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

In this episode of Always Business Class, hosts Steve Hui and Steve Pirie-Nally break down the biggest shifts happening in travel right now &mdash; 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 &amp; Steve unpack what travellers are struggling with, what&rsquo;s changed in the points game, and why travel is no longer a luxury &mdash; it&rsquo;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&ndash;15k a ticket).
Key Takeaways:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">The New Travel Mindset: Travel isn&rsquo;t seen as a luxury purchase anymore &mdash; it&rsquo;s become an essential part of life, growth, and experience. </li>
<li aria-level="1">Points vs Cash Reality: Business class can cost 5&times; more in cash, but only ~2&times; more in points. Understanding the maths is everything.</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">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. </li>
<li aria-level="1">Reward Seats 101: Finding seats is like fishing &mdash; you need more rods (more programs) and more ponds (more airlines). Relying only on Qantas or Virgin limits your chances heavily. </li>
<li aria-level="1">Why Most Travellers Feel &ldquo;Confident&rdquo;&hellip; Until They Aren&rsquo;t: Many Australians only know one program. When they discover how many options exist, confidence drops &mdash; which is actually a good thing. </li>
<li aria-level="1">Flexible Programs = Freedom: Earning in flexible buckets (Amex, bank rewards, pay rewards) gives you more opportunities to book seats others can&rsquo;t find. </li>
<li aria-level="1">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. </li>
<li aria-level="1">Seats Come and Go: Award space constantly shifts &mdash; it&rsquo;s not a one-and-done search. Persistence and strategy win every time. </li>
<li aria-level="1">Why People Don&rsquo;t Use Their Points: Billions of points sit untouched because travellers don&rsquo;t know where to start or believe they can&rsquo;t find seats.</li>
</ul>
Notable Quotes
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">&ldquo;Travel is no longer a luxury &mdash; it's an ambition.&rdquo; &ndash; Steve Hui</li>
<li aria-level="1">&ldquo;It&rsquo;s not luxury travel anymore. It&rsquo;s the luxury to have travel.&rdquo; &ndash; Steve Pirie-Nally</li>
<li aria-level="1">&ldquo;If you&rsquo;re earning points in one airline, you&rsquo;ve only got one rod in the water.&rdquo; &ndash; Steve Hui</li>
<li aria-level="1">&ldquo;There&rsquo;s only one deal in points. A business class reward seat is always a good deal.&rdquo; &ndash; Steve Hui</li>
</ul>
Resources &amp; Mentions
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Join Flights Club:<a href="https://iflyflat.com.au/membership/"> https://iflyflat.com.au/membership/</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">Accor Plus Explorer Membership:<a href="https://www.accorplus.com/explorer-membership/"> https://www.accorplus.com/explorer-membership/</a></li>
</ul>
Episode Highlights
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">00:00 &ndash; Why travel is no longer a luxury (and why points matter more than ever)</li>
<li aria-level="1">02:00 &ndash; Key insights from 2,300 webinar registrants</li>
<li aria-level="1">04:30 &ndash; The new travel personas: &ldquo;journey&rdquo; vs &ldquo;destination&rdquo;</li>
<li aria-level="1">06:20 &ndash; Post-COVID shift: experiences &gt; things</li>
<li aria-level="1">08:00 &ndash; Why business class cash fares exploded</li>
<li aria-level="1">09:40 &ndash; &ldquo;Somewhat confident&rdquo; travellers and the big mindset gap</li>
<li aria-level="1">11:10 &ndash; How flexible reward programs give you more options</li>
<li aria-level="1">13:00 &ndash; Why finding reward seats is like fishing</li>
<li aria-level="1">15:30 &ndash; Why you should book one-way flights, not returns</li>
<li aria-level="1">17:10 &ndash; The case for earning points across multiple programs</li>
<li aria-level="1">19:00 &ndash; The million-point Europe calculation</li>
<li aria-level="1">21:00 &ndash; The Amex 15 Dec change &mdash; what actually happens</li>
<li aria-level="1">23:00 &ndash; How to choose where to transfer your points</li>
<li aria-level="1">25:00 &ndash; Why Virgin&rsquo;s partnership with Qatar changes everything</li>
<li aria-level="1">27:00 &ndash; New airlines now accessible to Australians (Japan Airlines, Vietnam, Air Canada, etc.)</li>
<li aria-level="1">29:00 &ndash; Real member wins and fast bookings</li>
<li aria-level="1">30:20 &ndash; Final takeaway: how to think strategically about points</li>
</ul>

Flight hacks, points strategies and real-life stories from the points whisperer — helping business owners Always Fly Business Class.

Flight hacks, points strategies and real-life stories from the points whisperer &mdash; helping business owners Always Fly Business Class.

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