We hope you’ve had a great break and are feeling ready for what’s ahead. Thank you for being part of the Always Business Class community. We can’t wait to share what’s coming next.

We’re back on January 21st, returning to our usual fortnightly release schedule.

Here’s to a big year of great conversations, new ideas, and always turning left.

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Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the hosts of Always Business Class.

Thank you for listening, sharing, and being part of the journey this year. We’re incredibly grateful for the support and conversations along the way.

We’ll be back on January 21st, returning to our usual fortnightly release schedule.

Until then, enjoy the break, travel well, and we’ll see you in the new year.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Always Business Class, hosts Steve Hui and Steve Pirie-Nally break down the biggest shifts happening in travel right now — from skyrocketing business class fares post-COVID, to the upcoming Amex devaluation, to the new mindset shaping how Australians are planning their trips.

Fresh off a masterclass with 2,300 Accor Plus Explorer members, Steve & Steve unpack what travellers are struggling with, what’s changed in the points game, and why travel is no longer a luxury — it’s an ambition.

The conversation digs into strategy, numbers, mindset, and practical examples of how to turn points into real business class seats (without spending $12–15k a ticket).

Key Takeaways:

• The New Travel Mindset:
  Travel isn’t seen as a luxury purchase anymore — it’s become an essential part of life, growth, and experience.
  
  
• Points vs Cash Reality:
  Business class can cost 5× more in cash, but only ~2× more in points. Understanding the maths is everything.

• The Amex 15 December Change:
  Some airline transfers will now require 50% more Amex points. We explain what this actually means and what to do before it hits.
  
  
• Reward Seats 101:
  Finding seats is like fishing — you need more rods (more programs) and more ponds (more airlines). Relying only on Qantas or Virgin limits your chances heavily.
  
  
• Why Most Travellers Feel “Confident”… Until They Aren’t:
  Many Australians only know one program. When they discover how many options exist, confidence drops — which is actually a good thing.
  
  
• Flexible Programs = Freedom:
  Earning in flexible buckets (Amex, bank rewards, pay rewards) gives you more opportunities to book seats others can’t find.
  
  
• The Million-Point Question:
  Three business class seats to Europe typically require ~1M airline points. The episode breaks down how to plan backwards from the goal.
  
  
• Seats Come and Go:
  Award space constantly shifts — it’s not a one-and-done search. Persistence and strategy win every time.
  
  
• Why People Don’t Use Their Points:
  Billions of points sit untouched because travellers don’t know where to start or believe they can’t find seats.

Notable Quotes

• “Travel is no longer a luxury — it's an ambition.” – Steve Hui
• “It’s not luxury travel anymore. It’s the luxury to have travel.” – Steve Pirie-Nally
• “If you’re earning points in one airline, you’ve only got one rod in the water.” – Steve Hui
• “There’s only one deal in points. A business class reward seat is always a good deal.” – Steve Hui

Resources & Mentions

• Join Flights Club: https://iflyflat.com.au/membership/
• Accor Plus Explorer Membership: https://www.accorplus.com/explorer-membership/

Episode Highlights

• 00:00 – Why travel is no longer a luxury (and why points matter more than ever)
• 02:00 – Key insights from 2,300 webinar registrants
• 04:30 – The new travel personas: “journey” vs “destination”
• 06:20 – Post-COVID shift: experiences > things
• 08:00 – Why business class cash fares exploded
• 09:40 – “Somewhat confident” travellers and the big mindset gap
• 11:10 – How flexible reward programs give you more options
• 13:00 – Why finding reward seats is like fishing
• 15:30 – Why you should book one-way flights, not returns
• 17:10 – The case for earning points across multiple programs
• 19:00 – The million-point Europe calculation
• 21:00 – The Amex 15 Dec change — what actually happens
• 23:00 – How to choose where to transfer your points
• 25:00 – Why Virgin’s partnership with Qatar changes everything
• 27:00 – New airlines now accessible to Australians (Japan Airlines, Vietnam, Air Canada, etc.)
• 29:00 – Real member wins and fast bookings
• 30:20 – Final takeaway: how to think strategically about points

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.