Mark is back! Was really worried about the show for a while. So happy that Marc is back. The new format is so much more fun to listen to looking forward to listening to every episode now.

Thanks for your topics and creativity

I am disappointed to hear the hosts complain about flights and hotels and their disappointment in them. They travel more than most people, most of the time for free and seemingly as part of their business and all they do is complain. No thank you.

Love how Sean is always thinking outside the box, loved this week’s episode with Benji. Always a good listen!

I love this podcast!! Shawn has a great backpacker background with tons of money saving hacks! My only slight on the podcast is having to listen to “social justice Joe” talking down to everyone.

Always enjoy your podcast. Very good banter between you both. I like the different perspectives you give on topics such as cards with no SUBs, cashing out MRs etc ( not that I would but I enjoy hearing about different situations to keep any open mind ). I keep checking when you have any available space in your Diamond group but it’s always full. This Benji person intrigues me too.

Enjoy listening to their podcast. They have many pearls of wisdom that I have absorbed. Thank you!

I think one of the easier more fun travel podcasts to listen to. I think they are class A in small talk. Keep it up friends!

Joe, you are the GOAT of miles and points podcasts with all you did on the Observation Deck, but now it might be time to hang it up. The last 10+ episodes has been painful as you repeatedly stumble over your words and not know basic things like how Citi Premier and Prestige transfers to Choice at 1:2. It pains me, but it feels like we’re witnessing Jordan with the Wizards. It is very clear that your focus is on Disney and your travel agency. Any time the topic of Disney comes up, you are super engaged and have a lot of perspective. After the Disney or Sports segment is over and you start to talk about miles and points, your commentary is very surface level and you never really challenge or dive one level deeper with Shawn. I’m a huge fan of you and Shawn but since the departure of Mark, I haven’t laughed once while listening to your show. The positioning of this podcast is the “fun side of miles and points” and it hasn’t been living up to that. I think the two of you would make a great “Disney side of miles and points” podcast but the current format isn’t living up to the quality that it once had. This feedback isn’t meant to roast you guys, but rather for you guys to capture the same energy you had early on.

I wish you didn’t waste the first half of your travel podcasts chitchatting about SPORTS. If I wanted to hear about sports, I’d seek out a sports podcast. Your travel information is helpful, but I often have to fast forward quite a bit until I get ahead of the sports crap. I have limited time daily to listen to podcasts that interest me. I don’t want to waste one second of my precious life hearing about sports. Life is too short and I’ve got too many places to see.

Thank you for what you do!

This is a show that talks about points ( and other stuff ) but isn’t boring. Great hosts and great content.

I follow a number of podcasts on miles & points for years. Had to stop listening after 15 minutes. One of the hosts repeatedly bragging about been on Cathay’s 1st Class 7, 8 times. Talking down on datedness of time share properties & flat out saying ‘Maui is closed’. Followed by ranting incessantly on being personally attacked by other peer podcasters. Please broaden your horizons & check out some of best of the best vacation ownership (term ‘time share’ is 20th Century) on the Island of Maui which is NOT closed. We’re saddened by what happened to Lahaina & Kula on August 8. The West side of Maui represents only 10% of the Island’s tourism. Not hard to understand why this host is the ‘target’ of peer criticisms. And Maui is very much OPEN to mindful & respectful visitors.

