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Episode Description

This week Capital One announced some big changes to lounge access for Venture X cardholders. Like before the new rules are a bit different for the personal and business cards, however everything is getting cutback. Bye bye free guest access for most. Are these cards still worth it?   Shawn also details some of the most interesting hotels of his trip including the Park Hyatt Zurich and Hyatt Place Zurich. Is the Hyatt Place a better hotel than the Park Hyatt? He also discusses a lovely Hyatt that feels like an old German grandmother's house, one of the coolest castles in the world and how knowing your travel limits is easier said than done.

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Episode Guide

• 0:00 Welcome to MTM Travel
• 1:01 How European hotels are just different than America - Are we idiots?
• 4:40 How a Best Western delivered a huge surprise
• 11:10 Capital One’s huge upcoming changes to lounge access
• 18:36 European rental car debacle update & how to protect yourself
• 24:01 Visiting Zurich - The best Hyatt Place in the world?
• 29:00 Park Hyatt Zurich - Is it really worth $1600 or 45K points?
• 34:21 The quirkiest Hyatt hotel in Europe?
• 39:31 How much travel is enough?

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Episode Description

This week Shawn is in Europe and he discusses a little of his trip including the Hyatt Regency Cologne, a couple of cool cathedrals and more. He also discusses how Capital One Travel and Hopper may have scammed him on his car rental booking and why you probably shouldn't use them. Other topics discussed include: Americans and geography, the recent Bilt/Accor deal and avoiding groupthink and why you might get banned for sharing your rule breaking hacks on the internet.

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Episode Guide

• 2:16 Do Americans know geography?
• 6:57 Bilt Rent Day “groupthink” & why Accor is great
• 13:44 Capital One Travel ripoff car rental & how to deal with “things gone wrong”
• 22:05 Hyatt Regency Cologne review - Great rooms & location
• 26:15 Mark’s painful Universal tickets
• 31:17 Credit card chip in your fingernail?
• 33:30 Why you shouldn’t share your grey area hacks online
• 34:50 NoMad hotels coming to Detroit’s coolest building

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Episode Description

This week Universal Epic Universe opened its doors. As the first major theme park to open in the United States since 2001 it is a big deal, but if you aren't a huge theme park nerd should it be on your radar? Joe attended the Epic Universe media preview while Shawn went as a normal guest. You can listen to a more in depth nerdy conversation about the park on this week's Disney Deciphered, but on this show we discuss what it was like doing the media preview, what sort of hype is promised, how it affects your views plus what we both think of the park and how Shawn's real guest experience different from Joe's VIP tours.   We also discuss some of Joe's plans for his upcoming Japan family trip plus why business class one way and economy the other isn't just a way to save points. It could be a way to save your kids! :) Episode Guide   Episode Guide  

• 0:00 Welcome to MTM Travel
• 1:41 Locking down Korea/Japan for the Summer - Family rates, finding a compatible traveling family, international driving permits & business class vs. economy
• 12:20 Why it isn't always about traveling for "free"
• 16:30 What it's like doing press trips - Behind the Epic Universe VIP opening
• 23:35 The coolest part of the Epic Universe media experience
• 32:36 Is Epic Universe the culmination of themed entertainment in 2025?
• 42:15 Universal vs. Disney and Epic Universe for the miles & points normie

 

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Episode Description

This week Shawn and Mark discuss some interesting items in the news. Amex is now offering perks for downgrading cards, but there is a catch. They also discuss the end of Amex to Alaska via Hawaiian and how Hilton's recent devaluation is shocking in many ways. Are Hilton's points worth anything and why their certs have become even better.   In other news Shawn goes over his upcoming trip to Europe including how the itinerary is shaping up last minute and why this way of booking works. He goes over his nonstop last minute business class redemption for 3, some of the other quirks of the trip and why it is exciting planning this stuff at the last minute versus a year in advance.   Episode Guide  

• 0:00 Welcome to MTM Travel
• 1:15 The great Amex to Hawaiian to Alaska debate & end date
• 6:13 The cash value of points & how to use them properly
• 13:00 Last minute business class to Germany for 3!
• 18:10 European road trip, theme parks, culture & PH Zurich debate
• 26:25 Booking early or last minute - What is the best points strategy?
• 29:08 Amex “paying” customers to downgrade cards?
• 39:25 Hilton’s Devaluation - Max points way up

