MTM Travel - The Fun Side of Points & Travel!

Episode Description On this episode Shawn is joined by long time miles & points blogger and podcaster Lee Huffman from Bald Thoughts. Shawn and Lee discuss some of the pitfalls of miles & points and how to avoid them. They also discuss freelance corporate content vs. personal blogs, the dangers of some travel hacking social media content, leaving his job to relocate across the country, the joys and realities of family travel and some of the cool places to see around his new home in Tennessee. Episode Notes 0:00 - Intro and hello to Lee Huffman from Bald Thoughts and We Travel There 8:45 - Bald Thoughts background and history 20:09 - Freelancing vs. having your own blog 27:40 - The Seven Deadly Sins of Travel Hacking 39:21 - How do you know who to trust on social media? 47:02 - Traveling in Tennessee Automatic Miles Millionaire 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 In this episode Shawn and Joe discuss their trip planning, a new Southwest perk, Rakuten’s big week, travel pet peeves and a whole lot more! Plus, some random landscaping talk that’s sure to be a lot of fun.  Episode Notes 6:01 - Trip planning to New Zealand, Japan, Asia and more 23:10 - Southwest adds a long needed perk  25:14 - Rakuten’s big week 30:44 - Travel grievances 37:10 - Shawn visits Wynn Las Vegas 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 In this episode Shawn and Joe discuss the many recent changes to travel plans including a last minute business class saver award to Japan and how Shawn just couldn’t resist. They’ll talk through the planning process, getting hotels and upgrades plus the Japan rail pass. Other topics covered include: recent Chase Sapphire Preferred apps avoiding 5/24, the 165K IHG Business card offer, understanding Hilton’s food and beverage credit and the Ultimate Travel hack. Episode Notes 0:00 - Stranded in Memphis 4:51 - Japan! 14:26 - Park Hyatt Tokyo closing for refurbishment 18:35 - Hilton food and beverage credit experiences 22:51 - Las Vegas resort fees updates 30:12 - The golden rule 36:30 - Chase IHG offer 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 Shawn and Joe discuss the Chase Sapphire Preferred offer going public, the new Bilt dining program and reminisce about some old Bed, Bath and Beyond plays. You will be missed! A little bit. We spend some time chatting about the current cost of earning miles and points and also reminisce about old coupon deals and chat some general travel. Episode Notes 12:02 - 80K Chase Sapphire Preferred now public 16:01 - The current status of earning miles and points 23:51 - Bilt dining 27:40 - RIP BBB 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 Shawn and Joe discuss Charlotte and Joe's recent revelations about the Hyatt House brand. Hyatt's limited service brands can be broken into "old" and "new" categories and there is a big difference even under the same brand. Other topics discussed in this episode include: missed opportunities for student discounts to save on travel, Expedia launching a new rewards program while killing an old popular one, LifeMiles is back with a transfer bonus, Marriott Bonvoy has brought back a popular welcome offer and Chase Aeroplan Pay Yourself Back has claimed its first victim with a full shutdown for violating the promotional terms. Episode Notes 8:04 - Hyatt House brand old vs. new 16:24 - Hyatt family rate and how it can save you money 19:29 - Marriott Bonvoy Boundless big offer returns 21:39 - Missed opportunities with student discounts 24:49 - Expedia launching new rewards program and killing a popular old one 27:07 - Lifemiles transfer bonus to multiple programs 28:12 - Chase Aeroplan Pay Yourself Back shutdown 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 Shawn and Joe discuss Citi retention strategies, some recent data points and how you can get multiple offers with just one phone call. They also dive into rotating 5X categories on some cards and United's new promo that may be worth looking at. In the main segment Shawn discusses his recent Virgin Voyage top to bottom looking at the cabins, service, entertainment and the food. This adults only cruise line delivers a unique experience in many ways but it also falls flat sometimes. Overall is it worth booking a Virgin Voyage, especially if a new points promo surfaces this year? Episode Notes 9:42 - Q2 5x categories 12:38 - United MilePlay promo 14:02 - Citi retention offers 19:25 - Shawn’s trip on Virgin Voyages 21:17 - Stateroom 28:41 - Food 40:48 - Entertainment 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 Shawn is joined by MtM Senior Contributor and miles & points expert Benjy Harmon. Benjy is known for looking at “the hobby” in a different way and urges others to do the same. Topics discussed in this episode include: the importance of goals in the hobby, how to keep the miles & points game fun, changing our perspectives on things over time, lifestyle creep with miles & points and why cashing in points is something you might want to seriously consider even if it isn’t the popular thing to do. Episode Notes 3:21 - Benjy’s background 7:52 - Cashback vs. Travel rewards 17:50 - The analytical side of the hobby 21:20 - AMEX offers 28:42 - Better late than never 36:47 - Losing AA elite status 44:24 - The value of free night certificates 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 Shawn is joined by MtM Senior Contributor and FamilyFlysFree author Ian Snyder. Ian has been earning and redeeming miles & points at a high level for many years and also writes for Award Wallet and other outlets. In this episode we dive deep into Ian’s recent back to back Europe trips which included treks to Scandinavia and Switzerland. He breaks down his redemptions on AA, SAS, Swiss and United plus gives us reviews of the United Polaris lounge and some of the cool things he saw along the way. We also discuss his bond to Guy Fieri, the Victorian Village and how much of a headache it is flying out of a small town airport. Episode Notes 6:16 - Copenhagen/Malmo 15:28 - Flying to Europe 20:12 - Scandanavia 28:33 - A creative return flight 38:49 - AA Flagship First 44:58 - Ferndale 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 Shawn and Joe discuss the headaches that can be associated with booking awards. Joe’s recent booking included misinformation, strange phone numbers hangups and a lot of patience. Was it worth it? Other topics discussed include: the true value of the Chase Sapphire Reserve, Hyatt’s tricky new Bonus Journeys promotion and Alaska’s sudden devaluation that adds to a list of recent painful announcements. Episode Notes 1:24 - Shawn’s upcoming Virgin cruise 7:27 - Revenge travel and prices 11:44 - Booking headaches for Australia 27:17 - Another Japan devaluation? 34:15 - Chase Sapphire Reserve value 38:20 - Hyatt bonus journeys 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 In this episode Shawn & Joe discuss the recent death of a few award sweet spots. Is the rise of virality on social media platforms like Tik Tok causing deals to die sooner and does this mean casual travelers really shouldn’t invest time and energy into learning the miles & points hobby? In other news Amazon has brought back their popular Amex Membership Rewards Pay with Points deal. You can save up to 50% off if you are targeted and this works on gift cards. Chase also is releasing a massive welcome offer on the Sapphire Preferred that should get people looking at this card and the Ultimate Rewards program if they aren’t already. Episode Notes 3:41 - Nostalgia travel 9:46 - Award sweet spots ending and thoughts on the state of the miles and points “hobby” Chris tweet Spencer tweet 20:59 - Big Chase Sapphire Preferred bonus 30:08 - Amazon + Membership Rewards deal is back 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