Podcasts about gold membership

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Best podcasts about gold membership

Latest podcast episodes about gold membership

Miles to Memories Podcast
The Smartest People in Points Now Work for Them, Basic Business Spreads & a Huge 125K Offer!

Miles to Memories Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 27, 2026 22:48


Get a $230 gift card after your first payment of $500 with Melio (affiliate) - https://milestomemories.com/go/melio/ Tiffany Funk now runs Flying Blue, and the first big change on her watch makes the cheapest business class awards look a lot like basic economy. We get into what got stripped out, why the fix conveniently runs through their status program, and why that status ladder makes Mark want to lie down. It is not just airlines either, and Caesars and Carnival both proved it this same week. Plus PenFed kills the free version of a card people were milking, Citi's AAdvantage Executive is at 125,000 miles with a family lounge perk nobody else offers anymore, inKind has another $50 off $100 in the links below, and Rakuten's card offers are back. Let us know in the comments if decoupling lounge access from awards is fair or just another devaluation. Episode Guide: 0:00 Welcome to MTM Travel 0:23 Our Tiffany Funk Problem 2:28 Flying Blue Makes Business Class Awards Basic Economy 5:35 Status Is the Fix (and Flying Blue's Status Ladder Is a Mess) 8:00 Loyalty Programs Reward Spenders, Not Flyers 10:06 Melio: $230 Gift Card After a $500 Payment 11:33 PenFed Phases Out the Free Pathfinder 14:01 Citi AAdvantage Executive at 125K 17:12 inKind: $50 Off $100 Is Back 19:15 Rakuten Card Offers Return 21:43 Final Thoughts Links InKind - https://www.milestomemories.com/go/inkind  Penfed - https://milestomemories.com/penfed-credit-card/ Flying Blue status/changes - https://milestomemories.com/flying-blue-changes/ https://liveandletsfly.com/flying-blue-business-light-awards/ Rakuten offers - https://milestomemories.com/rakuten-credit-card-offers/ $50 off $100 InKind promo - https://milestomemories.com/inkind-offering-50-off-your-next-100-meal/ AA 125K - https://milestomemories.com/citi-aadvantage-executive-card-new-125k-bonus/ ✈️ Track your travel credit cards for free

Miles to Memories Podcast
Chase Tried to Kill a Credit Loophole, Capital One Discover Shutdowns & the $2 Trick Is Dead?!

Miles to Memories Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 20, 2026 35:50


MileProtection - Your hard earned miles deserve protection. Join the waitlist! (sponsored) - https://milestomemories.com/go/mile-protection/ Chase quietly added language to the Sapphire Reserve hotel credit that would have killed a way people were using it, and then just as quietly took it back out. Somebody at JP Morgan even emailed us about the article. There are also targeted Sapphire offers floating around that are better than anything public, including 175,000 points, and if you were shut down by Capital One years ago you may want to go check whether your Discover account is still open. Plus Discover's $2 forgiveness is dead, weird new 48 month language nobody can explain, and a couple of no lifetime language links worth knowing about. Let us know in the comments if you have ever been targeted for one of these offers. Episode Guide: 0:00 Welcome to MTM Travel 0:22 Back to School & Raising Polite Kids 5:56 The Social Media Cadence Problem 7:25 Why Honest Reviews Make People Angry 10:48 Chase Changes the Terms, Then Reverses 14:02 Targeted Sapphire Offers Up to 175K 17:58 Capital One Is Closing Discover Accounts 18:15 The $2 Forgiveness Is Gone 22:17 Discover's Strange 48 Month Language 26:58 First Credit Cards & the Flip-Out Keychain 28:37 Thrifty Traveler's 30% Off Sale 31:04 Coming Monday: Tokyo & Philippine Airlines 31:33 No Lifetime Language Bonvoy Links 34:45 Final Thoughts   Links Thrifty Traveler 30% off ends August 20, 2026 - https://milestomemories.com/go/thrifty-traveler/ Edit Credit - https://milestomemories.com/chase-updates-terms-for-back-to-back-the-edit-stays/ Chase targeted card offers up to 175K - https://milestomemories.com/targeted-increased-chase-sapphire-card-offers/ Cap One shutdowns - https://www.doctorofcredit.com/capital-one-shutdowns-can-cause-discover-shutdowns-ymmv/ Cap One Discover 48 month language - https://milestomemories.com/discover-48-month-language/ Amex Marriott no lifetime language - https://milestomemories.com/nll-links-for-amex-marriott-bonvoy-brilliant-and-bevy-cards/ ✈️ Track your travel credit cards for free

Miles to Memories Podcast
The FHR City Nobody Talks About, LifeMiles Wastes Our Time Again & Resy's Big Expansion

Miles to Memories Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 17, 2026 29:32


Get a $230 gift card after your first payment of $500 with Melio (affiliate) - https://milestomemories.com/go/melio/ Mark figured out how to pull $400 in credits out of a single San Antonio trip, and it only works because of one thing most people never think to do. Amex also just added 350 properties to Fine Hotels and Resorts, including brands that never used to show up, and Resy quietly expanded into a whole new platform you have probably never heard of. Then there is LifeMiles, who sent Mark an email to resolve his refund and gave him 19 hours to respond before the case expired. Plus Bilt Cash finally works on Blade, and Shawn booked a five night cruise with free drinks for about $300 out the door. Let us know in the comments if you hate LifeMiles as much as Mark does. Episode Guide: 0:00 Welcome to MTM Travel 0:22 Hunting for FHR Under $300 3:04 The San Antonio Double Credit Trick 6:32 Booking Crockfords for a Birthday 8:28 Amex Adds 350 FHR Properties 9:34 Resy Expands Into Tock 11:03 Using inKind Without Embarrassing Yourself 14:55 Melio's $230 Offer  16:07 Why We're Done With LifeMiles 17:12 The 19 Hour Email 23:14 Bilt Cash Now Works on Blade 26:02 A Solo Cruise for $300 28:48 Final Thoughts Links FHR Resy expansion - https://milestomemories.com/two-popular-amex-credits-see-massive-expansion/ Bilt blade - https://milestomemories.com/bilt-members-can-book-blade-flights-with-bilt-cash/ ✈️ Track your travel credit cards for free

Miles to Memories Podcast
Hyatt Cancels Your Stay Then Charges You More, Plus Amex Kills the Offer Loader & US Bank Fumbles

Miles to Memories Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 13, 2026 25:38


Get a $230 gift card after your first payment of $500 with Melio (affiliate) - https://milestomemories.com/go/melio/ Hyatt canceled a Diamond member's Big Sur stay because of the fires. Then they told him what it would cost to rebook it, and the number is not what he originally paid. CardPointers just broke for almost everyone, US Bank finally launched transfer partners and then took two of them back within a day, and Hilton has a quiet trick that is making your free night certs useless. Also, people waited over eight hours in Vegas this week for $200.  Episode Guide: 0:00 Welcome to MTM Travel 0:28 Hyatt Wants 90,000 More Points 5:37 Is Any Hotel Worth 75K a Night? 6:12 US Bank Adds Transfer Partners (Then Removes Two) 8:38 Why US Bank Feels Like a Mom and Pop Bank 12:43 CardPointers Breaks for 90% of Users 16:00 Hilton Is Hiding Standard Awards 18:08 The Hotel Owner Compensation Fight 20:23 Treasure Island's $200 Free Play Chaos 21:05 Eight Hour Lines (And How to Skip Them) 24:48 Final Thoughts Links US Bank xfers - https://milestomemories.com/u-s-bank-launches-transfer-partners-program/ Cardpointers issues - https://dannydealguru.com/cardpointers-not-working-amex-offers/ Hilton FNCs - https://loyaltylobby.com/2026/08/08/reader-comment-hilton-standard-room-rewards-becoming-practically-unavailable-worldwide/#google_vignette ✈️ Track your travel credit cards for free

Miles to Memories Podcast
Your Free Upgrade Just Got Worse, Admiral's Club Prices Explode & Hotel Secrets That Actually Work!

