Travel Pointers Ep 1 – Around the World with Qantas Points & Central Asia Calling

Join Point Hacks News Editor Chris Chamberlin and Australian Frequent Flyer Editor Matt Graham for the first episode of Travel Pointers – ‘Around the World with Qantas Points & Central Asia Calling’.

Travel Pointers is a brand-new podcast for frequent flyers. In our debut episode, learn how you can use your Qantas Points to book a Oneworld Classic Flight Reward. This is how savvy frequent flyers can book a round-the-world trip in Business Class using Qantas Points.

In this month’s episode, we also dive into Central Asia – one of the world’s most underrated destinations for tourists. Matt and Chris speak to their experience in the region, having rung in the New Year together in Uzbekistan. They share how they travelled there from Australia as part of a broader journey throughout Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan too.

Show notes: Around the World with Qantas Points & Central Asia Calling

Each episode begins with a segment discussing a selection of recent news relevant to Australian travellers. In this episode, Chris and Matt discuss: 

• Qantas’ new flights to Paris
• Qantas Club’s new monthly membership subscription
• Rex in voluntary administration
• China unlocks visa-free travel for Australians

To learn more about the other topics discussed in this episode, you can also read: 

• How to fly around the world in Business Class with Qantas Points
• Travel tip: Velocity Platinum gets you into Etihad’s new First Class Lounge
• Subscribe to the Point Hacks reward seat availability alerts newsletter 
• Learn more about Australian Frequent Flyer memberships
• AFF review of a FlyArystan Samarkand-Almaty flight that Chris and Matt took on this journey
• AFF review of Etihad Airways Economy Class from Sydney to Abu Dhabi, taken by Chris and Matt

How to listen to our podcasts

You can subscribe, rate and review Travel Pointers wherever you get your podcasts. Here’s how you can listen via some of the most common podcast players.

• Apple Podcasts
• Spotify
• Amazon Music
• Audible
• iHeartRadio
• YouTube Music
• PodBean
• Fountain
• Podchaser
• Player FM
• Listen Notes
• RSS

You can also read more about Travel Pointers, and access newer episodes of the podcast when they are published.

Featured image by Chris Chamberlin.

Qantas American Express Ultimate

Find Out More & Apply

Read the guide

Sign-up Bonus:

Up to 90,000 bonus Qantas Points¹

Rewards Earn Rate:

1.25 Qantas Points earned per $1 on eligible everyday purchases. 2.25 Qantas Points per $1 spent on selected Qantas products and services in Australia. 0.5 Qantas Point per $1 at government bodies in Australia. After a total of 100,000 Qantas Points is earned in a calendar year, the everyday earn rate will change from 1.25 to 1 Qantas Point per $1 spent.

Annual Fee:

$450 p.a.

Offer expires

13 January 2026

Earn 70,000 bonus Qantas Points when you spend $3,000 in the first 3 months, plus an additional 20,000 Qantas Points when you spend a minimum of $1 on your Card within 90 days of paying your second year annual Card Fee¹. (Offer ends 13 January 2026. New Amex Card Members only. T&Cs apply.) This card includes an annual $450 Qantas Travel Credit, two Qantas lounge passes, complimentary international travel insurance, and Qantas Wine Premium Membership (valued at $99). Earn 1.25 Qantas Points per $1 on everyday spend, 2.25 on Qantas purchases, and 0.5 on government payments. The annual fee is $450.