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 18, 2022 • 41min
Downside Of Partner Award Bookings, Why We Do & Don't Avoid Travel Portals, New Bonvoy Cards & Hyatt's Overwhelming Map
Episode Description In this episode of the Miles to Memories podcast Shawn & Mark discuss the latest in miles & points including two new Marriott cards that are probably coming, tacos in Mexico City, what you need to know about partner awards and bank travel portals, a new best ever bonus for Citi Double Cash and how Choice Hotels responded to Mark's issues. Episode Notes 2:00 Discussing Marriott brands Le Meridien & AC Hotels 4:26 Update on Mark's Choice Hotels issues 8:02 Partner bookings issues & flight changes - Delta edition 13:17 What happens to an upgrade during irregular operations 14:52 The problems and benefits of bank travel portals 21:46 Citi Double Cash has the best bonus ever. Learn more on Travel Freely 24:29 2 New rumored Marriott Bonvoy cards coming?!? 28:52 Is Bonvoy Platinum status worth it? 29:33 Hyatt hotel map - A handy tool for wanderlusting 33:11 Choosing Hyatt all-inclusives in the Cancun area 38:09 Why tacos in Mexico City are so good 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
Aug 11, 2022 • 57min
Epic Trip - International First Class, Maldives & Quirks of Southeast Asia with Han Chicago!
Episode Description In this episode of the Miles to Memories podcast Han from Chicago joins Shawn & Mark to discuss his recent epic trip to the Maldives & Southeast Asia which included international first. business & even economy class, fancy hotels & a lot more along the way. We'll dive into redemptions, product reviews & discuss why you should definitely plan a trip to Asia. Episode Notes 03:49 Planning Han's whirlwind international trip 08:26 Maldives redemptions & terrible airport 10:18 Flying Etihad economy & Abu Dhabi First Class Lounge 14:14 Qatar award including A380 & leased Cathay 777 16:51 Maldives regrets & overwater bungalow experience 19:22 Southeast Asia mall culture 23:35 KL Batu Cave, monkeys & Petronas Towers 27:40 FHR in Southeast Asia - Mandarin KL & Conrad Singapore 29:55 Singapore Hawker Centers 37:39 Big trips in the age of Covid & what to consider 38:55 Upgrading Swiss business award & first class experience 43:45 Han's favorite international First Class products 49:09 Takeaways from this epic trip 54:44 Why you should travel to Asia 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
Aug 4, 2022 • 42min
Choice Hotels Robbed Me, How To Do Hyatt Like A Champ & The Best Chase Card Out There
Episode Description In this episode of the Miles to Memories podcast we discuss how Choice Hotels ripped off Mark, how to do Hyatt like a boss even if you have no status & the most valuable Chase personal card is surprising. We also make more Resy mistakes and have a joke challenge for all the listeners. Episode Notes 2:42 - Shawn and Joe’s updated travels 11:31 - Cruise changes 13:21 - Choice Hotels nightmares 20:37 - Hyatt Prive 31:40 - Chase personal card ranking updates 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 28, 2022 • 37min
The Best Amex Since Sliced Bread, The Deals We Miss Most & Massive Resy Amex Welcome Offers Return
Episode Description In this episode of the Miles to Memories we discuss some new credit card offers, an AMEX card you may never have heard of and the great deals that we miss (RIP). Episode Notes 3:54 - The AMEX card you didn’t know about 7:58 - The big Spark Travel Elite bonus 12:40 - Increased Resy AMEX Platinum offers 17:23 - Deals we miss the most 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 21, 2022 • 43min
IHG's Sly Devaluation, Best Chase Offer Ending & Are Getaway Deals Even Worth The Effort?
Episode Description In this episode of the Miles to Memories we discuss an amazing offer ending, a great Hyatt tip, how IHG devalued their all time high offer on the sly and stacking deals for big wins. We also get a rundown on how Joe and Mark’s vacations imploded right before their eyes. Episode Notes 1:51 - Mark's "vacation" 7:44 - Dealing with rescheduling travel 17:58 - IHG devaluation 21:46 - Bonvoy Boundless offer ending TODAY 27:50 - Daily Getaways 30:59 - Mark's sweet Dell quad stack 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 14, 2022 • 1h 2min
Visiting Alaska, Amazon Prime Day & is Carnival as Bad as They Say?
Episode Description In this episode of the Miles to Memories podcast PDX Deals Guys joins to discuss visiting Alaska with Shawn on Carnival Cruise Line, the pros and cons of their "free" cruise and some thoughts on maximizing Amazon Prime Day. Episode Notes 4:57 - Prime Day 13:35 - The cruise 19:12 - Carnival impressions 28:18 - Food 37:40 - Entertainment 41:09 - Casino 46:07 - Touring Alaska 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 7, 2022 • 39min
Preparing For When Travel Goes Off The Rails, Double Dipping Amex's Latest Change & Our Favorite Airline Travel Hacks
Episode Description In this episode of the Miles to Memories podcast we discuss some tips on navigating this crazy travel season. A dos and don’ts so to speak. We also share our readers favorite airline hacks plus one of our own. Lastly, we wrap up by debating whether the Bonvoy Brilliant’s recent changes could actually be a good thing for you. Episode Notes 8:38 - Tips for getting through summer travel 24:17 - Airplane hacks 33:10 - Bonvoy Brilliant 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 30, 2022 • 46min
Racking Up Freebies In Atlantic City, New Amex Play & Smuggling 31 Beers On Southwest
Episode Description In this episode of the Miles to Memories podcast we discuss Shawn’s recent trip to Atlantic City and how he was able to rack up hundreds in value. We also talk about Mark making all kinds of mistakes on Southwest when smuggling 31 beers home and wrap up debating if the new Amex checking account is worth your attention. Episode Notes 0:00 - Travel updates 9:17 - Mark’s beer wins and Southwest fails 18:19 - Atlantic City status matches 29:54 - AMEX calculations 37:19 - Airbnb blowback 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 23, 2022 • 39min
Amex Tossing Out 260K Offers & What That Means, Delta Crashes Our Meetup & How The Government Missed Their Chance With The Airlines
Episode Description In this episode of the Miles to Memories podcast we discuss our recent MtM Diamond meet up in Detroit and some changes with the group at the end of the month. We also discuss Delta having another meltdown this weekend and how the government failed us when giving all of that bailout money early in the pandemic. And, of course, we talk about some more absolutely insane Amex offers. Episode Notes 0:00 - Detroit meetup 10:16 - MtM Diamond closing to new members 14:57 - Delta weekend meltdown 23:14 - MORE absolutely insane Amex welcome offers 28:43 - Quarterly bonus categories 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 16, 2022 • 41min
Hotel Program Shakeup, Dirt Cheap Flight Home From Europe & Amex Still Dropping Bags Of Points
Episode Description In this episode of the Miles to Memories podcast we discuss a shakeup in the hotel world with Choice buying Radisson Americas and what that means. We also talk about Amex dropping more massive offers, booking last minute international flights for cheap, Wells Fargo dropping the ball and more! Episode Notes 4:36 - Booking last minute award flights this summer 12:07 - No more inbound testing 16:49 - More AMEX bonuses! 23:32 - Choice buys Radisson, goes upscale 31:35 - Wells Fargo Update 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
