Episode Description On this episode Shawn and Joe discuss how we redeem points and why it doesn’t always mesh with what others would do. Redemption shaming can be a problem in the hobby, but how can we all do better? We also discuss miles & points for budget travel and how they can be incredible to get more travel when not focusing on premium redemptions, IHG’s best ever 175K welcome offer and how MSC stacks up to other cruise lines. Are they as bad as their reputation?  Genie+ guide on Trips with Tykes Episode Notes 2:25 - Joe “wastes” a bunch of Skymiles (also: new  15% off for Skymiles credit card owners) 15:48 - Shawn’s son backpacking through Asia 24:07 - Starting your 18 year old in miles and points 27:05 - MSC cruise review 35:04 - Shawn at Disney 47:16 -  IHG 175,000 point bonus 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,  Sticher,  Spotify, TuneIn, Pocket Casts, or via RSS. Don't see your favorite podcast platform? Please let us know! 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

Redemption Shaming, Miles & Points for Budget Travel and is MSC As Bad As They Say?

We celebrate the fun & positive side of miles, points & travel while talking to the most interesting people in the space. Get inspired to travel, find out the latest tricks and learn how to maximize travel rewards. Save money, accomplish your goals and form memories that will last a lifetime!

Shawn Coomer has spent the last 17 years globetrotting with his family and has been professionally covering the miles & points space since 2013 when he launched Miles to Memories. He earns and burns millions of miles per year through welcome offers & spending from his Amazon side hustle. 

By interviewing some of the best & most interesting voices in the miles & points space we aim to bring you a wide range of knowledge, different perspectives and enjoyable conversation. Come learn how miles & points can enrich your life in so many ways. 

Want to dive deeper into miles & points? Check out our private Diamond Slack community - http://www.milestomemories.com/diamond

Society & Culture

Personal Journals

History

Philosophy

Places & Travel

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Leisure

Episode Description In this episode of the Miles to Memories podcast, Shawn Coomer and Mark Jackson discuss various topics related to travel, including alternate content, cruising, and hotels in Orlando. They talk about the shift from reading blogs to watching videos, the popularity of cruising, and how to score deals while generating spend on cruises.     They also review the Conrad hotel in Orlando and compare it to other Hilton properties in the area. Additionally, they discuss the Brightline train service in Florida before diving into the evolution of earning miles and points, AI and the changing landscape of shopping portals.  Episode Notes  04:21 - Creating a different kind of travel content 05:55 - Strategies for saving and spending on cruises 11:30 - Is Virgin Voyages worth booking with the latest offer? 14:52 - Being blown away by Conrad Orlando - Does it live up to the brand? 20:55 - Which Hilton for Disney World? 23:38 - Future of high speed trains and Brightline Florida 27:34 - How Mark is earning his miles & points 31:10 - Suckered into AA Loyalty Points? 34:08 - Checking our shopping portal strategy & how the game has changed  Links  Jackson Jetsetting YouTube  Conrad Orlando Tour  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! 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

Conrad Orlando Wow, Rise of Video, Free Cruise Strategies & The Changing Game with Mark Jackson

Episode Description On this episode Shawn and Joe recap the Denver MtM Diamond meetup including some tips for your next Denver trip and how the Grand Hyatt is holding up. They also announce some exciting changes and are joined by a special guest for one more thing. Episode Notes Subscribe to 20 Minute Travel!  20 Minute Travel on Youtube Apple Podcasts - Spotify - TMT Podcast Feed    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! 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

Time for Some Big Announcements!

Episode Description On this episode Shawn and Joe discuss Shawn’s recent trip to Nashville and all of the takeaways from his time spent there. They go over why there are so many brands these days and how consumers are changing. Plus will there be more changes to Hilton credit cards and how will they integrate all of their upcoming partnerships into the program? Joe also discusses his Spirit adventure and why Southwest may be finally moving away from their cattle call boarding. Episode Notes 0:00 - Flying Spirit 8:06 - DOT forcing airlines to pay penalties 10:55 - Southwest boarding changes 16:26 - What Shawn learned at Hilton 29:55 - The Conrad brand 33:04 - Hilton brand expansion 37:05 - Hilton credit cards 41:09 - Hilton experiences 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! 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

Demystifying Hilton Brands, Hilton Honors Insights & Southwest’s Big Change?

Episode Description In this episode, Shawn and Grant discuss their experiences in the miles and points hobby. They talk about the evolution of the space, the changing credit card landscape, and strategies for maximizing rewards. They also touch on the importance of organization and tracking, especially when it comes to credit card offers and free night certificates. Finally they dive behind the scenes of upcoming trips, share their love of Scandinavia and discuss how cruise hacking has become such a good opportunity lately.  Episode Notes  0:00 - Introduction to Travel with Grant 7:58 - Keeping up with the changing game 16:29 - Keeping track of credit cards and various offers 21:51 - Dealing with free night certificates 28:17 - Are Hilton cards changing again? 32:06 - Higher annual fees are a challenge 35:04 - Why people shouldn't underestimate InKind 38:21 - Behind Grant's upcoming bookings 44:03 - Enjoying tons of free cruises     Shawn's InKind referral Grant's InKind NYC Article    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! 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

Evolution of the Miles and Points Space, Extreme Tracking & Picking Cards with Grant Thomas

Episode 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 and the impact of the eclipse on wildlife. The conversation then shifts to regional food chains like Bojangles and Waffle House, and the excitement of these chains expanding to new locations.      On the credit card side of things, a new offer for Chase Disney Visa cardholders has been released, but is it actually good? Other topics discussed include: turning down an amazing Amex retention offer, the importance of doing the math to determine if the annual fee on a credit card is worth it, a 250K Amex welcome offer, the strategy of using 0% APR offers to earn interest on money while avoiding interest charges on credit cards and Shawn shares his upcoming trip to Nashville with Hilton and his plans to explore their different hotel brands.    Episode Notes  0:00 - Recording on the road & Eclipse FOMO 8:56 - Chase Disney Visa card offer - Is it good? 13:36 - Changes to Disney's Disability Access Service - More planning required 19:58 - Turning down an amazing Amex retention offer 23:41 - 250K targeted Business Platinum Offer 26:15 - Interesting Amex referral offers you shouldn't overlook 28:12 - Pursuing credit cards without a sign-up bonus 32:28 - Taking advantage of 0% APR offers & why what is old is new again 35:35 - Preview of Nashville & meeting with Hilton  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! 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

Redemption Shaming, Miles & Points for Budget Travel and is MSC As Bad As They Say?

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