MTM Travel - The Fun Side of Points & Travel!

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

Episode Description On this episode Shawn discusses his return to the Waldorf Cabo and why he isn't in Japan instead. Miles and points present the ultimate in flexibility and thankfully they came in handy here. How is the Waldorf Cabo on a second visit? In other news Shawn and Joe discuss the big Hyatt changes and how they are just plain ugly. Plus what is the first thing you do in a hotel room, why you might want the apply for the Chase Ink 90K offers before they disappear soon and how Southwest is trying out new tweaks to their boarding process. Will it help? Episode Notes 0:10 - Why’s Shawn in Cabo? 7:07 - Chase Ink bonuses ending 10:30 - Southwest boarding changes 13:57 - Massive Hyatt devaluation 24:26 - You do what when you enter a hotel room? 29:36 - Hyatt Regency Miami impressions 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 Joe returns from his trip to talk about Disney Cruise line concierge level, the costs and whether it's worth booking over standard rooms. Is it possible to score an upgrade for cheaper than the full cost? Shawn and Joe also talk Genting Highlands, the Alila Kuala Lumpur, pains with Chase Travel, award alerts and what exactly the Amex Business Platinum is worth. Episode Notes 2:28 - Shawn Reece round the world trip updates 7:40 - Award alerts and using Spencer’s newsletters to snag great seats 11:35 - A low category luxury Alila property bookable on points? 17:09 - Avoid booking experiences via Chase portal 19:38 - How much are the AMEX Business Platinum benefits worth? 33:52 - Joe’s epic Disney trip 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 talks with Amy & Tim Rutherford from GoWithLess. Amy & Tim are nomads who retired early and now spend their days traveling full time. They have started an amazing community of travel hackers and nomads and meet up with people all over the world. This episode touches on a lot including the challenges of living on the road, the ultimate travel hack, earning miles & points while moving and how you may want to reign in your spending now so that you can have all of the freedom you want later. Their story is an inspiring one and I hope you enjoy! GoWithLess YouTube GoWithLess Facebook Group Trusted Housesitters Referral Episode Notes 3:49 How Tim & Amy retired in their late 40s and became nomads. 7:58 Bougie for cheap in Bali 10:29 The challenges of a nomadic lifestyle 19:40 Building a community of travelers 27:27 Housesitting & why it can be an amazing way to travel 35:36 Earning miles & points while on the road 40:18 Earn & burn or save & spend slow 43:08 Best advice for people looking at the Nomadic lifestyle and/or FIRE.  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