Miles to Memories Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 10, 2026 35:50


Get a $230 gift card after your first payment of $500 with Melio (affiliate) - https://milestomemories.com/go/melio/ American Airlines is raising Admiral's Club membership from $700 to $850 up to $1,200 to $1,400 depending on status, which conveniently makes the Executive card look like a much better deal even after its annual fee went from $595 to $695. That card now includes a $500 travel credit, up to three authorized users for $175 total, and doubles the bonus loyalty points you can earn from 20,000 to 40,000, so it is a real shortcut if you are chasing status. Less good is AA changing elite upgrades on three cabin planes, so your complimentary upgrade now only gets you from economy to premium economy, and reaching business means buying premium economy first. Hyatt on the other hand launched one of the best promos we have seen, a free night certificate for every three qualifying nights at Latin America and Caribbean resorts, up to five certs, though the timing quirks are strange since you have to register by the end of September for stays in the first quarter of next year. We close with an epic thread from a hotel check in agent covering nine things that actually work, from the email to send 72 hours out to why checking in later gets you a better room, and the notes hotels are quietly keeping on you. Let us know in the comments if the Executive card is worth it now. Episode Guide: 0:00 Welcome to MTM Travel 0:30 The Gate Agent Who Sang to a Delayed Flight 1:53 A Brutal Travel Weekend (5 Hours on the Tarmac) 6:08 Lake Life & The End of Summer 8:11 Admiral's Club Prices Jump to $1,400 12:26 AA Guts First Class Elite Upgrades 16:13 Hyatt's Caribbean Promo: A Free Night Per 3 Nights 20:18 9 Hotel Check-In Secrets 20:49 Never Book Third Party 22:07 The Email to Send 72 Hours Before 23:36 Why You Should Check In Later 24:17 Use Their Name 26:52 Free Stuff You Can Just Ask For 30:53 What Hotels Write About You 34:38 Final Thoughts Links Check-in tips - https://www.x.com/Kevincreates77/status/2083124490783846514 AA singing - https://x.com/TrashPandaNever/status/2085805790212800886/video/1?s=46 AA lounge skyrockets - https://onemileatatime.com/news/american-admirals-club-membership-fees-increasing/ AA executive refresh - https://milestomemories.com/citi-aadvantage-executive-card-refresh/ New Hyatt promo - https://milestomemories.com/hyatts-latin-america-caribbean-promotion/ ✈️ Track your travel credit cards for free

Miles to Memories Podcast
Three Things Got Worse This Week: Sapphire Lounges, Singapore Awards & AA Refunds

Miles to Memories Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 6, 2026 41:53


Join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/milestomemories point.me (affiliate): https://milestomemories.com/go/point-me/ Seats.aero (affiliate) : https://milestomemories.com/go/seats-aero/ Grab some merch: https://mtmvegas.shop Chase is cutting Priority Pass access to Sapphire Lounges entirely, which is likely about overcrowding but stings if you were counting on it, though they did loosen the connection window from three hours to five. Singapore Airlines is also restricting award searches, with people unable to search without miles or recent activity and no public explanation, almost certainly an attempt to stop bots and scraping, and we get into why that is a frustrating way to treat customers whose miles mostly come from credit card transfers anyway. American Airlines is aligning its 24 hour cancellation policy with the federal minimum, dropping from a 48 hour window to the legal 168 hours, though award tickets are unaffected. On the tools side, point.me added map area pricing, points balance valuations, and side by side flight comparisons, and we talk through how point.me, Seats.aero, and PointsPath each fit differently into an award search routine. Shawn also recaps an impromptu Disneyland trip with two Hyatt Regency stays, including a category one through four cert on a $400 room and a night that cost 20,000 points against a $120 cash rate, plus why hotel parking fees have quietly doubled everywhere. We close with the surprisingly contentious question of what to write on the tip line as a Hyatt Globalist. Also, Mark has a Lululemon story. Let us know in the comments what your favorite award search tool is. Episode Guide: 0:00 Welcome to MTM Travel 0:31 Mark's Lululemon Story 4:23 The Lululemon Gift Card Problem 8:20 Singapore Restricts Award Searches 12:19 point.me's New Search Features 14:06 Which Award Tool Should You Use? 16:47 An Impromptu Disneyland Trip 18:32 20,000 Points for a $120 Room 20:08 Hyatt Gift Cards Are Still a Pain 22:56 Hotel Parking Fees Have Doubled 25:26 Sapphire Lounges Cut Priority Pass 27:20 AA Cuts Last-Minute Refunds 29:40 What Do You Write on the Globalist Tip Line? 33:04 When It's Worth Pushing Back 41:08 Final Thoughts Links Singapore restrictions - https://milestomemories.com/singapore-airlines-restricts-krisflyer-award-searches/ AA changes - https://milestomemories.com/american-airlines-tightens-24-hour-cancellation-policy/ Sapphire lounge rules - https://milestomemories.com/chase-sapphire-lounges-will-no-longer-be-part-of-priority-pass/ ✈️ Track your travel credit cards for free

Miles to Memories Podcast
Don't Get Shut Down: What Actually Triggers It, Plus a Wide Open Sweet Spot & Hilton Owner Giveaway

Miles to Memories Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 30, 2026 24:51


Get a $200 gift card after your first payment of $500 with Melio (affiliate) - https://milestomemories.com/go/melio/ Get 3 free months of Audible - https://milestomemories.com/audible-subscription-offer-2/ Chase ran a wave of shutdowns this week aimed at people hammering the Amazon card, some reportedly cycling millions a month through buyers group spending, and we walk through Doctor of Credit's full list of what actually triggers a Chase shutdown. More importantly, we cover the three things that catch normal people who are not doing anything extreme, bust out risk on a brand new card, credit limit cycling, and sitting on a massive negative balance. Alaska Atmos also added Philippine Airlines as a partner, and business class availability is wide open at 75,000 miles from San Francisco and 85,000 from Los Angeles, though we get into why Manila is a rough connection point and not really a jumping off spot for the rest of Asia. Seats.aero shipped a Chrome extension that overlays award pricing directly onto Google Flights, and it works well right out of the box. We close with Hilton cutting the fees hotel owners pay, which sounds small at 0.3 percent but is a real chunk of what they collect, and explain why less money coming into the program almost always means devaluations for you. Let us know in the comments what your favorite award search tool is. Episode Guide: 0:00 Welcome to MTM Travel 0:19 Lake Life & Too Many Houseguests 2:05 Chase Shuts Down Amazon Card Users 3:45 What Actually Triggers a Chase Shutdown 6:43 The Three That Catch Normal People 9:30 Seats.aero's New Chrome Extension 12:13 Alaska Adds Philippine Airlines 16:46 Hilton Cuts the Fees Owners Pay 18:48 Hilton Rise & Falling Brand Standards 23:12 Hotel Rates Have Doubled 24:05 Final Thoughts Links Chase shutdown wave - https://www.doctorofcredit.com/chase-amazon-prime-shutdown-large-spend-inactivity/ What causes shutdowns - https://www.doctorofcredit.com/what-causes-chase-credit-card-shutdowns/ Seats.aero Chrome - https://milestomemories.com/seats-aero-chrome-extension-adds-award-prices-to-google-flights/ Atmos award space - https://milestomemories.com/book-philippine-airlines-business-with-atmos/ Hilton cutting fees for owners - https://onemileatatime.com/news/hilton-cuts-loyalty-fees-hotel-owners-pay-bad-hilton-honors-members/ ✈️ Track your travel credit cards for free

Miles to Memories Podcast
Is Premium Economy Actually Fine? Plus Bilt Responds, Hilton Overcharges & Mark Influences Again!

Miles to Memories Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 28, 2026 36:49


Get a $200 gift card after your first payment of $500 with Melio (affiliate) - https://milestomemories.com/go/melio/ Get 3 free months of Audible - https://milestomemories.com/audible-subscription-offer-2/ Bilt responded to the pricing problem we covered last week, and Richard Kerr reached out directly about the resort fee disclosure issue on their travel portal. There is a toggle that shows all in pricing, but it is buried where almost nobody will find it, and we make the case it belongs right on the initial search screen. Mark also found something stranger, the same hotel priced 10 to 15 dollars differently between his account and his wife's, which opens a real conversation about personalized pricing in the age of AI. On the hotel side, Hilton charged him roughly $280 a night for rooms he booked entirely on points, a good reminder to always check your folio before you leave. Then we get into whether premium economy is good enough for a 13 hour flight home from Seoul, why the footrest works great if you are short and terribly if you are tall, and how the snobbery in this hobby has quietly faded as award space has dried up. Plus Mark's 75,000 point Aeroplan booking to see Wrexham, the transfer bonuses ending this month, and the Virgin points to AMC popcorn trick that finally wore Shawn down. Let us know in the comments whether you would take the nonstop in premium economy or connect in business. Episode Guide: 0:00 Welcome to MTM Travel 0:18 Hilton Charged Us for a Points Stay 4:01 Bilt Responds to the Pricing Problem 7:33 We Need a Hotel Pricing Law 10:47 Two Accounts, Two Different Prices 15:29 Is Premium Economy Good Enough? 17:36 The Footrest Problem (If You're Tall) 19:12 The Snobbery Has Faded 22:38 Points as an Emergency Fund 25:41 A 75K Aeroplan Booking to See Wrexham 31:23 Transfer Bonuses Ending This Month 33:07 The Virgin Points Popcorn Hack 35:41 Final Thoughts Links Current transfer bonuses - https://milestomemories.com/current-transfer-bonuses/ ✈️ Track your travel credit cards for free

Miles to Memories Podcast
Bilt Is Hiding Fees, Chase Cracks Down on Abusers & BofA's SEXY New Retention Avenue!