Links

• https://travel-on-points.com/membership-rewards-transfers-to-alaska-airlines/
• https://travel-on-points.com/hilton-honors-devaluation/
• https://travel-on-points.com/amex-downgrade-bonus-offers/

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Episode Description

This week Mark and Shawn discuss a number of interesting topics in the travel realm including the rumored upcoming changes to Chase's premium flagship card Sapphire Reserve. As part of the rumors the fee is going way up and some benefits are being cut, but they are adding a lot. If this rumor proves true will this card be worth pursuing?   We also discuss the overall rejection of airport lounges in the travel space. Are weary travelers just too picky or have lounges jumped the shark? Shawn shares his real world "lounge skipping" experience along with how it was to fly on day one of Real ID. To close it out we discuss the fallout from a viral Frontier agent video and why Maho Beach in St. Martin is one of the cooler places to visit.   Episode Guide   0:00 Welcome to MTM Travel 0:22 Hyatt implements new rules on award transfers 4:46 Huge Chase Sapphire Reserve rumor - Higher fee & tons of “coupons” 13:19 REAL ID doomsday didn’t happen - Shawn’s experience 17:43 The airport lounge backlash 25:36 Viral Frontier video - Reinforces their reputation? 31:10 AA flight experience - 2 different ends of the spectrum 35:52 Maho Beach in St. Martin - Why its so cool for aviation enthusiasts and beyond

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Episode Description

This week Mark and Shawn crossed paths to head towards opposite coasts for miles & points meetups. On this show they'll discuss their respective trips to Monterrey, CA and Virginia Beach, VA including the hotels and what they enjoyed along the way. Shawn also provides a tip for getting your digital priority pass quickly, Cardless has gotten much better, Rakuten is giving Amex points for getting a Chase card and why Mark likes Hilton Garden Inn.  

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Episode Description

This week several new card offers came out along with some that are ending. MGM launched their interesting Iconic card which gives you a path towards spending to higher status in a much better way. Capital One also released a 350K/400K offer that isn't for the faint of heart while IHG's record 200K bonus is ending soon.   In other #news digital arrival cards are spreading across the world and one of the most popular tourist destinations has now implemented one. We also discuss: misleading travel marketing, the death of an Aeroplan loophole and why it shouldn't have existed, a big MTM Travel shock and travel food presentations from the future.   Episode Guide  

• 0:00 The big MTM Travel shock
• 0:23 Digital arrivals/visas - Thailand’s version is here
• 3:00 IHG Best Ever 200K business card offer ending soon
• 4:28 Capital One Venture X Business - 350K or 400K bonus?!?
• 6:46 MGM’s new Iconic Card - Spend towards huge perks!
• 9:00 Why you might want to spend your way to MGM Gold
• 10:16 Misleading travel marketing offers
• 12:05 Why reading the terms is one of the biggest secrets of the “game”
• 13:25 Aeroplan “trick” dies
• 15:13 The Aeroplan workaround & why they should change their policies
• 16:45 Cool S - Travel food presentations from the future

  Links   Thai arrival - https://tdac.immigration.go.th/ Capital One 400K info - https://dannydealguru.com/400k-bonus-for-capital-one-venture-x-business/ MGM Iconic - https://milestomemories.com/check-out-the-new-mgm-rewards-iconic-mastercard/ Misleading ads - https://travel-on-points.com/hyatt-under-canvas-promotion/ Aeroplan loophole - https://travel-on-points.com/air-canada-flexible-pricing-switch/ Food from the future - https://x.com/kirawontmiss/status/1912621052758282260  https://x.com/TheGlobal_Index/status/1912820960413270307  

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Episode Description

On this episode of MTM Travel Shawn and Mark discuss last minute plans including Shawn's "free" cruise and his upcoming trip to Europe. Economy vs. business, flying into other airports, repositioning and calculating fuel surcharges are all factors, but what is the best option? We also discuss why you may want tons of Hilton credit cards and the headache they bring, Shawn's upcoming visit to Epic Universe, picking Orlando hotels and why Frontier status continues to pay off.

