MTM Travel - The Fun Side of Points & Travel!

Shawn Coomer & Mark Ostermann
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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.

  1. 4 DAYS AGO

    Crazy Spring Break Audible, Last Minute DFW Flights, Hotels & Activities + Getting Chase Aeroplan

    Episode Description On this episode of MTM Travel Shawn is joined by Joe Cheung to discuss his recent application for the Aeroplan card and how Joe is planning on taking his family to the European Christmas markets. The bulk of the show focuses on Shawn's Spring Break trip which included a same day audible from a road trip to a Dallas Fort Worth adventure. We discuss all of the bookings for the trip, how Shawn pulled it off on the same day, what the new Capital One lounge in Vegas looks like, things to do with kids in DFW and why traveling like this can be so much fun. Plus the BBQ.   Subscribe to MTM Travel & 20 Minute Travel in the same feed! 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! Melio Offer Terms: This is a business to business payment platform - no personal bills / payments. The offer is for new accounts only. If you sign up using the 20 Minute Travel link new members will get $200 cash back after making a $2000+ in payments via Melio pay. Gal from Melio will reach out to finalize the details of your payment. That is $60 in processing fees for a $200 bonus! After signing up and making your first payment with a vendor you will want to upload your bank info to your Melio account. Do it as the receiving method so you have a checking account set up to receive payments. You will then receive an email from (Gal) Melio saying you are eligible for the $200 bonus and it will tell you to set up your receiving method, or you can share your bank information if you prefer that. 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

    44 min
  2. Hyatt Elite Carveouts, US Bank's 4% Mistake, Hotel Ice Hack, Up to 185K Bonvoy & Debit Rewards Cards

    19 MAR

    Hyatt Elite Carveouts, US Bank's 4% Mistake, Hotel Ice Hack, Up to 185K Bonvoy & Debit Rewards Cards

    Get an easy $200 from Melio for making your first payment! (Affiliate link. Terms below) https://affiliates.meliopayments.com/travelonpointsteam Episode Description This week we learned that Hyatt has changed their terms to give another property an exemption from honoring elite benefits. With their exclusion list growing longer and longer is this a move in the wrong direction? Is Hyatt's growth coming at the cost of a consistent loyalty program?   In other news American Express released increased offers for two of the Marriott cards where you can get a welcome offer up to 185K. We also discuss: US Bank's way too generous 4% cashback card, Air India's poopy flight, popping champagne on an airplane, Wyndham and Discover debit rewards cards, 20K Amex pay over time offers and a hotel ice machine hack.   Episode Guide 0:00 Popping champagne on an airplane 0:51 Air India’s poopy flight 2:40 Southwest gets even worse than last week 5:33 Hyatt’s Globalist benefits are declining 7:16 Hyatt’s growth is pressuring elite benefits 9:10 Up to 185K increased Marriott Bonvoy card offers 11:09 US Bank’s insane 4% back card - Too good to be true? 13:01 Melio $200 offer - Easy spend and profit 14:17 Wyndham launches new debit rewards card 15:59 Discover’s cashback debit card may be a better option 16:43 Amex 20K Pay Over Time offers return 17:47 Cool S - Hotel ice machine hack Links Popping champagne - https://x.com/InternetH0F/status/1901438364546740605 Air India - https://x.com/sjlazars/status/1899074610689384771?s=46 Hyatt elite issues - https://viewfromthewing.com/hyatt-hotels-are-ignoring-elite-perks-and-no-one-is-stopping-them/ US Bank Smartly - https://milestomemories.com/u-s-bank-rethinking-the-smartly-visa-credit-card/ Wyndham debit - https://travel-on-points.com/wyndham-debit-card/ 20K Pay Over Time - https://milestomemories.com/pay-over-time-offers-an-easy-20k-in-points/ Hotel ice hack - https://www.youtube.com/shorts/BrX-scnvl-o 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!

    20 min

  3. 17 MAR

    Hyatt's Chicago Problem, Destroying Southwest's Brand, Reevaluating Lounge Certs & Bahamas Preview!