Miles to Memories Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 23, 2026 24:32


Get a $200 gift card after your first payment of $500 with Melio (affiliate) - https://milestomemories.com/go/melio/ Get 3 free months of Audible - https://milestomemories.com/audible-subscription-offer-2/ Both Hyatt cards have increased welcome offers, and we explain why the personal card's 75,000 point headline is a little misleading since a chunk of it is just base earning you would get anyway. Frequent Miler is reporting that Chase quietly added new terms to Chase Offers warning that abuse may get you excluded from future offers, which leads into a real conversation about where the line sits between an error in your favor and outright fraud. Bank of America is now handing out retention offers through its Erica chatbot, so you can click through your cards quickly without ever talking to a person, though accepting one offer appears to lock you out on the rest. United also has new targeted MilePlay promotions, some of them worth 20,000 plus bonus miles just for getting the credit card and opting into notifications. We close with a real problem on Bilt travel, where a hotel showing $279 a night turned into an $800 plus bill at checkout because resort fees were not disclosed up front, something Expedia's own site does correctly. Let us know in the comments what the craziest abuse story you have heard is. Episode Guide: 0:00 Welcome to MTM Travel  0:24 Hyatt's New 75K Personal Card Offer 3:07 The Hyatt Business Card: Who It's For 6:34 Chase Warns "Gamers" on Chase Offers 8:20 Where Gaming Becomes Fraud 11:01 BofA Retention Offers Via Chatbot 12:58 A Rough Citi Retention Call 14:26 United's New MilePlay Promotions 17:29 Bilt Travel's Pricing Problem 18:06 The $279 Room That Cost $800 23:38 Final Thoughts Links Hyatt business - https://milestomemories.com/world-of-hyatt-business-card-70k-offer/ Hyatt personal - https://milestomemories.com/75k-bonus-on-word-of-hyatt-card/ Chase Offers - https://milestomemories.com/chase-adding-abuse-warning-to-some-chase-offers/ BofA retention - https://milestomemories.com/check-for-bank-of-america-retention-offers/ MilePlay - https://milestomemories.com/united-airlines-mile-play-promotion/ ✈️ Track your travel credit cards for free

Miles to Memories Podcast
Delta's Basic BS First Class, a Headrest That Saves Economy & New Partnerships Galore!

Miles to Memories Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 21, 2026 27:17


Get a $200 gift card after your first payment of $500 with Melio (affiliate) - https://milestomemories.com/go/melio/ Get 3 free months of Audible - https://milestomemories.com/audible-subscription-offer-2/ A huge week of travel news, so we ran through the partnerships and new seat products that actually matter. Delta launched a basic first class following United, stripping out seat selection, upgrades, and same day changes while almost certainly charging you the same, and we explain why it is just a way to make you pay more for what you already got. The good news is United is putting a blocked empty middle seat with its own tray on its A321XLRs, a European style setup that saves them a flight attendant and that we would happily book over regular first, and Emirates is rolling out a folding UDream headrest that could finally make sleeping in economy possible. We also cover the partnership madlibs of the week, Hilton with Explora cruises, Japan Airlines with Marriott Bonvoy, and Air Canada Aeroplan with World of Hyatt, and what each is actually worth. We close with a genuinely useful one, Wyndham doubling its Caesars transfer limit to 60,000 points through September 11th, which is a great way to rescue points before Wyndham's brutal four year expiration hits. Let us know in the comments if a better headrest would get you to fly economy. Episode Guide: 0:00 Welcome to MTM Travel 1:10 Hilton x Explora Cruises 4:35 Delta's New Basic First Class 6:47 United's Genius Empty Middle Seat 11:02 The Emirates Headrest That Fixes Economy 15:14 Japan Airlines x Marriott Bonvoy 17:00 Why Economy Is the Real Sweet Spot 20:42 Air Canada Aeroplan x World of Hyatt 23:45 Wyndham Doubles the Caesars Transfer 26:30 Final Thoughts Links Wyndham expiration - https://travelwithgrant.boardingarea.com/2026/06/25/how-to-find-out-when-all-of-your-wyndham-rewards-points-expire/ Hilton cruises - https://milestomemories.com/hilton-honors-launches-explora-journeys-partnership/ United's blocked middle - https://www.united.com/en/us/newsroom/announcements/cision-125474 Emirates headrest - https://onemileatatime.com/news/emirates-u-dream-headrest-economy/ JAL/Marriott - https://milestomemories.com/marriott-bonvoy-japan-airlines-partnership/ Hyatt/Aeroplan - https://milestomemories.com/world-of-hyatt-and-air-canada-aeroplan-launch-new-partnership/ ✈️ Track your travel credit cards for free

Miles to Memories Podcast
The 25,000 Mile Clawback, Amex Closes a Loophole & Why We Can't Simplify Our Wallets

Miles to Memories Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 16, 2026 25:04


Get a $200 gift card after your first payment of $500 with Melio (affiliate) - https://milestomemories.com/go/melio/ Get 3 free months of Audible - https://milestomemories.com/audible-subscription-offer-2/ The AA glitch is over. American clawed back the 25,000 miles from that AAdvantage Business promo code, reversing transfers and apologizing with 5,000 miles, and we make the case that they actually handled it well, which is more than we can say for hotels that walk you or open late with a shrug. Speaking of, we get into why Hyatt stopped offering real compensation on delayed hotel openings and what they should be doing instead. Amex is also tightening things up, changing the terms on the streaming credit so bundles like Peacock with Apple TV Plus no longer count, and linking multiple logins on the back end so you can no longer use separate accounts to see different Amex Offers. We reminisce about the golden era of Amex Offers, the Staples and Smart and Final days, and the offers that were worth flying across the country for. Plus Olive Garden's Unlimited Pasta Pass is back for the first time since 2020, still $100 but now good for 13 weeks, with only 10,000 available. We close with our buddy Travel with Grant's wallet simplification article and admit none of us are actually simplifying anything. Let us know in the comments if you got the pasta pass. Episode Guide: 0:00 Welcome to MTM Travel 0:18 Canadian Wildfire Smoke & That Train Video 5:02 AA Claws Back the 25,000 Miles 8:11 Why Hyatt Stopped Compensating You 9:43 The Pasta Pass Returns 12:40 Amex Tightens the Streaming Credit 14:01 The Subscription Mess (& Rocket Money) 16:11 Amex Links Your Multiple Logins 18:11 The Golden Age of Amex Offers 20:35 Can Anyone Actually Simplify Their Wallet? 24:20 Final Thoughts Links Pasta pass - https://milestomemories.com/olive-garden-never-ending-pasta-pass/ Amex streaming - https://milestomemories.com/amex-platinum-tightens-digital-entertainment-credit-rules/ Amex logins - https://milestomemories.com/american-express-can-now-see-across-multiple-logins/ Simplify your wallet - https://travelwithgrant.boardingarea.com/2026/07/12/one-year-later-an-update-to-our-simplified-wallet-strategy-for-2026/ ✈️ Track your travel credit cards for free

Miles to Memories Podcast
Is This A Deal To Japan, Hyatt's "New" Benefit That Isn't New & Points Myths to Drop!

Miles to Memories Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 14, 2026 30:25


Get a $200 gift card after your first payment of $500 with Melio (affiliate) - https://milestomemories.com/go/melio/ Get 3 free months of Audible - https://milestomemories.com/audible-subscription-offer-2/ Mark is taking his son to Japan on points, so we walk through exactly how he booked it, snagging American Airlines business class from Detroit through Dallas to Tokyo for 100,000 miles a person, why he locked it in even though it is not the rock bottom price, and his plan to fly Delta One home from Seoul nonstop for 140,000 SkyMiles. It turns into a bigger conversation about how the burn side of miles and points has gotten harder and less fun, and why getting the trip you want now can beat holding out for the perfect saver award. On the news side, there is an excellent Audible deal with three free months plus a $20 credit for Prime members, another two Hyatt hotels dropping suite upgrade awards, and Hyatt dressing up an old 13 month booking window as a shiny new elite benefit. Then we react to a great Benji article full of points assumptions worth rethinking, from not needing to be a credit card travel protection expert, to skipping mediocre free breakfast, to whether tracking every tiny bonus is actually worth your time, and the classic debate of booking flights first versus hotels first. Let us know in the comments whether you are team flights or team hotels, and drop any Japan tips for Mark. Episode Guide: 0:00 What's Coming Up 1:35 Why Japan? A 16th Birthday Bucket List Trip 2:59 How We Booked 100K Business Class to Tokyo 6:02 Flying Delta One Home From Seoul 8:58 A Great Audible Deal (3 Free Months + $20) 9:59 Hyatt Drops More Suite Upgrade Hotels 11:41 Hyatt's "New" 13-Month Booking Benefit 14:07 Do You Need to Master Card Travel Protections? 16:53 Skip the Free Breakfast? 19:27 Are You Wasting Time Tracking Points? 23:41 Book Flights First or Hotels First? 29:30 Final Thoughts Links Sign-up for Rakuten! (referral) - http://milestomemories.com/go/rakuten Hyatt upgrade certs - https://milestomemories.com/hyatt-expands-list-of-hotels-that-dont-accept-suite-upgrade-awards/ Hyatt 13 month benefit - https://milestomemories.com/hyatt-early-award-access-for-elites-and-cardholders/ Points assumptions - https://milestomemories.com/travel-and-points-assumptions/ ✈️ Track your travel credit cards for free

