MTM Travel - The Fun Side of Points & Travel!

Want to work with us? Reach out! inquiries at milestomemories dot com Episode Description This week Chase surprised some of their top cardholders with a perk that is unadvertised. Why don't we get more of this kind of stuff? We also discuss: how to check if you are targeted for an AA/Hyatt match, whether those matches are worth pursuing, our childhood bucket lists, the melancholy of travel & time plus Shawn discusses his big passport mistake. Episode Guide 0:00 Welcome to MTM Travel 8:35 No good deed goes unpunished 10:10 EV Rebates going away - Is now the time to look at a lease deal? 13:21 The melancholy of time & travel 17:16 Chase's unexpected Aeroplan 5K bonus for Sapphire Reserve 19:54 Air Canada is a surprising airline 22:16 Hyatt and AA bring back targeted status matches 27:11 Pursuing AA status through spend - Is it worth it? 29:12 China trip planning follow up - Awards still haven't recovered 33:23 Shawn's passport conundrum 37:28 Achieving the inner child's bucket list 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!

Want to work with us? Reach out! inquiries at milestomemories dot com Episode Description This week Citi finally brought their new premium credit card to market. While many of the leaks were true, does this card measure up to its competition and will it drive further loyalty. Plus Citi added transfers from ThankYou to American Airlines, but is it as good as it sounds and will it drive sign-ups for this card? Most importantly should you get it? Joe Cheung also joins us to discuss his recent near miss on a welcome offer and how he still managed to save it. Are grace periods a thing? We also discuss international tipping culture as Americans and how we may be expected to tip when traveling even if locals aren't. Episode Guide 0:00 Welcome to MTM Travel 1:27 Royal Caribbean battling back - Loophole closed for viral hack 9:26 Why the future of cruise loyalty says a lot about where we are heading 15:35 Hyatt's Brand Explorer grows to 7 free nights and 35 brands! 21:55 How hotel design has evolved & why it isn't always good 31:05 United's cardholder award sale - Tahiti anyone? 33:45 Ninja tricks - Stacking deals/perks for a VIP tripCiti Strata Elite - https://www.citi.com/credit-cards/citi-strata-elite-credit-card Royal Caribbean drinks - https://www.cruisehive.com/royal-caribbean-tightens-policy-on-drink-package/182785 United sale - https://travel-on-points.com/united-credit-cardmembers-award-sale/ 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!

Sorry for the error on the Monday upload. Here is the fixed episode. Enjoy! Want to work with us? Reach out! inquiries at milestomemories dot com Episode Description This week Citi finally brought their new premium credit card to market. While many of the leaks were true, does this card measure up to its competition and will it drive further loyalty. Plus Citi added transfers from ThankYou to American Airlines, but is it as good as it sounds and will it drive sign-ups for this card? Most importantly should you get it? Joe Cheung also joins us to discuss his recent near miss on a welcome offer and how he still managed to save it. Are grace periods a thing? We also discuss international tipping culture as Americans and how we may be expected to tip when traveling even if locals aren't. Episode Guide 0:00 Welcome to MTM Travel 0:23 Being stuck in AA banned account hell 4:10 Citi Strata Elite launches & bonus - Is this a good premium card 11:08 Citi adds AA as transfer partner - Is this a gamechanger? 18:32 Did Citi have bad timing with Strata Elite or was it the perfect time? 24:39 Almost missing a welcome offer and grace periods on spend 28:36 How American tipping culture is spreading & how its awkward when traveling Citi Strata Elite - https://www.citi.com/credit-cards/citi-strata-elite-credit-card Tipping OMAAT - https://onemileatatime.com/insights/tipping-abroad-american/ 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!

Want to work with us? Reach out! inquiries at milestomemories dot com Episode Description This week Citi was in the news for a few reasons. First, they have upped their transfer ratio to Accor by 2X. This might not last, but it is quite valuable. Citi also is planning to launch their new premium Strata credit card next week. While not all of the details are known, tons of rumors have leaked and we'll dive into what this card can be and how it competes with Chase, Amex and Capital One. In other news more and more travel providers are using AI tools to crack down on travelers, but sometimes they backfire. We look at a couple of these tools and what you need to know. We also discuss: Amex's new sidecar lounge concept, how premium credit cards probably aren't worth it and why Amex is trying to make their benefits easier to use. Episode Guide 0:00 Welcome to MTM Travel 2:52 Citi's Accor transfer mistake? 6:27 Citi's new premium credit card is coming very very soon 10:45 The rumored benefits for Citi's new card 16:28 The year of the premium credit card? 18:35 Amex's new Sidecar lounge - The lounge boom 23:42 Amex's earnings dive-in - Less breakage & slow bookings? 30:15 A new easier way to connect on international flights 35:14 AI tools and travel - Smoke detectors, Hertz scanners - Reliable? Smoke detector situation - https://x.com/_zachgriff/status/1945959030851035223?s=46&t=B9kWNUIY21TRZnc8tXrfRQ Hertz scanners - https://www.thedrive.com/news/how-to-stop-hertzs-ai-rental-car-damage-scanners-from-screwing-you DFW connection - https://viewfromthewing.com/american-airlines-makes-history-connecting-passengers-arriving-in-u-s-now-skip-security-and-customs-in-new-trial/ Amex earnings breakdown - https://viewfromthewing.com/amex-ceo-admits-we-made-benefits-hard-to-use-on-purpose-now-reveals-plan-for-even-higher-fees/ Citi Strate Elite rumors - https://milestalk.com/updated-citi-strata-elite-details-launch-date-bonus-annual-au-fee-bonus-categories-benefits/ 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!

