Episode Description:

As a reminder you can watch this show as well at: https://www.youtube.com/@20minutetravel

This week the Wall Street Journal released an eye opening article about Wells Fargo and their relationship with Bilt. The Bilt Mastercard has become popular with certain groups of people, but it is seemingly costing Wells Fargo millions. Is this a good or a bad thing?

In other news you may soon see a popup when applying for a Chase card and this might not be a bad thing. We also discuss more about Shawn's trip to Japan, why Tokyo is amazing for family travel, how airport lounges are simply overrated, a viral Simpsons like video from Six Flags and why dumb cruise hacking could get you banned.

Episode Guide:

• 0:00 Cruise passenger banned for “bottle water hack”
• 1:28 A new deal for getting Clear better than free
• 3:40 Are airport lounges overrated?
• 5:35 How some people plan their travels around the airport lounge experience
• 6:46 Chase’s new popup is actually good news?
• 9:21 Hyatt Centric Tokyo - Expensive but best Centric anywhere?
• 10:49 Hyatt Regency Tokyo Bay - A budget alternative outside Tokyo
• 11:53 Why Japan might be the best family travel destination for Americans
• 14:00 Bilt/Wells Fargo drama - Is this partnership in trouble?
• 15:50 How Wells Fargo is changing their overall credit card strategy
• 17:35 Chase Freedom 3Q Categories and where to maximize them
• 19:04 Six Flags Simpsons Monorail parody - Brilliant social media?

About the Show:

We love to travel and love to laugh! 20 Minute Travel is designed to get you all of the info you need to supercharge your travel by utilizing credit cards, travel rewards and other tricks to pay pennies on the dollar.

Shawn Coomer is the founder of Miles to Memories and has traveled all over the world with his family utilizing miles & points. He has been writing and podcasting about miles, points and travel since 2013 and has earned and spent millions of points & miles across dozens of programs.

Mark Ostermann is the former Managing Editor of Miles to Memories and is the Managing Editor at Travel on Points. He has been writing about his travel experiences since 2017 and loves to dive into the weeds so you don't have to. He also enjoys a good beer and a laugh or fifty.

Each week tens of thousands of people tune into our MtM Vegas news shows at http://www.YouTube.com/milestomemories. If you like this show check it out!

Enjoying the podcast? Please consider leaving us a positive review on your favorite podcast platform! You can also connect with us anytime at 20minutetravel@gmail.com.

Episode Description:

As a reminder you can watch this show as well at: https://www.youtube.com/@20minutetravel

This week a horror story related to Airbnb surfaced which reminded us of some of the pitfalls of these types of rentals. As Airbnb and similar services become more popular do hosts have a bit too much power and is it better just to stay in hotels?

We also discuss Shawn's recent last minute booking on ANA's A380 Flying Honu business class and why it was such an amazing deal. Other topics include: 17 forbidden places you can't visit, a great Hilton timeshare deal, how normal people can earn miles & points for "free" travel, the end date for a popular credit card offer and why you might want to buy your next airline ticket at the airport.

Episode Guide:

• 0:00 Crazy “fake” waterfall in China
• 1:18 Miles and points for normies - How to earn
• 2:45 Is getting a lot of credit cards bad for your credit score?
• 3:32 The keys for keeping your credit score up & what factors into it
• 5:13 Chase Sapphire increased offer end date announced
• 5:56 Airbnb vs. hotels
• 7:36 Airbnb customer service improvements & horror stories
• 8:53 Why we like the hotel experience & how points make a difference
• 9:58 Saving money on airline tickets by purchasing at the airport
• 11:24 Best practices for purchasing at the airport
• 12:23 Scoring ANA A380 Business class with an amazing deal
• 13:20 Why ANA’s A380 is a special plane and product
• 14:38 Last minute bookings to Japan are good right now
• 15:44 Japanese airline food - Western vs. Japanese meal
• 17:03 17 Forbidden places you can’t visit
• 18:46 Great Hilton timeshare deal - Cheap nights & points
• 20:45 How to score an even better timeshare deal!

About the Show:

We love to travel and love to laugh! 20 Minute Travel is designed to get you all of the info you need to supercharge your travel by utilizing credit cards, travel rewards and other tricks to pay pennies on the dollar.

Shawn Coomer is the founder of Miles to Memories and has traveled all over the world with his family utilizing miles & points. He has been writing and podcasting about miles, points and travel since 2013 and has earned and spent millions of points & miles across dozens of programs.

Mark Ostermann is the former Managing Editor of Miles to Memories and is the Managing Editor at Travel on Points. He has been writing about his travel experiences since 2017 and loves to dive into the weeds so you don't have to. He also enjoys a good beer and a laugh or fifty.

