Travel Pointers

Episode 9 - Travel tips for Japan

In Travel Pointers Episode 9, Matt and Wilson talk all things Japan! Find out why so many Aussies are going there, what we like about it the most, and which airlines you can fly to get there.
The pair also chat about Velocity moving to spend-based status, and whether Qantas will follow suit.
Each episode begins with a discussion of some of the recent Australian travel and frequent flyer news. In this episode:
Qantas Auckland Lounge renovations
Cathay Pacific award chart changes
Southwest Airlines changes
Velocity Status changes
Here's where you can also find more information about other topics discussed in this episode:
Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto hotel prices exploding
Matt's review of All Nippon Airways (ANA) Economy Class

Episode 8 - How to Use Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Miles

In Travel Pointers Episode 8, Matt and Wilson explain everything you need to know about redeeming Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer miles. It’s a great program with tons of Business Class award availability in and out of Australia, so it’s worth taking the time to get to know it!
The pair discuss the quirks you need to be aware of when using Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer, as well as certain sweet spots that can make your miles go further!
Each episode begins with a discussion of some of the recent Australian travel and frequent flyer news. In this episode:
Qantas reveals new Classic Reward charts
Hawaiian Airlines ends Virgin Australia partnership
Emirates brings "game-changer" First Class onto Melbourne-Dubai
New alternative to Melbourne's Skybus begins service
Qantas launch new March 2025 Double Status Credit promotion
Here's where you can also find more information about other topics discussed in this episode:
Transfer KrisFlyer miles to Velocity
Matt's Singapore Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 8 Business Class review
The best credit cards to earn KrisFlyer miles
How to fly around the world with KrisFlyer miles
KrisFlyer Spontaneous Escapes promotion
Learn more about Frequent Flyer Concierge

Episode 7 - How to Find Reward Flight Availability in 2025

In Travel Pointers Episode 7, Matt and Wilson explain how to find reward flight availability in 2025 - especially if you want to redeem your frequent flyer points for Business Class tickets. The pair discuss the latest reward flight trends, the airlines and routes which have the most reward seats, and the strategies you need to find them.
Over recent years, airlines have drastically changed the way they release reward seats. So the approach you need to take has changed as well!
Each episode begins with a discussion about recent Australian travel and frequent flyer news. In this episode:
Qantas Relaunches Seasonal Sapporo Flights 
Singapore Airlines Adds Garuda, Ends Virgin Atlantic Partnership 
Hilton Honors Status Match Challenge 
Here’s where you can find more information about other topics discussed in this episode:
Australian Frequent Flyer webinars
AFF member trip report: A super short and roundabout trip to Tokyo via the Middle East and Europe in (mostly) F
Learn more about Frequent Flyer Concierge

Episode 6 - Qantas Frequent Flyer Changes & A Deep Dive Into Qatar Airways

Welcome to a new year of the Travel Pointers podcast! After a break over the summer holidays, we’re back with not just a new episode, but also a new format.
From 2025, Travel Pointers is becoming an Australian Frequent Flyer (AFF) podcast. Of course, we’ll still share lots of tips to help you make the most of your frequent flyer points, tell lots of entertaining travel stories, and interview guests from the travel industry.
With the change of format also comes a new co-host. From this episode, AFF Editor Matt Graham will be joined by AFF content writer and senior Frequent Flyer Concierge consultant Wilson McTaggart. Wilson shares Matt’s passion for travel and is an expert in frequent flyer programs.
In Episode 6 of the Travel Pointers podcast, Matt and Wilson discuss their thoughts on the recent changes announced to the Qantas Frequent Flyer program.
They also talk in depth about Qatar Airways, from the history of the “World’s Best Airline”, to its fight for more traffic rights into Australia, to its on-board products and services. Both Matt and Wilson have recently flown with Qatar Airways. They talk about the unusual ways they each booked their tickets, as well as their (excellent) experiences on board.
Finally, you'll hear about the epic delivery flights from Canada to Australia of QantasLink’s newest Dash 8 planes.
Here’s where you can find more information about other topics discussed in this episode:
Overview of the 2025 Qantas Frequent Flyer program changes
Australian Frequent Flyer Training courses
Qantas receives first of 14 Dash 8s from WestJet
The AFF 2025 annual member gathering in Melbourne (21-23 November 2025)
Virgin Australia launching flights to Doha
Wilson’s Qatar Airways Boeing 777 Qsuite review (Doha-Manila)

Episode 5 - Interview with Velocity Frequent Flyer CEO Nick Rohrlach

In episode 5 of the Travel Pointers podcast, Velocity Frequent Flyer CEO Nick Rohrlach joins Matt and Chris to talk about the recent changes to Virgin Australia's loyalty program.
In this interview, find out why Velocity is making status harder to earn, why Velocity is launching a Forever Gold tier, what the enhanced partnership with Qatar Airways means for frequent flyers, and lots more!
Also in this episode, find out why next year could be the ideal time to visit Mongolia. It's not a country many people really consider travelling to, but it's an up-and-coming destination with lots to offer tourists. Plus, until the end of 2025, Australians don't need a visa to travel there.
Each episode begins with a discussion about recent Australian travel and frequent flyer news. In this episode:
Virgin Australia slashes Economy Flex airfares
Virgin and Etihad are ending their partnership in 2025
Etihad status match for Australian Velocity members
Qantas status match for New Zealand residents
You can now transfer Altitude and Amplify points to Everyday Rewards (and then Qantas)
Fiji Airways will fly to Cairns
Here’s where you can also find more information about other topics discussed in this episode:
Learn more about AFF memberships
Subscribe to the Point Hacks reward seat alerts newsletter
Read a review of Matt's flight on a MIAT Mongolian Airlines Boeing 767

