
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

Aug 3, 2023 • 36min
Choice Eats Radisson, Starlux Alaska Frenzy & FI For Cheaper Travel with Benjy Harmon
Episode Description In this episode Shawn is joined by MtM Contributor Benjy Harmon to discuss his recent travels including some of the nicer domestic lounges and AA's super unique Flagship First. Other topics discussed include: why the Air France credit card is worth a look, the Starlux Alaska Airlines booking frenzy, Choice and Radisson joining together and how FI can make for cheaper travel. Episode Notes 04:00 Chelsea Lounge JFK 08:17 AA Flagship First review 10:20 Why Delta SkyClub LAX is remarkable 13:36 How FI Can Make Travel Cheaper 16:00 Starlux Alaska Airlines Redemptions 22:11 Choice Hotels & Radisson Integration 28:50 Why the Air France Credit Card Is Worth a Look 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

Jul 27, 2023 • 43min
Customer Service AI, Ranking Hotel Points & Legislation to Kill Travel Rewards
Episode Description In this episode Shawn and Joe discuss new legislation that may end up killing credit cards rewards. Is this something to worry about and would it be better for customers? Other topics discussed include: Joe’s Star Wars hotel experience, ranking hotel points based on desirability, automated customer service and AI plus an airline phone scam you probably need to hear about. Episode Notes 0:00 - Galactic Starcruiser and the experiential travel space 12:10 - Credit card rewards going away? 19:32 - Hotel loyalty programs ranked 25:09 - Don’t get scammed googling phone numbers 28:40 - American Airlines and AI 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

Jul 20, 2023 • 48min
Big Southwest Offer, Marriott Beats Hyatt, Car Lease Hacking & More!
Episode Description On this episode Shawn is joined once again by MtM Contributor PDX Deals Guy. They discuss the big news of Marriott taking over as MGM's partner in Vegas, a big Southwest card offer with an interesting way to earn the companion pass, how Prime Day was and how you can save now, United's new domestic First Class seat and buying a car now plus how you can potentially hack a lease. Episode Notes 2:00 - Hyatt is out and Marriott is in with MGM in Vegas 12:07 Big AA Executive card changes 19:46 Amazon Prime Day recap and more pay with points 24:32 Prime Day & Buyers Groups in 2023 26:36 Southwest Chase offer - Companion Pass with 1 card 29:59 United's new domestic first class seat 33:23 Lease Hacking - Buying a car & the EV loophole 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

Jul 13, 2023 • 41min
Trip Cancelation Tips, Another Devaluation & Chicago Seminars Drama
Episode Description On this episode Shawn and Joe discuss how to use those lucrative Amazon Pay with Points deals that surface around Prime Day. They also discuss another devaluation, new Chase spending offers and exactly what is happening with the Chicago Seminars plus where you can see Shawn speak. Episode Notes 0:00 - Summer travel updates and discussion 11:35 - Chicago seminars 19:13 - Amazon pay with points is back! 23:09 - Cathay Pacific devaluation 26:32 - Chase spend bonuses 29:24 - Dealing with travel disruptions 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

Jul 6, 2023 • 38min
Complainer Gets Banned, Miles & Points Study, Save on Hyatt & More
Episode Description On this episode Shawn and Joe discuss an interesting travel study that shows more and more people are relying on travel rewards than ever before. They also discuss a person getting banned by Hilton for complaining, new Hyatt Amex Offers and how Prime Day is right around the corner. Episode Notes 9:20 - Barclays survey 15:59 - Hilton clawback 20:07 - Hyatt AMEX Offers 22:56 - Prime Day 26:39 - Chase IHG upgraded bonus 29:42 - AMEX Clawbacks 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

