MTM Travel - The Fun Side of Points & Travel!

Shawn Coomer & Mark Ostermann
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  • PLACES & TRAVEL
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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. 2 DAYS AGO

    Hyatt's Bombshell Deal & New Card, Bilt Grows Up, Favorite SoCal Hotel & Aviation Meltdown Avoided?

    Want to work with us? Reach out! inquiries at milestomemories dot com Get an easy $200 from Melio for making your first payment! (Affiliate link. Terms below) https://affiliates.meliopayments.com/travelonpointsteam Episode Description On this episode of MTM Travel we cover the latest in the FAA cancelation fiasco as a deal appears to have been reached to reopen the government and bring flights back to 100%. We also discuss Bilt's big news about their new cards and perks coming in 2026, Chase & Hyatt extending their partnership and teasing a new card plus Mark's return to SoCal including the Universal Studios VIP tour and his favorite beach hotel in the United States. 0:00 Welcome to MTM Travel 1:15 FAA cutbacks over? Deal finally reached 3:11 Delta marketing conspiracy? 6:15 We still have an aircraft controller problem 9:40 Bilt Rewards transition details - Mortgage payments! 13:31 Rakuten adds Bilt as cashback partner 17:25 Miles N More added for first time as a U.S. transfer partner 21:47 Chase & Hyatt extend partnership - New perks and cards?! 27:15 Sapphire Reserve 200K offers coming? 29:15 Universal Studios VIP again - Still worth it? 35:37 Oceana LXR Hilton review - Favorite property in SoCal? Links Hyatt premium card - https://travel-on-points.com/hyatt-status-on-sapphire-reserve-cards/ Bilt/Rakuten - https://travel-on-points.com/bilt-rewards-rakuten-payout/ Rove Miles - https://travel-on-points.com/rove-miles-adds-miles-more-transfer-partner/ Bilt Changes - https://travel-on-points.com/bilt-cardless-timeline/ 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!

    46 min

  2. 3 NOV

    Big Chase Rumors, Cap One's Rough New Rules, How AI Is Changing the Game & No More Sole-Props?

    Want to work with us? Reach out! inquiries at milestomemories dot com Get an easy $200 from Melio for making your first payment! (Affiliate link. Terms below) https://affiliates.meliopayments.com/travelonpointsteam Episode Description On this episode of MTM Travel we discuss a number of Chase related topics including a rumor that they may be changing how they process business card applications. We also discuss possible Sapphire upgrade offers, how legacy Sapphire Reserve cardholders can grab their perks and why you might want to grab an Ink 90K before it is too late. Other topics include: Capital One's rough new family rules and how AI is changing the miles & points game. Is technology our enemy in this hobby? 0:00 Welcome to MTM Travel 6:46 Legacy Sapphire cardholders get new perks 12:46 Chase Sapphire upgrade offers coming soon? 17:17 Chase Ink 90K offers ending soon 19:10 No more sole-prop on business cards? 25:30 Capital One's rough new family rules 29:45 How AI will change the miles & points space Links Chase Sole Prop Rumor - https://www.doctorofcredit.com/rumor-some-banks-possibly-chase-might-limit-business-card-applications-to-eins/ CSR upgrade - https://www.doctorofcredit.com/source-upcoming-offer-coming-for-chase-sapphire-preferred-to-sapphire-reserve-upgrades/ Cap One family rules - https://travel-on-points.com/capital-one-family-rules/ Sapphire benefits - https://travel-on-points.com/activate-sapphire-reserve-card-perks/   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!

    40 min

  3. 27 OCT

    New AA Globe, Citi's Forced Generosity, 24 Hour Chinese Spas & New Portal with Big Payouts & Xfers!

    Want to work with us? Reach out! inquiries at milestomemories dot com Get an easy $200 from Melio for making your first payment! (Affiliate link. Terms below) https://affiliates.meliopayments.com/travelonpointsteam Episode Description On this episode of MTM Travel we discuss Citi quite a bit including their curious new $350 annual fee AA Globe card. Does this mid-tier card bring anything new to the market and is it worth pursuing? We also discuss: learning more culture, Citi's generous offer to Strata Elite members affected by a glitch, how they are shutting down some cardmembers, a new portal that has transfer partners & big portal payouts + what 24 hour spas are like in China. 0:00 Welcome to MTM Travel 0:33 Shutting down the cottage & parent melancholy 5:44 Learning more about Mexican culture, burial traditions 8:56 Relaxing itinerary or getting home as soon as possible? 11:00 Citi's new AA Globe coupon book? 15:02 Is the 90K Globe welcome offer worth pursuing? 19:22 How banks decide which perks/benefits to add with new cards 20:53 Citi's very generous customer resolution for Strata Elite - Were they forced into it? 26:00 Citi shutting down some Strate Elite cardholders 28:43 Rove Miles - New portal with transfer partners - 1,500 free miles offer 33:15 24 hour spas in China + other crazy attractions Links Citi AA Globe - https://www.citi.com/credit-cards/citi-aadvantage-globe-mastercard Rove Offer - https://travel-on-points.com/rove-miles-shopping-portal/ Melio Offer (affiliate link) - https://affiliates.meliopayments.com/travelonpointsteam 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!