Each week tens of thousands of people tune into our MtM Vegas news shows at http://www.YouTube.com/milestomemories. If you like this show check it out!

Enjoying the podcast? Please consider leaving us a positive review on your favorite podcast platform! You can also connect with us anytime at 20minutetravel@gmail.com.

Episode Description:

As a reminder you can watch this show as well at: https://www.youtube.com/@20minutetravel

This week a video surfaced of a new way to enter hotel rooms that is concerning. Should you worry about it and how can you secure your room and your valuables? We also discuss the end of the Chase Sapphire increased welcome offers, how Hilton's gift card experience kind of stinks, Mark's favorite Hilton in the U.S., why the Tommie Hollywood is a pass and how Mark scored "free" Universal VIP tickets & why there are absolutely worth it.

Episode Guide:

• 0:00 Insane crazy passenger incident - Streaking?
• 1:46 Chase’s increased offers ending soon - Time to pick them up?
• 3:56 Insane hotel vulnerability - New room hack?
• 5:28 Don’t rely on surveillance & how to protect your room
• 7:01 Hilton gift card warning & redemption issues
• 8:32 Best practices for using Hilton gift cards - Do they work?
• 10:22 How travel hackers are constantly getting judged
• 11:00 Mark’s father/son Los Angeles trip
• 12:01 Getting Universal Hollywood VIP experience for “free”
• 14:11 The coolest parts of the Universal Hollywood VIP tour - Back to the Future!
• 16:03 Comparing Universal east vs. west coast
• 17:32 Super Nintendo World & cutting all of the lines
• 20:00 Is the VIP experience worth it at Universal
• 22:17 Why the Tommie Hollywood is NOT recommended
• 23:28 Oceania Santa Monica - Mark’s new favorite Hilton

About the Show:

We love to travel and love to laugh! 20 Minute Travel is designed to get you all of the info you need to supercharge your travel by utilizing credit cards, travel rewards and other tricks to pay pennies on the dollar.

Shawn Coomer is the founder of Miles to Memories and has traveled all over the world with his family utilizing miles & points. He has been writing and podcasting about miles, points and travel since 2013 and has earned and spent millions of points & miles across dozens of programs.

Mark Ostermann is the former Managing Editor of Miles to Memories and is the Managing Editor at Travel on Points. He has been writing about his travel experiences since 2017 and loves to dive into the weeds so you don't have to. He also enjoys a good beer and a laugh or fifty.

Each week tens of thousands of people tune into our MtM Vegas news shows at http://www.YouTube.com/milestomemories. If you like this show check it out!

Enjoying the podcast? Please consider leaving us a positive review on your favorite podcast platform! You can also connect with us anytime at 20minutetravel@gmail.com.

Episode Description:

As a reminder you can watch this show as well at: https://www.youtube.com/@20minutetravel

This week we saw quite a few crazy stories including an AA flight attendant filming people in the bathroom and the company's response. How will AA make it right? We also talk about a Hyatt hotel being very sneaky and how one flight attendant overstepped when it came to a purchased extra seat. Plus should you buy an extra seat for yourself.

We also discuss increased offers for Hilton, Marriott and Aeroplan cards. Tons of free night certs up for grabs right now! Other topics include: another Amex annual fee increase, rough Delta baggage handlers and how to score an easy 70K with a checking account.

Episode Guide:

• 0:00 Insane Delta baggage handlers
• 1:07 Last minute trip update - Hawaii & Japan!
• 3:23 Increased Marriott Business Card Bonus - 5 free nights!
• 4:59 Big Hilton card offers including valuable free night cert
• 7:37 Chase Aeroplan 100K “better than public” offer
• 8:59 Eliza Jane Hyatt hotel - Sneaky surcharges
• 10:32 Shortsighted customer service in NOLA
• 11:20 Get 70K Membership Rewards with Amex Business Checking
• 13:09 AA’s PR nightmare and shocking lawsuit response
• 15:20 Amex leak! Gold card fee increase?
• 16:35 Getting sick of Amex coupon book credits
• 17:59 Is it illegal to buy an extra airplane seat for yourself?
• 19:41 Do flight attendants need more accountability when escalating?

About the Show:

We love to travel and love to laugh! 20 Minute Travel is designed to get you all of the info you need to supercharge your travel by utilizing credit cards, travel rewards and other tricks to pay pennies on the dollar.

Shawn Coomer is the founder of Miles to Memories and has traveled all over the world with his family utilizing miles & points. He has been writing and podcasting about miles, points and travel since 2013 and has earned and spent millions of points & miles across dozens of programs.

Mark Ostermann is the former Managing Editor of Miles to Memories and is the Managing Editor at Travel on Points. He has been writing about his travel experiences since 2017 and loves to dive into the weeds so you don't have to. He also enjoys a good beer and a laugh or fifty.

