Point Hacks

In this episode, finance expert, author, and media personality Nicole Pedersen-McKinnon joins us 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 you ALWAYS earn points or cash back 👶 Why kids should have frequent flyer accounts too 💡 Why most people “leave money on the table” and how easy it is to fix Whether you're brand new to points or you’re already deep in the game, Nicole breaks down the strategies she personally uses to travel more, spend less, and build long-term financial freedom. 🎬 Credits: Guest: Nicole Pedersen-McKinnon Produced, 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/ ✈️ 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 #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 ✈️ Follow PointHacks 👇 TikTok - https://go.pointhacks.com/yt-tiktok Instagram - https://go.pointhacks.com/yt-instagram Facebook - https://go.pointhacks.com/yt-facebook X (formerly known as Twitter) - https://go.pointhacks.com/yt-twitter #pointhacks #frequentflyer #singaporeairlines #krisflyer

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 Hacks Vision Mixing: Sean Pereira Camera Operation: Joshua Weckert 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/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 ✈️ 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 #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 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 five 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://seat-alerts.pointhacks.com.au/?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.

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 to the bottom of these questions and more.

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.

Point Hacks CEO, Michael Siwes, just flew return to Barcelona. From start to finish, the entire trip was booked using points in either Business or First Class. The catch? 109 hours of time spent travelling.

Singapore have recently relaxed their COVID restrictions, effectively opening the county to tourism again. Editor-in-Chief of Point Hacks, Daniel Sciberras, joins our host David to talk about what Singapore is currently like on the ground, and some of the best ways to get there on points.

Chris Chamberlin joins David today to talk about New Zealand. Chris had travelled over a million miles sampling the best in Business Class and First Class. That’s further than two return trips to the moon! Today he recounts his recent trip to New Zealand and shares some tips for when you book your next trip.

On this episode of Points of View, we chat with Brandon Loo, a senior writer for Point Hacks. Brandon recently jetted to paradise in style, thanks to Qantas Points. He shares his tips and tricks – from planning his trip to Fiji, to making the most of his time on the ground.

We're back after a pandemic-sized break. On this episode of Points of View, we talk to Antonia Strakosch, a writer and editor for Point Hacks. Antonia just did a Business Class round trip to London on points, and dives into what it's like to travel as COVID restrictions are lifted and the world opens up. Antonia's biggest tip? Have a working printer at home.

What are your burning questions about the frequent flyer game? On the last episode of Season 1, we asked the Point Hacks audience what they’d like to ask our Managing Editor, Daniel Sciberras. From tools, status and the age old Qantas versus Velocity question, Daniel answers all.

We’ve got Keith Mason, founder of Point Hacks, back on the podcast and we’re talking about Beginners and Redemption Strategies. This is a great episode if you’re a beginner yourself or if you have friends that ask you how to get started in the points game. In the second half of the podcast we take a dive into Keith’s methods for redeeming flights, definitely worth a listen.