    38 min

  4. 21 OCT

    Earn Points on Mortgages, Alaska Devalues, Tallest/Fastest Coaster Opening & Emergency Redemptions

    Want to work with us? Reach out! inquiries at milestomemories dot com Get an easy $200 from Melio for making your first payment! (Affiliate link. Terms below) https://affiliates.meliopayments.com/travelonpointsteam Episode Description On this episode of MTM Travel Mark recaps some more travel woes he has encountered including a partner award issue that you need to know about and why National's customer service delivers again. On the theme park side we briefly discuss the new Universal Kids park opening in 2026 plus the tallest/fastest/longest coaster opening in Saudi Arabia. We also discuss how Alaska devalued a popular benefit, how Bilt will finally allow you to earn points on mortgages and why miles & points are great to take some stress out of family emergencies. 0:00 Welcome to MTM Travel 1:05 Using miles & points for the important things 7:42 Universal's new theme park opening in 2026 10:00 World's tallest/fastest/longest coaster opening in Saudi Arabia 15:10 Alaska devalues companion benefit 19:28 You can finally earn points for paying your mortgage 29:27 Rental car overcharge & National's amazing customer service 35:16 Partner award nightmare again - Canceled for schedule change? Links Melio Offer (affiliate link) - https://affiliates.meliopayments.com/travelonpointsteam 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!

    44 min

  5. 13 OCT

    Sleepy Hollow Halloween, Best New Haven Pizza, Japan Airlines Business Class & Crazy Travel Fan!

    Want to work with us? Reach out! inquiries at milestomemories dot com Get an easy $200 from Melio for making your first payment! (Affiliate link. Terms below) https://affiliates.meliopayments.com/travelonpointsteam Episode Description On this episode of MTM Travel Mark recaps his recent East Coast Halloween adventures which included a quest for the best New Haven pizza plus Sleep Hollow, Yale and the coolest Hyatt atrium around! We also discuss a neat around the neck fan for hot planes, Shawn's "rough" Japan Airlines business class experience & how American Dream is doing five years later. 0:00 Welcome to MTM Travel 4:47 Halloween time in Sleepy Hollow 11:07 Dealing with emotional letdowns during travel 13:45 Hyatt Regency Greenwich & its very cool atrium 18:50 Finding the best New Haven pizza & rankings 27:00 Exploring Yale's amazing architecture & New Haven 29:20 Visiting American Dream - New York's (NJ)  GIANT mall 35:52 A crazy fan contraption for hotel planes/hotel rooms 38:07 A rough Japan Airlines flight - Business class quick review Links Melio Offer (affiliate link) - https://affiliates.meliopayments.com/travelonpointsteam 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!

    43 min

  6. 6 OCT

    Amex FHR Woes, Amazing Status Match, Sad Seoul Hotel & Amazing Views + SW Companion Pass with 1 Card

    Want to work with us? Reach out! inquiries at milestomemories dot com Get an easy $200 from Melio for making your first payment! (Affiliate link. Terms below) https://affiliates.meliopayments.com/travelonpointsteam Episode Description On this episode of MTM Travel Shawn debriefs more from his Asia trip including his time in Seoul, visiting the Lotte Tower and his somewhat sad room at the Ibis Styles Seoul Gangnam (redeeming Accord points)! Other topics discussed include: what Amex FHR options look like post-credit boom, how to grab the Southwest Companion Pass for 2 years with just one card offer, a status match that was too good to be true, New Haven pizza and the tallest/longest bridges in the world. 0:00 Welcome to MTM Travel 1:40 Why New Haven pizza is the best in the world 5:20 Debriefing Seoul - 6th tallest building, Korean Disneyland and more 10:10 Ibis Styles Seoul Gangnam review - Redeeming Accor points! 13:44 What $80 gets you at an amazing Courtyard in China 17:27 How to get the Southwest Companion Pass with just one card 24:03 A status match that was "too good to be true" 29:01 Diving into the Amex FHR weeds - Higher prices & hard to find a "deal"? 35:52 The tallest and longest bridges in the world - Modern tourist sights! Links Melio Offer (affiliate link) - https://affiliates.meliopayments.com/travelonpointsteam 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!

    39 min

  7. 29 SEPT

    China Travel in 2025, Delta/Virgin Ticket "Suspended" & Revisiting the Top Gun Bar!

    Want to work with us? Reach out! inquiries at milestomemories dot com Get an easy $200 from Melio for making your first payment! (Affiliate link. Terms below) https://affiliates.meliopayments.com/travelonpointsteam Episode Description On this episode of MTM Travel Shawn and Mark discuss their recent travels. Shawn goes into his experiences in Shanghai including the Hyatt Centric, why China may be living in the future, the incredible Shanghai skyline, what you need to know about China's payment systems and how visiting the country has changed in the past few years. Mark also discusses a huge issue he had with Delta/Virgin and a suspended ticket plus what it was like revisiting the "Top Gun Bar". 0:00 Welcome to MTM Travel 0:43 How Shanghai has changed over the years 3:22 The logistics of the Chinese payment systems as a westerner 7:24 Visiting Shanghai parks including Disneyland and Legoland 10:45 Chinese knock-off coasters? Safety of Chinese parks 18:08 Eating Western food when traveling in China? 20:50 Hyatt Centric Zongshan Park review 23:40 Crazy Delta/Virgin suspended ticket issue 29:00 Revisiting the Top Gun Bar & San Diego hotel suggestion Links Melio Offer (affiliate link) - https://affiliates.meliopayments.com/travelonpointsteam 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!

    36 min

  8. 19 SEPT

    The New Amex Platinums - Did They Pull It Off? Breaking Down Everything You Need to Know!

    Want to work with us? Reach out! inquiries at milestomemories dot com 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 released their long awaited refresh for both their personal and business Platinum cards. On this show we will dive into both cards, what we lost, what we gained, the fees, the welcome offers and more. Is this a win for Amex, should you avoid these almost $900 annual fee cards and what does the future of the premium card market look like? We'll be back next week with a regular show, but enjoy this deep dive including why you might not want to get your Platinum card right this second. Links Melio Offer (affiliate link) - https://affiliates.meliopayments.com/travelonpointsteam 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!

    32 min
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Hosts & Guests

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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