    Episode Description On this episode of MTM Travel Shawn and Mark dive into some of the changes Southwest announced after our previous show. It's far worse than anyone imagined including cuts in benefits, no free bags, basic economy and more. Are they destroying the brand or will it grow from this bigger and better than ever? We also discuss Mark's upcoming trip to Baha Mar and what options are left for points on the island. Other topics discussed include: Hyatt's Chicago hotel problem, why 2025 is the time to reevaluate some perks and why you should probably just fly the cheapest/most convenient airline for you. Episode Guide 0:00 Welcome to MTM Travel 1:50 The Alaska/Hawaii card rush and why Alaska miles can be good for American flights 5:47 Southwest gets even worse - No free bags, basic economy and more 12:25 How Southwest is using everyone else’s playbook 18:55 The status hamster wheel & reevaluating loyalty in today’s corporate world 24:25 Hyatt’s big Chicago problem & increasing travel costs 32:25 Reevaluating Hyatt perks in 2025 with all of the changes 36:45 Nassau points options & previewing Mark’s trip Subscribe to MTM Travel & 20 Minute Travel in the same feed! 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! Melio Offer Terms: This is a business to business payment platform - no personal bills / payments. The offer is for new accounts only. If you sign up using the 20 Minute Travel link new members will get $200 cash back after making a $2000+ in payments via Melio pay. Gal from Melio will reach out to finalize the details of your payment. That is $60 in processing fees for a $200 bonus! After signing up and making your first payment with a vendor you will want to upload your bank info to your Melio account. Do it as the receiving method so you have a checking account set up to receive payments. You will then receive an email from (Gal) Melio saying you are eligible for the $200 bonus and it will tell you to set up your receiving method, or you can share your bank information if you prefer that. 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

    39 min
  4. Southwest's Devaluation & Betrayal, Nintendo Livery, Mileage Broker Warning & Cap One Fine Dining?

    11 MAR

    Southwest's Devaluation & Betrayal, Nintendo Livery, Mileage Broker Warning & Cap One Fine Dining?

    Get an easy $200 from Melio for making your first payment! (Affiliate link. Terms below) https://affiliates.meliopayments.com/travelonpointsteam Episode Description This week Southwest knocked the socks off of their customers in the worst way possible with a gutting of points earnings followed by tons of other changes. We also discuss: mileage broker businesses, JetBlue's Nintendo livery, card deals from Wyndham and FlyingBlue, 5% Chase PayPal, a hack to get free drinks and the Lululemon strategy for picking where to stay in a new city.   Episode Guide 0:00 The perfect “free” travel hack 0:39 Mileage broker warning - Cheap at a cost 2:57 JetBlue’s new Nintendo livery 3:47 Capital One Landing - Fine dining in an airport with a credit card 5:34 Attractive Wyndham card increased offers 7:35 Air France / KLM niche offer 9:34 Freedom’s targeted 5% PayPal offer 10:54 Southwest’s blood bath on earning 15:30 Chase’s business card glitch 17:09 The Lululemon travel strategy Links Engagement “hack” - https://x.com/jaelaaaab/status/1897718614180217229?s=46 Mileage broker - https://x.com/iangcarroll/status/1897850640748904901?s=46 Nintendo livery - https://x.com/nintendoamerica/status/1896918666585002141?s=46 Cap One restaurant - https://viewfromthewing.com/a-600-meal-no-bill-capital-ones-tapas-lounge-at-dca-is-the-best-perk-in-u-s-airports/ Wyndham bonuses - https://milestomemories.com/new-bonuses-for-wyndham-rewards-cards-3/ Flying Blue - https://milestomemories.com/increased-bank-of-america-air-france-klm-offer-4/ Freedom paypal - https://travel-on-points.com/freedom-unlimited-5x-paypal-offer/ Southwest - https://travel-on-points.com/southwest-paid-flight-earning-change/ Chase card problems - https://travel-on-points.com/chase-business-cards-reporting-to-personal-credit/ Lululemon strategy - https://x.com/nickwatts__/status/1897028099705069969?s=46 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!