Miles to Memories Podcast
AA's 25,000 Mile Glitch, Amex Gets Stingy & The Rakuten Card Stack

Miles to Memories Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 9, 2026 25:43


Get a $200 gift card after your first payment of $500 with Melio (affiliate) - https://milestomemories.com/go/melio/ Sign-up for Rakuten! (referral) - http://milestomemories.com/go/rakuten American Airlines appears to have a coding error letting existing AAdvantage Business account holders add a promo code in settings and instantly get 25,000 miles, and we get into whether AA claws it back. Mark walks through three retention offer results, including an insulting 6,000 Hilton point offer on the Surpass, a $99 credit that saved his Citi AAdvantage business card at exactly the right moment, and no save attempt at all on the Executive card. We also cover Amex randomly handing out $50 Saks credits after killing that benefit, the Rakuten credit card offers that can stack over 75,000 Bilt points, and Mark's Charles Schwab Platinum timing now that Delta and United dropped off the airline incidental credit. Plus, Benji wants an apology. Let us know in the comments if you got your 25,000 miles. Episode Guide: 0:00 Welcome to MTM Travel 0:39 AA's 25,000 Mile Coding Error 5:16 Retention Offers 101 5:51 Amex's Insulting Surpass Offer 10:29 Citi AAdvantage Business: A $99 Save 11:42 No Save on the Executive Card 13:28 Amex's Random $50 Saks Credits 16:12 Rakuten's Credit Card Offers (75K Bilt) 19:20 Bank of America Approvals & Schwab Platinum 23:20 Benjy Wants an Apology 24:57 Final Thoughts Links Sign-up for Rakuten! (referral) - http://milestomemories.com/go/rakuten ✈️ Track your travel credit cards for free

Miles to Memories Podcast
United's First Class Cornflakes, Delta's Worst Seat & TSA Security Gets Better!

Miles to Memories Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 7, 2026 30:48


Get a $200 gift card after your first payment of $500 with Melio (affiliate) - https://milestomemories.com/go/melio/ Want to work with us? Reach out! inquiries at milestomemories dot com  A packed miles and points Tuesday after a big 250th weekend. We start with a wild Delta seat someone scored on a former Lion Air 737 that looks narrower than anything you have flown, which leads into a fun talk about backward facing seats, the death of SeatGuru, and how to avoid the worst seats on the plane. On the news side, Amex transfer bonuses are back, with 30 percent to Virgin Atlantic through the end of July and 20 percent to Hilton through July 14th. Then we get into Benjy's genuinely sad United first class meal, a banana and Kellogg's cornflakes on a flight over 1,500 miles, and why you should never book domestic first for the food, plus our favorite drink and flight attendant hacks. We break down TSA touchless ID now that it is on Google Wallet, why the line moves fast, the frustrating catch that minors cannot use it, and how mobile passport control makes coming back into the country painless. We close with how Mark pulled 350,000 Delta miles and a companion pass out of a single Delta Reserve card, and the tricky question of how to actually value a companion pass. Let us know in the comments about the worst seat and worst meal you have had lately. Episode Guide: 0:00 Welcome to MTM Travel 0:23 Our Small-Town 4th of July 2:32 The World Cup & Discovering America 4:51 Delta's Worst Seat 8:01 SeatGuru Is Dead: Avoiding Bad Seats 9:56 Amex Transfer Bonuses Are Back 12:45 United's Sad First Class Meal 16:47 International vs Domestic Food & Drink Hacks 19:19 TSA Touchless ID Explained 22:32 Mobile Passport & Faster Customs 24:47 Valuing the Delta Companion Pass 29:41 Final Thoughts Links Delta seat - https://x.com/itripreport/status/2072741231243694307?s=46 Amex bonuses - https://milestomemories.com/new-amex-transfer-bonuses-30-to-virgin-atlantic-20-to-hilton/ United breakfast - https://milestomemories.com/united-inflight-meal/ TSA Touchless - https://milestomemories.com/tsa-and-google-wallet-launch-new-tsa-precheck-touchless-id-option/ ✈️ Track your travel credit cards for free

Miles to Memories Podcast
Hyatt's Category Chaos, Wyndham's NEW $395 Card & Chase Nickel and Dimes Again!

Miles to Memories Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 2, 2026 25:36


Get a $200 gift card after your first payment of $500 with Melio (affiliate) - https://milestomemories.com/go/melio/ Want to work with us? Reach out! inquiries at milestomemories dot com  Chase quietly cut Pay Yourself Back on the Sapphire Reserve again, dropping the bonus from 25 percent more to 20 percent, and we get into why they keep chipping away at it. Wyndham refreshed its entire card lineup, now four cards deep, headlined by a new $395 premium card with a 120,000 point welcome offer, a never expire points perk, and enough credits to offset the fee for the right person. We break down the new Q3 Chase bonus spending offers worth checking, Wyndham's award chart shakeup adding a new 45,000 point top tier on September 15th, and the real world fallout from Hyatt's category changes, including a category 3 hotel in New Orleans pricing higher than a category 4 one block away. It all adds up to why free night certificates might be more valuable than ever. Let us know in the comments what you are doing for the 4th and whether Chase is getting too nickel and dime. Episode Guide: 0:00 Welcome to MTM Travel 0:24 July 4th, Gas Prices & The EV Debate 3:52 Chase Q3 Bonus Offers Are Live 6:15 Chase Cuts Pay Yourself Back 10:15 Wyndham's New Card Lineup 14:22 Wyndham Award Chart Changes (New 45K Tier) 18:17 Hyatt Chaos: Cat 3 Costs More Than Cat 4 21:30 Is Hyatt Pricing by Demand Now? 24:47 Final Thoughts Links Chase spending offers - https://milestomemories.com/chase-my-bonus-quarterly-spending-offers/ Pay Yourself Back cuts - https://milestomemories.com/pay-yourself-back-devaluation/ Wyndham new card - https://milestomemories.com/refreshed-wyndham-card-portfolio-plus-new-premium-card/ Wyndham new tier - https://milestomemories.com/wyndham-rewards-will-add-new-redemption-tier/ Hyatt category chaos - https://milestomemories.com/hyatt-categories-no-longer-matter/ ✈️ Track your travel credit cards for free

Miles to Memories Podcast
Chase Is Now Clawing Back Credits! Plus Prime Day & Bilt's Weak Rent Day

Miles to Memories Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 25, 2026 20:59


SHOP AMAZON PRIME DAY & BEYOND! http://milestomemories.com/go/amazon FULL PRIME DAY COVERAGE! https://milestomemories.com/prime-day-2026-day-3/ Want to work with us? Reach out! inquiries at milestomemories dot com Prime Day is in full swing, Chase is suddenly clawing back hotel credits when you cancel, Bilt's latest Rent Day is underwhelming, and Qatar Airways just locked down award bookings. We break down all of it and what it means for your points and miles. In this episode we cover Amazon Prime Day deals and the credit card promos worth stacking, why buyers' groups have cooled off, the death of the gift card glory days, Bilt Rent Day's lackluster Hilton transfer bonus, the new Chase Sapphire Preferred $100 hotel credit and the clawback you need to know about, and Qatar Airways adding friends and family restrictions to award bookings. Last call for our Detroit event October 23rd and 24th. A full weekend of seminars, a Saturday night meetup at Barcade, and a chance to meet us and our partners in person. Grab one of the last tickets here: https://mtm.zohobackstage.com/MTMTravelDetroit2026#/   Episode Guide: 0:00 Welcome to MTM Travel 0:18 Amazon Prime Day Overload 3:49 Buyers' Groups Explained 6:48 Gift Cards, Meijer Bucks & Gold 9:05 Last Call: Detroit Event 11:00 Bilt Rent Day: Hilton Transfer Bonus 13:44 Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Clawback 16:48 Qatar Airways Award Booking Restrictions 20:21 Final Thoughts Links Prime Day Stacking - https://milestomemories.com/dell-bose-quiet-comfort-deal-stack/ Detroit Seminar last call - https://milestomemories.com/mtm-seminar-detroit/ Chase clawbacks - https://milestomemories.com/chase-clawing-back-100-sapphire-preferred-hotel-credit-for-canceled-bookings/ Qatar changes - https://milestomemories.com/qatar-airways-adds-restrictions-on-award-bookings-for-friends-and-family/   ✈️ Track your travel credit cards for free

Miles to Memories Podcast
Casablanca, Beating Jet Lag HACK and Why the World Is Obsessed with Ranch Dressing!