Each week tens of thousands of people tune into our MtM Vegas news shows at http://www.YouTube.com/milestomemories. If you like this show check it out!

Enjoying the podcast? Please consider leaving us a positive review on your favorite podcast platform! You can also connect with us anytime at 20minutetravel@gmail.com.

Episode Description:

As a reminder you can watch this show as well at: https://www.youtube.com/@20minutetravel

A lot of people talk miles & points but we have been living them for a long time! In this episode Shawn and Mark discuss the origins of the channel and how they began working together. From an international family backpacking trip in 2007 to crazy weekend escapes they have done it all (well a lot) and want to share their knowledge with you. They also discuss their favorite redemptions, building travel communities and why Mark really loves soy sauce on his rice.

Episode Guide:

• 0:00 A crazy last minute travel audible
• 1:21 Shawn’s long history with family world travel
• 2:42 The struggles and upside of long term travel
• 3:59 Launching Miles to Memories and spreading the message
• 4:38 From reader to part of the game - Mark’s professional journey in miles & points
• 6:51 Travel on Point(s) and building communities
• 8:46 Laughing and the fun side of miles, points & travel
• 10:47 Mark’s favorite miles & points redemptions
• 11:43 Shawn’s favorite miles & points redemptions
• 15:16 Positivity & More - What Twenty Minute Travel brings to you

About the Show:

We love to travel and love to laugh! 20 Minute Travel is designed to get you all of the info you need to supercharge your travel by utilizing credit cards, travel rewards and other tricks to pay pennies on the dollar.

Shawn Coomer is the founder of Miles to Memories and has traveled all over the world with his family utilizing miles & points. He has been writing and podcasting about miles, points and travel since 2013 and has earned and spent millions of points & miles across dozens of programs.

Mark Ostermann is the former Managing Editor of Miles to Memories and is the Managing Editor at Travel on Point(s). He has been writing about his travel experiences since 2017 and loves to dive into the weeds so you don't have to. He also enjoys a good beer and a laugh or fifty.

Each week tens of thousands of people tune into our MtM Vegas news shows at http://www.YouTube.com/milestomemories. If you like this show check it out!

Enjoying the podcast? Please consider leaving us a positive review on your favorite podcast platform! You can also connect with us anytime at 20minutetravel@gmail.com.

Episode Description:

As a reminder you can watch this show as well at: https://www.youtube.com/@20minutetravel

There were some fun travel stories this week including the new high tech portal between NYC and Dublin. This piece of tech is quite fun, but it caused some issues even if it served its purpose of connecting humans. We also discuss a nightmare Marriott hotel stay you have to hear about!

In other news we talk different flavors of the Amex Platinum including how some people are scoring 300K Membership Rewards as a welcome offer. Other topics discussed include: Hilton's Auto Camp integration, an amazing new Delta Amex Offer, the first Vegas megaresort closing and whether domestic first class is a letdown or not.

Episode Guide:

• 0:00 Cats on a plane
• 0:52 Confused by the Amex Platinum & new 125K offer
• 3:26 Flying first class for the first time - Underwhelming?
• 6:05 New Delta Amex Offer - 37.5% off
• 7:29 Hotel nightmare - Legionnaires’ Disease
• 9:01 A Marriott customer service letdown
• 10:40 Finding up to 300K Amex points
• 12:56 Trouble with the NYC/Dublin portal
• 15:28 Hilton’s glamping Auto Camp partnership coming online
• 17:50 First Vegas megaresort to close permanently
• 19:10 Mirage’s Volcano closing date

About the Show:

We love to travel and love to laugh! 20 Minute Travel is designed to get you all of the info you need to supercharge your travel by utilizing credit cards, travel rewards and other tricks to pay pennies on the dollar.

Shawn Coomer is the founder of Miles to Memories and has traveled all over the world with his family utilizing miles & points. He has been writing and podcasting about miles, points and travel since 2013 and has earned and spent millions of points & miles across dozens of programs.

Mark Ostermann is the former Managing Editor of Miles to Memories and is the Managing Editor at Travel on Points. He has been writing about his travel experiences since 2017 and loves to dive into the weeds so you don't have to. He also enjoys a good beer and a laugh or fifty.

Each week tens of thousands of people tune into our MtM Vegas news shows at http://www.YouTube.com/milestomemories. If you like this show check it out!

Enjoying the podcast? Please consider leaving us a positive review on your favorite podcast platform! You can also connect with us anytime at 20minutetravel@gmail.com.

