free nights and 35 brands! 21:55 How hotel design has evolved & why it isn’t always good 31:05 United’s cardholder award sale - Tahiti anyone? 33:45 Ninja tricks - Stacking deals/perks for a VIP tripCiti Strata Elite - https://www.citi.com/credit-cards/citi-strata-elite-credit-card Royal Caribbean drinks - https://www.cruisehive.com/royal-caribbean-tightens-policy-on-drink-package/182785 United sale - https://travel-on-points.com/united-credit-cardmembers-award-sale/   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!

Sorry for the error on the Monday upload. Here is the fixed episode. Enjoy! Want to work with us? Reach out! inquiries at milestomemories dot com Episode Description This week Citi finally brought their new premium credit card to market. While many of the leaks were true, does this card measure up to its competition and will it drive further loyalty. Plus Citi added transfers from ThankYou to American Airlines, but is it as good as it sounds and will it drive sign-ups for this card? Most importantly should you get it?   Joe Cheung also joins us to discuss his recent near miss on a welcome offer and how he still managed to save it. Are grace periods a thing? We also discuss international tipping culture as Americans and how we may be expected to tip when traveling even if locals aren't. Episode Guide 0:00 Welcome to MTM Travel 0:23 Being stuck in AA banned account hell 4:10 Citi Strata Elite launches & bonus - Is this a good premium card 11:08 Citi adds AA as transfer partner - Is this a gamechanger? 18:32 Did Citi have bad timing with Strata Elite or was it the perfect time? 24:39 Almost missing a welcome offer and grace periods on spend 28:36 How American tipping culture is spreading & how its awkward when traveling Citi Strata Elite - https://www.citi.com/credit-cards/citi-strata-elite-credit-card Tipping OMAAT - https://onemileatatime.com/insights/tipping-abroad-american/   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!

Want to work with us? Reach out! inquiries at milestomemories dot com Episode Description This week Citi was in the news for a few reasons. First, they have upped their transfer ratio to Accor by 2X. This might not last, but it is quite valuable. Citi also is planning to launch their new premium Strata credit card next week. While not all of the details are known, tons of rumors have leaked and we'll dive into what this card can be and how it competes with Chase, Amex and Capital One.   In other news more and more travel providers are using AI tools to crack down on travelers, but sometimes they backfire. We look at a couple of these tools and what you need to know. We also discuss: Amex's new sidecar lounge concept, how premium credit cards probably aren't worth it and why Amex is trying to make their benefits easier to use.   Episode Guide 0:00 Welcome to MTM Travel 2:52 Citi’s Accor transfer mistake? 6:27 Citi’s new premium credit card is coming very very soon 10:45 The rumored benefits for Citi’s new card 16:28 The year of the premium credit card? 18:35 Amex’s new Sidecar lounge - The lounge boom 23:42 Amex’s earnings dive-in - Less breakage & slow bookings? 30:15 A new easier way to connect on international flights 35:14 AI tools and travel - Smoke detectors, Hertz scanners - Reliable? Smoke detector situation - https://x.com/_zachgriff/status/1945959030851035223?s=46&t=B9kWNUIY21TRZnc8tXrfRQ Hertz scanners - https://www.thedrive.com/news/how-to-stop-hertzs-ai-rental-car-damage-scanners-from-screwing-you DFW connection - https://viewfromthewing.com/american-airlines-makes-history-connecting-passengers-arriving-in-u-s-now-skip-security-and-customs-in-new-trial/ Amex earnings breakdown - https://viewfromthewing.com/amex-ceo-admits-we-made-benefits-hard-to-use-on-purpose-now-reveals-plan-for-even-higher-fees/ Citi Strate Elite rumors - https://milestalk.com/updated-citi-strata-elite-details-launch-date-bonus-annual-au-fee-bonus-categories-benefits/   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!

Want to work with us? Reach out! inquiries at milestomemories dot com Episode Description This week Bilt dropped a huge bombshell with the announcement that they are leaving Wells Fargo and growing their card portfolio. With three new cards coming and a new bank behind them, will Bilt take their rewards program to the next level and what kinds of perks could we see with their new premium offering?   In other #news Hyatt has a new offer on their credit card, but it might not actually be better than the old one. We also discuss fearful activities while traveling, why sweating could cause problems at TSA and why bank IT is still a nightmare in 2025.   Episode Guide 0:00 Welcome to MTM Travel 0:21 Pushing your “fear” limits while traveling 5:40 Another thing to worry about while crossing through TSA 9:03 YouTube travel inspiration for kids and adults 15:44 Hyatt’s new card offer - Is it really better than the normal offer? 19:56 Debating the value of Hyatt free night certs 26:03 US Bank IT fiasco - In 2025? 32:04 Bilt grows up - New bank and 3 new cards coming   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!

JetBlue celebrates its 25th birthday with a promotion offering up to 350K bonus miles, but is it worth the effort? Chase’s new Sapphire Business card comes with stricter rules and some surprising 'bank errors' in favor of customers. A dive into Korean Air reveals challenges with redeeming miles and booking flights. The advantages of transferring points to Accor gain attention, while a review of the Grand Hyatt Playa del Carmen highlights its upcoming all-inclusive shift and compares it to Cancun's offerings.