Does the thought of a certain destination stir a yearning to pack your bags and jet off on the next flight? Are you eagerly counting down the days until your next adventure? We want to hear from you and give you a chance to win one prize of either 50,000 Qantas or Velocity Points while we’re at it!
Here at Point Hacks, we like to practice what we preach. Our team regularly books Experiences trips with points so we can head out into the field and, well… experience the travel ourselves. From booking aspirational flights to exploring once-in-a-lifetime destinations, we want you to follow along and do the same with your own points.
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Oh, the places we’ve gone
Here are some of the highlights from our team’s Experiences trip over the past year.
1. Japan – Brandon
- Flight highlight: ANA Boeing 787 Business Class from Tokyo to Sydney (with Velocity Points) – my first taste of sublime Japanese service and dining in the sky.
- Destination highlight: An early-morning stroll through the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest as the sunlight filters through the canopy well before the tourist crush arrives. A close second is all the delicious bites along the way, including affordable Michelin-star ramen.
Equal parts serenity and frenetic energy – step into the world of Japan.
These Michelin-starred soba noodles are so… umami. Come before 6pm to reserve a slot later that evening.
All aboard: I’m on the fast Nozomi Shinkansen to Tokyo.
Step into your stylish China Airlines suite.
ANA’s Boeing 787 flies to Sydney and Perth.
Read more on Brandon’s Japan Experience →
2. Tromsø – Daniel
- Flight highlight: Finnair Airbus A350 Business Class from Helsinki to Singapore (with Qantas Points).
- Destination highlight: A no-brainer – seeing the stunning Northern Lights, of course!
The lights in all their glory! [Source: Wandering Owl, Coen de Feijter].
This is like a scene from a fairytale.
A very modern-looking seat with a spacious feel to it.
The pan-fried seabass fillet with steamed rice and vegetables is beautifully fresh and very filling.
Read more on Daniel’s Northern Lights Experience →
3. Christchurch – Toby
- Flight highlight: The pinnacle of luxury: Emirates’ Airbus A380 First Class from Sydney (with Qantas Points).
- Destination highlight: Taking in the views of Hanmer Springs, kicking back in a geothermal hot spring and exploring the Waiau Uwha River on a jet boat.
I sink my teeth into the fluffy concoction. Yep – the best omelette I’ve ever had.
The view from our room in Bramer Lodge is spectacular.
Bramer Lodge is cosier than we could imagine. A perfect stay for a romantic weekend away.
I warned you about the deer.
Hanmer Forest features a short walk with a number of intricately carved animal sculptures to find.
Read more on Toby’s Christchurch Experience →
4. Slovenia – Victoria
- Flight highlight: Another vote for the comforts of Finnair Airbus A350 Business Class, this time to Hong Kong (also booked with Qantas Points). Though Qantas Premium Economy to London ain’t shabby, either.
- Destination highlight: Exploring the picturesque village of Bled – so unreal it seems like a simulation. Hike up to the top of Bled Castle or Zaka campsite for jaw-dropping views.
I’m treated to a birds eye view of the Julian Alps on my short two-hour hop from London to Ljubljana.
…but the view over the lake is SO worth it.
Sunny days call for a relaxing cruise along the Ljubljanica river.
There’s no better feeling than seeing this waiting for me ahead of a 14-hour flight.
My dinner from Helsinki to Hong Kong is a beef chuck roll with potato gratin and a wasabi salmon roll with seaweed caviar.
Read more on Victoria’s Slovenia Experience →
5. South Pole scenic flight – Michael
- Flight highlight: Well.. the flight is the experience. This 12-hour return journey takes you to Antarctica and back for a South Pole viewing adventure. A special one-off charter (with Qantas Points).
The McMurdo Dry Valleys haven’t seen rain in almost two million years! [Photo: James Stone]
Passengers are eager to catch their first glimpse of the frozen continent. [Photo: James Stone]
My journey begins in the Economy cabin, where I’ve booked a No Wing seat.
