Point Hacks

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 Specialist Executive 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 ✈️ Follow PointHacks 👇 TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@pointhacks LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/pointhacks Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/pointhacksau/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/pointhacks #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 Producer Executive Producer: Caissie Dillon  Vision Mixing: Sean Pereira Audio Recording: Joshua Weckert Produced, edited and hosted by: Tobias Venus ✈️ Follow PointHacks 👇 TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@pointhacks LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/pointhacks Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/pointhacksau/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/pointhacks

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 Hacks Executive Producer: Caissie Dillon  Vision Mixing: Sean Pereira Audio Recording: Joshua Weckert Produced, edited and hosted by: Tobias Venus ✈️ Follow PointHacks 👇 TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@pointhacks LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/pointhacks Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/pointhacksau/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/pointhacks #pointhacks #frequentflyer #qatar #virginaustralia

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. 💌 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_1 💡 Learn more about the Qantas oneworld 'round-the-world' redemption. More about Brandon's experience -https://www.pointhacks.com.au/experiences/round-the-world-business-class-qantas-points-2025/?utm_source=podbean&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=pod_1 How to book - https://www.pointhacks.com.au/qantas/round-the-world-classic-reward-guide/?utm_source=podbean&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=pod_1 The best ways to earn Qantas Points - https://www.pointhacks.com.au/qantas/best-ways-to-earn-points/?utm_source=podbean&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=pod_1 🎬 Credits: Guest: Brandon Loo, Point Hacks Senior Content Producer Executive Producer: Caissie Dillon  Vision Mixing: Sean Pereira Audio Recording: Joshua Weckert Produced, edited and hosted by: Tobias Venus #pointhacks #frequentflyer #qantas

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.