Australian Travel Hacking

Reward seat alerts, travel hacking tools and resources: https://www.skool.com/australiantravelhacking/about

Qantas is shutting down Points Club in late 2026 — and most members don't realise what they're about to lose.

In Part 1, I break down exactly what Points Club gives you, which benefit is the crown jewel (hint: it's not the ones Qantas advertises), and how to decide between Base and Plus tiers before the window closes.

Part 2 covers the qualification playbook and your six-month action plan.

00:00 Points Club Ending Soon

01:06 Why Qantas Killed It

05:30 How Points Club Works

06:40 Timing Rules Matter

09:24 Grandfathering Window

10:19 Status Credits On Rewards

12:24 Eligible Flights And Traps

14:47 Other Points Club Perks

20:02 Base Vs Plus Decision

20:15 Is Plus Worth It

21:57 Three Factors Checklist

25:35 Wrap Up And Part Two

🇦🇺 Australian Travel Hacking Subscribe for points strategy that actually works.

Reward seat alerts, travel hacking tools and resources: https://www.skool.com/australiantravelhacking/about

Learn how Qantas Double Status Credits (DSC) works, why it’s a key week for frequent flyers, and how to use it to reach Gold (700 SC) or Platinum (1400 SC) for far less than usual. Covers the 7-day booking window (Feb 24–Mar 2, 2026) and travel window (Mar 3, 2026–Feb 12, 2027), plus critical eligibility rules: Qantas metal/“operated by” checks, register before booking, and new bookings only. Explains status runs, sector stacking, Trans-Tasman business “sweet spots,” and high-yield domestic routes. Details loopholes: Points Club earning SC on reward flights, ABN double-dip, Qantas Holidays packages, lifetime status treatment for Feb 2026, and exclusions like Commonwealth government travel. Includes a step-by-step 7-day action plan and key traps (codeshares, Jetstar).

Free Community for Aussie Travel Hackers: https://skool.to/s/nqrdcn

💳 Want 200,000+ points in 6 months? Here's the system that actually works.

Most Aussies are throwing away free Business Class flights every single day. 🤦‍♀️

Every time you pay for groceries, fuel, or bills with cash or debit, you're missing out on points that could fund your next overseas trip.

Here's what you need to know:

✈️ Sign-up bonuses are HUGE - One card application can net you 120,000+ points (hello Business Class to LA!)

💡 Not all cards are equal - Some earn 3 points per dollar, others just 0.5. Many have caps that stop your earning.

🎯 The smart strategy - Use Amex for maximum earning where accepted, keep Visa/Mastercard as backup

💰 Annual fees aren't scary - A $400 fee card might give you $1,600 worth of flights on sign-up alone

🔄 Transfer don't book direct - Always transfer points to airline programs. Booking direct through your bank portal costs 40% more points!

⚠️ Protect your credit score - Space out applications, pay balances in full, close cards you don't use

The biggest mistake? Choosing co-branded Qantas cards for "simplicity" - you're locked into one airline's availability and pricing.

Consider Singapore KrisFlyer or Cathay Asia Miles instead. Better availability, lower costs, same routes! ✈️

Ready to turn your everyday spending into premium flights? Start by checking your credit score for free with WeMoney, then choose cards that match your spending patterns.

WeMoney App: https://app.wemoney.com.au/signup/?pid=HVTY3865

Free Community for Aussie Travel Hackers: https://www.skool.com/australiantravelhacking/about

Unveiling the Secrets of Frequent Flyer Programs

Discover the hidden world of airline rewards and learn how to turn everyday purchases into dream destinations!

