Episode Description

On this week's MTM Travel Thursday show, Shawn and Mark cover three big topics: the restaurant credit programs worth your time right now (Resy, InKind, Hilton's local bar trick), all seven active transfer bonuses including Rove's 50% Japan Airlines launch deal, and a full walkthrough of Mark's recent credit card application haul — $4K cash, 230K miles, and 112K Built points, offset by $2,169 in annual fees. The Spirit Airlines miles subplot also gets resolved. Great episode for anyone thinking about credit card strategy heading into spring.

• 0:00 - Intro
• 0:20 - Resy Credits & Detroit Dining
• 3:31 - Hilton Credits: The Local Bar Hack
• 10:59 - Active Transfer Bonuses
• 13:47 - Rove Miles & Japan Airlines
• 19:08 - Sticking to Programs You Know
• 20:31 - Mark's Credit Card Application Results
• 24:36 - Spirit Card Update
• 25:07 - Mark Writing Again at MTM

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Episode Description

The world changed fast — and travelers are feeling it. Shawn and Mark break down what's happening in the Middle East, why Dubai went from "safe luxury playground" to diverted flights overnight, and what experienced points travelers should know about navigating global instability. Plus: anti-American sentiment abroad is real, and Shawn shares what it was actually like traveling during the other contentious periods. Then — Atlantis vs. Comfort Suites Nassau, Bermuda, Hawaii, and why you should SERIOUSLY consider booking dream trips now before they get ridiculously expensive.

• 0:00 Welcome to MTM Travel
• 0:40 Traveling in the current world - Is it safe?
• 3:40 Travelers are susceptible to instability
• 6:46 What is the future of Middle East tourism
• 10:09 Being prepared for anti-American attitudes while traveling
• 16:53 Reconsidering travel plans, staying safe & opening our minds
• 19:21 Are "dream" vacations getting out of reach even with points?
• 22:24 Atlantis points hack, debating Bahamas & Atlantis recovered?
• 28:00 Bermuda vs Bahamas come on pretty mama

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Episode Description

On this episode of the MTM Travel the travel show we discuss the recent events in Mexico, how they've been sensationalized and what travelers need to consider before canceling or planning a trip. We also discuss: pure Michigan, Sapphire's free Whoop, how Southwest got duped, an insane hotel coffee maker hack and Mark's big return to MTM.

• 0:00 Welcome to MTM Travel
• 1:28 Mark's big return to MTM & Patreon enhancements!
• 6:09 Mexico cartel woes - Should you cancel trips?
• 12:53 INSANE hotel coffee maker hack
• 17:05 Whoop free with Sapphire + Shawn's experience
• 21:25 Elliott pulls out of Southwest after driving massive changes
• 22:27 Starlink coming to Southwest Airlines
• 25:25 Cadillac House Curio Hilton - Pure Michigan?

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Episode Description

On this episode of the MTM Travel the miles & points show Mark dives into his real world experiences with the new Bilt cards and Bilt cash. An unexpected promo came, but is it working out? We also discuss: finding cheap Hyatt mattress runs by stacking promos, the overlooked US Bank business card bonuses and how Southwest is tiering their credit card bonuses for the first time!

• 0:00 Welcome to MTM Travel
• 0:36 Update on Bilt's new card experience
• 3:20 Using Bilt Cash & how it all works in reality
• 7:23 Bilt makes money wuth customer experience expense?
• 10:10 Southwest launches first tiered card offers
• 13:53 Southwest's unhappy customers are a thing
• 15:48 Stacking Hyatt promos - Nights from 1,900 points?
• 19:45 Hyatt's unique promos & the art of finding mattress runs
• 21:37 Overlooked US Bank cards - Big money offers

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Episode Description

On this episode of the MTM Travel the travel show we jump all around the country as Mark details winter small town Americana and reviews the condos at Evermore Orlando resort. We also discuss the insane Hilton rebate deal at Calala and the ongoing battle for overhead bin space on planes.

• 0:00 Welcome to MTM Travel
• 0:20 Small Town Americana in……winter?
• 3:20 Indoor hotel pools, the novelty & Holidome
• 6:17 Getting paid to stay on a Private Island - Calala Island rebate
• 10:59 Evermore condo review - Better than Conrad at best resort in America?
• 18:33 Timeshare or hotel?
• 21:14 The aircraft bin battle
• 25:59 Boarding plane early or last on board?
• 28:30 Southwest struggling with new seating policy?