Miles to Memories Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 23, 2026 28:31


SHOP AMAZON PRIME DAY & BEYOND! http://milestomemories.com/go/amazon   Shawn is back from Morocco with the full Casablanca recap, from the Hassan II Mosque and the wild stained glass inside Notre Dame to a faded five-star Hyatt, Africa's biggest mall, and a horse race inside a country club. Plus the jet lag hack that actually worked: skip the food, sleep the whole flight, and land feeling brand new. We also get into why the world is suddenly obsessed with ranch dressing and American quirks, the new Global Entry machines, and whether business class is even worth it if you sleep right through it. Episode Guide: 0:00 - Welcome to MTM Travel 0:21 - Why the World Is Discovering Ranch Dressing & US Quirks 3:25 - Father's Day, the Cottage & the Great E-Bike Debate 6:23 - Casablanca: The Name, the History & First Impressions 8:53 - The Corniche, Sindibad Park & Africa's Biggest Mall 10:55 - Horseback on the Beach (Booked with Chase Travel) 11:49 - The Sights: Notre Dame, the French Quarter & Hassan II Mosque 13:04 - Is Casablanca Worth It? A Melting Pot of Religions 14:29 - Hyatt Regency Casablanca, World Cup Fever & the Markets 17:34 - The Flight Home & the Dana White Jet Lag Hack 20:24 - Brutal Service, Bad Food & 55K AA Miles 22:15 - Sleep vs the Full Experience: Is Skipping the Meal Worth It? 26:08 - New Global Entry Machines & Faster Passport Renewals ✈️ Track your travel credit cards for free

Miles to Memories Podcast
Why Hotel Owners Are Fighting To Cost You More and Is Points Even Fun Anymore?

Miles to Memories Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 18, 2026 28:11


Get 50% off Cardpointers+ - Track cards, automatically load Chase & Amex Offers + a lot more. Lock-in lifetime membership at half off. (affiliate) https://milestomemories.com/go/cardpointers/  Shawn's Capital One Shopping referral - https://capitaloneshopping.com/r/424785a3-c3f2-4b84-a077-f724abcd89ff It was a wild week in the points world. An email to Chase Ink Plus cardholders made it look like 5X on office supplies was getting axed, the internet panicked, and we called it as a likely mistake before Chase confirmed it was just human error. We also break down the Paze spend 10 dollars get 10 dollars promo that people abused so hard with New Egg gift cards that Chase started shutting down options in a single day, and the new Amex Resy credit changes coming August 1 that may or may not be a big deal. Then we get into the meatier stuff: a great One Mile at a Time piece on hotel owners pushing Marriott for a bigger cut, why that means points will likely cost all of us more, and Ben's editorial on whether miles and points is even fun anymore. Plus a Capital One Shopping shout out and why those targeted offers are worth a look.  Episode Guide: 0:00 - Intro: The Great Office Supply 5X Scare of 2026 1:37 - Chase Ink Plus 5X Email: Mistake or Devaluation? 3:55 - The Paze Promo That Got Abused (and Nerfed) 6:54 - Amex Resy Credit Changes Coming August 1 10:14 - Capital One Shopping: Don't Sleep on the Offers 12:09 - Hotel Owners vs Marriott: Why Points Will Cost More 17:01 - Is Miles and Points Even Fun Anymore? 20:08 - Better Earning vs Worse Availability 22:20 - Going Mainstream Killed the Simplicity 24:55 - Social Media Killed the Loophole 26:52 - A Tip of the Cap to Lucky and Wrap-Up ✈️ Track your travel credit cards for free

Miles to Memories Podcast
The Hyatt All-Inclusive Mistake That Cost $650 + 50% Off CardPointers & AA Trading Cards!

Miles to Memories Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 16, 2026 37:34


Get 50% off Cardpointers+ - Track cards, automatically load Chase & Amex Offers + a lot more. Lock-in lifetime membership at half off. (affiliate) https://milestomemories.com/go/cardpointers/ Mark is back from Colombia, and this one's a full Cartagena trip report. He breaks down two nights at the Hyatt Regency Cartagena (a Category 3 gem on points) and three nights at the Dreams Karibana all-inclusive — including the food wins, the brutal heat, the black-sand "beachfront," island day clubs, a killer rooftop bar with a live saxophonist, and the $650 check-in mistake that has one Globalist swearing off Hyatt for good. Plus Shawn answers the Grand Hyatt Athens critics, American Airlines finally drops aircraft trading cards, and Choice Privileges quietly guts its Japan award chart (Tokyo and Osaka properties jumping from 8K to 20K+ points). Is Cartagena worth it? Watch and let us know in the comments. Episode Guide: 0:00 - Welcome to MTM Travel 0:25 - Grand Hyatt Athens: The Fallout 3:47 - American Airlines Trading Cards 5:30 - Choice Privileges Guts Japan 8:14 - CardPointers: 50% Off (Sponsor) 9:26 - Hyatt Regency Cartagena: Check-In & Rooms 11:06 - The Beach Reality & Island Day Trips 12:42 - Exploring the Walled City 13:44 - Umbrella Alleys & a Rooftop Bar with Live Sax 15:41 - Pools, Cheap Eats & Is Cartagena Worth It? 17:16 - Dreams Karibana All-Inclusive: The Food 18:31 - Friendly Staff & Entertainment 20:05 - A $650 Check-In Surprise 22:28 - Hyatt's Antiquated System & Did They Make It Right? 26:21 - Pro Tip: The Cancellation-Window Trick 27:57 - The VIP Lounge: Premium Booze & AC Escape 29:49 - Sharing Lounge Access + Italian Dress Code Drama 33:01 - Resort Condition: A Faded Old Conrad 35:31 - Final Verdict & Wrap-Up ✈️ Track your travel credit cards for free

Miles to Memories Podcast
Chase Sapphire Preferred Got Better… But the HYATT BOMBSHELL Hurts!

Miles to Memories Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 11, 2026 26:01


Get your free travel insurance quote with Faye! https://milestomemories.com/go/faye-travel-insurance/ Chase just refreshed the Sapphire Preferred and buried a bombshell in the fine print. On this episode of MTM Travel Shawn and Mark break down everything Chase changed: the $95 fee stays, you get new 3X categories on gas, EV charging and vacation rentals, plus a doubled $100 hotel credit. The catch? The Sapphire Preferred and Ink Business Preferred lose 1:1 Hyatt transfers and drop to 4:3 on October 1. We cover whether the refresh is still worth it, why the $795 Reserve is now the only way to keep 1:1 Hyatt, why Bilt just won, and what you should actually do before the changes hit Monday. Mark's full breakdown is linked below. Let us know where Chase ranks in your points lineup now. Episode Guide: 0:00 – Chase drops a Hyatt bombshell 0:22 – Shawn in Casablanca + airport travel tips 3:33 – Inside the new Sapphire Preferred (and the 4:3 Hyatt cut) 6:35 – Bonus categories & why Chase is devaluing points 8:40 – The $795 Reserve push, Mark's article & the Oct 1 timeline 12:27 – Will this finally hurt Hyatt? 16:18 – Chase's fault or Hyatt's? Plus why Bilt won 19:44 – Shawn's points strategy going forward 22:48 – Mourning the old Hyatt & should you apply before Monday? ✈️ Track your travel credit cards for free

Miles to Memories Podcast
Has Hyatt Lost It? A Shocking "Five-Star" Stay (Plus Big American & Alaska Changes)

Miles to Memories Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 9, 2026 32:11


Get your free travel insurance quote with Faye! https://milestomemories.com/go/faye-travel-insurance/ American Airlines is quietly blocking last-minute partner award space, Alaska is raising its partner and phone booking fees on July 1, and Shawn just had a really bad "five-star" stay at the Grand Hyatt Athens. On this episode of MTM Travel, Shawn and Mark break down the AA award change and who it actually hurts, the Alaska fee increases and how the Summit card can offset them, and a brutal play-by-play of a Hyatt stay gone wrong — slow undersized elevators, road-noise "motel" rooms, burned eggs, no elite recognition, and a manager who hid in the back — all against a flawless stay at the Hyatt Regency Barcelona. Plus why lounges are cracking down on taking food and drinks, the role of private-equity cost-cutting, and how Hyatt only displays its good TripAdvisor reviews. Let us know your own Hyatt experiences down below, and we'll be back Thursday with more travel news. Episode Guide: 0:00 Welcome to MTM Travel 0:19 – Welcome back: Barcelona vs. Colombia (and the "Barthelona" debate) 1:33 – American Airlines blocks last-minute partner award space 5:30 – Alaska raises partner & phone booking fees (July 1) 8:40 – The decline of Hyatt 9:17 – Grand Hyatt Athens: a "five-star" disaster 15:21 – Hyatt Regency Barcelona done right 18:46 – Hyatt's rapid expansion & all-inclusive slide 21:00 – Every problem is a chance to win (or lose) a customer 25:35 – Why can't you take food and drinks from the lounge anymore? 28:18 – Hyatt only shows its good TripAdvisor reviews 30:09 – Final thoughts & what's coming Thursday ✈️ Track your travel credit cards for free

Miles to Memories Podcast
Spirit Credit Card Refunds, Choice Hotels Outsmarted Mark & Discover's Best Ever Offer?!

