Always Business Class

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

  1. 23 Jun

    Wonder, AI & Better Travel Experiences | Sarah Pirie-Nally on Curiosity, Innovation and Designing a Better Life

    What if the biggest competitive advantage in business isn't AI, but curiosity? In this episode of Always Business Class, Steve Hui and Steve Pirie-Nally sit down with innovation strategist, author, speaker, and Wonder & Wonder founder Sarah Pirie-Nally to explore the intersection of technology, human behaviour, travel, and the power of wonder. Sarah shares lessons from her years leading innovation initiatives at Commonwealth Bank, her work helping organisations embrace emerging technologies, and why curiosity remains one of the most valuable skills in a rapidly changing world. The conversation explores how AI can become a genuine business advantage, why human-centred design matters more than ever, and how travel creates the pattern interrupts that lead to better ideas, stronger relationships, and happier lives. This is a conversation about innovation. About designing experiences people genuinely want. And about using technology to create more freedom, more creativity, and more meaningful travel experiences. Sarah Pirie-Nally Founder, Wonder & WonderAuthor, Speaker & AI Strategist Flights Club Membership https://iflyflat.com.au/membership/ Accor Plus Explorer Membership https://www.accorplus.com/explorer-membership/ 00:00 Why Travel Activates Wonder 01:45 Meeting Sarah & The Origins of Wonder 04:10 Innovation, Curiosity & Better Questions06:45 From Corporate Innovation to AI Strategy 10:00 Why Businesses Need Wonder More Than Ever 12:05 AI Is Not Your Strategy 14:00 Understanding Human-Centred Design 17:05 Building Products People Actually Want 18:30 How Travel Changes The Way We Think 20:00 Pattern Interrupts & Everyday Wonder 23:00 AI, Customer Experience & Business Growth 26:10 Building Your Business Operating System 29:00 Creating A Second Brain For Teams 32:00 Using AI To Simplify Family Life 35:00 Buying Back Time With Technology 36:20 Why Travel Creates Better Humans 38:40 AI, Wonder & The Future Of Business

    40 min

  2. 9 Jun

    How to Fly Business Class on Everyday Spending

    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 Membership In 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

    52 min

  3. 12 May

    The Future of Travel: Why Subscription Is Taking Over | Henrik Berglind

    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 travel The psychology behind loyalty programs How small group dining became a breakthrough feature Why emotional connection beats transactional rewards Lessons from relaunching a global program How partnerships drive growth and retention Why travel creates better ideas and better business outcomes Practical travel hacks like choosing the best seat every time This is not just about travel. It’s about how great businesses build loyalty that lasts. Guest: Henrik Berglind - Accor Plus Chapters 00:00 Business Class in the Sky & On the Ground 01:33 Behind the Loyalty Program Growth 02:56 30 Years in Hospitality 04:09 COVID & Industry Reset 05:33 Loyalty Program Relaunch 06:16 Winning Best Loyalty Relaunch 07:49 Real Value of Membership Benefits 08:46 Why Travel Sparks Better Ideas 09:40 The Power of Face-to-Face 11:14 Designing Dining Experiences 12:43 The “Small Group Dining” Breakthrough 12:58 Lessons from the Relaunch 14:22 Global Expansion of Benefits 15:02 Why Change Doesn’t Kill Businesses 17:03 Behavioural Science in Business 19:15 Boutique vs Large Hotel Experiences 20:27 From Discounts to Loyalty Culture 22:44 Building a Global Loyalty Ecosystem 26:17 Innovation & Scaling Challenges 27:22 48 Brands, One Ecosystem 28:35 Travel Habits & Seat Hacks 31:18 Subscription Model Explained 34:43 Reducing Decision Fatigue in Travel 36:23 The Future of Travel Curation 38:33 Partnerships & Experiences Strategy 41:58 Sales Channels & Growth 44:10 Key Benefits of Explorer Membership 46:27 Flights Club Explore Launch

    49 min

  4. 5 May

    From Everest to the South Pole: Peter Hillary on the World's Last Wild Places

    What if the most powerful thing you could do for the planet… …was simply go there and witness it yourself?   What if exploration was never really about the summit?   In this episode of Always Business Class, Peter Hillary, explorer, mountaineer, and son of Sir Edmund Hillary, joins Steve Hui and Steve Pirie-Nally for a live fireside chat with over 400 Accor Plus Explorer members — and shares what 43 trips to Antarctica, a crossing to the South Pole, and a lifetime on the world's highest peaks have taught him about the only thing that actually matters.   Peter unpacks why the hardest part of any expedition is never the cold, the food, or the terrain. It is the psychological and emotional battle between your ears. And why that lesson applies just as much in business and in life.   He makes the case for why going to Antarctica is not a luxury. It is an act of stewardship. Because when people witness a place — really witness it — they want to protect it. And places that go unseen get exploited.   This is a conversation about what exploration really means. Not whether it has been done before. But whether you have done it. Because once you stand on that ice, something shifts. And you come back asking a different question. Not what can I get. But what can I do.   Guest Peter Hillary: Explorer, Mountaineer, Son of Sir Edmund Hillary Sponsors Flights Club Accor Plus Explorer Membership

