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)

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

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

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)

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

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