MTM Travel - The Fun Side of Points & Travel!

Forget Hyatt: The Hotel Programs Actually Worth Your Points Now + Trip Rebooking CHAOS!

Mar 17, 2026
They unpack Hyatt's new five-tier award chart and why it changes hotel point strategy. They compare hotel programs like Hilton, IHG, Accor, Choice and Wyndham for real value. A travel rebook nightmare powers a saga of Turkish Airlines IT failures, LifeMiles call center chaos, and last-minute reroutes using Aeroplan, SkyMiles, United and Bilt credits. Practical warnings about Ryanair baggage rules and travel flexibility.
Ask episode
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
INSIGHT

Why Hyatt's Value Was Consistency Not Footprint

  • Hyatt's strength was consistency and Chase partnership rather than footprint or brand breadth.
  • Mark says Hyatt delivered reliable treatment and easy earning via Chase, which is why the program felt high-value despite fewer properties.
ADVICE

Diversify Away From Single Program Dependence

  • Diversify hotel programs instead of committing to one program after Hyatt's changes.
  • Shawn recommends leaning into Hilton because of broadly usable free night certs that work on any standard room without top-offs.
INSIGHT

Cents Per Point Lies Without Earning Context

  • Cents-per-point is misleading; consider earn rates, credit-card status, and program perks together.
  • Mark argues point value must be compared against how fast you earn and what card benefits (status, credits) you receive.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Get the app