Jun 29, 2023 • 48min
The Beauty of Norway, Good Card Offers & The Case Against Travel
Episode Description On this episode Shawn and Joe discuss cruising to Norway, London hotels for families and how Shawn and family ended their 7 week adventure. They also discuss an interesting article arguing against travel, struggling with a costly business class upgrade, a great AA card offer, Southwest extending their popular deal and how to grab $10 in free Lyft credit. Episode Notes 2:20 - Wrapping up Shawn’s Europe trip 13:11 - London and getting home 23:59 - Bilt day July 25:05 - Southwest credit card extensions and companion pass discussion 32:59 - Barclay’s AA increased bonus 35:42 - The case against travel 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

Jun 15, 2023 • 55min
An Epic Trip - Iceland, Faroe Islands & Copenhagen - An Insane Whirlwind Adventure with Mark Ostermann
Episode Description On this episode Mark Ostermann returns to chat with Shawn and Joe about his recent 40th birthday trip which packed a ton of stuff into just a few days. Mark will talk about achieving his dream of going to the Faroe Islands, whether the Blue Lagoon in Iceland is worth it, Copenhagen vs. Amsterdam and some of the incredible sights (and bars) along the way. Plus find out how he got there and back including why Lufthansa’s new business class is much better than their old product. Episode Notes Mark’s here one last week! And now at Travel on Points! 0:00 - Booking a trip to Iceland/Faroe Islands/Copenhagen 7:12 - Iceland 18:26 - Faroe Islands 34:23 - Copenhagen 38:23 - An epic story 49:01 - Flying home 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

Jun 8, 2023 • 52min
Episode 200 Reunion! Hyatt Family Resorts, Travel FOMO & The Danger of Not Knowing Your Limits in the Hobby
Episode Description In this 200th episode of the podcast Mark Ostermann makes his triumphant return to chat with Shawn and Joe about his recent travels including bar hopping Manhattan, staying in Jersey and if the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay holds up as a family destination. We also discuss travel FOMO and how it has become such a huge part of our society. Plus we dive into some recent happenings that are a good reminder of why we must all know our limits and how we must manage our risk as we pursue more miles & points. Can the pursuit of miles & points become an addiction and how can you protect yourself from disaster? Episode Notes Mark Ostermann from Travel on Points and original podcast co-host returns for our 200th episode! 4:39 - Joe’s Nordstrom adventures 10:38 - NYC bar hop 19:01 - Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay 28:24 - Exposure and risk in the miles and points game (Reddit thread) 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

Jun 1, 2023 • 52min
Macau & Hong Kong Trip Report, Booking the "Skycouch" & Europe Is So Expensive!
Episode Description On this episode Joe Cheung joins Shawn to talk about Macau and Hong Kong including some hotel reviews and why Macau is not a knockoff Vegas. Plus what is it like traveling in these parts of China post-pandemic? Joe also discusses booking the closing Star Wars hotel and the quirky Skycouch to New Zealand. Other topics covered include: a sweet Virgin Voyages points deal, Bilt's June giveaway, how Google Lens is a gamechanger and why BA Avios redemptions in Europe can be a great deal. Episode Notes 1:04- Hong Kong and Hong Kong Disneyland 14:54 - Using FHR in Macau 26:27 - Australia update 28:01 - Galactic Starcruiser closing 39:45 - Virgin Voyages cruise on points 45:25 - Bilt Rent Day 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

May 25, 2023 • 57min
Stranded in Memphis, JAL's Coffin Suite & Japan Hotel Overload with Jasmine Coomer
Episode Description In this episode Jasmine Coomer returns to talk with Shawn about their recent travels, how she was stranded in Memphis and why Graceland is worth the hefty admission fee. Plus is the new Hyatt Caption brand any good? They also discuss their recent adventures in Japan and flying in Japan Airlines business class in their unique coffin suite. Other topics discussed include: how traveling in Japan is so much easier than it used to be, which points hotel is best for Tokyo Disney, the best Hyatt Place in the world, whether the Park Hyatt Kyoto is worth 40K points per night, why the Hyatt Regency Osaka isn't worthy of being a Hyatt and how the G7 summit presented challenges in Hiroshima. Episode Notes 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