Always Business Class

What if your groceries, fuel, Uber rides, takeaway coffees, and family expenses could fund your next holiday?In this episode of Always Business Class, the team sits down with travel and points expert Deena, founder of Committed to Collect, to unpack how everyday Australians can turn normal spending into free or heavily discounted travel experiences.After more than 30 years in the travel industry, including 25 years at Flight Centre, Deena shares the moment that completely changed how she viewed points, loyalty programs, and travel freedom.From redeeming more than $100,000 worth of flights in a single year to helping teenagers fly to Bali on points alone, this episode breaks down the psychology, systems, and practical strategies behind modern points collecting.If you've ever thought points were too complicated, only for big spenders, or just a “credit card game”, this conversation will completely shift your perspective.SponsorsFlights Club MembershipAccor Plus Explorer MembershipIn this episode:How Deena redeemed over $102,000 worth of flights using everyday family spendingWhy most Australians massively underuse their loyalty programsThe “Get Appy” method for simplifying point collectionWhy points are not just for business travellers or high earnersHow households can “triple stack” rewards across multiple systemsThe emotional power of travel and family holidaysWhy travel points can improve workplace wellbeing and reduce burnoutThe difference between earning points and strategically using themHow teenagers are now flying internationally on points from normal spending habitsWhy Dina believes holidays become “more affordable and more frequent” with points

What really makes a loyalty program work?It’s not just discounts.It’s not just points.And it’s definitely not just perks.In this episode of Always Business Class, we go behind the scenes of one of the most successful travel membership programs in the world.From rebuilding after COVID to scaling to 500,000 members, this conversation breaks down how loyalty, psychology, and experience design come together.We cover:Why subscription is the future of travelThe psychology behind loyalty programsHow small group dining became a breakthrough featureWhy emotional connection beats transactional rewardsLessons from relaunching a global programHow partnerships drive growth and retentionWhy travel creates better ideas and better business outcomesPractical travel hacks like choosing the best seat every timeThis is not just about travel.It’s about how great businesses build loyalty that lasts.Guest: Henrik Berglind - Accor PlusChapters00:00 Business Class in the Sky & On the Ground01:33 Behind the Loyalty Program Growth02:56 30 Years in Hospitality04:09 COVID & Industry Reset05:33 Loyalty Program Relaunch06:16 Winning Best Loyalty Relaunch07:49 Real Value of Membership Benefits08:46 Why Travel Sparks Better Ideas09:40 The Power of Face-to-Face11:14 Designing Dining Experiences12:43 The “Small Group Dining” Breakthrough12:58 Lessons from the Relaunch14:22 Global Expansion of Benefits15:02 Why Change Doesn’t Kill Businesses17:03 Behavioural Science in Business19:15 Boutique vs Large Hotel Experiences20:27 From Discounts to Loyalty Culture22:44 Building a Global Loyalty Ecosystem26:17 Innovation & Scaling Challenges27:22 48 Brands, One Ecosystem28:35 Travel Habits & Seat Hacks31:18 Subscription Model Explained34:43 Reducing Decision Fatigue in Travel36:23 The Future of Travel Curation38:33 Partnerships & Experiences Strategy41:58 Sales Channels & Growth44:10 Key Benefits of Explorer Membership46:27 Flights Club Explore Launch

What if the real advantage in life isn’t just what you earn……but how you experience the world?In this episode of Always Business Class, Steve Grace, Founder of Nudge Group, shares how travel, lifestyle design, and smart flying have shaped the way he lives, parents, and builds businesses.We talk about flying long-haul as a family, why economy is not always the “cheapest” option, and how using smarter travel strategies can unlock premium experiences that most people think are out of reach.Steve shares how he has used services like iFly Flat over the years to make business class travel more accessible, especially when travelling with a family of five.But this conversation goes beyond seats and status.We get into what travel actually does to you.From five-star destinations to islands with no electricity, Steve explains why contrast is the most valuable part of travel, and how those experiences have shaped his kids’ worldview and his own decision making as a founder.We also explore how travel creates perspective, why founders should spend more time outside their environment, and how exposure to different cultures can completely change how you think about business and life.Along the way, we touch on building multiple businesses, the evolution of recruitment through content, and why community and in-person connection are becoming more valuable in a digital world.This is a conversation about travel as leverage.Because once you see more of the world, you start playing a different game.Steve GraceFounder, Nudge GroupNudge Group: https://nudgegroup.com.au/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephengrace/Join Flights Club: https://iflyflat.com.au/membership/Accor Plus Explorer Membership: https://www.accorplus.com/explorer-membership/00:00 Why Travel Changes Perspective02:22 Flying Better and Accessing Business Class05:18 From Customer to Podcast Guest10:07 Building a Lifestyle Around Travel18:00 Why Founders Need Global Exposure25:49 Raising Kids Through Travel27:01 Caribbean Travel and Unique Experiences30:48 Seeing Different Ways of Living34:58 Travel as a Life Advantage40:08 Business, Media and Lifestyle Design45:30 Community and Lifestyle Leverage50:03 AI, Travel and the Future of Work53:34 Rapid Fire Travel Questions55:16 Where He Is Heading Next