    1hr 4min
  5. Raw C Founder: From One Container to Cracking America

    31 Mar

    Raw C Founder: From One Container to Cracking America

    What happens when you wire $25,000 of your life savings into a 20-foot container of coconut water… without a business plan? In this episode of Always Business Class, Scott Mendelson, Founder of Raw C, shares the real story behind building one of Australia’s recognised coconut water brands from scratch and why he is now taking on the 350 million person US market. We talk about selling one box on day one.Driving nine hours around Sydney trying to convince stores to stock a product nobody understood.Competing in a Coles and Woolworths dominated market. And the compounding power of showing up in person. Scott unpacks why naivety can be a competitive edge, how coconut water penetration jumped from 11 percent to over 26 percent, and why flying 15 hours for a two-hour meeting secured a US national retailer. This is a conversation about long games.About protecting factory relationships in Vietnam.About category growth versus ego.About not dying wondering. If you are building a consumer brand, negotiating with major retailers, or thinking about expanding beyond Australia, this episode will sharpen your thinking. Guest Scott MendelsonFounder, Raw C Raw C: https://rawc.com.au/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/raw_c/  Sponsors Join Flights Club: https://iflyflat.com.au/membership/ Accor Plus Explorer Membership: https://www.accorplus.com/explorer-membership/ Chapters 00:00 The $25,000 Container02:52 Why Start FMCG With No Experience05:22 Selling One Box10:24 Coconut Water’s Category Growth16:30 The US Retail Breakthrough34:19 Factories, Loyalty and Long-Term Thinking49:59 Taking on America   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    53 min
  6. Is Points Strategy Worth It for Australian Business Owners?

    17 Mar

    Is Points Strategy Worth It for Australian Business Owners?

    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.

    44 min
  7. How to Travel Better, Sleep Better, and Live Longer | Health Capital for High Performers

    3 Mar

    How to Travel Better, Sleep Better, and Live Longer | Health Capital for High Performers

    What if the most valuable “capital” you have isn’t travel points or business revenue, but your health capital? In this episode of Always Business Class, Steve Hui and Steve Pirie-Nally  sit down with Dr Steven Lum Melbourne-trained medical doctor and Founder of Everlab, to unpack the shift from reactive “sick care” to data-driven preventative health. Dr Lu explains why so many high performers make careful decisions in business, then “shoot from the hip” with health, and how Everlab approaches health like a management consultancy, using data to uncover blind spots and prioritise the highest ROI actions. They explore the difference between lifespan vs healthspan, why travel can quietly tax your body (sleep, dehydration, alcohol, time zones), and simple strategies that help you land sharper and recover faster, even on long-haul flights. If you travel for business, lead a team, or want to perform at your best for longer, this one will change how you think. Guest: Dr. Steven Lu ​​https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-steven-lu-82943825a/ Cofounder, Chief Medical Officer - Everlab Sponsors: Join Flights Club: https://iflyflat.com.au/membership/ Accor Plus Explorer Membership: https://www.accorplus.com/explorer-membership/   Key topics: healthspan, preventative health, personalised medicine, longevity, jet lag strategy, sleep optimisation, alcohol and sleep score, VO2 max, DEXA, visceral fat, travel performance.     See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    51 min
  8. Accor Plus CEO: The Travel Membership Hack for Upgrades, Lounges, and 30% Dining

    17 Feb

    Accor Plus CEO: The Travel Membership Hack for Upgrades, Lounges, and 30% Dining

    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 mindset 00:42 Welcome back: first recording of the year + special guest intro 01:24 Emily’s story: Thailand, Singapore, 20+ years in Asia 03:12 Journey vs destination: two travel philosophies 04:13 Why Accor talent stays: the “family” culture 05:35 Living in-region: Phuket, Bali, and discovering Asia properly 07:41 Why Accor Plus exists and how it fits Flyers Club 09:43 Certainty + surprise: the perfect travel balance 11:31 Staycations: the hidden reset most people miss 13:42 The “club” advantage: lounge access as a business tool 14:56 Status fast-track: 30 nights, Platinum, and instant ROI 18:37 Face-to-face beats Zoom: partnerships and serendipity 20:36 The future: travel subscriptions and global expansion 22:23 Will memberships go global across regions? 24:42 Experiences: chefs, shows, behind-the-scenes access 27:56 Travel hacks: lounges, airports, privacy, fast track 34:36 Points strategy: fixed-value points and keeping accounts active 36:22 Wellness: sleep, gyms, recovery, and where hotels are going 39:40 Choice overload: curation as the real advantage 40:40 Unexpected member behaviour: “Red Hot Rooms” as a travel compass 46:34 The dream state: consistency, scale, and global experiences   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    55 min
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About

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

Information

  • Creator
    The iFLYflat Flights Club
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    20
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © The iFLYflat Flights Club
  • Show Website
    Always Business Class

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