Latest Awardtravel Podcast Episodes
Maximizing 0% APR Offers, Turning Down An Amazing Retention Offer & Is Chase's Disney Offer Good?
Miles to Memories - Fun Side of Miles, Points & Travel - April 18, 2024 12:00 - 39 minutes ★★★★★ - 111 ratingsEpisode Description In this episode of the Miles to Memories podcast, Shawn and Joe discuss their experiences recording on the road and share some travel hacks for setting up recording equipment in different environments. They also talk about their missed opportunity to see the solar eclipse...
Global Entry Price Increase, Spirit Airlines Booking and Wynn Status Matches
Miles to Memories - Fun Side of Miles, Points & Travel - April 11, 2024 10:30 - 45 minutes ★★★★★ - 111 ratingsEpisode Description We discuss Shawn’s experience with the Wynn status match, Hilton buying the Nomad brand, increases in Global Entry fees and much more! Plus some quick deals to help you along your way. Episode Notes 0:00 - Eclipsing 7:05 - Wynn status match experience 12:07 - Joe bo...
Down a Hilton in Vegas, Amex Changes Again, 3% Everywhere Coming & More!
Miles to Memories - Fun Side of Miles, Points & Travel - April 04, 2024 10:30 - 56 minutes ★★★★★ - 111 ratingsEpisode Description Joe’s back from an epic Disney trip, Shawn visits the Tropicana before it closes and a ton of credit card news in this week’s podcast. Plus, Joe considers booking Spirit and we discuss what’s going on with the blogosphere and Google’s negative SEO changes (negative for inde...
Defeating Jetlag, Meta Smartglasses for the Win, United's New Feature & Is Rio/Hyatt An Amazing Opportunity?
Miles to Memories - Fun Side of Miles, Points & Travel - March 28, 2024 11:00 - 38 minutes ★★★★★ - 111 ratingsEpisode Description On this episode Shawn and Joe dive into a lot of recent happenings in the travel and miles & points space. From hating on budget airlines to United's new pooling feature there is a lot happening in the airline space. Other topics discussed include: how the Timeshifter jetla...
Spring Break In Europe - Flights, Hotels, Practical Advice & Gratitude
Miles to Memories - Fun Side of Miles, Points & Travel - March 21, 2024 14:21 - 43 minutes ★★★★★ - 111 ratingsEpisode Description On this episode Shawn discusses his recent family Spring Break trip to Lisbon and Paris. Learn about the flights and redemptions plus some of the cool things seen along the way. Family travel can be difficult, but it is so rewarding, even if it is squeezed into a tight time...
Rethinking Your Hotel Loyalty & Elite Status Game with Benjy Harmon
Miles to Memories - Fun Side of Miles, Points & Travel - March 14, 2024 13:00 - 42 minutes ★★★★★ - 111 ratingsEpisode Description On this episode of the podcast Shawn is joined by MtM Contributor and MtM Diamond moderator Benjy Harmon. Shawn & Benjy dive deep into why you may want to rethink your hotel elite strategy, why Hyatt may be overrated and a cool little place you can visit on your next stop i...
Peak Summer Road Trips, Best Ever Marriott Bonuses & Hyatt Devaluation?
Miles to Memories - Fun Side of Miles, Points & Travel - March 07, 2024 11:00 - 45 minutes ★★★★★ - 111 ratingsEpisode Description On this episode of the podcast Shawn & Joe discuss trip planning including national parks, the insanity of summer demand and why you might want to visit during off-peak seasons. They also follow up on their jetlag discussion including a cool app to help you out, go into the...
Recycled Soup, a Haunted Hotel and Red Envelopes - Taiwan Trip Report
Miles to Memories - Fun Side of Miles, Points & Travel - February 29, 2024 11:30 - 57 minutes ★★★★★ - 111 ratingsEpisode Description Joe recounts his trip to Taiwan, including Grand Hyatt Taipei, flying E-V-A Airlines in business class, highlights in Taipei, and eating at random bathroom tiled floor restaurants. How much money did the kids get in their red envelopes? Listen and find out! Episode Notes ...
Epic Trip - Back to Back Asia in First Class, New JAL, DMZ, Angkor Wat & More with Han Chicago
Miles to Memories - Fun Side of Miles, Points & Travel - February 22, 2024 14:00 - 57 minutes ★★★★★ - 111 ratingsEpisode Description On this episode Han Chicago joins Shawn to discuss his recent epic back to back First Class trips to Asia. Products discussed include the new Japan Airlines First Class, Korean Air First Class, Etihad's customer service, Singapore's foot well, a lofty Holiday Inn plus the r...
Hyatt Concierge Frustration, Companion Pass Shortcut & New Vegas Status Match
Miles to Memories - Fun Side of Miles, Points & Travel - February 15, 2024 11:30 - 48 minutes ★★★★★ - 111 ratingsEpisode Description On this episode Shawn and Joe discuss the Super Bowl in Las Vegas and what the experience is like seeing U2 at the Sphere. They also discuss tons of new card offers that have dropped in the past week including a fast track to the Southwest Companion Pass. Other topics inclu...