Is it a scam?Are points even worth it anymore?Do you need millions of points to fly business class? After 150 discovery calls with Australian founders across construction, agriculture, professional services, FMCG and tech, this episode of Always Business Class breaks down the most common myths about points, business class travel, and the Flights Club model. We unpack the psychology of dynamic pricing, why business class fares to the US are now $10,000+, and how points create a fixed-price alternative in a volatile travel market. This is not about hacks or shortcuts.It is about cost versus benefit, systems versus guessing, and using business expenses strategically. If you are a founder spending money anyway and want more comfort, more flexibility and more meaningful travel experiences, this episode is for you. Sponsors Join Flights Club: https://iflyflat.com.au/membership/ Accor Plus Explorer Membership: https://www.accorplus.com/explorer-membership/ Chapters 00:00 Points Equals Flights: The Core Philosophy02:33 Is Flights Club a Scam?05:31 Cash vs Points: Two Separate Systems09:43 Why Fixed Pricing Changes the Game11:26 Cancellation Freedom and COVID Lessons13:50 Why People “Can’t Find Seats”17:35 Using Points Poorly vs Strategically20:25 The Biggest Earning Myths27:02 Are Points Worth It Anymore?37:45 Platinum vs Black Membership Breakdown42:23 Travel, Joy and Founder Perspective  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

 What if your travel life got easier overnight? In this episode of Always Business Class, we sit down with Emilie Couton, CEO of Accor Plus, for her first Australian podcast. Emily shares how a one-way ticket to Thailand turned into two decades across Asia and a leadership career in hospitality, plus the real strategy behind Accor Plus 2.0: simplicity, transparency, instant value, and a membership that blends certainty (lounges, early check-in, recognition) with serendipity (surprise upgrades, experiences, and discovery). We unpack the perks members actually use, why staycations can be as powerful as international holidays, and how the future of travel is moving toward curated memberships, wellness, and hyper-personalised experiences. If you travel for business, lead a team across cities, or want travel to feel smoother, calmer, and more rewarding, this one is for you. Subscribe for more travel strategy, points thinking, and business-class level upgrades to how you move. In this episode The “one-way ticket” mindset and why some people never move back Living in Asia vs visiting: why your travel world expands fast Certainty vs serendipity: comfort, timing, smooth travel, and surprise moments How Accor Plus 2.0 was rebuilt with 7,000-member research Why dining benefits (up to 10 people) can pay back the membership quickly Why lounges and hotel clubs are an underrated business advantage Staycations as a reset tool, not a luxury “Red Hot Rooms” as a new way to choose destinations Subscriptions in travel, global membership expansion, and what’s next Wellness in hotels: sleep, recovery, gyms, spa, and partnerships Airport and travel efficiency tips from a frequent traveller How curation beats choice overload Guest: Emilie Couton https://www.linkedin.com/in/emiliecouton/CEO, Accor Plus Based in Singapore, with 20+ years across Asia and hospitality leadership. Sponsors: Join Flights Club: https://iflyflat.com.au/membership/ Accor Plus Membership: https://www.accorplus.com/explorer-membership/ Chapters 00:00 The one-way ticket mindset00:42 Welcome back: first recording of the year + special guest intro01:24 Emily’s story: Thailand, Singapore, 20+ years in Asia03:12 Journey vs destination: two travel philosophies04:13 Why Accor talent stays: the “family” culture05:35 Living in-region: Phuket, Bali, and discovering Asia properly07:41 Why Accor Plus exists and how it fits Flyers Club09:43 Certainty + surprise: the perfect travel balance11:31 Staycations: the hidden reset most people miss13:42 The “club” advantage: lounge access as a business tool14:56 Status fast-track: 30 nights, Platinum, and instant ROI18:37 Face-to-face beats Zoom: partnerships and serendipity20:36 The future: travel subscriptions and global expansion22:23 Will memberships go global across regions?24:42 Experiences: chefs, shows, behind-the-scenes access27:56 Travel hacks: lounges, airports, privacy, fast track34:36 Points strategy: fixed-value points and keeping accounts active36:22 Wellness: sleep, gyms, recovery, and where hotels are going39:40 Choice overload: curation as the real advantage40:40 Unexpected member behaviour: “Red Hot