20 Minute Travel – Details, episodes & analysis

Get an easy $200 from Melio for making your first payment! (Affiliate link. Terms below) 

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Episode Description:

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

This week an insane Tik Tok trend took off that invited people to take advantage of a "glitch" with Chase ATMs to score money. Chase says it amounted to fraud and people have had their bank accounts wiped out. Are these trends fundamentally changing our society?

In other news Wells Fargo may be implementing a tough new 5/24 rule that is similar to Chase. When did it start and what do we know? We also discuss: Chinese ghost cities, Bilt's new Walgreen integration, a meltdown at Denver airport, a new targeted Hyatt promo and why you should be aware of location tracking when posting to social media.

Episode Guide:

• 0:00 Perfect travel hacker meme
• 1:00 Social media travel posts and location tracking
• 3:05 Meltdown at Denver International Airport
• 6:07 Is hotel loyalty dying as brands choose owners over customers?
• 7:50 Why hotels are playing games with elite benefits more than ever
• 9:54 Chase Tik Tok trend - Glitch or fraud?
• 12:01 How Tik Tok has changed culture and how people do business
• 13:21 Wells Fargo implements their own 5/24 rule?
• 14:38 Last remind for Chase Ink Preferred 120K offer
• 15:03 Targeted Hyatt promo - 1K+ bonus per night
• 16:37 Bilt’s new Walgreen partnership - Cool HSA integration & bonus points
• 18:28 A look at Chinese ghost cities
• 20:17 Why many Chinese Ghost cities don’t stay abandoned

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.

Melio Offer Terms: This is a business to business payment platform - no personal bills / payments. The offer is for new accounts only. If you sign up using the 20 Minute Travel link new members will get $200 cash back after making a $200+ payment via Melio pay. Gal from Melio will reach out to finalize the details of your payment. That is $6 in processing fees for a $200 bonus! After signing up and making your first payment with a vendor you will want to upload your bank info to your Melio account. Do it as the receiving method so you have a checking account set up to receive payments. You will then receive an email from (Gal) Melio saying you are eligible for the $200 bonus and it will tell you to set up your receiving method, or you can share your bank information if you prefer that.

Get an easy $200 from Melio for making your first payment! (Affiliate link. Terms below) 

https://affiliates.meliopayments.com/travelonpointsteam

Episode Description:

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

This week Chase is making some big changes to their Ink business products. This includes the end of one of the best offers of the year with the 120K Ink Preferred offer coming to an end very soon. The bank is also cutting back their referral offers in half, but you still have a little bit of time. Should you tell friends about a better deal or cash in on a referral that pays you and gives them less?

In other news with the Amex to Hawaiian Airlines transfer bonus coming to an end, is this the time to gamble on the future Alaska merger? Find out why you might want to transfer points before the end of the month. We also discuss Europeans vs. Americans, more trouble for Boeing, travel alarms, Bilt's September Rent Day and new immersive sports venues that will make your jaw drop.

Episode Guide:

• 0:00 Travel alarm realities
• 0:55 Boeing’s problems continue - 777X grounded during testing
• 3:01 15 Thoughts on America from a European perspective
• 4:04 Why a singular experience in America isn’t the whole truth
• 6:42 Behind Shawn’s Washington/Idaho trip
• 8:46 Visiting Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, Silverwood & Flying Allegiant
• 11:49 Ink Business Preferred 120K welcome offer coming to an end
• 12:41 Chase cuts referral offer in half on Ink business cards
• 13:55 The hidden Southwest card perk you didn’t know about
• 15:20 Gambling on the Hawaiian Airlines 20% transfer bonus for Alaska?
• 16:22 How much should you transfer to Hawaiian with the hopes of it becoming Alaska
• 19:16 Bilt’s September Rent Day - 2 Transfer bonuses
• 20:59 Great Bilt redemption - One Bite Pizza Festival
• 22:10 New immersive sports/bar/stadium venues

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.

Melio Offer Terms: This is a business to business payment platform - no personal bills / payments. The offer is for new accounts only. If you sign up using the 20 Minute Travel link new members will get $200 cash back after making a $200+ payment via Melio pay. Gal from Melio will reach out to finalize the details of your payment. That is $6 in processing fees for a $200 bonus! After signing up and making your first payment with a vendor you will want to upload your bank info to your Melio account. Do it as the receiving method so you have a checking account set up to receive payments. You will then receive an email from (Gal) Melio saying you are eligible for the $200 bonus and it will tell you to set up your receiving method, or you can share your bank information if you prefer that.

Episode Description:

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

This week a few interesting topics made the news including a new trend that is sweeping social media. People are foregoing entertainment and just about everything on long flights. Does this make the flight experience better or does it just sound like hell?

In other news Chase was making noise with a rumor about a possible Amex Centurion competitor the bank will launch. We also saw new spending offers for Chase cardholders and a glitch affecting recent applicants and their welcome offers. Other topics discussed include: sledding down sand dunes, Etihad's interesting new redemption, more about 5X rotating cards and how Amex changed the terms of a popular offer.

Episode Guide:

• 0:00 Sand sledding adventures
• 0:50 Stunning new Delta One lounge in New York
• 2:14 Do these new premium lounges offer the expected experience?
• 4:03 Chase is having IT issues with welcome offers
• 5:43 Raw dogging on flights - A new strategy?
• 7:41 Does it make sense to be a little more disconnected & mindful in the air?
• 8:39 Amex has changed the terms of a popular recurring offer
• 10:58 The world’s dumbest airline redemption
• 12:50 Chase 3rd quarter spending offers - 5-7X!
• 13:47 3rd quarter bonus categories for 5X rotating cards
• 15:37 Are the 5X rotating cards an important earning strategy
• 16:35 Rumor - Chase launching Amex Centurion competitor?
• 17:59 Do ultra premium cards have value for normal people

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 the first half of the year draws down which means it is time to redeem all of your expiring credits! On this episode we dive a bit into the Dell ecosystem, how to maximize offers, get huge cashback and take advantage of Amex Business Platinum credits. But what should you buy?

In other news Shawn recaps part of his recent trip including a haunted hotel experience in Taiwan and visiting Disney's newest expansion in Tokyo which is the most expensive ever. Other topics discussed include: allergies on a plane, our favorite Amex redemption partners, when airlines release award space and how "The Beach" inspired both of us to travel.

Episode Guide:

• 0:00 Inspired by “The Beach” and overtourism
• 1:34 What to buy with those elusive Dell credits
• 3:12 Tips for stacking offers & deals to save more with Dell
• 4:17 Wyndham’s Ultimate Hotel Pass - A good deal?
• 5:54 Diving into Amex Membership Rewards transfer partners
• 6:41 Why we don’t love to transfer Amex points to domestic partners
• 7:36 Waiting for transfer bonuses & do not transfer speculatively
• 9:27 Should you cash out Amex Membership Rewards?
• 10:25 Nuts on a plane - A near death experience on Emirates
• 12:46 Tokyo DisneySea’s Fantasy Springs - Most expensive theme park expansion ever
• 14:53 Shawn’s haunted hotel experience in Taipei
• 17:04 When do airlines release award space & why you want to stay on top of it
• 19:24 The worst “crime” on an airplane
• 20:39 Flying with a spouse/family - Do you split up?

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 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.