    20 min

  5. 10 MAR

    Southwest Airlines Huge Devaluation, Ending Daylight Savings & Universal's Epic Year

    Join MTM Diamond before the price goes up. Limited slots have opened up, but membership will be closing soon. More info here: https://www.patreon.com/c/milestomemories Episode Description On this episode of MTM Travel Shawn and Mark are joined by Joe Cheung to discuss the recent Southwest Airlines devaluation that was a shock to everyone. What has Southwest changed and what does it mean for loyal Southwest fliers? Is this the death of uniqueness in corporate America and will Southwest be worth flying after these changes? We also discuss Daylight Saving Time and its effect on everyone as we debate eliminating it. Finally we finish with a preview of Epic Universe in Orlando, why you might want to visit and why Universal is making big moves at a time when Disney is cutting back. Episode Guide 0:00 Welcome to MTM Travel 2:34 Daylight Saving debate & urban myths 8:05 Southwest’s massive no-notice devaluation 18:37 Is Wall Street killing unique brands like Southwest? 27:30 Epic Universe is coming - Will Universal finally beat Disney? 31:40 Universal strategy with new park, free Express Passes & staying on property 41:17 Baymax Happy Ride Subscribe to MTM Travel & 20 Minute Travel in the same feed! 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! Melio Offer Terms: This is a business to business payment platform - no personal bills / payments. The offer is for new accounts only. If you sign up using the 20 Minute Travel link new members will get $200 cash back after making a $2000+ in payments via Melio pay. Gal from Melio will reach out to finalize the details of your payment. That is $60 in processing fees for a $200 bonus! After signing up and making your first payment with a vendor you will want to upload your bank info to your Melio account. Do it as the receiving method so you have a checking account set up to receive payments. You will then receive an email from (Gal) Melio saying you are eligible for the $200 bonus and it will tell you to set up your receiving method, or you can share your bank information if you prefer that. 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

    44 min

  6. 7 MAR

    Carnival in Rio De Janeiro! Flights, Hotels, Points Redemptions & Tips + Is It Safe?

    Join MTM Diamond before the price goes up. Limited slots have opened up, but membership will be closing soon. More info here: https://www.patreon.com/c/milestomemories Episode Description On this episode of MTM Travel Mark debriefs his recent trip to Rio for Carnival. We go over the logistics of the trip including hotel and flight redemptions to discuss where to stay and where to avoid. Plus what are the best things to do in Rio, how is it to experience Carnival, is it safe and should you put Rio on your places to visit? Episode Guide 0:00 Welcome to MTM Travel 0:20 Last minute changes, bad Canadian pizza & our altered schedule next week 12:56 Afraid to fly - Should we be apprehensive about flying with all of these crashes? 21:55 The buddy battle - Traveling with friends & our “advanced” techniques 25:15 Fake travel influencer happiness? 27:10 Self upgrading to First Class - A success story?! 30:45 Shutdowns galore - AA and Amex give the axe 37:15 Is all of it worth it? Subscribe to MTM Travel & 20 Minute Travel in the same feed! 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! Melio Offer Terms: This is a business to business payment platform - no personal bills / payments. The offer is for new accounts only. If you sign up using the 20 Minute Travel link new members will get $200 cash back after making a $2000+ in payments via Melio pay. Gal from Melio will reach out to finalize the details of your payment. That is $60 in processing fees for a $200 bonus! After signing up and making your first payment with a vendor you will want to upload your bank info to your Melio account. Do it as the receiving method so you have a checking account set up to receive payments. You will then receive an email from (Gal) Melio saying you are eligible for the $200 bonus and it will tell you to set up your receiving method, or you can share your bank information if you prefer that. 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

    46 min
  7. Hilton Free Nights Are Back, Capital One Discover Strategy, AA's Free WiFi & Credit Card "Art"?

    5 MAR

    Hilton Free Nights Are Back, Capital One Discover Strategy, AA's Free WiFi & Credit Card "Art"?

