Point Hacks

Qantas’ Project Sunrise could change how Australians fly to Europe, with nonstop Sydney to London flights planned on specially configured Airbus A350 aircraft. In this episode of the Point Hacks Podcast, Tobias Venus speaks with Brandon Loo after his Project Sunrise media briefing and Airbus factory visit. They cover why London appears to be the obvious launch route, how Qantas is thinking about p...

Tobias and Brandon recently visited Hong Kong and came away convinced it’s one of the top destinations for Australian points collectors. In this episode, we cover: • Why Hong Kong works so well as a stopover city • How to use points to get there • The best airport lounges and aviation experiences • Why Hong Kong is ideal for short stays • Our top 10 things to do around the city Whether you’re plan...

  Credit card surcharges are being scrapped in Australia, but what does that mean for frequent flyer points? In this episode, Toby Venus and Wilson McTaggart break down the RBA’s changes to surcharges and interchange fees, why they matter, and how they could affect sign-up bonuses, earn rates, annual fees and travel perks on popular rewards cards. They also look at why business credit cards may ho...

Cherry blossom season in Japan is one of the most popular travel experiences for Australians. In this episode, we cover where to go, when to book and how to use points effectively. Tobias also recounts his previous (and somewhat disastrous) visit to chase cherry blossoms in 2025. We also answer a listener question about points expiry. Learn why transferring points doesn’t extend expiry in most cas...

Qantas has announced the biggest overhaul of its Frequent Flyer program in years, and it’s going to change how Australians earn status, redeem points and engage with the airline. In this episode Brandon and Tobias break down everything we know about the upcoming changes rolling out between 2026 and 2027. We cover the new Classic Reward search tool, the introduction of status credits on the ground,...

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 Qant...

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 an...

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 cre...

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 po...

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...

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 whe...

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?” 🎬 Credits: Guest: Brandon Loo, Senior Content Produce...

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 💳 The “six-prong strategy” she used to earn 254,000 Qantas Points in a single d...

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. 🎬 Credits: Guest: Brandon Loo, Senior Content Producer Hosted, produced and ed...

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,...

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 ✅...

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 Airlin...

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 Veloc...

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-mil...

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 trav...

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...

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.