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 …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 📧 Free newsletter
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In this episode of the Low Season Traveller Insider Guides, Ged Brown sits down with Tomasz Koralewski, CEO of the Lodz Tourism Organisation, for a fascinating conversation about one of Europe's most intriguing and undiscovered cities.
Recorded over a traditional Polish lunch in the heart of Lodz, …In this episode of the Low Season Traveller Insider Guides, Ged Brown sits down with Tomasz Koralewski, CEO of the Lodz Tourism Organisation, for a fascinating conversation about one of Europe's most intriguing and undiscovered cities.
Recorded over a traditional Polish lunch in the heart of Lodz, this episode offers a deep dive into the city's unique history, its remarkable transformation, and its vision for a more sustainable and authentic tourism future.
Key Topics & Discussion Points:
The Manchester of Poland:
Discover why Lodz earned this nickname and how its industrial past has shaped its present-day identity. Learn about the city's 19th-century boom, the rise and fall of its textile industry, and the incredible regeneration of its 400+ factories into vibrant cultural and commercial spaces.
A City of Contrasts:
Tomasz shares his passion for Lodz's captivating contrasts – from the grandeur of industrialist palaces to the poignant history of the Jewish ghetto. Explore the city's eclectic architecture, its peaceful green spaces, and the powerful stories that lie within its walls.
Authentic Local Experiences:
Hear why Lodz is a city for travellers who want to connect with local life. Tomasz explains how the city has avoided the pitfalls of over-tourism and why you're more likely to rub shoulders with locals than other tourists. Discover the best places to experience the real Lodz, from the bustling Piotrkowska Street to the tranquil Jewish Cemetery.
Sustainable & Regenerative Tourism:
Learn about Lodz's commitment to sustainable tourism and how it's creating a tourism model that benefits both visitors and residents. Tomasz discusses the importance of attracting conscious travellers who want to immerse themselves in the local culture and contribute to the city's ongoing regeneration.
Creative Capital:
Find out why Lodz is a haven for creative souls. From its world-renowned film school to its vibrant street art scene, the city is buzzing with creative energy. Tomasz shares his insights into what makes Lodz such an inspiring place for artists, designers, and filmmakers.
Insider Recommendations:
Get the inside scoop on the best things to see, do, and eat in Lodz. Tomasz reveals his personal favourite spots in the city, including a remarkable immersive experience that allows you to step into the world of the visually impaired.
Read Related Article Here
Tune in to the full episode to discover why Lodz should be at the top of your travel list and why it's a city that will stay with you long after you leave.more
On journeys through Central Asia, Turkey, Ukraine, the South Caucasus, Russia, the Baltics and Poland, Caroline Eden reveals the kitchen's unique ability to tell intimate human stories. This episode — discussing her memoir, Cold Kitchen, as well as her trilogy of award-winning recipe books, Black Se…On journeys through Central Asia, Turkey, Ukraine, the South Caucasus, Russia, the Baltics and Poland, Caroline Eden reveals the kitchen's unique ability to tell intimate human stories. This episode — discussing her memoir, Cold Kitchen, as well as her trilogy of award-winning recipe books, Black Sea, Red Sands and Green Mountains — make for a mouthwatering exploration of place and people.more
Journalist Oneika Raymond reveals the top countries where, as a black woman traveling solo, she feels a cultural appreciation and connection. Then the head of Bread for the World describes how the organization's advocacy work has stepped up its efforts in the face of cuts to government aid programs.…Journalist Oneika Raymond reveals the top countries where, as a black woman traveling solo, she feels a cultural appreciation and connection. Then the head of Bread for the World describes how the organization's advocacy work has stepped up its efforts in the face of cuts to government aid programs. And tour guides from Poland give us a look at how the country is modernizing, while retaining what makes it uniquely Polish.more
On this episode of Out Of Office: A Travel Podcast, the boys head to Krakow, the intellectual heart of Poland. The city is home to beautiful churches, endless Pope John Paul II memorabilia, one of the oldest universities in the world (Copernicus attended), and moving remembrances of Jewish citizens …On this episode of Out Of Office: A Travel Podcast, the boys head to Krakow, the intellectual heart of Poland. The city is home to beautiful churches, endless Pope John Paul II memorabilia, one of the oldest universities in the world (Copernicus attended), and moving remembrances of Jewish citizens killed in the Holocaust. Plus, a quick detour to the historic Wieliczka Salt Mine.
