
MTM Travel - The Fun Side of Points & Travel!
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.
Latest episodes

Apr 9, 2025 • 22min
Big Amex Downgrades, Airline Status Matches Galore, Chase's HUGE Deal & Travel Treasure Hunting!
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!

Apr 7, 2025 • 40min
Battling with AA, Easy $200 Offer + Mark & Shawn Do Vegas!
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

Apr 2, 2025 • 23min
Hyatt's Casino Bonanza, United's New Hotness, Chase Sapphire 100K Online & More Bad Southwest News!
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!

Mar 31, 2025 • 46min
Baha Mar Paradise or Overpriced - Staying for "Free" in Nassau, Water Park, Room Review & More!
Episode Description On this episode of MTM Travel Shawn and Mark discuss Mark's recent family Spring Break trip to Baha Mar in Nassau. This new aged megaresort has just about everything for the family but it comes at a cost. We'll discuss how you can save with miles & points at Baha Mar plus what to expect with the rooms, beaches, water park and more. Plus is this the perfect casino destination and how can you save big with elite status. Everything you need to know to decide if Bahamas is worth your time or not. 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

Mar 24, 2025 • 44min
Crazy Spring Break Audible, Last Minute DFW Flights, Hotels & Activities + Getting Chase Aeroplan
Episode Description On this episode of MTM Travel Shawn is joined by Joe Cheung to discuss his recent application for the Aeroplan card and how Joe is planning on taking his family to the European Christmas markets. The bulk of the show focuses on Shawn's Spring Break trip which included a same day audible from a road trip to a Dallas Fort Worth adventure. We discuss all of the bookings for the trip, how Shawn pulled it off on the same day, what the new Capital One lounge in Vegas looks like, things to do with kids in DFW and why traveling like this can be so much fun. Plus the BBQ. 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

Mar 19, 2025 • 20min
Hyatt Elite Carveouts, US Bank's 4% Mistake, Hotel Ice Hack, Up to 185K Bonvoy & Debit Rewards Cards
The show kicks off with a chaotic champagne-popping incident mid-flight, raising safety eyebrows. Listeners hear about a disastrous Air India experience and the irritating decline of Hyatt’s elite perks. The conversation shifts to lucrative Marriott Bonvoy card offers, boasting up to 185K points. A spotlight shines on US Bank's overly generous 4% cash back card that seems too good to be true. Clever hotel hacks, like maximizing ice machine usage, are shared, alongside news about exciting new debit reward cards.

Mar 17, 2025 • 39min
Hyatt's Chicago Problem, Destroying Southwest's Brand, Reevaluating Lounge Certs & Bahamas Preview!
Discover the shocking recent changes at Southwest Airlines, from cuts in benefits to their questionable brand strategy. Delve into Hyatt's challenges in Chicago and the need for a reevaluation of loyalty perks for travelers. Explore upcoming trip plans to the Bahamas and the best ways to utilize points there. The hosts stress the importance of reassessing loyalty in today's shifting travel landscape, analyzing how rising travel costs impact choices and what it means for frequent flyers.

Mar 11, 2025 • 20min
Southwest's Devaluation & Betrayal, Nintendo Livery, Mileage Broker Warning & Cap One Fine Dining?
Get an easy $200 from Melio for making your first payment! (Affiliate link. Terms below) https://affiliates.meliopayments.com/travelonpointsteam Episode Description This week Southwest knocked the socks off of their customers in the worst way possible with a gutting of points earnings followed by tons of other changes. We also discuss: mileage broker businesses, JetBlue's Nintendo livery, card deals from Wyndham and FlyingBlue, 5% Chase PayPal, a hack to get free drinks and the Lululemon strategy for picking where to stay in a new city. Episode Guide 0:00 The perfect “free” travel hack 0:39 Mileage broker warning - Cheap at a cost 2:57 JetBlue’s new Nintendo livery 3:47 Capital One Landing - Fine dining in an airport with a credit card 5:34 Attractive Wyndham card increased offers 7:35 Air France / KLM niche offer 9:34 Freedom’s targeted 5% PayPal offer 10:54 Southwest’s blood bath on earning 15:30 Chase’s business card glitch 17:09 The Lululemon travel strategy Links Engagement “hack” - https://x.com/jaelaaaab/status/1897718614180217229?s=46 Mileage broker - https://x.com/iangcarroll/status/1897850640748904901?s=46 Nintendo livery - https://x.com/nintendoamerica/status/1896918666585002141?s=46 Cap One restaurant - https://viewfromthewing.com/a-600-meal-no-bill-capital-ones-tapas-lounge-at-dca-is-the-best-perk-in-u-s-airports/ Wyndham bonuses - https://milestomemories.com/new-bonuses-for-wyndham-rewards-cards-3/ Flying Blue - https://milestomemories.com/increased-bank-of-america-air-france-klm-offer-4/ Freedom paypal - https://travel-on-points.com/freedom-unlimited-5x-paypal-offer/ Southwest - https://travel-on-points.com/southwest-paid-flight-earning-change/ Chase card problems - https://travel-on-points.com/chase-business-cards-reporting-to-personal-credit/ Lululemon strategy - https://x.com/nickwatts__/status/1897028099705069969?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!

9 snips
Mar 10, 2025 • 44min
Southwest Airlines Huge Devaluation, Ending Daylight Savings & Universal's Epic Year
Travel expert Joe Cheung dives into the recent shocking devaluation of Southwest Airlines' Rapid Rewards points. He discusses the frustration among loyal customers as Southwest shifts away from its budget-friendly roots, leading to questions about corporate identity in the airline industry. The hosts also debate the relevance of Daylight Saving Time and its cultural impacts. Finally, Joe offers insights into Universal's ambitious plans for Epic Universe, contrasting this with Disney's recent setbacks and strategizing for an exciting park experience.

Mar 7, 2025 • 46min
Carnival in Rio De Janeiro! Flights, Hotels, Points Redemptions & Tips + Is It Safe?
Join MTM Diamond before the price goes up. Limited slots have opened up, but membership will be closing soon. More info here: https://www.patreon.com/c/milestomemories Episode Description On this episode of MTM Travel Mark debriefs his recent trip to Rio for Carnival. We go over the logistics of the trip including hotel and flight redemptions to discuss where to stay and where to avoid. Plus what are the best things to do in Rio, how is it to experience Carnival, is it safe and should you put Rio on your places to visit? Episode Guide 0:00 Welcome to MTM Travel 0:20 Last minute changes, bad Canadian pizza & our altered schedule next week 12:56 Afraid to fly - Should we be apprehensive about flying with all of these crashes? 21:55 The buddy battle - Traveling with friends & our “advanced” techniques 25:15 Fake travel influencer happiness? 27:10 Self upgrading to First Class - A success story?! 30:45 Shutdowns galore - AA and Amex give the axe 37:15 Is all of it worth it? 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