MTM Travel - The Fun Side of Points & Travel! Best Deals for The New Year, Pacman In Real Life, Saks Warning & Maximizing Chase Credits!
Jan 5, 2026
Explore thrilling travel tales, including chaotic New Year's Eve in Vegas and a lucky flight connection upgrade. Discover the best travel deals of 2025, with insights on transferring points to American Airlines and maximizing Chase credits. Learn why it's wise to use Saks credits before potential bankruptcy, and hear about the viral real-life Pac-Man exhibit that brings gaming nostalgia to life. Dive into clever hacks for travel perks and stay updated on exciting tourism trends!
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Chaotic Vegas New Year's And A Last-Minute Upgrade
- Mark described a chaotic New Year's Eve in Vegas with packed casinos, rain pushing people indoors, and hundreds of strollers.
- He nearly missed his connection through Dallas but was upgraded and squeezed onto the next flight after a tense gate interaction.
Citi Adds AA Transfers Changed The Game
- Citi adding American Airlines as a transfer partner greatly expanded flexible access to AA miles.
- Mark and Shawn note AA's dynamic pricing can produce both excellent short-haul deals and occasional very expensive awards.
Summit Visa Was A Well-Tied Launch
- Bank of America's Summit Visa aligned card benefits tightly with the airline/hotel program it supports.
- Mark praised how the card fixes program pain points like partner booking fees and adds a useful companion pass.