Episode Description:

As a reminder you can watch this show as well at: https://www.youtube.com/@20minutetravel

Citi made waves this week with the leak and then the launch of their new Strata Premier Card. The card has a new look and new branding, but what did they improve and did the annual fee go up? We also have an update on the increased Chase Sapphire Preferred offers including how you can get matched and why you may want to look at referrals.

In other travel news a new airline has launched that is focused on dogs. Bark Air makes the flying experience better than ever for canines but it will cost you. We also discuss why Shawn flies Frontier, Mark's 170K Delta windfall without a welcome offer, how Hyatt and Rio changed their breakfast benefit and why Southwest pilots aren't happy with United.

Episode Guide:

• 0:00 Jump seat drama - Southwest vs. United
• 1:38 Citi launches “new” Strata Premier Card with increased welcome offer
• 2:50 Strata Premier leak and how Citi reacted to it
• 4:40 Why Shawn flies Frontier & how it’s a great deal
• 5:50 Why low cost carriers aren’t as bad as people say
• 7:31 Earning 170K Delta SkyMiles without a welcome offer
• 9:48 Missing the Northern Lights
• 12:25 MYS Buyers Group update - Good news!
• 13:51 Bark Air - A new airline for dogs?
• 15:48 Chase matching welcome offers & increased referrals
• 17:37 Rio changes Hyatt Globalist breakfast - Too much abuse?
• 18:45 Why Rio is popular for Hyatt “mattress running”

About the Show:

We love to travel and love to laugh! 20 Minute Travel is designed to get you all of the info you need to supercharge your travel by utilizing credit cards, travel rewards and other tricks to pay pennies on the dollar.

Shawn Coomer is the founder of Miles to Memories and has traveled all over the world with his family utilizing miles & points. He has been writing and podcasting about miles, points and travel since 2013 and has earned and spent millions of points & miles across dozens of programs.

Mark Ostermann is the former Managing Editor of Miles to Memories and is the Managing Editor at Travel on Points. He has been writing about his travel experiences since 2017 and loves to dive into the weeds so you don't have to. He also enjoys a good beer and a laugh or fifty.

Each week tens of thousands of people tune into our MtM Vegas news shows at http://www.YouTube.com/milestomemories. If you like this show check it out!

Enjoying the podcast? Please consider leaving us a positive review on your favorite podcast platform! You can also connect with us anytime at 20minutetravel@gmail.com.

Episode Description:

As a reminder you can watch this show as well at: https://www.youtube.com/@20minutetravel

Perhaps the most popular travel card now has an increased offer, but you can do even better! Find out about Chase Sapphire Preferred's increased welcome offer, why we love Ultimate Rewards and how a little patience can score you even more valuable Ultimate Rewards points if you are going to pick up this card.

In other travel news Virgin Voyages has a new points promo with Virgin Red that is a great deal for Shawn's favorite cruise line. We also discuss United's sudden devaluation on some awards, why you should proceed with caution when using Buyers Groups, a great new Freedom Flex offer, a trick for opening up award space when using Hyatt suite upgrades and a hack to keep the seat next to you empty when traveling!

Episode Guide:

• 0:00 The ultimate travel hack for seat anxiety?
• 0:55 Chase Sapphire Preferred increased offer - The ultimate travel card?
• 2:28 Getting an even better Sapphire Preferred offer by going in-branch
• 3:33 Virgin Voyages has a great new points deal
• 5:40 Current transfer bonuses & why you should use caution with them
• 8:16 Great targeted offer for Chase Freedom Flex
• 9:55 A warning about Chase’s 5/24 rule
• 10:32 Hilton’s new Summer promo
• 11:53 United devalues even more awards without notice
• 14:17 A cool trick for Hyatt’s Suite Upgrade Awards
• 15:52 How miles & points can make you lose perspective on travel “costs”
• 17:02 A warning about Buyers Groups
• 18:42 How to avoid risk when finding new ways to earn points

About the Show:

We love to travel and love to laugh! 20 Minute Travel is designed to get you all of the info you need to supercharge your travel by utilizing credit cards, travel rewards and other tricks to pay pennies on the dollar.

Shawn Coomer is the founder of Miles to Memories and has traveled all over the world with his family utilizing miles & points. He has been writing and podcasting about miles, points and travel since 2013 and has earned and spent millions of points & miles across dozens of programs.

Mark Ostermann is the former Managing Editor of Miles to Memories and is the Managing Editor at Travel on Points. He has been writing about his travel experiences since 2017 and loves to dive into the weeds so you don't have to. He also enjoys a good beer and a laugh or fifty.

Each week tens of thousands of people tune into our MtM Vegas news shows at http://www.YouTube.com/milestomemories. If you like this show check it out!

Enjoying the podcast? Please consider leaving us a positive review on your favorite podcast platform! You can also connect with us anytime at 20minutetravel@gmail.com.