From 1 October 2026, Australia’s credit card landscape changes significantly. Surcharging will disappear on designated eftpos, Mastercard and Visa payments, while lower interchange fees could put further pressure on credit card bonus points, earn rates and perks.

In this episode of the Point Hacks Podcast, Tobias Venus sits down with finance expert and author Nicole Pedersen-McKinnon to unpack what the changes could mean for Australian points collectors.

They cover falling sign-up bonuses, reduced earn rates, annual fees and card benefits, why bank change notices matter more than ever, the role of business credit cards, and how too many credit-card applications can affect your credit profile.

For anyone earning Qantas Points, Velocity Points or flexible rewards through a credit card, this is a practical guide to understanding the new points landscape.

Disclaimer: This episode contains general information only. Consider your own circumstances before applying for or changing a credit product. Point Hacks is affiliated with Pay.com.au.

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We go behind the scenes in Japan for a first look at ANA’s new Boeing 787 cabin, including The Room FX Business Class suite, updated Premium Economy and a more spacious Economy seat.

Brandon and Toby test the mock-ups, talk through the biggest upgrades, and explain what makes The Room FX different from ANA’s existing “The Room” Business Class on the Boeing 777. Expect sliding doors, a 24-inch 4K screen, Bluetooth audio, USB-C charging, wireless charging, improved storage and a sofa-style seat that folds into a fully-flat bed.

We also look at ANA’s refreshed Premium Economy, including 40 inches of pitch and extra recline, plus the new Economy seat with more usable knee room.

The big question: will these upgraded Boeing 787s eventually fly to Australia?

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Qantas’ Project Sunrise could change how Australians fly to Europe, with nonstop Sydney to London flights planned on specially configured Airbus A350 aircraft.

In this episode of the Point Hacks Podcast, Tobias Venus speaks with Brandon Loo after his Project Sunrise media briefing and Airbus factory visit. They cover why London appears to be the obvious launch route, how Qantas is thinking about premium travellers, what makes the new First Class cabin different, and whether a 21-hour flight is really worth the time saving.

For points collectors, the key question remains reward seat access. We discuss what travellers should watch as Qantas moves closer to launch.

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Tobias and Brandon recently visited Hong Kong and came away convinced it’s one of the top destinations for Australian points collectors. In this episode, we cover:

• Why Hong Kong works so well as a stopover city

Whether you’re planning a quick transit or a longer stay, this episode is packed with practical tips for making the most of Hong Kong with points.

Disclaimer: Tobias and Brandon travelled to Hong Kong using their own frequent flyer points and money. Tobias received two complimentary Peak Tram tickets from Hong Kong Tourism, which had no editorial input into this podcast episode.

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Credit card surcharges are being scrapped in Australia, but what does that mean for frequent flyer points? In this episode, Toby Venus and Wilson McTaggart break down the RBA’s changes to surcharges and interchange fees, why they matter, and how they could affect sign-up bonuses, earn rates, annual fees and travel perks on popular rewards cards.

They also look at why business credit cards may hold up better than personal cards, what this could mean for Qantas and Velocity, and how points collectors can adapt. This episode is general information only and is not financial advice.

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Cherry blossom season in Japan is one of the most popular travel experiences for Australians. In this episode, we cover where to go, when to book and how to use points effectively. Tobias also recounts his previous (and somewhat disastrous) visit to chase cherry blossoms in 2025.

We also answer a listener question about points expiry. Learn why transferring points doesn’t extend expiry in most cases, plus the simple ways to keep your balance active with Qantas and Velocity.

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Qantas has announced the biggest overhaul of its Frequent Flyer program in years, and it’s going to change how Australians earn status, redeem points and engage with the airline.

In this episode Brandon and Tobias break down everything we know about the upcoming changes rolling out between 2026 and 2027.

We also answer a listener question about how to use Qantas lounge passes properly, including where you’ll get the most value and the simple mistakes that could get you turned away at the door.

If you collect Qantas Points or chase frequent flyer status, this episode will help you understand what’s changing and how to prepare.

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Qantas Double Status Credits are back — and this is your fast track to Gold or Platinum.

In this emergency episode of the Point Hacks Podcast, we break down the newly announced Double Status Credits promotion and show you exactly how to turn it into elite status.

We explain how the offer works and the smartest ways to plan a status run — whether you’re paying cash, using points, or leveraging Qantas Points Club.

We also walk through real strategies that have previously taken us all the way to Platinum, including how to use connections, distance bands and reward tables to your advantage — plus why this promo can unlock hard-to-find reward seats (hello, Japan).

If you’ve ever wanted lounge access, better upgrade chances and priority treatment across the Qantas and oneworld network, this is the promotion to pay attention to.

Got questions about your own status run? Drop them in the comments.

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In this episode of the Point Hacks Podcast, we’re answering one of the biggest questions for Velocity members:

Brandon joins Toby to break down the top reward flight redemptions, from long-haul Business Class sweet spots to clever partner airline hacks that unlock outsized value. We cover real-world availability, fees, recent program changes and which options are actually worth your hard-earned points.

You’ll learn how to turn a six-figure points balance into experiences like Qatar Airways Qsuites to Doha and Europe, ANA Business Class to Tokyo, United Polaris to the USA, Singapore Airlines premium cabins via KrisFlyer and more.

We also answer a listener question on why reward seats need to be booked so far in advance, and share practical strategies for finding them — whether you’re planning a year ahead or hunting last-minute availability.

And if you’re still building your balance, we run through the fastest ways to earn Velocity Points in Australia right now, from sign-up bonuses to everyday partner hacks.

Whether you’re new to Velocity or sitting on a big points stash, this episode will help you extract maximum value from your next redemption.

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Looking for a Velocity Points-earning credit card but overwhelmed by bonus offers, lounge perks and confusing earn rates?

In this episode of the Point Hacks Podcast, Tobias and Brandon break down seven of the top Velocity Point earning credit cards available right now, comparing:

• Bonus point offers

If you’re trying to decide which Velocity card gives you the most value for your spending habits, this episode will save you hours of research.

⚠️ As always: this is general information only — not financial advice.

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