🌟 Key Takeaways:

Evolution of Frequent Flyer Programs

• From loyalty programs for business elites to profit-generating machines
• Programs now intertwined with third-party partners like banks and supermarkets

How Frequent Flyer Programs Work

• Earning and redeeming points for flights, upgrades, and other travel-related rewards
• Achieving elite status for exclusive perks and benefits

The Real Value of Frequent Flyer Points

• Points can be worth up to 12x more for premium rewards compared to physical items or cash equivalents
• Redeeming points for business or first-class seats offers the best value

Calculating Point Value with the "Cents per Point" Method

• Use the formula: ($ Cash Fare - Taxes & Fees) ÷ Points Required × 100
• Aim for a high cents per point value for maximum benefit

Understanding Status Credits

• Earned primarily by flying and determine your elite status tier
• Elite status offers exclusive perks like lounge access, priority boarding, and upgrades

Airline Alliances: Oneworld, Star Alliance, and SkyTeam

• Global networks that allow you to earn and redeem points across member airlines
• Each alliance has its own set of status tiers and benefits

Airline Partnerships Beyond Alliances

• Airlines form strategic partnerships to offer reciprocal benefits and earning opportunities
• Examples include Virgin Australia's partnerships with Singapore Airlines, Etihad Airways, and United Airlines

Avoiding Common Pitfalls

• Points cannot be directly transferred between frequent flyer programs
• Using points for upgrades on partner flights is generally not possible

🎧 Listen now to uncover the secrets of frequent flyer programs and start turning your everyday spending into unforgettable travel experiences!

Free Community: https://www.skool.com/australiantravelhacking

Maximising Travel with New Routes, Upgrades, and Partnerships - Episode 7

In Episode 7 of the Australian Travel Hacking Podcast, Harrison details a variety of recent travel news impacting the Australian market in early September 2024. Highlights include Turkish Airlines' new Sydney routes, Thai Airways considering a Brisbane comeback, and Virgin Australia's renewed partnership with Air New Zealand. Additionally, Brisbane Airport plans major terminal upgrades, Qantas reveals updates to its domestic cabins, and Emirates plans to withdraw from the Singapore-Melbourne route. The episode also explores how to convert PayRewards points to Marriott Bonvoy points for broader travel flexibility.

00:00 Introduction and Host Welcome

00:24 Latest Travel News: September 2024

00:44 Turkish Airlines Expands to Sydney

03:29 Thai Airways Considers Brisbane Return

05:39 Virgin Australia and Air New Zealand Partnership

07:08 Brisbane Airport Overhaul

09:29 Qantas Unveils New Cabins

13:32 Emirates Withdraws from Singapore-Melbourne Route

14:52 PayRewards Points Now Convertible to Marriott Bonvoy

18:29 Conclusion and Community Invitation

Maximising Travel Rewards: Understanding and Valuing Airline Miles and points - Beginner’s Guide

Written format of formulas can be found here

In the sixth and final episode of the beginner's guide series, Harrison delves into the importance of understanding and valuing airline points for maximising travel rewards. He shares his personal experience of enjoying extensive luxury travel at minimal costs, explains straightforward methods to calculate the value of points, and discusses benchmarks for different types of redemptions. Harrison also provides practical examples and stresses strategic use of points to avoid poor value redemptions.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:36 Disclaimer and Personal Experience

01:09 Understanding Point Value

02:08 Calculating Point Value

06:22 Strategic Redemptions

07:36 Conclusion and Resources

Debunking Travel Hacking Myths: A Beginner's Guide

Free Credit Card Tracking spreadsheet is in our free Travel Hacking Community: Spreadsheet

Free Australian Travel Hacking Community

In episode five of our Beginner's Guide series, Harrison shares insights on travel hacking, debunking common myths, and offering practical advice. He clarifies misconceptions about free travel, the complexity of travel hacking, credit card churning, and the need for large budgets. Harrison emphasises responsible credit habits and provides actionable steps for maximising rewards from everyday spending. He also explains the benefits of annual fees and highlights the importance of a strategic approach to leveraging points and miles, whether for international or domestic travel.