•  

Subscribe to MTM Travel & 20 Minute Travel in the same feed!

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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!

Melio Offer Terms: This is a business to business payment platform - no personal bills / payments. The offer is for new accounts only. If you sign up using the 20 Minute Travel link new members will get $200 cash back after making a $2000+ in payments via Melio pay. Gal from Melio will reach out to finalize the details of your payment. That is $60 in processing fees for a $200 bonus! After signing up and making your first payment with a vendor you will want to upload your bank info to your Melio account. Do it as the receiving method so you have a checking account set up to receive payments. You will then receive an email from (Gal) Melio saying you are eligible for the $200 bonus and it will tell you to set up your receiving method, or you can share your bank information if you prefer that.

Music: Rewind by Jay Someday | https://soundcloud.com/jaysomeday Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License

 

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Episode Description

This week several increased card offers came out including a new version of Amex's popular "no lifetime language" Business Platinum offer. Find out how to see if you are targeted for 250K points plus a new type of kicker. Other offers include Marriott's new hybrid 3 nights + 50K and AA's 75K business card.   In other news Brazil now has an e-visa but we will show you how to get it. We also discuss: food at the Masters, very good Wells Fargo checking bonuses, safety of helicopters, a crazy shark in Switzerland and why Evermore is probably the best Hilton value in the U.S. right now.   Episode Guide

• 0:00 Insane diving shark in Switzerland
• 0:48 Brazil’s new e-visa is here - What is the process?
• 3:25 Talking about the Hudson helicopter crash & safety
• 6:30 Evermore Orlando now bookable with Hilton - Good deal?
• 8:36 Amex Business Platinum 250K + a kicker
• 10:44 Bonvoy Boundless 3 free nights + 50K hybrid offer
• 12:10 AAdvantage Business 75K + special perks
• 13:25 New Chase MyBonus 5X offers for Q2
• 14:34 Wells Fargo’s VERY good bank business bonuses
• 16:27 Cool S - Food at the Masters
• 18:10 How the Masters keeps prices low

Links

• Shark - https://www.ladbible.com/news/world-news/shark-statue-lake-neuchtel-switzerland-460708-20231027
• https://x.com/AvatarDomy/status/1355402936638189568
• Brazil visa - https://travel-on-points.com/brazil-visa-application-process/
• Evermore Hilton - https://travel-on-points.com/evermore-orlando-resort-joining-hilton/
• Biz Plat 250K - https://travel-on-points.com/200k-amex-business-platinum-offer/
• AAdvantage Biz 75K - https://milestomemories.com/75k-bonus-and-waived-fee-for-citi-aadvantage-business-card/
• Chase MyBonus - https://travel-on-points.com/chase-my-bonus-spending-offers/
• Wells Fargo Bank - https://travel-on-points.com/wells-fargo-business-checking-bonus/
• Masters Food - https://x.com/top100rick/status/1909580552111300643?s=46

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 MTM Travel Shawn and Mark follow up on Mark's AA status match "battle" including a great resolution and some tips if you are in the same position. They also discuss the prevalence of service apps and how they just aren't working out, Universal's crazy expansions including their brand new Epic Universe theme park and Universal Studios Great Britain plus how Chinese manufacturers are taking to social media to fight back in a unique way.

•  

Subscribe to MTM Travel & 20 Minute Travel in the same feed!

• Youtube
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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!

Melio Offer Terms: This is a business to business payment platform - no personal bills / payments. The offer is for new accounts only. If you sign up using the 20 Minute Travel link new members will get $200 cash back after making a $2000+ in payments via Melio pay. Gal from Melio will reach out to finalize the details of your payment. That is $60 in processing fees for a $200 bonus! After signing up and making your first payment with a vendor you will want to upload your bank info to your Melio account. Do it as the receiving method so you have a checking account set up to receive payments. You will then receive an email from (Gal) Melio saying you are eligible for the $200 bonus and it will tell you to set up your receiving method, or you can share your bank information if you prefer that.

Music: Rewind by Jay Someday | https://soundcloud.com/jaysomeday Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License