

MTM Travel - The Fun Side of Points & Travel!
Shawn Coomer & Mark Ostermann
The fun side of miles, points and travel! Hosted by Shawn Coomer and Mark Ostermann, MTM Travel dives into the points hobby & the lifestyle of travel with topical conversations and plenty of laughs along the way.
Mark & Shawn have a combined 18 years of experience covering these topics on Miles to Memories and Travel on Points and are cohosts of the popular MtM Vegas Youtube Show on the Miles to Memories Vegas channel. They also host the 20 Minute Travel news show on this same feed where you can keep up with the latest deals, news and happenings.
Mark & Shawn have a combined 18 years of experience covering these topics on Miles to Memories and Travel on Points and are cohosts of the popular MtM Vegas Youtube Show on the Miles to Memories Vegas channel. They also host the 20 Minute Travel news show on this same feed where you can keep up with the latest deals, news and happenings.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Feb 5, 2026 • 22min
United's Big Glitch, Hyatt's All Inclusive Boom, Easy Bilt Calculator & Best Hotel Promo?
A techy TravelBank glitch and why you might want screenshots. Clever tricks for burning airline credits and squeezing Amex benefits with Delta moves. Hyatt adds 22 all-inclusive properties and rolls out a Bonus Journeys promo. A praised Bilt calculator makes comparing earning options feel effortless.

Jan 29, 2026 • 21min
Debating Hyatt's 5 FREE Nights - Is It A BETTER Offer + Mr. Beast Joins Bilt Amex GLITCH!
Episode Description On this episode of the MTM Travel miles & points show we dive into some of the better deals and happenings this week. Bilt is back with Rent Day and a great transfer bonus, but there are still some frustrations. Hyatt has a somewhat new 5 free night offer, but is it worth going for over the points? Finally we show you how to grab a massive $1,200 checking bonus that you can fund with a credit card. 0:00 Welcome to MTM Travel 0:32 Hyatt's 5 free night offer - A better alternative? 3:05 Points or certs? How to decide which is better 5:57 Bilt Rent Day - Accor transfer bonus & frustrations 9:18 Mr. Beast joins Bilt - Free rent & more goodies 11:58 Amex Business Platinum airline credit kerfuffle 15:27 US Bank's crazy $1200 business checking bonus 16:40 How to fund your crazy bank bonus with a credit card 18:05 Easy $200 savings offer + fund with credit card 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!

Jan 27, 2026 • 26min
NYC Resort Fees BANNED - What It Means & Why It May Change Your Next Hotel Booking!
Episode Description On this episode of MTM Travel (the travel show) Mark discusses his planning and awards for his upcoming Azores trip. He also discusses Evermore and his upcoming villa booking with Hilton points plus we dive into the new NYC Mayor's policy banning resort fees. Can this new rule extend beyond NYC? 0:00 Welcome to MTM Travel 0:37 Azores award update & Morocco aspirations 9:11 Evermore with Hilton points - HUGE VILLAS! 12:45 Getting sick of Orlando? 14:18 NYC resort fee ban - How it works 16:57 Should a resort fee ban be nationwide? 20:35 Status less valuable? 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!

Jan 22, 2026 • 30min
Bilt Rewards 2.0 - 3 New Cards & INSANELY COMPLICATED - The Ultimate Coupon Book?!?
Shawn's InKind referral - https://app.inkind.com/refer/4FJZRGUZ Episode Description On this episode of MTM Travel we break down everything new from BIlt Rewards. This week Bilt launched 3 new credit cards that help you earn points on paying your mortgage/rent, but things are confusing. On this show we go through all of the controversy surrounding Bilt 2.0, which cards and benefits are on offer, how to maximize these complicated cards and which version we are planning to get. Did Bilt mess up this launch and what can they do to fix the program. Plus does extra complication add more opportunity? 0:00 Welcome to MTM Travel 0:30 Bilt's crazy week - Launch controversy 3:12 Bilt's 3 new cards - 50K welcome offer? 8:03 Application rules & a better offer (now dead) 11:20 Bilt Cash explained - Earning points on mortgage? 14:35 Bilt Cash explained - The ultimate coupon book? 19:25 Bilt 3.0? An alternative way to earn points on mortgage/rent 22:55 Our new Bilt card recommendations/thoughts 27:13 Final Bilt 2.0 takeaways 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!

Jan 12, 2026 • 42min
Hyatt's Rough New Policy Change & Trump's Cap On Interest Rates - The Death of Credit Cards?
Discussion kicks off with Allegiant's merger and its impact on competition. Mark shares his decision to apply for the Spirit Airlines credit card, revealing strategies for maximizing travel perks. The duo debates Hyatt's recent policy changes regarding expiring certificates and how it affects loyal customers. They also dive into President Trump's proposal to cap credit card interest rates, exploring potential consequences for consumers and the banking system. Lastly, the hosts ponder if financial education can transform the credit card industry.