Just listened to the episode that was released today, 8/31 and while I agree with Shawn’s rant I must call him out (and I hate to because I truly think he’s an awesome guy that brings lots to the space). Shawn, you have Ryan F. as a moderator and a contributor to your Diamond group and while he has his moments of decency, he has on quite a few occasions gone on absolute hate filled rants about people, especially those in the retail space. He talks down about them, claims he has done it to them, and for the 2 months I was part of your Diamond group, you sat silently while he went on and on. Unless something has changed since I left the Diamond group a year ago, he needs to be dialed in and toned down. Bengy would do his best to try to calm him and his tone down, but his efforts usually amounted to taking Ryan from a boil to a simmer. You never bothered to poll the group to see what some of us did as far as occupation but you let him rant endlessly about those who he thinks is beneath him. Do I think he’s a terribly guy, no, I truly don’t. But you went on about bringing positivity to this hobby today while failing to acknowledge that you have one who is very negative within your own structure. I will make mention again, I really enjoy what you do and bring to this space. Bengy is one of the kindness guys you have on your team…Ryan has lots to offer but it’s often drowned out by his own voice that is usually berating or ranting about retail workers for just doing their job that happens to get in the way of how he goes about this hobby. This podcast is truly a 5 and I’m taking one star away because I know how he is and listened to enough negative that he spewed for 2 months before I left because I couldn’t take it anymore. Keep doing what you’re doing but please, for the sake of the community you have built, get Ryan to tone it down because he’s offensive and anyone who is or was part or your private Diamond community knows it.

I love that Shawn and Joe discuss more than “soft product” and “hard product” and Hyatt points… they actually talk about their experiences in their destinations! Too much of the miles and points world is obsessed with how many lounges someone can hit up and wanting to be fawned over in the air (ugh), but the conversations often overlook the bigger point of the journey… the destination! I like that Shawn and Joe provide practical guidance about points earning and redemption while also sharing stories about the core of their adventures. This is a super podcast for people who want to design adventure for their whole families, not just spend as much time as possible in the air. Love it!

I’ve listened to quite a few episodes. If I skip the opening banter, I normally find something useful. Just listened to the Faroe Islands episode—tourism and alcoholism. I hate to leave a negative review, but…

I’ve listened to this podcast for a while and have always really enjoyed it. Sometimes the Disney and cruising talk gets a little redundant but I typically just skip through it. The past two episodes with Mark makes me realize I wish he never left. He’s hilarious and the podcast is better with him. Bring him back!!!!

I really appreciate their advice. Since I started listening I’ve used their advice to travel more this year than I ever have. The world is a big, beautiful place.

Shawn and Joe do an awesome job each week of providing all the latest news in the points and miles space, and their rapport makes for a fun, lighthearted, and easy-to-listen-to experience every Thursday. Keep up the good work, guys!

Very informative and entertaining podcast diving into the points and miles universe. This podcast covers a wide range of topics travel and points related. Shawn is a very genuine guys and his passion for the hobby is reflected through his work.

Great show guys! My biggest takeaway is I learn something new almost every episode. Good content and structured well. I like hearing different takes on topics.

Enjoyed the podcast for a long time now. Keep up the great work!

Love, love, love the podcast. Consistently informative and entertaining! A must listen for the travel and points community.

Just a Cajun from south Louisiana that wishes he would of got into the points game a lot sooner. Love y’all podcast and because of y’all my wife and I will be taking an 8 day Hawaiian 1 year anniversary trip this December all on points!!! Thanks for the great info and I look forward to and can’t wait to listen to each weeks new episodes!!!!

This one doesn't do it for me. Why? Seem to focus way too much on cruises. The podcast on a carnival cruise made me want to gag. Why would anyone do this to themselves even if free? Way too much Disney. See point 1. Disney snd cruises go hand and hand to me in the extra cheesy department but i get it: a lot of other people love Disney and cruises. I have kids 18 and 15 so maybe im phased out or just too cool? When they are not talking about Disney and cruises u can learn alot. Its just more rare

Great combination of personal stories and travel/points hacks.

Love the show! You all are such a great team, and I’ve learned so much about travel hacking because of you. Definitely sad to see Mark go, but I’m sure the future of the pod will continue to be equally as great.

Very informative in the miles/points space. The show earned that 5th Star because of Mark’s laugh 😆

This is absolutely one of the best podcasts for the miles and points enthusiasts it’s informative and entertaining.