The brochure highlights the route taken by early explorers to the South Pole.
It’s not everyday you see ‘Destination: Mystery Flight’ on your boarding pass.
I’m mesmerised by the sheer beauty of the views below.
Read more on Michael’s Antarctica Experience →
Competition: win 50,000 points from us
| Entries close: 3pm AEST 17 May 2024 |
The brief
If you’ve taken the trip of a lifetime or are even planning one, we want to hear from you!
All you have to do is tell us the most underrated holiday destination you’ve ever been to (or plan to visit) and why you think it deserves more attention. If you flew there using points or in Business or First class, then even better!
The winning entry, judged on creativity, content and suitability of using points to travel to the destination, will receive 50,000 Qantas Points or 50,000 Velocity Points (your pick).
Their destination will also feature in an upcoming Point Hacks Experience, showing how others can experience your dream holiday for less with the power of frequent flyer points.
That’s right – after the competition, we’ll send one of our writers to the winning destination (booking flights with points like any other traveller) to experience it for themselves and write about how to get there with points.
How to enter
- To enter, simply post the most “WOW” photo or video reel of your trip to Instagram with the hashtag #hackyourholiday and tag us @pointhacksau.
- If you haven’t taken it yet, that’s ok too. Show us something that inspired you to travel there.
- In the caption, describe why you think it is the most underrated holiday destination, why people should check it out, and how you got there.
- You must also be following us on Instagram at the time of the draw to be eligible to win.
- Your Instagram account must be set to Public so we can see your posts.
T&Cs
Please read the full terms and conditions prior to entering. Below are some of the key points:
- Only open to Australian permanent residents and citizens (proof may be requested).
- One entry per person.
- Must have a Qantas Frequent Flyer or Velocity Frequent Flyer account in good standing to win the points.
Read the full T&Cs:
Point Hacks Experiences #hackyourholiday Social Post Competition
Terms & Conditions
- Information on how to enter form part of the terms and conditions of entry. Entry into the competition is deemed acceptance of these terms and conditions.
- The promoter is Point Hacks Australia Pty Ltd (ABN 36 622 987 160) of Level 207/28 Riddell Parade, Elsternwick VIC 3185, Australia.
- Entry is open to all permanent residents of Australia who are at least 18 years of age at the time of entry. Proof may be requested if selected as a winner. Each person can only enter once. Employees and their immediate families of Promoter and its agencies and affiliated companies associated with the promotion are ineligible to enter the competition.
- The competition post will go live at 3:00 pm (AEST) Tuesday 28 May 2024 and will be advertised on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok pointhacks.com.au & the Point Hacks newsletter. The competition will close at 3:00 pm (AEST) Friday 7 June 2024 Competition commencement and closing dates and times can be found below (clause 4.1).
- 4.1 The competition will commence at 3:00 pm (AEST) Tuesday 28 May 2024 and close at 3:00 pm (AEST) Friday 7 June 2024 (“Competition Period”).
- 4.2 There is a total of one (1) prize to be awarded for this giveaway as follows: 1 x 50,000 Qantas Points or 1 x 50,000 Velocity Points.
- 4.3 How to Enter: To enter, simply post the most “WOW” photo or video of your trip to Instagram with the hashtag #hackyourholiday and tag us @pointhacksau. If you haven’t taken it yet, that’s ok too. Show us something that inspired you to travel there. In the caption, describe why you think it is the most underrated holiday destination, why people should check it out and how you got there. Entries are to be submitted by no later than the closing date included in clause 4.1. Only one entry is allowed per person.
- 4.4 ONE winner will be selected and the winner will receive one of the Prizes outlined in clause 4.2.
- The winner will be selected based on the best response to the social post question outlined in clause 4.3 as determined by a select panel of judges at Point Hacks.
- Judges’ decision is final and no correspondence will be entered. Prizes cannot be transferred. Non-cash prizes cannot be redeemed for cash.