Jan 5, 2026 • 39min
Best Deals for The New Year, Pacman In Real Life, Saks Warning & Maximizing Chase Credits!
Explore thrilling travel tales, including chaotic New Year's Eve in Vegas and a lucky flight connection upgrade. Discover the best travel deals of 2025, with insights on transferring points to American Airlines and maximizing Chase credits. Learn why it's wise to use Saks credits before potential bankruptcy, and hear about the viral real-life Pac-Man exhibit that brings gaming nostalgia to life. Dive into clever hacks for travel perks and stay updated on exciting tourism trends!

Dec 29, 2025 • 41min
End of Year Credit Blitz, Surprising New Card Apps & Christmas on the High Seas!
Shawn's InKind referral - https://app.inkind.com/refer/4FJZRGUZ Episode Description On this episode of MTM Travel we shake off the post-Christmas blues with some fun discussion about travel and credit cards. Shawn just returned from his Christmas cruise on Princess. He discusses how it was unique plus his strategy for earning free casino cruises. We also discuss: how we're maximizing all of our end of year credits, Mark's lesser known triple dip, struggling with kids & technology, InKind's expanded bonus + snow tubing in Norway and the Six Flags Saudi Arabia opening. 0:00 Welcome to MTM Travel 0:25 Christmas cruising on the high seas 4:09 Shawn's free cruise casino strategy 9:25 The parent's struggle with technology 12:27 How cruises expand a child's social world 15:14 Maximizing end of year credits - The big blitz & tricks along the way 23:55 Mark's lesser known end of year triple dip 30:55 InKind keeps getting better + increased referrals 35:43 Snow tubing in Norway + Six Flags Qiddiya opens 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!

Dec 15, 2025 • 38min
Disney Drinking Inflation, Abrupt Card Shutdown, Dangers of Fintech, Easy 15K & Transfer Devals!
Exploring the rising costs of drinking around the world at Epcot, the hosts weigh in on inflation and share tips to enhance the experience. They dive into the buzzing interest in Saudi Arabia's tourism and unique attractions. Mark reveals his solo trip plans to the Azores, while discussions on the risks of fintech cards unfold, particularly after the abrupt closure of Mesa's accounts. The episode also highlights methods to earn easy points through promotions, alongside shifts in point transfer partnerships making headlines.

Dec 8, 2025 • 54min
Thanksgiving to Europe, San Antonio Impresses, Visiting Ted Lasso & The Forgotten Paris Hyatt!
Want to work with us? Reach out! inquiries at milestomemories dot com 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 Mark returns to recap his Thanksgiving family adventure to London and Paris. From flights to hotels and what to do, he covers his unique perspective on these two iconic cities. Shawn also recaps this weekend's MTM Diamond meetup in San Antonio and the two contemplate whether big family trips are worth it. 0:00 Welcome to MTM Travel 0:32 Recapping the MTM Diamond meetup in San Antonio 4:25 Airline seat picking hack 7:57 Frontier's interest on board credit card offer 11:12 Flying AA Business to London on Thanksgiving 17:00 Exploring London, takeaways and the tube 22:55 Mark's favorite things in London 27:29 Visiting Ted Lasso & the chunnel 31:27 Hyatt Regency Paris review - Underrated? 36:44 Galavanting around Paris, Louvre and other things to see 44:42 Paris vs. London and final takeaways 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!

Dec 1, 2025 • 38min
Family Travel Social Media Trap, The Traveler's Disconnect & World's Largest Cruise Ship Review!
Want to work with us? Reach out! inquiries at milestomemories dot com 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 Joe Cheung joins Shawn to catch up on some travel happenings. During the show Joe discusses and reviews his time on the world's largest cruise ship. It has a lot to do, but is Star of the Seas worth the premium price? We also discuss: post Thanksgiving, the traveler's dilemma, Paris vibes and the social media trap all traveling parents fall into. 0:00 Welcome to MTM Travel 0:32 The blessing/curse of traveling with extended family 6:15 Traveling with travelers vs. non-travelers 15:04 How travel planning falls on "us" 19:48 Trip planning for Paris/London - What to do? 25:55 Chase finally ads lifetime language - Big restriction! 30:40 Being a good customer to the banks? 36:57 Hyatt's weird Guest of Honor technological quirk Links Joe Cheung - https://www.youtube.com/@disneydeciphered https://www.instagram.com/asthejoeflies/?hl=en 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!


