MTM Travel - The Fun Side of Points & Travel!

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

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

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.

The podcast covers topics such as the Diamond meetup in Orlando, the changes in Hyatt's loyalty program, Alaska's acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines, maximizing MX offers with the Max Rewards app, and rewards maximization and gratitude towards their Diamond members and the community.

Big changes announced for the World of Hyatt loyalty program in 2024; Positive IRS changes discussed; Black Friday streaming deals and portal bonuses; Hotel recommendations in New York City; Comparison of subway systems; Holiday season deals for streaming services; Changes in IRS regulations for 1099 forms.

They discuss Southwest Airlines' devaluation, concerning changes with Amex, portal bonuses for earning thousands of bonus points, positive United changes, and the points & travel rules they don’t mind following.

Episode Description On this episode Shawn and Joe discuss even more consolidation happening in the travel realm. Similar to hotels and airlines we are seeing two major amusement park operators join forces, but will it be good for consumers? They also discuss the return of a good 3 free night Marriott offer, how Bonvoy is making a popular perk better, custom liveries and the top 50 travel destinations in the world. Episode Notes 6:52 - Six Flags/Cedar Fair merger 13:03 - Alaska Airlines Mickey’s Toontown livery 17:21 - Marriott Bonvoy card offer and suite upgrade changes 24:14 - Jetblue tile bonus offer 33:48 - Lonely Planet top 50 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, 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

Chase discusses the impact of a recent storm in Acapulco. Wyndham details devaluation of Vacasa redemptions. Andaz Costa Rica is reviewed by Shawn.

The podcast covers topics such as recent changes in the hotel space, including Hyatt's Home & Hideaways launch and Chase's expansion of their luxury hotel collection. It also discusses Delta backtracking some negative changes to SkyMiles and Southwest announcing tweaks to their program. Other topics include the Seats.Aero lawsuit, changes to Hilton's Amex cards, and the possibility of the new 'Amex family rule' spreading to all cards. Additionally, the podcast explores upcoming travel plans, flight search tools, and new partnerships in the hotel industry.

Episode Description On this episode Mark Ostermann returns to the show to discuss his recent trip to New York which was driven by a very lucrative timeshare offer. He discusses what it was like to deal with the presentation and how he earned 150K points in about 15 minutes. He also dives into Roosevelt Island, the Conrad Midtown and how New York feels a bit different these days. Other topics discussed include: an amazing and profitable Choice experience deal, some of the past Buyers Group deals gone wrong, an update on the Travis Scott ticket deal fiasco and a recap of the Chicago Seminars including how it went and a little drama that happened along the way. Episode Notes 0:00 - Chicago Seminars recap and drama 14:42 - PFS and Travis Scott issues (update) 23:51 - Mark in NYC - hotel experiences 31:46 - Mark’s super secret way to get out of timeshare presentations 40:16 - Mark’s amazing Choice Privileges redemption (in New Jersey!?) 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