Travel Pointers Ep 5 – Interview with Velocity CEO Nick Rohrlach & Mongolia

Hooray! We’ve made it to December – which means it’s also time for the next episode of our Travel Pointers podcast. Join Point Hacks News Editor Chris Chamberlin and Australian Frequent Flyer Editor Matt Graham for this month’s discussion, ‘Interview with Velocity CEO Nick Rohrlach & Mongolia.’

Travel Pointers, which debuted as Australia’s #1 travel podcast (Apple Podcasts charts) is curated with Australian travellers in mind. In this fifth episode, Chris and Matt cover the latest news. We’re also joined by the Velocity Frequent Flyer boss, Nick Rohrlach, who explains some of the thinking behind the recent program changes. He touches on the future of Velocity and the loyalty industry in general.

On a lighter note, Chris and Matt speak about a destination that may not be front of mind for Australian travellers: Mongolia. Better yet, Mongolia’s usual visa requirements for Australian travellers are currently waived, so it’s a great time to visit.

Show notes: Interview with Velocity CEO Nick Rohrlach & Mongolia

In this month’s episode, Chris and Matt discuss a range of recent news, including:

• Qantas opens new Adelaide Qantas Club
• Etihad and Virgin Australia set partnership end date
• Etihad relaunches status match for Australian residents, includes Virgin Australia
• Virgin Australia slashes the cost of Flex fares
• Qantas status match for New Zealand residents
• New backdoor way to convert bank reward programs to Qantas
• Fiji Airways plans Cairns-Nadi flights in 2025

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

• Velocity’s major changes: new status tiers and points reshuffles
• Velocity reduces Status Credits on partner airline flights
• How will Velocity’s Status Credit changes affect you?
• MIAT Mongolian Airlines Boeing 767 Economy Class review (Ulaanbaatar-Seoul)
• Subscribe to the Point Hacks reward seat availability alerts newsletter
• Learn more about Australian Frequent Flyer memberships
• Learn more about Australian Frequent Flyer webinars

Qantas American Express Ultimate

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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.

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American Express Velocity Platinum

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Sign-up Bonus:

60,000 bonus Velocity Points*

Rewards Earn Rate:

1.25 Velocity Points earned per $1 on all eligible spend except for government bodies˜. 2.25 Velocity Points per $1 spent on selected Virgin Australia purchases˜. 0.5 Velocity Points per $1 on Government spend˜

Annual Fee:

$440 p.a.

The American Express Velocity Platinum Card has 60,000 bonus Velocity Points* on offer for new American Express Card Members who apply, are approved and spend $3,000 on eligible purchases within the first 3 months of approval. Includes several perks such as Virgin Australia Lounge Access^ every time you fly domestically with Virgin Australia, 2 VA Guest Lounge Passes⁼ each year and a Complimentary Domestic Return Virgin Australia Flightˢ. Terms, conditions and exclusions apply. New American Express Card Members Only.

Featured image courtesy of Virgin Australia.