Episode 4 - Major Velocity Frequent Flyer Changes & Lord Howe Island

In Travel Pointers Episode 4, Matt and Chris share their thoughts and opinions about the changes Virgin Australia is making to its Velocity Frequent Flyer program over the next year. These include changes to the way flyers earn and redeem points, the introduction of Platinum Plus and Forever Gold status, and Virgin making status much harder for most people to earn.
With Qantas just retiring its last Boeing 717, Chris and Matt reflect on the iconic plane that's graced Australian skies for almost 25 years.
The pair also discuss the what the recent news regarding air service to Lord Howe Island means for frequent flyers. Qantas currently flies to this island paradise between Australia and New Zealand, and this flight is one of the best uses of Qantas Points. But with Qantas soon retiring the only plane in its fleet capable of operating this service, it's doing some succession planning.
Each episode begins with a discussion about recent Australian travel and frequent flyer news. In this episode:
Qatar Airways eyes 25% stake in Virgin Australia
Qantas adds reward seats with Oman Air
Qantas Adds Airlink Codeshares
Australia's Incoming Passenger Card Finally on the Way Out
QantasLink Retires Its Last Boeing 717
Qantas Adds Flights to Palau
Welcome Change to Qantas Flight Credits
You Can Now Convert Amex Points to Alaska Miles (via HawaiianMiles)
Here’s where you can also find more information about other topics discussed in this episode:
Compare credit cards on Point Hacks
Summary of the changes to Velocity Frequent Flyer
AFF discussion thread about the Velocity program changes
AFF's Meetings & Social Events forum
Qantas Retreating from Lord Howe Island in 2026

Episode 3 - Our First Times in First Class & Easy Ways to Earn Points

In Travel Pointers Episode 3, Matt and Chris discuss how they earn Qantas and Velocity Points in ways other than the obvious methods of flying and through credit cards. This includes several ways to earn frequent flyer points in Australia for free.
Your hosts also talk about the first time they each flew internationally in First Class. They weren't rich nor famous, but they did have enough Qantas Points to book seats on (different) Emirates flights!
Each episode begins with a discussion about recent Australian travel and frequent flyer news. In this episode:
Turkish Airlines Will Fly to Sydney via Kuala Lumpur
Emirates set to withdraw from Singapore-Melbourne
Qantas to Replace Jetstar on Melbourne-Honolulu
Qatar Airways Increases “Reward Fees”
Qantas Offers Status Renewals with Points
Here’s where you can also find more information about other topics discussed in this episode:
Subscribe to the Point Hacks reward seat alerts newsletter
How Point Hacks writer Brandon Loo easily earned 10,000 bonus points with gift cards
The latest Everyday Rewards gift card bonus point offers
The latest Flybuys gift card bonus point offers
Learn more about AFF memberships
How to transfer Velocity Points to KrisFlyer miles
More information about the AFF Brisbane gathering (18-20 October 2024)

Episode 2 - Airplane Seat Selection Strategies & Status Matches

Point Hacks News Editor Chris Chamberlin and Australian Frequent Flyer Editor Matt Graham explain how they ended up in a window seat without a window, after a seat selection mishap - and discuss the tools and strategies you can use to avoid making the same error!
Plus, find out how you can leverage your current elite status with one airline to get a free status match with other airlines including Qantas, Turkish Airlines, Etihad Airways and Vietnam Airlines.
Each episode begins with a discussion about recent Australian travel and frequent flyer news. In this episode:
Qantas Reveals A321XLR Cabin Interiors
Aviation White Paper Lets Down Australian Consumers
Australians to Finally get US Global Entry in 2025
Virgin Australia Orders Embraer E190 Jets
The Next Airlines to Join Oneworld, SkyTeam & Star Alliance
Qantas Surprising Platinum Flyers with Free Upgrades
Here’s where you can also find more information about other topics discussed in this episode:
Subscribe to the Point Hacks reward seat alerts newsletter
Where to find accurate airline seat maps
Learn more about AFF memberships
Learn more about AFF webinars
Vietnam Airlines Status Match
Etihad Status Match
Turkish Airlines Status Match
Qantas Tier Accelerator Challenge

Episode 1 – Around the World with Qantas Points & Central Asia Calling

Point Hacks News Editor Chris Chamberlin and Australian Frequent Flyer Editor Matt Graham explain how to use your Qantas Frequent Flyer points to fly around the globe, including in Business Class, with the Oneworld Classic Flight Reward.
Plus, find out why Central Asia could be one of the world's most underrated tourist destinations!
Each episode begins with a discussion about recent Australian travel and frequent flyer news. In this episode:
Qantas’ new flights to Paris
Qantas Club’s new Flexible membership option
Rex in voluntary administration
Australians can now visit China without a visa
Here’s where you can also find more information about other topics discussed in this episode:
Learn more about AFF memberships
AFF’s guide to the Qantas Oneworld Classic Flight Reward
Subscribe to the Point Hacks reward seat alerts newsletter
Read a review of Matt and Chris' Etihad flight from Sydney to Abu Dhabi
Read a review of Matt and Chris’ flight from Samarkand to Almaty on FlyArystan