Points of View

Qantas Double Status Credits are back — and this is your fast track to Gold or Platinum. In this emergency episode of the Point Hacks Podcast, we break down the newly announced Double Status Credits promotion and show you exactly how to turn it into elite status. We explain how the offer works and the smartest ways to plan a status run — whether you're paying cash, using points, or leveraging Qantas Points Club. We also walk through real strategies that have previously taken us all the way to Platinum, including how to use connections, distance bands and reward tables to your advantage — plus why this promo can unlock hard-to-find reward seats (hello, Japan). If you've ever wanted lounge access, better upgrade chances and priority treatment across the Qantas and oneworld network, this is the promotion to pay attention to. Got questions about your own status run? Drop them in the comments.

In this episode of the Point Hacks Podcast, we're answering one of the biggest questions for Velocity members: What's the best way to spend Velocity Points in 2026? Brandon joins Toby to break down the top reward flight redemptions, from long-haul Business Class sweet spots to clever partner airline hacks that unlock outsized value. We cover real-world availability, fees, recent program changes and which options are actually worth your hard-earned points. You'll learn how to turn a six-figure points balance into experiences like Qatar Airways Qsuites to Doha and Europe, ANA Business Class to Tokyo, United Polaris to the USA, Singapore Airlines premium cabins via KrisFlyer and more. We also answer a listener question on why reward seats need to be booked so far in advance, and share practical strategies for finding them — whether you're planning a year ahead or hunting last-minute availability. And if you're still building your balance, we run through the fastest ways to earn Velocity Points in Australia right now, from sign-up bonuses to everyday partner hacks. Whether you're new to Velocity or sitting on a big points stash, this episode will help you extract maximum value from your next redemption.

Looking for a Velocity Points-earning credit card but overwhelmed by bonus offers, lounge perks and confusing earn rates? In this episode of the Point Hacks Podcast, Tobias and Brandon break down seven of the top Velocity Point earning credit cards available right now, comparing: • Bonus point offers • Annual fees • Earn rates on everyday spend • Lounge access perks • Free flights & travel credits If you're trying to decide which Velocity card gives you the most value for your spending habits, this episode will save you hours of research. ⚠️ As always: this is general information only — not financial advice. Always check the PDS and consider your own circumstances before applying.

Which Qantas domestic business lounge is actually the best in Australia and which one really needs some love? In this episode of the Point Hacks Podcast, Tobias Venus is joined by frequent flyer expert Chris Chamberlin to rank every Qantas domestic business lounge from worst to best. Between them, they've visited every lounge multiple times and break down what really matters: food, space, power points, views, service, and what makes a lounge actually feel premium. We also explain exactly how to get access to Qantas Business Lounges, including eligibility via status, cabin class, partner airlines, and guest access rules. Whether you're chasing better lounge experiences, planning a status run, or just want to know if business lounge access is worth it, this one's for you. Subscribe for more conversations about earning and spending Qantas Points and Velocity Points, lounge access, and smarter travel strategies.

Most travellers think about frequent flyer programs first but if you stay in hotels regularly, you might be leaving huge value on the table. In this episode, Tobias and Brandon discuss Accor hotel's range of loyalty programs, including how to maximise perks such as free nights, Qantas double-dipping, elite status, lounge access and more. If you've ever wondered how Accor hotel loyalty works, what points you can actually earn, or how to squeeze the most value out of status benefits, this episode is your guide.

First Class flights look outrageous on Instagram. Private suites, showers in the sky and champagne worth more than your weekly shop. But are they actually worth the points? In this episode of the Point Hacks Podcast, Tobias Venus is joined by frequent First Class flyer, Chris Chamberlin, to break down the best First Class seats you can book from Australia, how many points they really cost, and when it actually makes sense to splurge. From Singapore Airlines Suites to Emirates' “Game Changer” First Class, we rank the top options, explain how to find reward availability, and share real strategies for booking First Class with points — even if you don't have elite status.

Choosing a Qantas credit card can feel overwhelming but at Point Hacks we're thinking about this stuff every day!  In this episode, Brandon Loo joins Tobias to break down nine major Qantas-earning credit cards, their perks, earn rates and fees.  We also answer a great listener question: “Is there a limit to how many credit cards you can have?”

Finance expert, author, and media personality Nicole Pedersen-McKinnon joins Tobias to unpack one of the biggest questions in money and travel: As a finance expert, is collecting frequent flyer points actually worth it? In this episode, you'll learn: ✈️ How Nicole flew herself and her kids to Disneyland for $600 total

Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer is one of the most popular programs for Australian travellers — but with changes rolling out, are the miles still worth collecting? In this episode we break down how KrisFlyer works, the upcoming devaluations, the best sweet-spot redemptions, and how Aussies can earn miles more effectively.

