
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

Oct 14, 2024 • 42min
Value of "Free" Weekend Trips, New Mexico's Incredible Balloon Fiesta & MTM Travel Goes Video!
In this episode, Joe Cheung, a miles and points expert and frequent collaborator on Disney Deciphered, joins the conversation. The highlights include thrilling insights from New Mexico's Balloon Fiesta, filled with unique landscapes and delicious local cuisine. Joe shares his adventures using travel points for a Mets game and discusses the joy of spontaneous weekend getaways. The hosts also talk about their exciting shift to a video format, combining travel tips with engaging personal anecdotes.

Oct 9, 2024 • 21min
TMT News - 2025 Trending Travel, 5 Free Hyatt Nights, Paid Hyatt Place Breakfast, LoungeBuddy Dies & Newark!
Chase has been making waves with exciting new perks, including Air Canada lounge access for Sapphire Reserve cardholders. The discussion unveils targeted Q4 deals providing 5-7X back on grocery purchases. Listeners learn about Hyatt's enticing 5 free nights offer and the debate over whether it's more beneficial than points. The podcast also addresses the untimely demise of LoungeBuddy and the impact of a recent fire at Newark Airport. Trending travel destinations for 2025 take center stage, along with insights into Hyatt Place's breakfast policies.

Oct 5, 2024 • 49min
Childhood Independence & Travel, Frontier's Big Glitch & A Big Announcement for the Show!
Episode Description In this episode of the Miles to Memories podcast, hosts Shawn and Mark discuss the exciting changes to the show, including Mark's return as co-host and the introduction of video content. They share their recent travel experiences, including redeeming Frontier Miles and visiting Cedar Point amusement park. The conversation delves into the challenges of parenting in today's world and the importance of giving children independence while traveling. They also provide hotel recommendations and wrap up with future plans for the podcast. Subscribe to our other travel podcast - 20 Minute Travel! Youtube Podcast 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, 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

Oct 2, 2024 • 21min
Twenty Minute Travel - Amex Kills Popular Cards, China's Insane Drone Show, Alaska Transfer Drama, Tricky Hyatt & New 100K!
Twenty Minute Travel has now joined the MtM Podcast feed! You can catch this show each week right here in addition to the regular MtM Podcast or watch it on Youtube! Episode Description This week American Express announced the death of several of their cards including the Cash Magnet and the popular Everyday cards. With the loss of Everyday, is Amex retooling their lineup in preparation of a new card or are they trying to push customers up to their more expensive Gold card? In other news the Alaska/Hawaiian merger drama continued this week as transfers from American Express broke briefly, but then came back again. Some terms leave us a bit worried about the future of transfers, but the big question is whether it makes sense to move points now or not. We also discuss China's insane 10,000 drone show, where to use the Hilton Aspire credit, Aeroplan's new 100K welcome offer, 5% categories for the 4th quarter, Hyatt's fall promotion, a tricky Hyatt property and new Amex Offers you want to know about. Episode Guide 0:00 Saving money for travel 0:39 Alaska/Hawaiian transfer woes and developments 2:44 Will Amex to Hawaiian transfers remain & should you transfer now? 4:25 One Hyatt’s tricky “mandatory” charge 7:10 Chase Aeroplan’s new 100K welcome offer 8:30 RIP to Amex Everyday cards 10:05 Will Amex replace the Everyday cards in their lineup? 11:20 4th quarter 5% Categories for Chase, Citi and Discover 13:24 Hyatt’s new fall promotion is sort of terrible 14:37 Hilton Aspire Resort Credit - How to use it & where it works 15:56 New Amex Offers for Marriott, Hilton, Lowe’s & Google Pay 17:35 China’s INSANE 10,000 drone show 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, 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

Sep 28, 2024 • 43min
Sneaky Uber, Citi's Aggressive Move, JetBlue's Lounges & Do This Soon!
Delve into the complexities of Uber's pricing strategies and discover tips for navigating fare fluctuations. Learn about Citi's pursuit of a new partnership with American Airlines and JetBlue's challenges with overcrowded lounges. Explore Oyo's surprise acquisition of Motel 6 and its impact on the budget travel landscape. The hosts reflect on the importance of community connections at travel events, highlighting personal experiences and insights from networking in the travel industry.