- The Promoter reserves the right to verify the validity of entries and to disqualify (i) any entry which, in the opinion of Promoter, includes objectionable content, profanity, potentially insulting, inflammatory or defamatory statements, and (ii) any entrant who (a) tampers with the entry process, (b) submits an entry that is not in accordance with these terms and conditions of entry, or (c) has, in the opinion of Promoter, engaged in conduct in entering the promotion which is fraudulent, misleading, deceptive or generally damaging to the goodwill or reputation of the promotion and/or the Promoter. The Promoter reserves the right to disqualify a winner if the Promoter becomes aware that the winner and/or the winner’s entry are of a type described in this clause.
- ALL entries must be received by the times and dates as outlined in clause 4. The time of entry will in each case be the time the online entry is received by the Promoter database. The Promoter accepts no responsibility for any late, lost or misdirected entries due to technical disruptions, network congestion or for any other reason.
- The cost of accessing the promotional website (Instagram, Facebook, TikTok & pointhacks.com.au) will be dependent on the entrant’s individual internet service provider.
- Use of personal information:
- 10.1 By entering the competition and accepting these terms and conditions, you agree that the Promoter may use your personal details for the purpose of conducting the competition, including the use of your name in promotional formats.
- 10.2 By entering the competition, you give the Promoter permission to contact you via Instagram, Facebook or email if you are a winner of the competition.
- The Promoter reserves the right to request the winner to provide proof of identity and proof of residency. Identification considered suitable for verification is at the discretion of the Promoter.
- The Promoter reserves the right to refuse to allow a winner to take part in any or all aspects of the prize, if the Promoter determines, in its absolute discretion, that a winner is not in the mental or physical condition necessary to be able to safely participate in the prize. It is a condition of accepting the prize that the winner may be required to sign a legal release in a form determined by the Promoter in its absolute discretion.
- The Promoter shall endeavour to contact the winner via his/her Instagram, Facebook, TikTok or email by no later than Tuesday 11 June 2024.
- The Promoter shall not be liable for any loss or damage whatsoever which is suffered (including but not limited to direct or consequential loss) or for any personal injury suffered or sustained in connection with any entrant’s participation in the competition and any prize/s, except for any liability which cannot be excluded by law.
- The Promoter is not responsible for any incorrect or inaccurate information, either caused by the phone user or for any of the equipment or programming associated with or utilised in this competition, or for any technical error, or any combination thereof that may occur in the course of the administration of this competition including any omission, interruption, deletion, defect, delay in operation or transmission, communications line or satellite network failure, theft or destruction or unauthorised access to or alteration of entries.
- If for any reason this competition is not capable of running as planned, including due to infection by computer virus, bugs, tampering, unauthorised intervention, fraud, technical failures or any causes beyond the control of the Promoter, which corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness or integrity or proper conduct of this promotion, the Promoter reserves the right in its sole discretion to disqualify any individual who tampers with the entry process, take any action that may be available, and to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the competition, subject to any written direction given under state regulation.
- The total prize pool is equal to 50,000 Qantas Points or 50,000 Velocity Points. The winner must have a Qantas Frequent Flyer or Velocity Frequent Flyer membership in good standing to receive this prize.
- In the event that for any reason whatsoever a winner does not take an element of the prize at the time stipulated by the Promoter then that element of the prize will be forfeited by the winner and cash will not be awarded in lieu of that element of the prize.
- The Promoter is not responsible for any costs incurred by the winner or entrants in order to participate in the competition or to attend any event held in connection with the competition.
- Participation in this competition assumes the acceptance of the Facebook and Instagram terms and conditions, found respectively at https://www.facebook.com/terms.php and https://help.instagram.com/581066165581870.
#hackyourholiday and win 50,000 Qantas or Velocity Points from us! was last modified: June 8th, 2024 by
(In other news: Old man shouts “get off my lawn” at recalcitrant teenagers)
Teenagers are leaving Instagram these days (Facebook is not even a thing), so your Instagramless self is trendy again!