This week travel writer Pavlo Fedykovych regales us with Poland’s many charms. We discuss the historic sites of Kraków and Warsaw, outdoor adventures in the Tartra Mountains and the unsung pleasures of the country’s Baltic beaches. Tune in for an unlikely paradise called Hel, dragon festivals and pi…This week travel writer Pavlo Fedykovych regales us with Poland’s many charms. We discuss the historic sites of Kraków and Warsaw, outdoor adventures in the Tartra Mountains and the unsung pleasures of the country’s Baltic beaches. Tune in for an unlikely paradise called Hel, dragon festivals and pierogi. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.more
Thomas Swick moved to Warsaw at the height of the Cold War. His newest book Falling Into Place is a memoir of his life behind the Iron Curtain, but it’s also a writer’s coming of age in the heyday of post-Watergate journalism.
We spoke about life in the Eastern Bloc,…Donate to Personal Landscapes.
Thomas Swick moved to Warsaw at the height of the Cold War. His newest book Falling Into Place is a memoir of his life behind the Iron Curtain, but it’s also a writer’s coming of age in the heyday of post-Watergate journalism.
We spoke about life in the Eastern Bloc, Polish films, and the ten sins of travel writing.
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.personallandscapespodcast.com/subscribemore
Join Ashley and Emily in this episode of Travel Chat as they discuss their experiences at the WITS conferences in different locations around the world. From the intimate setting in Gdansk, Poland to the vibrant atmosphere in Puerto Rico and the exciting time in Utah, Salt Lake City, Park City, the h…Join Ashley and Emily in this episode of Travel Chat as they discuss their experiences at the WITS conferences in different locations around the world. From the intimate setting in Gdansk, Poland to the vibrant atmosphere in Puerto Rico and the exciting time in Utah, Salt Lake City, Park City, the hosts share insights and highlights from each of the three conferences they attended. Tune in to hear about their speaking engagements, conference activities, and more. Key takeaways: Ashley’s...more
Learning other languages can be really hard - especially if you're sitting in your home country trying to learn from a boring textbook. The guests in this episode all decided that they'd learn another language - Thai, French, Polish and Welsh - by travelling and immersing themselves in the language,…Learning other languages can be really hard - especially if you're sitting in your home country trying to learn from a boring textbook. The guests in this episode all decided that they'd learn another language - Thai, French, Polish and Welsh - by travelling and immersing themselves in the language, in varied and interesting ways.
First up, I hear from Paddy Jenkins about his experience of learning Thai - in fact, teaching himself Thai - while he spent six months volunteering in Chiang Mai. Spoiler alert: yes, he would literally take his notebook and dictionary even if he went to the pub or a nightclub! That's dedication.
Next, I speak with Tracy Collins who was told by her French teacher she would never be able to speak French, but proved her wrong when she moved to France to work as an au pair. She also was lucky to be working for a family that helped her out in some perhaps unexpected ways.
Love is often a reason for learning another language and this was what took Thomas Swick to living in Poland. I did laugh when he was explaining the grammatical complexities of Polish, although when you're leaning it you're more likely to cry, I think!
Finally, Pam Petro decided to make the effort to learn the lesser-spoken language of Welsh. She went through some hardcore learning and even took some surprising travels in her pursuit of Welsh fluency.
Links:
• Thai Talk with Paddy https://www.youtube.com/ThaiTalkwithPaddy/
• Tracy Collins - UK Travel Planning https://uktravelplanning.com and Global Travel Planning at https://globaltravelplanning.com - both also podcasts
• Thomas Swick - https://www.thomasswick.com/ - and his new book, Falling Into Place
• Pamela Petro - https://www.pamelapetro.com/
• Pam’s book The Long Field - https://amzn.to/4bt7TGq
• Episode 277 Languages and Connection https://notaballerina.com/277
• Join our Facebook group for Thoughtful Travellers - https://www.facebook.com/groups/thoughtfultravellers
• Join our LinkedIn group for Thoughtful Travellers - https://notaballerina.com/linkedin
• Sign up for the Thoughtful Travellers newsletter at Substack - https://thoughtfultravel.substack.com
• Show notes: https://notaballerina.com/323 Support the show: https://thoughtfultravel.substack.com/
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