

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 15, 2024 • 49min
Hyatt Concierge Frustration, Companion Pass Shortcut & New Vegas Status Match
Episode Description On this episode Shawn and Joe discuss the Super Bowl in Las Vegas and what the experience is like seeing U2 at the Sphere. They also discuss tons of new card offers that have dropped in the past week including a fast track to the Southwest Companion Pass. Other topics include: Hyatt concierge frustration, losing Vendome, Chinese New Year & Joe’s upcoming trip to Taiwan. Episode Notes 0:00 - Las Vegas baby 16:44 - Shawn spring break updates and pivots, Hyatt concierge frustrations 27:25 - Joe’s going to Taiwan 39:08 - Credit card updates New green restrictions: https://milestomemories.com/new-bonus-restriction-for-american-express-green-card/ US Bank Business Altitude Power: https://milestomemories.com/us-bank-launches-new-business-altitude-power-card/ Southwest CP + 30K offer after $4K spend in 3 months: https://milestomemories.com/southwest-cards-companion-pass-30k-3/ Amex Delta NLL: https://milestomemories.com/amex-delta-offers-with-no-lifetime-restriction-2/ JetBlue 70K after $1K (normally 60K): https://milestomemories.com/improved-jetblue-plus-card-offer-earn-70000-points/ 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! 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

Feb 8, 2024 • 48min
Attempted Vendoming, Missing Icon, Epic Universe & Foreign Currency Return Trap
The podcast discusses the newly announced Epic Universe park in Orlando, the trap of returning things in a foreign currency, a failed attempt at Vendoming, disappointments of missing out on the Icon of the Seas, a comparison of travel apps and Tripit Pro, the impact of currency exchange rate losses, the benefits of using a travel agent for cruises, spring break trip updates and birthday plans, and upcoming attractions at Universal Studios.

Feb 1, 2024 • 41min
Miracle in Hawaii - Surviving A 1,000 Foot Fall, The Dramatic Rescue & Lessons Learned with Ian Snyder
Episode Description On this episode Shawn is joined by Mark Ostermann and Ian Snyder to discuss a recent set of events that could have proved tragic, but thankfully has a happy ending. Ian recently fell 1,000 feet during a difficult hike in Hawaii and spent 3 days waiting to be rescued. We discuss the story, his rescue and all of the lessons learned along the way with the laughter and fun you would expect! This is a crazy story you definitely want to hear. 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, Sticher, Spotify, TuneIn, Pocket Casts, or via RSS. Don't see your favorite podcast platform? Please let us know!

Jan 25, 2024 • 1h 1min
Traveling to Every Country in the World with Ryan Smith
Episode Description On this episode Shawn is joined by former MtM Contributor Ryan Smith to discuss his recent accomplishment of visiting every single country in the world. We'll discuss his journey as a writer in the miles and points space plus dive into his country collecting. Find out how his journey began, how he chose his last country and all of the amazing and challenging things along the way. Episode Notes 0:00 Freelancing in this space & what it is like being a writer. 08:25 The community of country counters & proving your “track record” 16:59 Setting a goal of visiting every country 24:56 Most challenging countries/experiences 38:27 Favorite countries/experiences through Ryan’s entire journey 47:57 The exposure to travel via social media 53:47 Choosing the “last country” and completing the journey 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, Sticher, Spotify, TuneIn, Pocket Casts, or via RSS. Don't see your favorite podcast platform? Please let us know!

Jan 18, 2024 • 42min
MGM Gets Bonvoyed, Getting Around Hyatt's Quirks and Last Minute Spring Break
Episode Description On this episode Shawn and Joe discuss the announced details of the new MGM/Marriott partnership. It is coming much later than expected (in fact we still don't have a date), but is it better than Hyatt's previous partnership and what sort of benefits will you get when staying? They also discuss some of Hyatt's quirks, Shawn's last minute Paris Spring Break trip and a checking account bonus that is lucrative and easy to grab. Episode Notes 6:04 - MGM Bonvoy details 15:38 - Las Vegas eras 18:38 - Dealing with Hyatt's quirky award rules 30:04 - Shawn plans spring break 38:41 - Chase business bank bonus 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, Sticher, Spotify, TuneIn, Pocket Casts, or via RSS. Don't see your favorite podcast platform? Please let us know!

