
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

Mar 31, 2022 • 37min
Time To Amex & Chill, Cents Per Point Is A Myth & World's Most Beautiful Places
Episode Description In this episode of the Miles to Memories podcast we discuss managing our Amex portfolios and how it can get overwhelming at times. We also discuss why cents per point shouldn’t be a major focus, our favorite places for natural beauty and finding value after Marriott’s devaluation. Episode Notes 3:50 - AMEX spring cleaning 9:28 - Marriott dynamic pricing live 12:28 - Most beautiful places we've visited 20:14 - Reevaluating cents per point 30:38 - Jetblue/AA reciprocal benefit improvements 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

Mar 24, 2022 • 39min
When To Jump Off The Chase 5/24 Bandwagon, Reward Good Service While Traveling & Dasher Diaries
Episode Description In this episode of the Miles to Memories podcast we discuss when it makes sense to jump off the Chase 5/24 bandwagon. We also get an update on Shawn’s travels up the California coast and into Oregon. We discuss why it is important to recognize great service while traveling, when Best Western blows Hyatt away & more Dasher Diaries stories. Episode Notes 2:38 - Shawn hanging out in Portland 5:14 - Dasher Diaries 9:42 - When is it time to focus on, or move on from, Chase 5/24 22:30 - Shawn's staying in Best Western and Hyatts 33:07 - Remember to reward great service while traveling 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

Mar 17, 2022 • 43min
Is World of Hyatt Card Now Worthless, Doing Atlantis On The Cheap & 14 Day Transatlantic Cruise
Episode Description In this episode of the Miles to Memories podcast we discuss if the shine has worn off the World of Hyatt card some, Shawn taking a 14 day transatlantic cruise to save on airfare and Chase extends Pay Yourself Back. We also talk about booking Atlantis Bahamas on the cheap, Marriott certificate points posting and an update on Shawn’s California road trip. Episode Notes 5:07 - Shawn's California updates 9:28 - Visit Atlantis on the cheap 13:31 - Shawn's trip planning 17:40 - 14 day transatlantic cruise 20:59 - Marriott certificate wins 24:32 - Hilton devaluation 27:42 - Pay yourself back lives 30:53 - Chase Freedom vs. World of Hyatt card 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

Mar 10, 2022 • 54min
The Good & Bad Of Elite Status, Massive Amex Retention Offers, DC Conrad & Southern California Trip Reports
Episode Description In this episode of the Miles to Memories podcast we debate whether or not status is overrated and if people ignore the true cost. We also discuss massive Amex retention offers, a new Dasher Diaries story. Lastly, Mark talks about his recent trip to DC and Shawn talks about his travels around SoCal Episode Notes 00:31 - Washington DC trip report 7:17 - Dasher Diaries 21:37 - Shawn updates his travels around SoCal 30:44 - Huge AMEX retention offers 34:41 - Status FIGHT 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

Mar 3, 2022 • 51min
Marriott Devaluation, The Truth About Blogging & Is Disney Club Lounge Access Worth It
Episode Description In this episode of the Miles to Memories podcast we take a look behind the curtain of travel blogging. We also talk about the massive Marriott devaluation, Joe’s trip to Disney and if the expensive club access add on is worth it. Episode Notes 7:08 - Hyatt Regency MCO 9:47 - Disney trip 13:29 - Boardwalk Inn Club Level 18:47 - Bonvoy devaluation and upcoming IHG changes 27:40 - State of independent blogs (Lucky’s article) 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

Feb 24, 2022 • 55min
Hyatt Globalist May Not Be Worth It For You, Road Tripping & Hip New Hotel Brands + Dealing With Terrible Hotel Neighbors
Episode Description In this episode of the Miles to Memories podcast we discuss roadtripping the U.S. including some interesting stops along the way and booking activities through Chase Ultimate Rewards. We also discuss hotel neighbor revenge, what to expect with the tru by Hilton and Avid by IHG brands, Hyatt's devaluation, why Globalist isn't for Mark and why you don't have to do what everyone else does. Episode Notes 1:20 - Road Tripping - Hyatt Regency Jacksonville & St. Augustine, FL 4:36 - Tru By Hilton - What to expect 7:30 - Arriving in New Orleans during Mardi Gras & why Elizah Jane is an awesome Hyatt redemption 13:21 - Avid by IHG - What to expect 17:07 - Booking activities through Chase Ultimate Rewards - Discount on space and the bayou 19:03 - Getting stuck by Frontier & Dallas ice storms 21:15 - 3 Options when your Frontier Flight is cancelled 24:29 - Mark walks out of a Doubletree & hotel neighbor revenge 32:14 - Breaking down Hyatt's recent devaluation 38:56 - Quitting Globalist after one year 44:37 - Why different voices and opinions matter 48:27 - Ventana Big Sur the new Maldives? You don't have to do what everyone else does 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

Feb 17, 2022 • 40min
Bank's Customer Service Is Seriously Lacking, Our Best Upgrade Stories & Travel Is Looking Up
Episode Description In this episode of the Miles to Memories podcast we discuss how bank’s customer service has seriously diminished. We also talk about our most unexpected, or favorite, upgrades from hotel or airline status and why now is the time to plan for summer travel. Episode Notes 8:06 - Hilton Superbowl promo 11:28 - BofA fraud update 18:35 - Our best upgrades 27:01 - Time to plan summer 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

Feb 10, 2022 • 45min
Bank Of America Fraud Fiasco, Big Airline Shakeup & What Being On A Cruise Ship Is like Right Now
Episode Description In this episode of the Miles to Memories podcast we talk about Bank of America’s crazy fraud department requirements, why the Spirit and Frontier merger isn’t good for us and Shawn shares what it is like getting aboard a cruise ship these days. We also talk about how surprising the worst ranked airline in the US is and Mark shares how Uber’s technology has failed him. Episode Notes 5:05 - Mark vs. Bank of America’s fraud team 17:53 - What cruising Royal Caribbean is like right now 28:33 - Jetblue…the worst airline? 31:09 - Frontier and Spirit merging 36:30 - Signing up for Uber and Swagbucks bonus 41:22 - Lock in Amazon Prime before the price increase 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

Feb 3, 2022 • 45min
Profitable Retention Offers, Dirt Cheap Cruises & What Is With All These New Airlines?
Episode Description In this episode of the Miles to Memories podcast we discuss Amex paying Mark actual cash to keep a card open and other retention offers. We also discuss a recent round of applications, Hyatt’s expansion continues and a new airline launching for discounted flights to Asia. We finish it off with some dirt cheap cruise talk. Episode Notes 2:44 - Doordasher Diaries 12:45 - AMEX retention offers 17:18 - Credit card mini app-o-rama 22:12 - New Hyatt properties 28:25 - Flying to Asia through...Alaska? 32:39 - Cruise corner 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

Jan 27, 2022 • 44min
Worst Business Class Flight Ever, IHG Making Big Moves & The Scammers Are Winning
Episode Description In this episode of the Miles to Memories podcast we discuss how the fraudsters are winning, what we think of the IHG refresh and whether or not it has us jumping on board and what a horrible business class flight experience is like. Mark also gives an update on his DoorDash experience and Shawn gives updates on his big trip. Episode Notes 2:57 - Doordash Chronicles 12:17 - Paypal fraud update 20:32 - Shawn trip planning updates 26:35 - New IHG cards 34:43 - SAS J 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