Super awesome show. Perfect blend of great valuable info and entertaining banter. I just started with points and miles during the pandemic and this podcast and the blog propelled me from rookie to pretty competent so quickly. I learn something every episode. Will definitely miss Mark and his laugh

As a miles and points beginner I started listening to this podcast to learn about the hobby. I’ve always enjoyed their banter and look forward to the podcast every week.

I’m pretty new to the travel points concept, and I appreciate the hosts’ clear explanations of various topics around the process. I also like that one host lives in Detroit because so often hosts of podcasts live in California or New York and I can’t relate to their advice.

I look forward to listening to the show every week.

Started listening to this podcast during my daily walk since many countries were closed due to covid and I was desperate for anything travel related. Marks non stop laughter at his own jokes and fun banter between the hosts really helped during those bleak days. I continue to listen because you never know what’s going to happen in their lives next and learn the next travel hacks.

I always make time for this podcast, lots of good info packed in and nerdy banter thrown in for good measure - thanks guys!

I have been listening to this podcast since right before COVID started and have enjoyed the witty banter from the hosts. They always seem up to date with the latest ongoings in this game and have taught me a lot, thank you. I don’t mind Mark’s laugh (when I’m on mute…jokingly) :-).

Enjoy the podcast every week. Like being invited into a conversation with a group of friends.

The Disney topics are so random. I want to learn about miles not Disney.

Great talk, funny hosts, excellent podcast. Makes me smile

I look forward to this podcast every week. I enjoy the banter between the hosts, the excellent tips and tricks, and of course, Mark laughing uncontrollably at his own jokes. I have learned a lot from the show but in a fun way that feels like you’re hanging out with friends.

The podcast is good to listening to for those that are interested in travel hacking. One thing I can do without though is Mark’s insensitive jokes and his entitled view on things. His comments seem very stuck up. Really enjoy Joe and Sean though on the podcast.

Excellent hosts

Lots of great info on this podcast but mostly I just love the banter with the hosts especially Mark laughing at his own jokes 🤣

Hey - it’s rare today that free could actually be better than a paid subscription, but I really like this podcast! The tips are great and it’s fun to hear the friendship in the group! I like that most of the points made are directed toward the audience. I feel like the paid subscription is more like eavesdropping on someone else’s conversation and I’m always trying to track down whatever detail I didn’t already know. I enjoy Mark’s laugh - but I’ve also enjoyed Shawn and Joe (except for the Disney stuff - I’m with you on that one Mark). Keep up the good work!

I listen to a few Miles & Points podcasts, and I consistently get great information from Mark, Joe, and Shawn. I was recently able to book an 8-day Alaska cruise with my daughters, using MtM tips, stacking and hacking my way to thousands of dollars of savings. And, yes, Mark’s laugh is infectious in both senses of the word.

Episodes are too long; unnecessarily long intros and outros and the hosts rarely stay on topic. Episodes could be cut down to 30 minutes without all the fluff. Too many hosts with too much personal chitchat and inside jokes. Could be a good show if they stayed on topic and kept the irrelevant conversation to a minimum.

I wanted to update my previous review as I’ve been excited to see the podcast become more structured and focused on points and miles issues in the last month. Keep it up! I was excited to find this podcast, but soon realized it does not focus much on points and miles issues. Banter and discussions about in-person group meetings can be fun, but wish these guys would get into the nitty gritty of the different programs and opportunities, considering that they’re experts. Feels like a missed opportunity. Share the wealth, guys!

This podcast has been very helpful and entertaining. There is so much to learn and you guys make it fun along the way

They have great tips and hacks, but it’s scattered in conversations. Wish it were more organized. There’s so much good info in the conversations I wish they picked the tips apart and was less “oh, great idea” in passing

The only blog/podcast to make me $250 this month in about 15 minutes, thanks to the UberEats Swagbucks deal. Love the travel and non-travel content, and people who don’t like Mark’s laugh are just killjoys.