Rooms” as a travel compass46:34 The dream state: consistency, scale, and global experiences  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dan Hakim joins Always Business Class to unpack how CUB grew from a premium members club into one of Australia’s most influential business communities. We talk work ethic, proximity, culture, systems for scaling networking, and the real travel hacks founders use, from points strategy to VIP airport shortcuts. What happens when you “turn left” instead of following the obvious path? We dive into the psychology of premium communities, why culture is the hardest thing to scale, and the two traits Dan believes every highly successful founder shares. We also go deep on travel: the comfort equation, status versus points, how business owners can use travel as a competitive advantage, and the “VIP airport” experiences that change the way you fly forever. If you are building a business, craving better rooms and better people, or simply want smarter ways to travel while staying in founder mode, this one is for you. Sponsors: Join Flights Club: https://iflyflat.com.au/membership/ Accor Plus Explorer Membership: https://www.accorplus.com/explorer-membership/ Guest: Daniel Hakim CUB: https://www.instagram.com/clubofunitedbusiness/  https://cub.club/  Daniel: https://www.instagram.com/the.danielhakim/  Key topics covered How Dan’s upbringing overseas shaped CUB’s “premium club” DNA Why CUB started without a rigid plan, and what it became once Dan listened to members The reality of scaling a community: systems, intentionality, and maintaining culture Why “the product is the members”, and what that means operationally The role of pricing and eligibility in creating a high-trust, high-engagement room Proximity, environments, and why location and relationships shape outcomes The two traits Dan sees in every ultra-successful founder: work ethic + network Travel as a business advantage: more in-person time, better deals, faster learning Status vs points: when loyalty matters and when points win Points strategy using business expenses and high-volume hospitality spend Dan’s travel preferences: privacy, seat width, lounge quality, and comfort routines VIP airport services and the shortcuts founders use to save time and friction Bucket list travel, short trips, and why “waiting for two weeks” stops people travelling Where Dan wants to take CUB next: global clubhouses and tiers for every stage Chapters 00:00 Intro: Turning left and the business class mindset 00:47 Dan’s last 10 years and why CUB exists 03:00 The accidental pivot: from club to networking engine 05:15 “Just start”: how founders get stuck before they begin 07:23 The hardest part: scaling culture when members are the product 09:46 Relationship managers and “uncommon connections” 10:58 Proximity, environment, and why the right room changes everything 14:07 Travel as a competitive advantage for founders 17:31 The North Star: building the world’s largest business networking organisation 18:59 What travel means to Dan: privacy, comfort and airline choices 21:49 Status vs points and loyalty decisions 26:17 Memorable travel moments and VIP airport stories 31:35 Using points to unlock more travel and better business outcomes 36:30 Bucket list travel and why short trips matter 40:00 Hotel routines, tipping systems and getting looked after 43:51 How CUB and travel will fuse as it expands globally 47:23 Wrap and what’s next for CUB CUB community, Dan Hakeem, premium networking Australia, business owners community, founders networking, leadership and culture, proximity and success, business class mindset, status vs points, points strategy for business owners, Virgin status, Singapore Airlines lounge, Emirates business class, VIP airport service, travel hacks for entrepreneurs, building community systems.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 sit down with Jack Henderson to explore the mindset, journeys, and strategies of a business owner who’s turned property investment and strategic thinking into a lifestyle of freedom and global travel. While the conversation starts with business class flights and travel experiences, it dives deep into entrepreneurship, mindset shifts, wealth creation, and the value of exposure to new ideas and environments. Jack shares his personal journey from leaving school at 15, working in mining and construction, to becoming a property investor and entrepreneur. He explains how his experiences abroad, from Dubai to the south of France, shaped his perspective on life, business, and success. Along the way, he shares insights into building wealth, leveraging points for luxurious travel, and how strategic thinking applies both in business and personal growth. Key Takeaways: Business Mindset: Success requires continuous thinking about improving your business, solving problems, and generating ideas, no matter where you are. Transitioning from Employee to Entrepreneur: Jack discusses how moving from mining and construction into property and business ownership transformed his life. Travel as Exposure and Inspiration: Travel exposes you to global opportunities and perspectives that shape personal and business growth. Luxury Travel Hacks: Jack explains how he leverages points