Attempted Vendoming, Missing Icon, Epic Universe & Foreign Currency Return Trap
Miles to Memories - Fun Side of Miles, Points & Travel - February 08, 2024 11:30 - 48 minutes ★★★★★ - 111 ratingsEpisode Description On this episode Shawn and Joe discuss the newly announced Epic Universe park in Orlando. This new theme park should be on everyone’s radar and we’ll tell you why. We also discuss the trap when returning things in a foreign currency, Shawn attempts to Vendome, Joe isn’t impr...
Miracle in Hawaii - Surviving A 1,000 Foot Fall, The Dramatic Rescue & Lessons Learned with Ian Snyder
Miles to Memories - Fun Side of Miles, Points & Travel - February 01, 2024 20:17 - 41 minutes ★★★★★ - 111 ratingsEpisode Description On this episode Shawn is joined by Mark Ostermann and Ian Snyder to discuss a recent set of events that could have proved tragic, but thankfully has a happy ending. Ian recently fell 1,000 feet during a difficult hike in Hawaii and spent 3 days waiting to be rescued. We dis...
Traveling to Every Country in the World with Ryan Smith
Miles to Memories - Fun Side of Miles, Points & Travel - January 25, 2024 17:48 - 1 hour ★★★★★ - 111 ratingsEpisode Description On this episode Shawn is joined by former MtM Contributor Ryan Smith to discuss his recent accomplishment of visiting every single country in the world. We'll discuss his journey as a writer in the miles and points space plus dive into his country collecting. Find out how h...
MGM Gets Bonvoyed, Getting Around Hyatt's Quirks and Last Minute Spring Break
Miles to Memories - Fun Side of Miles, Points & Travel - January 18, 2024 11:30 - 41 minutes ★★★★★ - 111 ratingsEpisode Description On this episode Shawn and Joe discuss the announced details of the new MGM/Marriott partnership. It is coming much later than expected (in fact we still don't have a date), but is it better than Hyatt's previous partnership and what sort of benefits will you get when stayin...
Google Gets Sued, Problems to the MAX and United’s Adventure Week
Miles to Memories - Fun Side of Miles, Points & Travel - January 11, 2024 11:30 - 43 minutes ★★★★★ - 111 ratingsEpisode Description On this episode Shawn and Joe discuss how travel has changed over the years plus share some of their recent woes including double bookings and the Mexico award dilemma. They also discuss a big lawsuit against Google, United’s Adventure Week, some nice new airline portal bon...
NYE Around the World, Hyatting NYC & Moving Amex Offers
Miles to Memories - Fun Side of Miles, Points & Travel - January 04, 2024 11:30 - 41 minutes ★★★★★ - 111 ratingsEpisode Description On this episode of the podcast Shawn and Joe welcome the new year with some discussions about celebrations around the world. They also discuss a new potential way you can move Amex Offers between cards plus Joe discusses his recent NYC trip including food and hotel recommen...
Mattress Run Gone Wrong, Bilt's Mixed Changes & End of Year Insanity!
Miles to Memories - Fun Side of Miles, Points & Travel - December 28, 2023 11:00 - 38 minutes ★★★★★ - 111 ratingsEpisode Description On this episode of the podcast Shawn is joined by PDX Deals Guy to discuss the end of year happenings in the miles & points space. They also discuss the brand new Ritz in Portland, Bilt's big changes and how we should look at them plus how a simple mattress run can go so wr...
Going for 2% & Travel Naughty vs. Nice
Miles to Memories - Fun Side of Miles, Points & Travel - December 21, 2023 11:30 - 48 minutes ★★★★★ - 111 ratingsEpisode Description On this episode of the podcast Shawn and Joe discuss their naughty and nice lists for the miles & points space. They also debate the simplicity of 2% cashback, go over the Freedom Q1 bonus categories and discuss Bilt’s 16th transfer partner. Episode Notes 0:00 - Holiday...
Hyatt & Marriott’s New Luxury Properties, Overlooking Choice, Chase’s Edit & The Most Lucrative Amex Offers Ever!?
Miles to Memories - Fun Side of Miles, Points & Travel - December 14, 2023 11:30 - 41 minutes ★★★★★ - 111 ratingsEpisode Description On this episode of the podcast Shawn and Joe discuss some recent targeted Amex Offers for Marriott and Hilton cards that might just be the best we have seen. From big multipliers to free nights, Amex is really incentivizing cardholders to spend. We also discuss Chase’s stra...
Alaska’s Big Bet, Diamond Does Disney & More Thoughts on Hyatt.
Miles to Memories - Fun Side of Miles, Points & Travel - December 07, 2023 11:30 - 36 minutes ★★★★★ - 111 ratingsEpisode Description On this episode of the podcast Shawn and Joe recap the latest Diamond meetup in Orlando. They also discuss Alaska’s huge announcement and acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines plus Joe chimes in on the Hyatt changes announced last week. Episode Notes 0:00 - MtM Diamond meetu...
