
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

Apr 23, 2020 • 37min
Ep. 37 - Earning Miles and Points from Home, Reselling Updates and Best Dining Experiences
Episode Description In episode 37 we discuss how we are racking up miles and points while at home and discuss our most memorable dining experience while traveling. Shawn also announces a new Disney podcast, we play would you rather travel edition and of course outtakes! Episode Notes 0:00 - Life updates 8:08 - Disney Hacks podcast 10:48 - How are we earning miles and points during quarantine? 21:49 - Best dining experience 28:39 - Would you rather? 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

Apr 16, 2020 • 36min
Ep. 36 - Social Distance Rules in Hong Kong, Sign Up Bonus Extensions and Companies Treating Customers Well
Episode Description In episode 36 we discuss how social distancing is being handled in different countries and how much tougher the school system is. We also talk about cards we have been downgrading to avoid the large annual fees and banks giving minimum spending requirements. Lastly we discuss companies that are getting it right and others that messed the bed during the pandemic. Episode Notes 5:00 - Social distancing in Hong Kong 10:08 - Credit card downgrades and cancellations 14:17 - Minimum spend requirement time extensions 17:02 - Companies getting it right 24:19 - Would you rather? 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

Apr 9, 2020 • 41min
Ep. 35 - Relief for Small Businesses, Sanitizating Strategies and Would You Rather?
Episode Description In episode 35 we catch up on life at home, play a travel centric game of would you rather and talk about the stimulus / relief options available to small business owners. We also talk about our process for sanitizing groceries and food delivery and an update on Miles to Memories and a big thank you to our readers and listeners! Episode Notes 0:00 - Catching up 11:32 - Small business loans 16:54 - Would you rather? 24:57 - Our new normal, sanitizing our deliveries 32:41 - MTM going forward and thank you! 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

Apr 2, 2020 • 43min
Ep. 34 - The Future of Sign Up Bonuses, Finding the Best Deals and Trip Cancellations with Mark Jackson of Brad's Deals
Episode Description In episode 34 Shawn and Mark sit down with Mark Jackson of Brad’s Deals. We discuss how to find the best deals, how to earn extra income right now and our favorite miles & points redemptions. We also talk about Mark’s background, how he joined Brad’s Deals and dealing with our many travel cancellations. Episode Notes 0:00 - Who is Mark Jackson? 4:40 - How Mark ended up at Brad's Deals 7:45 - How credit card sign up bonuses and offers might change in light of recent events 11:34 - Finding the best deals, currently hitting any travel deals? 20:15 - How to earn extra income right now from bank bonuses, etc. 25:45 - Mark's favorite miles and points redemptions 31:22 - Dealing with trip cancellations 35:22 - What will Disney look like when it reopens? 39:22 - Money saving tips 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 26, 2020 • 40min
Ep. 33 - Unique Amsterdam Toilets, Vegas Goes Quiet, and Should You Convert Your Points to Cash?
Episode Description In episode 33 Joe and Shawn talk about whether or not we should be cashing in miles and points to use for other things. We also discuss an eerie and quiet Vegas and Disney. We give you an update of our homelife and wearing our new hats as homeschooling teachers. Plus Mark shares his funny Amsterdam toilet story. Episode Notes 0:00 - Updates on home life and how week 2 of sheltering in place is going 8:41 - Home schooling challenges 15:01 - Vegas and Disney go dark 20:12 - Is now the time to turn points into cash? 29:14 - Mark's experience with Amsterdam street toilets 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 19, 2020 • 51min
Ep. 32 - Turkeys, Hotel Status Going Forward, and Dat Quarantine Life
Episode Description Mark shares his story about a wild turkey attacking him, we all discuss what it is like social distancing at home with our families. We share some tips on free programs the kids can use while at home. We also discuss Disney & Las Vegas’ complete shut down, hotel status going further and the outtakes are pretty epic! Episode Notes 4:18 - Wild turkeys attack Mark 12:13 - Life at home in the age of social distancing 18:18 - Isolation clusters 23:26 - The future of delivery services and how important they are. 26:28 - Hyatt Centric tries to rip Shawn off 28:19 - What's going to happen to hotel status qualification? 29:05 - Disney's shutdown 35:46 - Las Vegas casinos close 39:30 - Miles to Memories going forward and what we plan on covering for the time being. 41:38 - Some free online resources for kids that we're using 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 11, 2020 • 40min
Ep. 31 - Coronavirus, Coronavirus, and a Hot Cruise Tip
Episode Description With coronavirus at the forefront of our minds, we discuss how it has affected our upcoming travel. We also debate the economic effects on the travel industry and how it might affect miles and points in the long term. Plus, some crunchy outtakes. Episode Notes 0:56 - How coronavirus is affecting our planned (and unplanned) travel (Shawn's Hyatt Globalist extension) 12:45 - The coronavirus effect on the travel industry 19:11 - Will coronavirus lead to some good miles and points deals? 30:42 - Working from home 33:23 - Las Vegas buffets on hiatus 34:42 - A benefit of owning cruise stock right now 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 5, 2020 • 45min
Ep. 30 - Coronavirus Updates, Chase Sapphire Reserve Decision and How Miles to Memories Makes Money
Episode Description In episode 30 we talk Coronavirus sweeping the world and if we are changing any of our travel plans and how to save money on upcoming travel because of it. Plus we give you a peak behind the curtain on how Miles to Memories (and other blogs) make money. Lastly, we break down how we decide on spending cash or points for travel. Episode Notes 0:00 - Coronavirus travel updates (personal and at large) 16:14 - Chase is putting CSR cardholders in a tough spot 21:36 - How Miles to Memories & all blogs make money - a view behind the curtain 34:56 - Do we spend cash or miles for flights and how do we decide? 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 27, 2020 • 44min
Ep. 29 - AMEX Rat Claws Back Airline Incidentals, Alaska Joins Oneworld and Corporations Don't Need Our Defending
Episode Description In episode 29 we talk about Amex clawing back airline incidental credits, why do people continue to defend corporations and Amex popup data points. We also talk about negative FHR changes in Vegas, a new centurion lounge and Alaska joining Oneworld. Episode Notes 0:00 - Shawn's at Disneyland again (shocker) 4:25 - Will the novel coronavirus affect Joe's upcoming travel? 6:57 - Hyatt Regency Orange County impressions 9:50 - AMEX RAT claws back refunded airline incidentals 18:19 - Why do we defend corporations? Let's not. 30:17 - Alaska joining Oneworld 34:27 - AMEX popup from referals 36:32 - Negative Amex FHR change 39:14 - Centurion CLT lounge open 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 20, 2020 • 49min
Ep. 28 - Hyatt Changes, Visa Troubles and Who Got Shutdown by AA?
Episode Description In episode 28 we talk about the toughest countries to visit, the good & bad of the recent Hyatt changes, Joe’s American Airlines shutdown and Alaska joining Oneworld plus their stealth devaluation. We also discuss getting 20% off Netflix and organizing your busy travel calendar. Episode Notes 0:00 - Visiting Daytona Beach 7:49 - Shawn's on a t-shirt! 10:39 - New september meetup dates 12:59 - Hyatt category changes, the good and the bad 20:06 - Tough countries to visit and visa stories 28:24 - Who got shutdown by AAdvantage 39:24 - Alaska joins Oneworld and stealth devalues Singapore redemptions 40:47 - New website! 42:01 - Organizing your travel calendar with family 44:33 - Sofi 20% off Netflix promo 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