Travel Pointers

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