Want to work with us? Reach out! inquiries at milestomemories dot com Episode Description This week Bilt dropped a huge bombshell with the announcement that they are leaving Wells Fargo and growing their card portfolio. With three new cards coming and a new bank behind them, will Bilt take their rewards program to the next level and what kinds of perks could we see with their new premium offering? In other #news Hyatt has a new offer on their credit card, but it might not actually be better than the old one. We also discuss fearful activities while traveling, why sweating could cause problems at TSA and why bank IT is still a nightmare in 2025. Episode Guide 0:00 Welcome to MTM Travel 0:21 Pushing your "fear" limits while traveling 5:40 Another thing to worry about while crossing through TSA 9:03 YouTube travel inspiration for kids and adults 15:44 Hyatt's new card offer - Is it really better than the normal offer? 19:56 Debating the value of Hyatt free night certs 26:03 US Bank IT fiasco - In 2025? 32:04 Bilt grows up - New bank and 3 new cards coming 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!

JetBlue celebrates its 25th birthday with a promotion offering up to 350K bonus miles, but is it worth the effort? Chase’s new Sapphire Business card comes with stricter rules and some surprising 'bank errors' in favor of customers. A dive into Korean Air reveals challenges with redeeming miles and booking flights. The advantages of transferring points to Accor gain attention, while a review of the Grand Hyatt Playa del Carmen highlights its upcoming all-inclusive shift and compares it to Cancun's offerings.

JetBlue's exciting 350K bonus miles promo turns heads, but is it worth the effort? Chase unveils new rules for their Sapphire card, causing a stir among travelers. Tune in to hear about one host's accidental secret to beating jetlag and a memorable experience at a Savannah Bananas game. Plus, get insights on the Hyatt Regency at JFK as a travel option. The discussion wraps with tips on point transfers and avoiding pitfalls, all while exploring the rising costs of city transportation.

Get an easy $200 from Melio for making your first payment! (Affiliate link. Terms below) https://affiliates.meliopayments.com/travelonpointsteam Episode Description This week Chase is relaunching their Sapphire Reserve premium credit card along with an all-new business option. On this show we deep dive into the new cards including all of the perks and the very enticing welcome bonuses. Unfortunately the new Sapphire Reserve card comes with new application rules, a popup and less potential in the long term for earning welcome offers. Which card should you get, which perks make the most sense and what happens to current cardholders? We also discuss Amex Business Platinum losing a valuable perk plus how much the annual fee might be after it is refreshed later this year. Are people over the move to higher annual fees and coupons or will we see more of this from other banks and what the heck has happened to Citi? Episode Guide 0:00 Welcome to MTM Travel 0:20 Amex teases upcoming Platinum changes, higher fees & loss of a benefit 3:23 New Sapphire Reserve launches with tough new Chase application rules 7:53 Why Chase's new rules may not roll out to all cards 10:35 How the new Chase "popup" works 11:51 Diving into 100K + $500 bonus on Chase Sapphire Reserve + new benefits, fee and overall value 22:54 Sapphire Reserve Business 200K welcome offer 26:55 Big spend bonuses - IHG & Southwest status - worth it? 29:24 How the new Sapphire Reserve perks work for current cardholders 35:05 Are people getting tired of higher annual fees and "couponing"? 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!

Get an easy $200 from Melio for making your first payment! (Affiliate link. Terms below) https://affiliates.meliopayments.com/travelonpointsteam Episode Description This week Chase confirmed that there will be changes this Summer to the Sapphire Reserve card. While we have covered the rumors before, this is the first time we have confirmation. What will be changing, when can we expect to know more and what should you do. Plus Chase also dropped a bombshell indicating a new Sapphire Reserve business card is coming as well. This should be a good opportunity. In other news Mark shares from his Orlando adventures which included an incredible timeshare deal, an interesting presentation and a lot of red flags along the way. We discuss what you should consider with timeshares in general and why you probably want to consider taking them up on offers including discounted rooms, gift cards and more. We also discuss Hyatt's killer new promo, Shawn's European adventures and why skipping the line is so satisfying. 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!