Point Hacks

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.
🎬 Credits:Guest: Chris Chamberlin, Freelance Travel JournalistProduced and hosted by: Tobias VenusVideo and audio produced by: TOBY TV PTY LTD | tobytv.com.au 
💌 Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest reward seat alerts and holiday inspiration - https://phk.ing/4rfGYWp💳 See the latest Qantas point earning credit cards - https://phk.ing/3ZwB0EF📖 The Ultimate Guide to Qantas Lounges - https://phk.ing/4r8qnUj
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#pointhacks #frequentflyer #businessclass

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.🎬 Credits:Guest: Brandon Loo, Senior Content ProducerProduced and hosted by: Tobias VenusVideo and audio produced by: TOBY TV PTY LTD | tobytv.com.au 
💌 Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest reward seat alerts and holiday inspiration - https://phk.ing/4sEtuFl📰 See the latest point earning credit cards - https://phk.ing/4sryr41🆓 How to join Qantas Frequent Flyer for free - https://phk.ing/3LshDsX🎉 Our favourite birthday freebies - https://phk.ing/4b9FYhZ📖 Brandon's guide to ALL Accor + - https://phk.ing/4sMxbJ8
 
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#pointhacks #frequentflyer #qantaspoints

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.
🎬 Credits:Guest: Chris Chamberlin, Freelance Travel JournalistProduced and hosted by: Tobias VenusVideo and audio produced by: TOBY TV PTY LTD | tobytv.com.au 
💌 Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest reward seat alerts and holiday inspiration - https://phk.ing/4peBQk2💳 See the latest point earning credit cards - https://phk.ing/44JPFj0📖 Read Chris Chamberlin's First Class rankings - https://phk.ing/4bbnsFA🛫 Read how Chris scored a free First Class upgrade with Cathay Pacific - https://phk.ing/3Lj5erj
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#pointhacks #frequentflyer #firstclass

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 ProducerProduced and hosted by: Tobias VenusVideo and audio produced by: TOBY TV PTY LTD | tobytv.com.au 
💌 Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest reward seat alerts and holiday inspiration - https://phk.ing/3XQ2apq📰 See the latest Qantas Point earning credit cards - https://phk.ing/4oQ7kg3💡 Point Hacks may receive a commission from the card issuer for each applicant of the cards mentioned. Read more - https://phk.ing/44R0P5u
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#pointhacks #frequentflyer #qantaspoints

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 day🏦 The credit-card-plus-offset-account hack that can save you tens of thousands of dollars off your mortgage📉 How credit card limits affect your home loan borrowing power and how to avoid pitfalls🔄 How often you should apply for new cards (and when NOT to)🛏️ How cashback platforms can slash your travel costs🛒 Her smart shopping decision-tree to guarantee points or cash back👶 Why kids should have frequent flyer accounts too💡 Why most pleave money on the table and how easy it is to fix
🎬 Credits:Guest: Nicole Pedersen-McKinnonProduced, edited and hosted by: Tobias Venus
💌 Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest reward seat alerts and holiday inspiration - https://phk.ing/43WVg53📰 Boost your points balance with the latest credit card sign ups - https://phk.ing/43T4oHW 💵 Get savvy, solvent then financially secure with Nicole Pedersen-McKinnon - https://www.nicolessmartmoney.com/
 
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#pointhacks #frequentflyer #personalfinance

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 edited by: Tobias Venus
💌 Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest reward seat alerts and bonus point offers - https://phk.ing/4i4ZJbC💳 See the latest KrisFlyer Mile earning credit cards - https://phk.ing/43BiGgf📖 Our comprehensive KrisFlyer Guide - https://phk.ing/4i78Et8↔️ How to transfer Velocity Points to KrisFlyer - https://phk.ing/3LT1cG0📼 What enough KrisFlyer Miles could get you - https://phk.ing/48k1jmN
 
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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
🎬 Credits:Guests: Brandon Loo & Chris Chamberlain, Point HacksVision Mixing: Sean PereiraCamera Operation: Joshua WeckertProduced, edited and hosted by: Tobias Venus
💌 Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest reward seat alerts and holiday inspiration - https://www.pointhacks.com.au/emails/?utm_source=podbean&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=pod_5📰 Boost your points balance with the latest credit card sign ups - https://www.pointhacks.com.au/credit-cards/?utm_source=podbean&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=pod_5🎓 All of our frequent flyer point guides in one place - https://www.pointhacks.com.au/guides/?utm_source=podbean&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=pod_5
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#pointhacks #frequentflyer #qantas #velocityfrequentflyer

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
🎬 Credits:Guest: Josh Weckert, Customer Experience SpecialistExecutive Producer: Caissie Dillon Produced, edited and hosted by: Tobias Venus
💌 Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest reward seat alerts and holiday inspiration - https://www.pointhacks.com.au/velocity/how-i-flew-to-four-afl-games-velocity-points/?utm_source=podbean&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=pod_4📰 Read Josh's full article - https://www.pointhacks.com.au/emails/?utm_source=podbean&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=pod_4
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#pointhacks #frequentflyer #virginaustralia #afl

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
💌 Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest reward seat alerts and holiday inspiration - https://www.pointhacks.com.au/emails/?utm_source=podbean&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=pod_3
📰 Read Brandon's full article - https://www.pointhacks.com.au/qantas/best-uses-of-100k-points/?utm_source=podbean&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=pod_3💡 How Tobias earned Qantas gold using under 100k Qantas Points - https://www.pointhacks.com.au/qantas/unlocking-every-qantas-tier-2025/?utm_source=podbean&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=pod_3📖 Learn more about using American Express Membership Rewards Points to redeem Qantas Flights with British Airways - https://www.pointhacks.com.au/news/american-express-membership-rewards-british-airways-partnership/?utm_source=podbean&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=pod_3
🎬 Credits:Guest: Brandon Loo, Point Hacks Senior Content ProducerExecutive Producer: Caissie Dillon Vision Mixing: Sean PereiraAudio Recording: Joshua WeckertProduced, edited and hosted by: Tobias Venus
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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
💌 Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest reward seat alerts and holiday inspiration - https://www.pointhacks.com.au/emails/?utm_source=podbean&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=pod_2
📰 Chris Chamberlin's review of the Virgin Australia x Qatar Airways Boeing 777 Qsuite Business Class - https://www.pointhacks.com.au/reviews/virgin-australia-qatar-airways-boeing-777-qsuite-business-class-sydney-doha/?utm_source=podbean&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=pod_2❓Flying Qsuite: Qatar Airways vs Virgin Australia – what’s the difference? - https://www.pointhacks.com.au/difference-between-qatar-airways-vs-virgin-australia-qsuite/?utm_source=podbean&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=pod_2🛬 Five reasons to turn a Doha transit into a stopover - https://www.pointhacks.com.au/guides/five-reasons-to-turn-a-doha-transit-into-a-stopover/?utm_source=podbean&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=pod_2📺 Watch Tobias' experience on Qatar Qsuites - https://youtu.be/7fV-etXtgHw
🎬 Credits:Guest: Chris Chamberlin, Senior News Editor, Point HacksExecutive Producer: Caissie Dillon Vision Mixing: Sean PereiraAudio Recording: Joshua WeckertProduced, edited and hosted by: Tobias Venus
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#pointhacks #frequentflyer #qatar #virginaustralia