How easy is it really to earn Qantas and Velocity Points without flying Business Class every week? In this episode of the Point Hacks Podcast, Tobias sits down with Brandon Loo and Chris Chamberlain to break down every way Aussies can start earning points right now, from supermarket shops to 100k+ sign-up bonuses. We cover: ✅ The essential first steps to start earning Qantas and Velocity Points, even if you're a complete beginner ✅ Everyday earn hacks through supermarkets, fuel, Uber/Didi, hotels and wine stores ✅ How to multiply your points with bonus gift card offers and stacking techniques ✅ Why credit card sign-up bonuses are the fastest way to jump straight into Business Class ✅ Business and personal bill-paying platforms that let you earn points on things that normally don't ✅ When (if ever) you should buy points outright vs. getting them via wine or transfer partners ✅ Retro-claiming loopholes. How far back you can go to recover missed points

What's the best way to spend 25,000 Velocity Points? A $119 foot spa or flights to four AFL games across three cities in one weekend?  In this episode of the Point Hacks Podcast, Toby and Josh put the theory to the test. We cover: ✅ Comparing 25,000 Velocity Points spent on a foot spa vs. on domestic AFL flights ✅ Why flights almost always beat merchandise redemptions in cents-per-point value ✅ The pitfalls of Virgin's dynamic pricing on reward seats ✅ Booking tips: when to lock in the lowest redemption rates and how Business Class differs ✅ How newcomers can build up a points balance without credit cards ✅ Final cents-per-point calculations and what this says about the true “floor vs. ceiling” value of Velocity Points

Qantas raised classic reward prices, so what still delivers with 100,000 Qantas Points? Brandon Loo joins Tobias Venus to re-rank 9 great redemptions post-devaluation. We cover: ✅ What changed in the Qantas award devaluation (up to ~20%) and how it reshapes the value of 100,000 points ✅ Emirates First SYD–CHC: why it still punches above its weight  ✅ Asia in Business with Cathay or China Airlines ✅ JAL Business: what's great, what's quirky ✅ Qantas A330 Business to Asia ✅ Qantas First SYD–SIN vs saving ~40k by booking Business instead ✅ When cash fares beat points for long-haul economy ✅ Short regional hops (~9,200 pts) that shine when cash spikes

Thanks to its partnership with Qatar Airways, Virgin Australia is “back” with international long haul flights. But are these flights actually worth your hard-earned Velocity Points? In this episode Tobias Venus chats with Chris Chamberlin (Senior News Editor, Point Hacks) who flew the inaugural VA-coded service to Doha on Qatar Airline's Qsuite Business Class. We cover: ✅Which international Velocity redemptions offer the best value (hint: this flight is one of them) ✅How the Virgin Australia flight differs from Qatar's offering ✅The quirks of wet-leasing and how it impacts amenities and lounge access ✅How to stitch connections to Europe on one ticket. ✅How to book VA coded flights between Australia and Doha using points, including alternatives to Velocity Points ✅What's next for Virgin Australia international long-haul

In this episode of Point Hacks, Tobias Venus chats with Brandon Loo, fresh from an epic two-week trip around the globe — all booked using Qantas Points!  Learn exactly how he visited four continents, multiple world-class cities, and top airline lounges for just 318,000 points + minimal taxes (now 365,800 points). We cover: ✅ How to book a oneworld Classic Flight Reward and maximise the 35,000-mile cap ✅ The essential rules & tricks to maximise value ✅ Tips for finding rare business class award seats ✅ Brandon's full itinerary: Tokyo, Chicago, New York, Barcelona, London, Helsinki, Hong Kong, Singapore & more ✅ The best food, lounges, and airlines from his trip ✅ Smart ways to earn points faster for your own round-the-world adventure Whether you've got 300,000 Qantas Points or you're just starting your points journey, this episode is packed with practical strategies, insider hacks, and inspiration to turn your frequent flyer balance into the trip of a lifetime.

Travel Pointers is a brand new Australian podcast for frequent flyers, hosted by Point Hacks News Editor Chris Chamberlin and Australian Frequent Flyer Editor Matt Graham. Each month, your hosts will discuss the latest travel news, share their best travel tips and stories, and provide useful tips to help you make the most of your points! Some episodes will also include interviews with leading travel industry figures.

Travelling in India is an amazing adventure, but it pays to plan in advance. From landing in a security-heavy air force base to finding the right ATM, Chris Chamberlin shares his firsthand experience of incredible India.

Fresh off a Business Class flight, Chris Chamberlin is loving New Caledonia. Noumea is easy to get to, gives you a taste of the Maldives, and there are reward seats available! David and Chris breakdown the entire experience, and how you can fly there yourself using your Qantas points.