Redefining Loyalty? Hyatt Announces Huge Changes for 2024!
Miles to Memories - Fun Side of Miles, Points & Travel - November 30, 2023 14:07 - 53 minutes ★★★★★ - 111 ratingsEpisode Description Disclosure: Hyatt invited me to their headquarters in Chicago to learn about this announcement. They provided my room, meals and flights, but did not dictate how this news is covered. On this episode Shawn discusses the big changes coming to the World of Hyatt program in ...
Following the Rules, Southwest Devalues & Amex Concerns
Miles to Memories - Fun Side of Miles, Points & Travel - November 16, 2023 08:30 - 42 minutes ★★★★★ - 111 ratingsEpisode Description On this episode Shawn and Joe discuss a recently announced devaluation by Southwest Airlines. As a revenue based program should they devalue their points? They also discuss some of the concerning changes with Amex, how you can earn thousands of bonus points with portal bonu...
More Consolidation, Bonvoy Gets Better & Top 50 Travel Destinations for 2024
Miles to Memories - Fun Side of Miles, Points & Travel - November 09, 2023 08:30 - 44 minutes ★★★★★ - 111 ratingsEpisode Description On this episode Shawn and Joe discuss even more consolidation happening in the travel realm. Similar to hotels and airlines we are seeing two major amusement park operators join forces, but will it be good for consumers? They also discuss the return of a good 3 free night M...
Chase Just for You, Wyndham Vacasa Deval & Andaz Costa Rica
Miles to Memories - Fun Side of Miles, Points & Travel - November 02, 2023 07:30 - 47 minutes ★★★★★ - 111 ratingsEpisode Description On this episode Shawn and Joe discuss the recent tragic storm in Acapulco and how people are being impacted. They also look at some big targeted Chase offers, detail how Wyndham devalued Vacasa redemptions and Shawn reviews the Andaz Papagayo in Costa Rica. Enjoying the p...
Citi’s New Transfer Partner, Amex “Upgrades” Hilton Cards, Delta Backtracks & Seats.Aero Sued
Miles to Memories - Fun Side of Miles, Points & Travel - October 26, 2023 07:30 - 45 minutes ★★★★★ - 111 ratingsEpisode Description On this episode Shawn and Joe discuss some recent changes in the hotel space. These include Hyatt’s Home & Hideaways launching, Chase expanding their Luxury hotel collection and Citi adding a transfer partner that may actually present a great value. On the loyalty front jus...
Chicago Seminars Drama, Hilton Timeshare Windfall, Buyers Group Dangers & Crazy Choice Deal with Mark Ostermann
Miles to Memories - Fun Side of Miles, Points & Travel - October 19, 2023 07:30 - 53 minutes ★★★★★ - 111 ratingsEpisode Description On this episode Mark Ostermann returns to the show to discuss his recent trip to New York which was driven by a very lucrative timeshare offer. He discusses what it was like to deal with the presentation and how he earned 150K points in about 15 minutes. He also dives into ...
Amex Gold Overhaul, Premium Hotel Programs & Luxury Travel Advisors with Jason Lawenda
Miles to Memories - Fun Side of Miles, Points & Travel - October 12, 2023 09:00 - 42 minutes ★★★★★ - 111 ratingsEpisode Description On this episode Shawn is joined by Jason Lawenda of Mobius Journeys to discuss the hobby and luxury travel. Jason is a luxury travel adviser who has built a business helping others in the miles & points hobby book travel. We discuss whether becoming a travel agent is the "u...
Delta Revenge Matches, Transparent Resort Fees, Hyatt Expands Again & More!
Miles to Memories - Fun Side of Miles, Points & Travel - October 05, 2023 07:30 - 37 minutes ★★★★★ - 111 ratingsEpisode Description On this episode Shawn and joe discuss the targeted 4th quarter spending offers across Chase cards. These offers come with up to 10X points so it is definitely worth checking to see what you have been targeted for. Other topics discussed include: the evolution of family seat...
Picking up 75K, New Global Entry App & 10 Words Ruined By “The Hobby”
Miles to Memories - Fun Side of Miles, Points & Travel - September 28, 2023 07:30 - 42 minutes ★★★★★ - 111 ratingsEpisode Description On this episode Shawn and Joe discuss why 0% APR offers can be something to look for and how Shawn grabbed a quick 75K Membership Rewards on a no annual fee card. They also discuss the return of Chase Ink 90K offers, Global Entry’s new app and why it probably isn’t importan...
Delta Downgrades Skymiles, Las Vegas Hacked & Why to Jump on Frontier’s Big Status Match!
Miles to Memories - Fun Side of Miles, Points & Travel - September 21, 2023 07:30 - 46 minutes ★★★★★ - 111 ratingsEpisode Description On this episode Shawn and Joe discuss the recent hacks of many of the major Las Vegas casinos. Both Caesars and MGM suffered cyberattacks, but what has the reality been on the ground and should it affect your decision to go to Vegas? They also go into the details of the bra...
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