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Episode Description

On this episode of the MTM Travel miles & points show we dive into some of the more important news and stories from this past week. From United's TravelBank glitch to using Delta for your Amex credit we have you covered. We also discuss a cool Bilt calculator that simplifies their new cards, which hotel has the best promos and Hyatt's new Spring promo.

• 0:00 Welcome to MTM Travel
• 3:23 United TravelBank glitch
• 6:24 How Mark is using Delta for his Amex credits
• 11:04 Hyatt adding 22 more all-inclusive properties
• 15:03 Hyatt Bonus Journeys - Up to 1K per night bonus
• 19:36 Max's incredible Bilt calculator

Enjoying the podcast? Please consider leaving us a positive review on your favorite podcast platform! You can also connect with us anytime at [email protected].

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Episode Description

On this episode of the MTM Travel travel show Mark discusses his Spring Break bookings and trip to Bermuda. While this isn't the most popular miles/points destination it offers a ton of value and beauty. We also discuss: the debate on resort fees and costs, why you should "rake" your bookings to save even more & how Southwest has finally ended their infamous "cattle call" boarding process.

• 0:00 Welcome to MTM Travel
• 0:17 Southwest officially ends "cattle call" boarding
• 5:35 Will banning resort fees increase or decrease prices?
• 11:52 "Raking" bookings - How not to leave a lot on the table
• 16:05 How AA has been better under dynamic pricing
• 18:07 Mark's Spring Break Bermuda planning
• 23:15 Points options for Bermuda hotels
• 28:15 See Bermuda for yourself!

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Episode Description

On this episode of the MTM Travel miles & points show we dive into some of the better deals and happenings this week. Bilt is back with Rent Day and a great transfer bonus, but there are still some frustrations. Hyatt has a somewhat new 5 free night offer, but is it worth going for over the points? Finally we show you how to grab a massive $1,200 checking bonus that you can fund with a credit card.

• 0:00 Welcome to MTM Travel
• 0:32 Hyatt's 5 free night offer - A better alternative?
• 3:05 Points or certs? How to decide which is better
• 5:57 Bilt Rent Day - Accor transfer bonus & frustrations
• 9:18 Mr. Beast joins Bilt - Free rent & more goodies
• 11:58 Amex Business Platinum airline credit kerfuffle
• 15:27 US Bank's crazy $1200 business checking bonus
• 16:40 How to fund your crazy bank bonus with a credit card
• 18:05 Easy $200 savings offer + fund with credit card

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Episode Description

On this episode of MTM Travel (the travel show) Mark discusses his planning and awards for his upcoming Azores trip. He also discusses Evermore and his upcoming villa booking with Hilton points plus we dive into the new NYC Mayor's policy banning resort fees. Can this new rule extend beyond NYC?

• 0:00 Welcome to MTM Travel
• 0:37 Azores award update & Morocco aspirations
• 9:11 Evermore with Hilton points - HUGE VILLAS!
• 12:45 Getting sick of Orlando?
• 14:18 NYC resort fee ban - How it works
• 16:57 Should a resort fee ban be nationwide?
• 20:35 Status less valuable?

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Shawn's InKind referral - https://app.inkind.com/refer/4FJZRGUZ

Episode Description

On this episode of MTM Travel we break down everything new from BIlt Rewards. This week Bilt launched 3 new credit cards that help you earn points on paying your mortgage/rent, but things are confusing. On this show we go through all of the controversy surrounding Bilt 2.0, which cards and benefits are on offer, how to maximize these complicated cards and which version we are planning to get. Did Bilt mess up this launch and what can they do to fix the program. Plus does extra complication add more opportunity?

• 0:00 Welcome to MTM Travel
• 0:30 Bilt's crazy week - Launch controversy
• 3:12 Bilt's 3 new cards - 50K welcome offer?
• 8:03 Application rules & a better offer (now dead)
• 11:20 Bilt Cash explained - Earning points on mortgage?
• 14:35 Bilt Cash explained - The ultimate coupon book?
• 19:25 Bilt 3.0? An alternative way to earn points on mortgage/rent
• 22:55 Our new Bilt card recommendations/thoughts
• 27:13 Final Bilt 2.0 takeaways

Enjoying the podcast? Please consider leaving us a positive review on your favorite podcast platform! You can also connect with us anytime at [email protected].

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!