Miles to Memories Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later May 28, 2026 23:45


Bank of America is refunding annual fees for every Spirit credit cardholder and product-changing them into no-fee cards. Mark thought he found a hack in Choice Hotels' gas promo — until Choice's IT outsmarted him. Discover dropped the best welcome offer in its history: $200 after $500 spend, plus double cash back the first year. Then there's the Sapphire Reserve debate — when does pay-yourself-back make the annual fee worth it? What we cover: Spirit credit cardholders get annual fee refunds from Bank of America Choice Hotels gas promo: 8,000 points for a $50 card? Not so fast Discover's best-ever offer: $200 bonus + double cash back = five quarters of 5% Capital One acquiring Discover — could cash back become miles? Rethinking the Sapphire Reserve: when couponing actually works Pay Yourself Back at 1.25 cents and who should keep the card Schwab cashout strategy: turning Membership Rewards into cash Episode Guide: 0:00 - Welcome to MTM Travel 1:01 - Spirit Credit Card Update 5:47 - Choice Hotels Gas Promo 11:17 - Why Discover Card Right Now 16:13 - Rethinking the Sapphire Reserve 22:08 - Spouse Points & Wrap-Up ✈️ Track your travel credit cards for free

Miles to Memories Podcast
First Flight to Nowhere, TSA Chaos at JFK, and the BEST & WORST of Bermuda!

Miles to Memories Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 7, 2026 37:56


Get $200 back after your first payment of $500 with Melio (affiliate) - https://milestomemories.com/go/melio/ Mark's spring break Bermuda trip had it all: JFK security chaos at 4am, a flight that had to turn around twice in high winds before making it to the island, a $850-a-night Fairmont room that looked like it hadn't been touched since the '70s, and then — finally — the Rosewood Bermuda, which might be one of the best hotels either of them has ever stayed at. Full trip debrief with honest hotel reviews, flight booking strategy, and a seriously useful FHR credit tip. What we cover: Spirit Airlines boarding group 2 bag theory — are they skipping the size check? Hyatt Regency Resorts World JFK as a free night cert stopover JFK security chaos at 4am — ICE agents running lanes, only 3 lanes for thousands of people Flight to nowhere: two go-arounds in high winds, back to JFK for 9 hours Fairmont Hamilton Princess: $850/night, room looks like 1978, sawdust falling from the bed posts Royal Naval Dockyards — Frog and Onion, ferry tips, what to do for a day Rosewood Bermuda: top 3 hotel ever, beach club, pink sand, Crystal Caves, complimentary gin tasting FHR tip: two rooms in different names = double $100 credits + double free breakfasts New Fairmont at Horseshoe Bay — $400M renovation, Accor points, watch this one Flight home: DCA lounge agent rebooking saves the family from an overnight stranding Episode Guide: 0:00 - Welcome to MTM Travel 0:22 - Mark's Bermuda trip intro and Spirit Airlines boarding theory 1:08 - Hyatt Regency Resorts World JFK overnight 4:31 - JFK security chaos at 4am 8:56 - Flight to nowhere — two go-arounds, back to JFK 16:04 - Fairmont Hamilton Princess check-in and room review 19:38 - Royal Naval Dockyards and Frog and Onion 20:22 - Rosewood Bermuda — arrival and rooms 23:06 - Beach club, Crystal Caves, Horseshoe Bay 30:22 - FHR tips: two rooms, double credits, double breakfast 32:33 - Flight home and DCA lounge rebooking ✈️ Track your travel credit cards for free

Miles to Memories Podcast
Amex Cuts Saks + Lounge Access, Insane Credit Mental Gymnastics & Citi's BIG Strata Revamp?

Miles to Memories Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 2, 2026 30:39


Go to https://surfshark.com/mtm or use code MTM at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark VPN! Description In this episode, Shawn and Mark break down a string of Amex Platinum changes — Saks credit going away, Centurion Lounge guest access tightening, Uber VIP disappearing — plus an honest look at the Citi Strata Premier revamp survey and the best offer ever on a no-fee Amex card. Mark is also freshly back from Bermuda and gives a teaser on what happened before the full recap next week. What we cover: Saks Fifth Avenue Amex Platinum credit ending July 1st and what might replace it Amex Business Platinum ChatGPT $300 credit — and whether it's actually useful Centurion Lounge same-flight guest rule starting July 8th Uber VIP ending May 7th and the broader Lyft vs Uber rideshare debate Citi Strata Premier revamp survey — two versions, which is better, and what they shouldn't touch Uber acquiring Black Lane and what it means for Citi credits Blue Business Plus 75K offer with no lifetime language — best ever Episode Guide: 0:00 - Welcome to MTM Travel 0:22 - Mark's Bermuda trip preview and Saks credit ending 5:11 - Amex Business Platinum ChatGPT credit 7:58 - Centurion Lounge same-flight guest rule change 11:19 - Uber VIP going away and the Lyft vs Uber debate 15:10 - Citi Strata Premier revamp survey — what to keep and what not to touch 19:56 - Uber buying Black Lane and Citi credit implications 23:15 - Blue Business Plus 75K — best ever offer with no lifetime language ✈️ Track your travel credit cards for free

Miles to Memories Podcast
Hyatt Goes Full Marriott? Citi's SAD Devaluation — Plus Bilt Jumps to #1

Miles to Memories Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 26, 2026 25:32


Hyatt may be ending free parking and resort fee waivers for Globalists — and there's a new elite tier above Globalist potentially on the way. Meanwhile, Citi is cutting the ThankYou to Choice Hotels transfer rate by 25% on April 19th. And Mark is trying to figure out if he's even making it to Bermuda with JFK TSA chaos threatening the whole spring break trip. What we cover: Hyatt survey: new elite tier above Globalist — plus possible end to free parking and resort fee waivers Is Hyatt becoming the next Marriott? Shawn weighs in Citi ThankYou to Choice Hotels: 25% devaluation hitting April 19 Bilt Red Day (April 1): Wyndham added as transfer partner with a 100–125% bonus Wyndham program: all-inclusives, Choice Hotels overlap and real value Wells Fargo Autograph still transfers 1:2 to Choice Points currency rankings: Bilt #1, Chase falling to #4 Mark's Bermuda spring break and the stress of TSA chaos at JFK Updated: complete guide to credit card application rules by bank Episode Guide: 0:00 - Welcome to MTM Travel 0:20 - Mark's Bermuda Spring Break + TSA Chaos at JFK 5:42 - Hyatt Survey: New Elite Tier Above Globalist? 7:00 - Could Hyatt End Free Parking & Resort Fee Waivers? 12:17 - Bilt Rent Day: Wyndham Added as Transfer Partner 15:07 - Wyndham, Choice Hotels & Citi ThankYou 25% Devaluation 18:54 - Wells Fargo Autograph & Points Currency Rankings 22:37 - Complete Credit Card Application Rules Guide ✈️ Track your travel credit cards for free with Travel Freely

Miles to Memories Podcast
Capital One's Europe Problem Is Bad — But Chase's Change May Be Worse + Hilton's Strange Brand!