00:00 Introduction to Travel Hacking

00:28 Debunking Common Myths

01:16 Myth 1: Travel Hacking Equals Free Travel

03:02 Myth 2: Travel Hacking is Only for Seasoned Travelers

05:05 Myth 3: Travel Hacking is Too Complicated

07:38 Myth 4: Travel Hacking is Only for Big Spenders

11:08 Myth 5: Credit Card Churning Will Hurt Your Credit Score

13:56 Myth 6: Credit Card Churning is a Scam or Illegal

17:43 Myth 7: Credit Card Churners Must Be in Debt

20:04 Myth 8: Travel Hacking Takes Too Much Time and Effort

23:00 Myth 9: Travel Hacking is Only for International Travel

24:20 Myth 10: Avoid Paying Annual Fees

26:42 Conclusion and Community Invitation

Welcome to Episode 4 of the Australian Travel Hacking Podcast!

Join Our Community: Click Here

Take this opportunity to join our travel hacking community for free as a founding member! Gain access to exclusive resources, bonus courses, tools, and calculators designed to enhance your travel hacking capabilities. This offer is limited, so click the link in the show notes now to secure your spot and start your journey towards smarter travel.

In this fourth part of our beginner's guide series, we delve into setting realistic expectations for travel hacking. This episode will help clarify what you can truly achieve through travel hacking and help set the stage for responsible and successful strategies.

What You'll Learn:

• Debunking the myth of free travel and understanding the true costs and benefits of travel hacking.
• The effort and learning required to truly benefit from loyalty programs and how these systems are designed not just for the traveller but also for the profitability of the companies.
• Insight into the financial commitments involved, including managing annual fees and choosing the right credit cards that align with your travel and spending patterns.
• Realistic outcomes of travel hacking including luxury travel for less, the importance of patience and consistent strategy, and effective financial management.

Welcome to Episode 3 of the Australian Travel Hacking Podcast!

Join Our Community:

https://www.skool.com/australiantravelhacking/about

This is your chance to join our travel hacking community for free as a founding member! Gain access to an array of resources, including bonus courses, tools, and calculators designed to enhance your travel hacking capabilities. This offer won’t last forever, so click the link in the show notes now to secure your spot in this growing community.

In this third part of our beginner's guide series, we focus on a crucial strategy for success: Reverse Engineering Your Travel Goals. This episode will help you tailor your travel hacking efforts to fit your specific aspirations and travel preferences, ensuring you make the most of every point and mile.

What You'll Learn:

• How to begin with the end in mind by setting clear travel goals.
• Personalise your travel hacking strategy based on your travel style, whether it's luxury or economy, to optimise point usage.
• Effective methods for choosing the right credit cards and loyalty programs based on your desired travel destinations and the type of travel you enjoy.
• Tips for planning travel hacking strategies whether you're flying solo or with a group, ensuring you cater to the needs of all travellers involved.
• The importance of flexibility in travel planning to unlock the best opportunities for point redemption.

Welcome to Episode 2 of the Australian Travel Hacking Podcast!

Join Our Community: https://www.skool.com/australiantravelhacking/about

Become a founding member of our travel hacking community for free and gain access to exclusive resources, bonus courses, tools, and detailed calculators. Everything you need to succeed at travel hacking is right here, and while it’s still in the early stages, access is completely free.

In this second instalment of our beginner's guide series, we dive deep into the basics of miles and points, essential components of travel hacking. Whether you're new to the world of travel rewards or looking to sharpen your skills, this episode will provide you with a solid understanding of different types of miles and points, their uses, and strategic tips on earning and maximising them.

What You'll Learn:

• The distinction between airline miles and credit card points.
• How to calculate the value of miles and points to ensure you're getting the best deal.
• Strategic insights on using points for maximum value, including the best redemption options.
• Tips on earning miles and points through everyday activities and strategic credit card usage.

Join Qantas: https://www.qantas.com/au/en/frequent-flyer/discover-and-join/join.html

Join Velocity: https://join.velocityfrequentflyer.com/?source=website&cmpid=ps:vf:brand:gads:AO_NM:lowf&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw57exBhAsEiwAaIxaZnJTQ6kOTIBe6axB7X4wxDCuaGHuZWjnHFHmbS-CYgLpeB3m7y_OChoCm2wQAvD_BwE

Qantas Points Calculator: https://www.qantas.com/au/en/frequent-flyer/calculators.html

Join Our Community: https://www.skool.com/australiantravelhacking/about