for first-class travel and high-end experiences without paying full price. Goal Setting and Life Design: Using travel time for reflection, journaling, and planning, Jack defines his “perfect life” and outlines actionable steps to achieve it. Real Estate Insights: Jack provides practical advice on property affordability, geographic strategy, and wealth-building in Australia. Community and Networking: The importance of surrounding yourself with other business-minded people and leveraging relationships for opportunities. Health and Performance: Jack emphasizes limiting alcohol, maintaining sleep routines, and personal discipline for peak performance. Notable Quotes: “Most people think we talk about business class, but we actually talk about always business.” – Steve Hui “Ten years is not all that much time… I fully remember turning 18 and now at 29, my life has completely transformed.” – Jack Henderson “Success isn’t just about money; it’s about reaching a level of skill and capability that allows extreme highs and the ability to navigate lows.” – Jack Henderson “Travel exposes you to things we don’t get exposed to here in Australia and inspires me to think bigger.” – Jack Henderson Resources & Mentions: Jack Henderson: https://www.instagram.com/jackchenderson/  Join Flights Club: https://iflyflat.com.au/membership/ Sponsor: https://www.accorplus.com/explorer-membership/ Episode Highlights: 00:00 – Jack’s first business class flight and transition from employee to entrepreneur 03:00 – The role of travel in inspiring business and personal growth 07:00 – Mining to property investment: lessons in opportunity and strategy 11:30 – Leveraging points for luxury travel and experiences 16:30 – Defining life goals, building wealth, and achieving freedom 26:00 – Housing affordability and geographic strategies in Australia 31:00 – Travel routines, rituals, and hacks for high performance  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, hosts Steve Hui and Steve Pirie-Nally dive into the world of business class travel and share insider strategies for transforming your travel experiences. From maximising points to leveraging networking opportunities, this conversation explores how travel can serve as a powerful classroom for personal and professional growth. Discover how adopting a business class mindset and embracing transformational travel can shift perspectives, create lasting connections, and elevate every journey. Key Takeaways: Steve Hui started flying business class 13 years ago without paying. Travel is one of the best classrooms out there. You don't know what you don't know until you realise it. The choice to fly business class can change your travel experience. Networking in business class can lead to unexpected opportunities. Maximising points can lead to free business class flights. Every dollar spent can earn points for travel. Transformational travel experiences can shift perspectives. It's about creating a community around travel and experiences. Join Flights Club: https://iflyflat.com.au/membership/ Sponsor: https://www.accorplus.com/explorer-membership/  Chapters: 00:00 The Journey to Business Class Mastery02:53 Transformational Travel Experiences05:44 The Power of Travel as Education08:59 Creating Lasting Impact Through Travel12:00 The Business Class Mindset14:47 Networking and Relationships in Business Class17:56 The Value of Points and Travel Hacks20:57 Maximising Business Expenses for Travel24:08 The Future of Travel and ExperiencesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to Always Business Class where your hosts Steve Hui and Steve Pirie-Nally explore the transformative power of travel and the often misunderstood value of frequent flyer points. They unpack how points can be viewed as money, the mindset shift that comes from experiencing business class travel, and the common misconceptions that lead to what they call “points trauma.” The discussion highlights how understanding the true value of points can unlock life-changing travel opportunities and create unforgettable experiences — all through smarter, more strategic travel planning. Key Takeaways Points can be seen as money, making travel more accessible. Experiencing business class travel shifts your mindset. Travel opens minds to new perspectives. Many people regret not starting to use points earlier. Points trauma arises from misconceptions and misuse. Understanding points value unlocks significant opportunities. Transformational travel can change lives. There are numerous ways to earn and use points effectively. The business class mindset enhances personal and professional growth. Travel hacking can lead to memorable experiences without financial burden. Join Flights Club: https://iflyflat.com.au/membership/ Sponsor: https://www.accorplus.com/explorer-membership/  Chapters 00:00 – The Magic of Points and Travel Mindset03:06 – Transformational Travel Experiences06:09 – ‘Aha’ Moments in Travel08:52 – The Business Class Mindset12:05 – Understanding Points Value14:56 – Points Trauma and Misconceptions17:53 – Unlocking Points Potential20:56 – The Evolution of Travel Strategies24:00 – Creating Memorable Experiences26:53 – The Future of Travel and PointsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.