Amex Cashout Changes, Big British Devaluations, 40% Off Amazon, 7-11 Japan & Hyatt's New Brand!

July 10, 2024

Episode Description:

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

This week we got hit with a ton of devaluations making this game more "fun" than ever! It started with American Express limiting cash outs on Schwab Platinum cards to 1 million points per year. You can redeem more than that, but you won't want to. British Airways and Virgin Atlantic also hopped in with negative changes of their own. Goodbye Avios sweet spots and cheap Delta redemptions!

In other news Hyatt added yet another brand as they integrate more European hotels into their portfolio. We also discuss getting stranded by Frontier Airlines, how to save 40% or more off of Amazon and why the Japanese 7-Eleven experience will soon be coming to the United States!

Episode Guide:

• 0:00 Top 3 places to visit if you don’t have any money
• 0:48 Amex makes big changes to popular cash out option
• 2:47 Best options and strategies for cashing out Amex points
• 4:20 How to save big money on Amazon with your credit card points
• 6:31 Virgin Atlantic devalues Delta One redemptions - Huge fuel surcharges!
• 8:38 What you should do now with your Virgin Atlantic miles
• 9:23 7-Eleven Japan experience coming to the United States
• 12:19 British Airways devalues many popular awards
• 13:53 Losing all of the Avios sweet spots
• 15:00 Hyatt adds yet another new brand
• 15:50 Why this new brand is great for Brand Explorer rewards
• 17:11 How Hyatt has really expanded their presence in Europe
• 18:01 Getting stranded by Frontier
• 20:04 How miles & points can help you when you are stranded while traveling

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!

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