How do the experts find Business and First Class reward seats? What are some routes to look at given current availability? Which points currencies should I be collecting? There are too many answers to these questions to put on one guest's shoulders. So we got three! We've gathered some of Australia's leading frequent flyer experts from both Point Hacks and Australian Frequent Flyer to help us get to the bottom of these questions and more.

In this episode, Point Hacks' writer Brandon Loo returns to the podcast to brag about his recent trip to Rome and the sparkling Amalfi Coast. With reward availability at a premium right now, we also dive into some interesting and creative ways to jet to Europe on points. Brandon's top tips? You'll have to listen to find out!

Chris Chamberlin is making up for lost time! Having just completed the world's longest flight between Singapore and New York, we talk about how he fared and the future of ultra long hauls.

Point Hacks CEO, Michael Siwes, just flew return to Barcelona. From start to finish, the entire trip was booked using points in either Business or First Class. The catch? 109 hours of time spent travelling.

Singapore have recently relaxed their COVID restrictions, effectively opening the county to tourism again. Editor-in-Chief of Point Hacks, Daniel Sciberras, joins our host David to talk about what Singapore is currently like on the ground, and some of the best ways to get there on points.

Chris Chamberlin joins David today to talk about New Zealand. Chris had travelled over a million miles sampling the best in Business Class and First Class. That's further than two return trips to the moon! Today he recounts his recent trip to New Zealand and shares some tips for when you book your next trip.

On this episode of Points of View, we chat with Brandon Loo, a senior writer for Point Hacks. Brandon recently jetted to paradise in style, thanks to Qantas Points. He shares his tips and tricks – from planning his trip to Fiji, to making the most of his time on the ground.

We're back after a pandemic-sized break. On this episode of Points of View, we talk to Antonia Strakosch, a writer and editor for Point Hacks. Antonia just did a Business Class round trip to London on points, and dives into what it's like to travel as COVID restrictions are lifted and the world opens up. Antonia's biggest tip? Have a working printer at home.

What are your burning questions about the frequent flyer game? On the last episode of Season 1, we asked the Point Hacks audience what they’d like to ask our Managing Editor, Daniel Sciberras. From tools, status and the age old Qantas versus Velocity question, Daniel answers all.

We’ve got Keith Mason, founder of Point Hacks, back on the podcast and we’re talking about Beginners and Redemption Strategies. This is a great episode if you’re a beginner yourself or if you have friends that ask you how to get started in the points game. In the second half of the podcast we take a dive into Keith’s methods for redeeming flights, definitely worth a listen.

The team at Point Hacks travel a lot and have been fortunate enough to test out many Business Class seats. On this episode, Matt Moffitt and I run through the best seats you should be aiming for with your Frequent Flyer points redemptions.

Australians are points crazy, but mainly with Frequent Flyer points. There’s a whole world of hotel points that goes relatively unnoticed in comparison. Point Hacks Managing Editor, Daniel Sciberras is back to talk about how to get the most out of hotel points.

Point Hacks founder, Keith Mason, is back again and on this episode we’re talking travel with family. We’ll be diving into how Keith travels with his family using points, how your priorities can change when booking a seat, as well as tips & hacks to look out for.

How do you go from having close to 0 Frequent Flyer points in your account to booking a trip with 2 Business and 1 First Class flights just over a year later? A good friend of mine, Kane Richards, joins me today to talk about how he did just that and what he learned from the process. It's worth noting that the flights we discuss were booked prior to the Qantas Frequent Flyer changes that came into effect in September 2019 and at the time of recording, BP's switch to Qantas had only just been announced.

What do you do when you’ve booked a massive family trip to Europe using points and things start to fall apart? Edward Alder, who’s joining us today, found out the answer to that question first hand. It’s a pretty insane story.

The Managing Editor of Point Hacks, Daniel Sciberras, joins us today. We’ll be discussing one of the best value points redemptions you can make… a oneworld round the world booking. This can be done in Economy, Business or First class using your qantas points. Daniel covers all of the details, routes he's flown, and how you can book a trip yourself.

Imagine travelling the world, working from exotic locations and flying in more business and first class seats than you can count. Well that’s exactly what Matt Moffitt, a Senior Writer for Point Hacks, did for over a year! Today I’m talking to Matt about his time as a digital nomad including the ups, downs and tips if you want to do the same.

In the very first episode of Points of View we talk to Keith Mason, founder of the Point Hacks website. Point Hacks started in 2011 and has grown into Australia's top website to help people earn the most points that can meet their travel goals. We also dive into how Keith got into the world of Frequent Flyer points, how Point Hacks came to be, and some of his most memorable Business and First Class redemptions.