Sep 25, 2024 • 24min
Twenty Minute Travel - Alaska Scores Big, Citi Fighting Hard, Free Starbucks from Marriott & Visiting the Top Gun Bar!
A merger between Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines opens exciting opportunities for travelers, including new ways to earn and transfer miles. The latest credit card offers from Southwest and Hilton offer strategic perks for savvy travelers. Discover the buzz from a visit to a lively Top Gun-themed bar in San Diego, complete with wild stories and tasty tacos. Plus, the podcast dives into JetBlue's upcoming airport lounges and an innovative suspended soccer field in China, blending travel tales with fun insights.

Sep 19, 2024 • 42min
Simplicity in Travel, Hilton's Big Score & Amex Account Hacked?
Dive into a lively conversation about sports banter and personal stories, including a harrowing tale of a hacked American Express account. Discover family travel tips that emphasize simplicity while balancing points and memorable experiences. Learn about recent changes to American Express Uber credits and the arrival of free in-air Wi-Fi. The hosts reflect on their travel mishaps, revealing how mistakes can lead to cherished memories. Get ready for valuable insights that can enhance your next adventure!

Sep 13, 2024 • 42min
Changing Landscape, Behind Our Content & Chicago Seminars with Mark Ostermann
Episode Description On this episode of the Miles to Memories podcast, Shawn is joined by Mark Ostermann. The two discuss a variety of topics ranging from personal experiences with homeownership challenges to the influence of social media on travel. They share insights on upcoming travel events, the evolution of miles and points, and the behind-the-scenes aspects of content creation. The conversation also touches on the impact of TikTok trends and the changing landscape of travel rewards, culminating in an exciting announcement about future travel plans. Subscribe to our other travel podcast - 20 Minute Travel! Youtube Podcast 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, 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 22, 2024 • 49min
Navigating Flight Delays, Cruise Industry Boom & Anatomy Of A Trip - Seattle, Spokane & Coeur d'Alene
Take our survey to help us build better content for you! It's quick and easy. Thank you in advance! Miles to Memories Podcast Listener Survey Episode Description On this episode, Shawn and Joe discuss their experiences with flight delays and cancellations due to weather and air traffic control issues. They explore the growing trend of experiential travel on cruise ships and the impact of COVID-19 on the cruise industry. Shawn also shares his trip to Seattle, Spokane, Coeur d'Alene, and Silverwood. He highlights the Wild Waves amusement park in Seattle, which he found to be disappointing. He also discusses his passion for roller coasters and his goal to ride every wooden coaster in the United States. In Spokane, Shawn stayed at the DoubleTree and enjoyed the revitalized downtown area and Riverfront Park. Coeur d'Alene impressed him with its beautiful lake, charming town, and famous golf course. He also visited Silverwood, a family-owned amusement park with old-school charm and several roller coasters. Shawn concludes by sharing his positive experience flying Allegiant Airlines. Links Miles to Memories Podcast Listener Survey Subscribe to our other travel podcast - 20 Minute Travel! Youtube Podcast 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, 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 15, 2024 • 44min
Overlooked Card Benefits, The Marriott Offer Worth Grabbing & Disney's Insane Announcements with Benjy Harmon
In this engaging conversation with Benjy Harmon, head moderator of the Diamond Lounge and a Senior Contributor at MtM, listeners discover the incredible value of the new Bonvoy Bevy card and other overlooked credit card benefits. Benjy elaborates on maximizing rewards to enhance travel experiences. The discussion also highlights Disney's major announcements, featuring 23 new attractions, and how they compete with Universal’s Epic Universe. This fun chat is packed with tips for travel enthusiasts and Disney fans alike!