    Get an easy $200 from Melio for making your first payment! (Affiliate link. Terms below) https://affiliates.meliopayments.com/travelonpointsteam Episode Description This week American Express and Hilton released increased offers on most of their cobranded cards. Specifically the Surpass and the no annual fee card have great welcome offers which include a free night cert. These certs are so valuable, but is now the right time to pick up one of these cards?   In other news American Airlines is trialing free WiFi. Is free internet on all airplanes in our future? We also discuss a Capital One Discover takeover strategy, Flying Blue's march promos, credit card art, Chase Freedom's extra category, the evolution of pod hotels and why Sugarloaf Mountain in Rio is some cool S.   Episode Guide 0:00 Credit card “art” 1:14 Flying Blue’s March promo awards 3:23 The evolution of pod hotels - Worth a try? 4:30 What it is like staying in a pod hotel 5:36 American Airlines is trialing free WiFi 7:40 Increased offers for Hilton - Free nights are back! 9:43 Chase Freedom’s birthday bonus category 10:56 Capital One’s Discover takeover - Application strategy? 12:11 Will the Discover brand last long term? 14:17 Capital One Venture’s better 100K offer 15:30 Barclays big glitch - Double accounts for everyone! 17:21 Cool S - Sugarloaf Mountain in Rio Links Credit card art - https://x.com/z72917378/status/1895587820577964421?s=46 Flying Blue - https://travel-on-points.com/flying-blue-promo-awards/ Pod hotels - https://x.com/interesting_aIl/status/1893685309138726922 AA WiFi trial - https://milestomemories.com/american-airlines-to-offers-complimentary-wi-fi-soon/ Discover strategy - https://travel-on-points.com/should-you-get-a-discover-card/ 100K Venture - https://milestomemories.com/100k-bonus-for-capital-one-venture-card/ Barclays glitch - https://travel-on-points.com/barclays-approving-two-credit-cards/   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!

    20 min
  8. Hyatt's Brutal Award Changes, Shutdowns Galore, Best New Airport Lounge & White Lotus Holidome?

    26 FEB

    Hyatt's Brutal Award Changes, Shutdowns Galore, Best New Airport Lounge & White Lotus Holidome?

    Get an easy $200 from Melio for making your first payment! (Affiliate link. Terms below) https://affiliates.meliopayments.com/travelonpointsteam Episode Description This week Hyatt released their annual hotel category changes and they are about as brutal as we have seen in years. While no new categories are being introduced, many of the most popular properties are increasing in price including a ton to category 8. A lot of lower category hotels are moving up as well. Is there any good news?   In other news lounges were the talk this week with the Amex Centurion Charlotte having a horid health inspection and two new lounges opening in Philadelphia and Vegas. Is the new Chase Sapphire Philadelphia lounge the best in the country? We also discuss: Delta's recent crash and payment, Capital One Venture's increased offer, a new no lifetime Amex Business Gold offer, shutdowns from AA and Amex plus Canyon Overlook Trail in Zion National Park.   Episode Guide 0:00 White Lotus Holidome? 1:02 Delta pays $30K/passenger for recent crash 2:33 Why you shouldn’t film an evacuation 3:07 Amex Centurion Charlotte’s terrible health inspection 5:09 Chase Sapphire Philadelphia opens - Best lounge in the US? 7:08 Capital One Lounge LAS opens - Does it measure up? 8:38 LAS lounges have come a long way! 9:27 Increased offer on Capital One Venture card 11:07 Amex Business Gold 125 “no lifetime language” offer 12:45 The week of shutdowns - Amex and AA give the axe 15:33 Amex shutdowns and avoiding FOMO 19:07 Hyatt’s brutal award category changes & strategy 22:13 Cool S - Canyon Overlook Trail in Zion National Park Links Amex Centurion Charlotte - https://viewfromthewing.com/inspection-fail-amex-centurion-lounge-received-one-of-five-worst-health-scores-in-all-of-charlotte/ Sapphire PHL - https://x.com/_zachgriff/status/1892247084805321104?s=46 Capital One LAS - https://viewfromthewing.com/step-inside-capital-ones-new-las-vegas-airport-lounge-caviar-craft-cocktails-and-relaxing-views-worth-arriving-early-for/ Amex 125K - https://www.americanexpress.com/en-us/campaigns/small-business/charge-cards/business-gold/add-a-card/apply-today/?sourcecode=A0000HHVEK Canyon Overlook Trail - https://www.facebook.com/reel/882891453865670/?share_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fshare%2Fr%2F15YJ8VsT5R&rdid=F6xiXldrYJOhIjpg 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!

    25 min
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    About

    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.

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