Jan 11, 2024 • 44min
Google Gets Sued, Problems to the MAX and United’s Adventure Week
Episode Description On this episode Shawn and Joe discuss how travel has changed over the years plus share some of their recent woes including double bookings and the Mexico award dilemma. They also discuss a big lawsuit against Google, United’s Adventure Week, some nice new airline portal bonuses and the fallout from Alaska’s scary MAX incident. Episode Notes 0:00 - Shawn’s jealous of Joe 4:20 - Check free cruise offers 6:24 - Old men yell at clouds 19:14 - More MAX problems, the airplane not the badly named streaming service 28:30 - United Adventure Week 31:06 - Shopping portal bonuses for the week 32:39 - Early year spending 33:48 - Google gets sued 38:24 - Why it’s annoying to book travel to Mexico 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, Sticher, Spotify, TuneIn, Pocket Casts, or via RSS. Don't see your favorite podcast platform? Please let us know! 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

Jan 4, 2024 • 41min
NYE Around the World, Hyatting NYC & Moving Amex Offers
Episode Description On this episode of the podcast Shawn and Joe welcome the new year with some discussions about celebrations around the world. They also discuss a new potential way you can move Amex Offers between cards plus Joe discusses his recent NYC trip including food and hotel recommendations. Episode Notes 0:00 - Dealing with end of year credits 4:16 - Visiting NYC 6:41 - Travel inspired by New Year’s Eve 16:53 - Don’t get scammed! 28:05 - Move AMEX offers around 30:32 - Alaska increases bag fees Best Buy link 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, Sticher, Spotify, TuneIn, Pocket Casts, or via RSS. Don't see your favorite podcast platform? Please let us know! 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

Dec 28, 2023 • 38min
Mattress Run Gone Wrong, Bilt's Mixed Changes & End of Year Insanity!
Episode Description On this episode of the podcast Shawn is joined by PDX Deals Guy to discuss the end of year happenings in the miles & points space. They also discuss the brand new Ritz in Portland, Bilt's big changes and how we should look at them plus how a simple mattress run can go so wrong. Episode Notes 0:00 - End of year insanity 6:00 - Update on Buyers Groups 11:45 - Mattress run gone horribly wrong 21:35 - Ritz Portland review - Stunning new property 29:50 - Bilt's upcoming changes 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, Sticher, Spotify, TuneIn, Pocket Casts, or via RSS. Don't see your favorite podcast platform? Please let us know! 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

Dec 21, 2023 • 49min
Going for 2% & Travel Naughty vs. Nice
Episode Description On this episode of the podcast Shawn and Joe discuss their naughty and nice lists for the miles & points space. They also debate the simplicity of 2% cashback, go over the Freedom Q1 bonus categories and discuss Bilt’s 16th transfer partner. Episode Notes 0:00 - Holiday talk and housekeeping/updates 10:11 - Hoarding 2% cashback cards 16:18 - New Bilt partner 21:35 - Q1 Chase Freedom categories 22:57 - Don’t sleep on Choice Hotels 25:20 - 2023 Naughty and Nice lists 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, Sticher, Spotify, TuneIn, Pocket Casts, or via RSS. Don't see your favorite podcast platform? Please let us know! 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

Dec 14, 2023 • 42min
Hyatt & Marriott’s New Luxury Properties, Overlooking Choice, Chase’s Edit & The Most Lucrative Amex Offers Ever!?
The hosts discuss targeted Amex Offers for Marriott and Hilton cards, Chase's luxury travel portal, why Choice Hotels should not be overlooked, and the opening of new luxury properties by Hyatt and Marriott.