Miles to Memories Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 21, 2026 28:55


Capital One's switch to the Discover payment network is getting cards declined at ATMs and payment terminals overseas — Mark found out the hard way in Poland and Dublin. Chase made things worse by quietly killing fraud alerts for international charges, leaving one of Mark's travel buddies $1,000 in the hole at a bar in Poland with zero notification. Plus: a leaked Amex card nobody asked for, Yotel joining Hilton's portfolio, and why tap-to-pay overseas might actually work against you in a dispute. What we cover: Capital One Dulles lounge: hot, cramped, and the worst they've visited Amex Graphite Business Cash Unlimited: $250 fee for a 2% card nobody needed Capital One's Discover network switch: why cards are failing overseas Mark's Capital One debit declined in Poland and Dublin — what happened Best international debit cards in 2026: Charles Schwab, SoFi, Fidelity Is Venture X still worth taking overseas? Yotel joins Hilton as "Select by Hilton" — bookable with points by year end Chase ends fraud alerts for international and non-physical charges Mark's buddy loses $1,000+ at a bar in Poland — no fraud alert sent Apple Pay overseas: biometric authorization makes disputes harder Episode Guide: 0:00 - Welcome to MTM Travel 0:43 - Capital One Dulles lounge: the worst they've visited 2:23 - Amex Graphite Business Cash Unlimited: $250 for a 2% card? 7:17 - Capital One's Discover network switch explained 8:00 - Mark's Capital One debit declined in Poland and Dublin 8:20 - Best international debit cards: Schwab, SoFi, Fidelity 14:50 - Is Venture X still worth taking overseas? 15:42 - Yotel joins Hilton as "Select by Hilton" 19:33 - Chase ends international fraud alerts 20:50 - Mark's buddy loses $1,000+ at a bar in Poland — no fraud alert 23:27 - Apple Pay overseas: why disputes are harder to win 28:22 - Wrap + subscribe

Miles to Memories Podcast
Forget Hyatt: The Hotel Programs Actually Worth Your Points Now + Trip Rebooking CHAOS!

Miles to Memories Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 17, 2026 26:33


Want to work with us? Reach out! inquiries at milestomemories dot com Hyatt just dropped five new pricing tiers on their award chart — and it's got Shawn and Mark rethinking their entire hotel strategy. Plus: Mark had to scrap his Istanbul trip, rebook his whole Europe itinerary using Aeroplan, LifeMiles, Delta SkyMiles, and Bilt credits, and lived to tell the tale. And yes — the LifeMiles call center almost broke him. **What we cover:** - Hyatt's award chart devaluation: five new tiers and what it actually means for redemptions - Why Hyatt's value proposition was always about consistency and Chase earning (not footprint) - Mark's current hotel rankings: Hilton free night certs, IHG's underrated card refresh, and Accor's flexible points - Choice Hotels and why Benjy's going to be thrilled - The Hilton Surpass card: still the best mid-tier hotel card and why - Hyatt free night certs — are they actually worth more now post-devaluation? - Why Mark abandoned Istanbul and pivoted to Warsaw two weeks before the trip - Rebuilding the whole itinerary: 70K Aeroplan on Turkish, 8K United miles Istanbul-Warsaw, 25K Delta SkyMiles on Air France business, and Bilt credits for the Sheraton - Turkish Airlines IT nightmare: can't check in, ticket number mismatch, and the LifeMiles call center hangup saga - RyanAir reality check: what Americans need to know about weight limits and bag rules - The case for travel flexibility and why points make last-minute pivots actually possible

SCP Foundation Stories
I'm Not the Subject, You Are | SCP-8577

SCP Foundation Stories

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 12, 2026 37:36


A Foundation agent trapped in a retro hotel must chase a nonexistent “Gold Membership” buffet through shifting halls and singing TVs—because if he stops moving, the memories of how his partner died will finally catch him. Listen ad-free + bonus stories with a 7-day FREE trial of ⁠SCP Premium⁠. Cancel anytime. No commitment. This story is derived from ⁠The SCP Foundation Database⁠ and is released under Creative Commons Sharealike 3.0.⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/⁠⁠⁠ Author: Jake Bible For more terrifying stories from this author, check out his latest release - All The Monsters: Ten NoSleep Stories, Volume One https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FY438TSV * * * CONTENT DISCLAIMER: This episode contains explicit content not limited to intense themes, strong language, and depictions of violence intended for adults. Parental guidance is strongly advised for children under the age of 18. Listener discretion is advised.  #thescpexperience #scp #scpfoundation #scpencounters #securecontainprotect #scpstories Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sams Disney Diary
Disney World News LIVE: Beak & Barrel Reservations, Dumbo Pumpkins & Haunted Mansion Sipper!

Sams Disney Diary

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 20, 2025 68:11


This week at Walt Disney World, the magic is in full swing with festive fall updates, park surprises, and big announcements across the Disney universe. From brand-new dining questions to Halloween reveals, there's plenty to explore in these Disney weekly updates. Disney Weekly Updates: Beak & Barrel Reservations… or Not? The buzz around the new Beak & Barrel has Disney fans talking. Rumors of opening reservations popped up. However, not everything may be as it seems. We'll keep a close eye on this brand-new spot as it prepares to welcome guests, and we'll share when reservations are available in our weekly Disney updates. Disney Weekly Updates: Halloween Hits Magic Kingdom Meanwhile, Magic Kingdom just got a little more festive. New Dumbo pumpkin decorations have joined the Halloween lineup, adding a whimsical touch to the fall celebration. In addition, spooky collectibles are arriving. Guests can now grab a Haunted Mansion sipper or the Stitch mummy popcorn bucket. Even better, Disney confirmed that Mother Gothel will appear at Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. Villains Take Over Bath & Body Works Halloween isn't limited to the parks. In fact, Bath & Body Works has launched an all-new Disney Villains scent collection. It brings a wicked touch of Disney magic to your everyday routine. Fans of Maleficent, Ursula, and other iconic villains will want to check out this limited-time lineup. A Galaxy Rebuilt Over in the Star Wars galaxy, LEGO fans have something to celebrate. The LEGO Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy trailer has officially dropped, and it gives fans a first look at an epic new adventure. With a September release on Disney+, the trailer builds excitement for what's sure to be a hit in the LEGO Star Wars collection. EPCOT Food & Wine and New PhotoPass Options Foodies, get ready. The EPCOT Food & Wine Festival is almost here, and Disney has released the full foodie guides for this year's event. New brews, dishes, and returning favorites make this a can't-miss experience. Additionally, new Fall PhotoPass options are now available, offering guests fresh seasonal opportunities to capture magical memories throughout the parks. These Disney weekly updates make sure you don't miss a single bite. Destination D23 Livestream Confirmed Looking ahead, Disney has confirmed a livestream for Destination D23. That means fans worldwide can expect updates, sneak peeks, and magical announcements as the event unfolds.  The Live stream will be in the D23 Gold Theater which requires a Gold Membership to join. Fozzie Even The Muppets joined the conversation this week. Fozzie Bear dropped his own playful acknowledgment of the Rock ‘n' Roller Coaster redo. Join Us Live Sam and Greg cover all of this and more LIVE on Sam's Disney Diary. From park updates to Disney+ news, our Disney weekly updates bring you everything happening across the Disney universe.  

Revolutionizing Your Journey
Reinventing Loyalty Travel Rewards with BookIt.com CEO Lin Dai (Ep. 86)

Revolutionizing Your Journey

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 6, 2025 54:09


In this episode of Revolutionizing Your Journey, DeAndre Coke sits down with Lin Dai, CEO of BookIt.com, to explore the evolving landscape of travel rewards and loyalty programs. They delve into the post-pandemic travel boom—often dubbed “revenge travel”—and examine how inflation and evolving consumer expectations are forcing brands to rethink traditional points-and-miles models. Lin explains how Superlogic's tech is streamlining rewards inventory, making redemptions more intuitive, and highlights a broader move toward experiential rewards (concerts, events, adventures) that appeal to Millennials and Gen Z. They also explore emerging redemption hotspots like Japan and stress the need for flexible booking options to maximize value in a landscape increasingly shaped by dynamic pricing and revenue optimization.Key Highlights:Loyalty vs. Revenue: Many programs now prioritize yield management over genuine customer engagement.Superlogic's Breakthrough: New inventory-management tools simplify the way points are redeemed.Experiential Focus: Brands are incorporating concerts, festivals, and unique experiences into their redemption catalogs.Flexibility Wins: More adaptable booking policies unlock better award availability.Younger Travelers Lead: Millennials and Gen Z favor experiential rewards over sheer travel volume.Dynamic Pricing Pitfalls: Variable award rates can erode loyalty if consumers see devaluations.Beyond Flights & Hotels: Expect a broader range of redemption options—rideshares, dining, wellness.BookIt.com's Edge: Earn points on everyday purchases across millions of merchants, not just travel.Unlock 80% off your Bookit.com Gold Membership—exclusive for our listeners!Resources:Book a Free 30 minute points & miles consultationStart here to learn how to unlock nearly free travelSign up for our newsletter!BoldlyGo Travel With Points & Miles Facebook GroupInterested in Financial Planning?Truicity Wealth ManagementSome of Our Favorite Tools For Elevating Your Points & Miles Game:Note: Contains affiliate/sponsored linksCard Pointers (Saves the average user $750 per year)Zil Money (For Payroll on Credit Card)Travel FreelyPoint.meFlightConnections.comThrifty Traveler Premium

