Always Business Class

Why does airline status feel so good and why are so many travellers still chasing it, even when it costs them thousands?
In this episode of Always Business Class, the team breaks down the real difference between points and status, why status is deeply emotional, and why points are ultimately strategic. Drawing on decades of travel experience, they unpack the psychology behind loyalty programs, lounge access, upgrades, and the powerful feeling of exclusivity.
You will learn why airline status is becoming harder and more expensive to maintain, how airlines are shifting to spend-based models, and why frequent flyer points are one of the last remaining fixed-price currencies in a world of dynamic pricing.
If you are a business owner, frequent traveller, or anyone trying to fly smarter, this episode will change how you think about loyalty forever.
Sponsors:
Join Flights Club: https://iflyflat.com.au/membership/
Accor Plus Explorer Membership: https://www.accorplus.com/explorer-membership/
Key Takeaways
Why airline status feels rewarding but often costs more than it delivers
The emotional vs strategic difference between status and points
How airlines are making status harder to earn through spend-based systems
Why points act as a fixed-price currency in an inflationary travel market
How to consistently get 2x or more value from your frequent flyer points
The biggest mistakes people make when earning and redeeming points
Why hoarding points without a plan leads to wasted value
How smart planning beats random travel hacks every time

Episode Chapters
00:00 Why status feels so good
01:10 The emotional pull of airline status
02:40 Points vs status explained simply
03:55 Why “free upgrades” are never really free
05:10 The psychology of exclusivity and loyalty
06:40 Airlines moving to spend-based status systems
08:35 Why status runs are getting more expensive
10:40 Points as a fixed-price travel currency
11:25 Real example: points vs cash for business class
12:20 Why paying fees for points can still be profitable
13:15 The psychology of hoarding points
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.

We hope you’ve had a great break and are feeling ready for what’s ahead. Thank you for being part of the Always Business Class community. We can’t wait to share what’s coming next.
We’re back on January 21st, returning to our usual fortnightly release schedule.
Here’s to a big year of great conversations, new ideas, and always turning left.
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 break down the biggest shifts happening in travel right now — from skyrocketing business class fares post-COVID, to the upcoming Amex devaluation, to the new mindset shaping how Australians are planning their trips.
Fresh off a masterclass with 2,300 Accor Plus Explorer members, Steve & Steve unpack what travellers are struggling with, what’s changed in the points game, and why travel is no longer a luxury — it’s an ambition.
The conversation digs into strategy, numbers, mindset, and practical examples of how to turn points into real business class seats (without spending $12–15k a ticket).
Key Takeaways:
The New Travel Mindset:
Travel isn’t seen as a luxury purchase anymore — it’s become an essential part of life, growth, and experience.

Points vs Cash Reality:
Business class can cost 5× more in cash, but only ~2× more in points. Understanding the maths is everything.

The Amex 15 December Change:
Some airline transfers will now require 50% more Amex points. We explain what this actually means and what to do before it hits.

Reward Seats 101:
Finding seats is like fishing — you need more rods (more programs) and more ponds (more airlines). Relying only on Qantas or Virgin limits your chances heavily.

Why Most Travellers Feel “Confident”… Until They Aren’t:
Many Australians only know one program. When they discover how many options exist, confidence drops — which is actually a good thing.

Flexible Programs = Freedom:
Earning in flexible buckets (Amex, bank rewards, pay rewards) gives you more opportunities to book seats others can’t find.

The Million-Point Question:
Three business class seats to Europe typically require ~1M airline points. The episode breaks down how to plan backwards from the goal.

Seats Come and Go:
Award space constantly shifts — it’s not a one-and-done search. Persistence and strategy win every time.

Why People Don’t Use Their Points:
Billions of points sit untouched because travellers don’t know where to start or believe they can’t find seats.
Notable Quotes
“Travel is no longer a luxury — it's an ambition.” – Steve Hui
“It’s not luxury travel anymore. It’s the luxury to have travel.” – Steve Pirie-Nally
“If you’re earning points in one airline, you’ve only got one rod in the water.” – Steve Hui
“There’s only one deal in points. A business class reward seat is always a good deal.” – Steve Hui
Resources & Mentions
Join Flights Club: https://iflyflat.com.au/membership/
Accor Plus Explorer Membership: https://www.accorplus.com/explorer-membership/
Episode Highlights
00:00 – Why travel is no longer a luxury (and why points matter more than ever)
02:00 – Key insights from 2,300 webinar registrants
04:30 – The new travel personas: “journey” vs “destination”
06:20 – Post-COVID shift: experiences > things
08:00 – Why business class cash fares exploded
09:40 – “Somewhat confident” travellers and the big mindset gap
11:10 – How flexible reward programs give you more options
13:00 – Why finding reward seats is like fishing
15:30 – Why you should book one-way flights, not returns
17:10 – The case for earning points across multiple programs
19:00 – The million-point Europe calculation
21:00 – The Amex 15 Dec change — what actually happens
23:00 – How to choose where to transfer your points
25:00 – Why Virgin’s partnership with Qatar changes everything
27:00 – New airlines now accessible to Australians (Japan Airlines, Vietnam, Air Canada, etc.)
29:00 – Real member wins and fast bookings
30:20 – Final takeaway: how to think strategically about points
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.