Group Chat
Group Chat News Ep. 949

Group Chat

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 9, 2025 87:03


Group Chat News is back with the hottest stories of the week including the beef between Elon Musk and President Trump, the National Guard arrives in LA under Trumps order to help contain immagration protests, Meta is in talks to buy In Scale AI for 10 billion dollars, Lululemon's stock plundges, Dave's Hot Chicken Sells for 1 billion dollars, and Lin from Bookit.com stops by the pod to give the Kathys a 80% discount on their Gold Membership!  https://join.bookit.com/memberships/a47f9db0-2366-4b7c-a321-b15c07aee694    

The Bible In A Year Podcast with Dr. Melody Stevens

James, the brother of Jesus, encourages us in righteous living and taming our tongues for God's glory. Join our private Gold Membership for Christian women here. No matter your age or stage of life, step into God's purpose with our eBook, 'Rediscover, Redefine, Reclaim' here. Follow Dr. Melody on IG: @dr.melody_fitplusfaith

The Bible In A Year Podcast with Dr. Melody Stevens

Peter facilitates and witnesses the giving of the Holy Spirit to the gentiles, solidifying God's church is for ALL who believe in the Lord Jesus. Join our private Gold Membership for Christian women here. No matter your age or stage of life, step into God's purpose with our eBook, 'Rediscover, Redefine, Reclaim' here. Follow Dr. Melody on IG: @dr.melody_fitplusfaith

The Bible In A Year Podcast with Dr. Melody Stevens

The first martyr for Christ, Stephen, is at the feet of Saul. God arrests his heart and out emerges the greatest teacher and writer of the New Testament, the apostle Paul. Hallelujah! Join our private Gold Membership for Christian women here. No matter your age or stage of life, step into God's purpose with our eBook, 'Rediscover, Redefine, Reclaim' here. Follow Dr. Melody on IG: @dr.melody_fitplusfaith

The Bible In A Year Podcast with Dr. Melody Stevens

The birth of the Church and the power of the Holy Spirit spur on Peter and John, despite opposition from the Jewish Leaders. Join our private Gold Membership for Christian women here. No matter your age or stage of life, step into God's purpose with our eBook, 'Rediscover, Redefine, Reclaim' here. Follow Dr. Melody on IG: @dr.melody_fitplusfaith

The Bible In A Year Podcast with Dr. Melody Stevens

Luke continues documenting the power that follows Jesus' resurrection, by the giving of the Holy Spirit and the birth of the Church. Join our private Gold Membership for Christian women here. No matter your age or stage of life, step into God's purpose with our eBook, 'Rediscover, Redefine, Reclaim' here. Follow Dr. Melody on IG: @dr.melody_fitplusfaith

The Bible In A Year Podcast with Dr. Melody Stevens
309 Matthew 28, Mark 16, Luke 24, John 20-21

The Bible In A Year Podcast with Dr. Melody Stevens

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 11, 2024 36:57


"Joy to the world, He is risen, Hallelujah! He is risen, Hallelujah!" Burial, resurrection, eye-witness testimony. Jesus is alive! Join our private Gold Membership for Christian women here. No matter your age or stage of life, step into God's purpose with our eBook, 'Rediscover, Redefine, Reclaim' here. Follow Dr. Melody on IG: @dr.melody_fitplusfaith

The Bible In A Year Podcast with Dr. Melody Stevens

Jesus' final hours and the horror of what He endured for our salvation on the cross. Tetelestai! Join our private Gold Membership for Christian women here. No matter your age or stage of life, step into God's purpose with our eBook, 'Rediscover, Redefine, Reclaim' here. Follow Dr. Melody on IG: @dr.melody_fitplusfaith

The Bible In A Year Podcast with Dr. Melody Stevens

The injustice and illegality of what took place to "eliminate" Jesus is infuriating, but He did it for you and for me. And He is alive. Join our private Gold Membership for Christian women here. No matter your age or stage of life, step into God's purpose with our eBook, 'Rediscover, Redefine, Reclaim' here. Follow Dr. Melody on IG: @dr.melody_fitplusfaith

The Bible In A Year Podcast with Dr. Melody Stevens

Jesus' final earthly instruction over the Last Supper, and His powerful prayer for you and me, to the Father. Join our private Gold Membership for Christian women here. No matter your age or stage of life, step into God's purpose with our eBook, 'Rediscover, Redefine, Reclaim' here. Follow Dr. Melody on IG: @dr.melody_fitplusfaith

The Bible In A Year Podcast with Dr. Melody Stevens

New insights about Judas' betrayal, and details of Jesus' last Passover feast. Join our private Gold Membership for Christian women here. No matter your age or stage of life, step into God's purpose with our eBook, 'Rediscover, Redefine, Reclaim' here. Follow Dr. Melody on IG: @dr.melody_fitplusfaith

The Bible In A Year Podcast with Dr. Melody Stevens

As Jesus enters Passion Week, events begin to rapidly unfold from Judas' betrayal to Peter's denial. Jesus willingly submits to God's plan of redemption for humanity. Join our private Gold Membership for Christian women here. No matter your age or stage of life, step into God's purpose with our eBook, 'Rediscover, Redefine, Reclaim' here. Follow Dr. Melody on IG: @dr.melody_fitplusfaith

The Bible In A Year Podcast with Dr. Melody Stevens
303 Matthew 24, Mark 13, Luke 21:5-38

The Bible In A Year Podcast with Dr. Melody Stevens

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 26, 2024 27:04


In these seemingly similar passages, is Jesus talking about the same thing, or are there important differences we need to pick up...? Join our private Gold Membership for Christian women here. No matter your age or stage of life, step into God's purpose with our eBook, 'Rediscover, Redefine, Reclaim' here. Follow Dr. Melody on IG: @dr.melody_fitplusfaith

The Bible In A Year Podcast with Dr. Melody Stevens

As Jesus enters Passion week, weeping over Jerusalem, He continues exposing the hypocrisy and arrogance of the religious leaders, shirking their true duties for personal gain. Join our private Gold Membership for Christian women here. No matter your age or stage of life, step into God's purpose with our eBook, 'Rediscover, Redefine, Reclaim' here. Follow Dr. Melody on IG: @dr.melody_fitplusfaith

The Bible In A Year Podcast with Dr. Melody Stevens
301 Matthew 22, Mark 12, Luke 21:1-4

The Bible In A Year Podcast with Dr. Melody Stevens

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 20, 2024 32:46


Jesus goes another round with the Pharisees, Sadducees and Herodians, as He spins circles around their attempts to trap Him in His words. Join our private Gold Membership for Christian women here. No matter your age or stage of life, step into God's purpose with our eBook, 'Rediscover, Redefine, Reclaim' here. Follow Dr. Melody on IG: @dr.melody_fitplusfaith

The Bible In A Year Podcast with Dr. Melody Stevens

As Passion Week looms closer, Jesus alludes to his death again. He must be the sacrificial Lamb, before He can be the conquering King. Join our private Gold Membership for Christian women here. No matter your age or stage of life, step into God's purpose with our eBook, 'Rediscover, Redefine, Reclaim' here. Follow Dr. Melody on IG: @dr.melody_fitplusfaith

The Bible In A Year Podcast with Dr. Melody Stevens

Jesus' triumphal entry - entering Jerusalem fulfilling the prophecy of Zechariah and Psalm 118, pointing to Him. The fury from the Pharisees continues to build. Join our private Gold Membership for Christian women here. No matter your age or stage of life, step into God's purpose with our eBook, 'Rediscover, Redefine, Reclaim' here. Follow Dr. Melody on IG: @dr.melody_fitplusfaith

The Bible In A Year Podcast with Dr. Melody Stevens
298 Matt 19, Mark 10, Luke 18:15-43

The Bible In A Year Podcast with Dr. Melody Stevens

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 13, 2024 27:54


Jesus contrasts spiritual versus physical blindness in healing of Bartimaeus and talking to the Pharisees. Jesus always strikes to the heart of the matter. Join our private Gold Membership for Christian women here. No matter your age or stage of life, step into God's purpose with our eBook, 'Rediscover, Redefine, Reclaim' here. Follow Dr. Melody on IG: @dr.melody_fitplusfaith

The Bible In A Year Podcast with Dr. Melody Stevens

Jesus emphasizes His priorities and power in healing 10 lepers and teaching about the Kingdom of God. Join our private Gold Membership for Christian women here. No matter your age or stage of life, step into God's purpose with our eBook, 'Rediscover, Redefine, Reclaim' here. Follow Dr. Melody on IG: @dr.melody_fitplusfaith