Always Business Class

What if a $49 ticket, an invitation, and 90 phone-free minutes could change someone's life?

In this episode of Always Business Class, Steve Hui and Steve Pirie-Nally sit down with event producer, entrepreneur and Thinkable founder Desh Amila, the man behind the curtain who has brought some of the world's greatest minds to Australian stages.

Desh shares his journey from promoting hip hop and R&B tours to founding Think Inc., where he toured names like Neil deGrasse Tyson, Richard Dawkins, Michio Kaku, Steven Pinker and Ryan Holiday to sold-out crowds. He opens up about the wildest artist riders he has seen, why intellectuals draw fan moments of their own (baby wombat included), and what it really takes to keep the audience from ever knowing what is going wrong backstage.

The conversation explores why live events are booming in the age of AI, how deliberate friction and the power of invitation can lift attendance, the hidden fees behind your ticket price, and why Desh never skimps on flexible flights and black car transfers for his speakers. He also gives a first public look at Thinkable's next chapter, The Thinkable Review, an invite-only Founder Circle, and Serendip Collective, his boutique resorts on a working farm and in the jungle of his native Sri Lanka.

This is a conversation about ideas.

About building rooms people genuinely want to be in.

And about travel, curiosity, and the kaleidoscope of perspectives that change how we see the world.

Guest

Desh Amila

Founder, Thinkable

Founder, Think Inc. and Serendip Collective

Sponsors

Flights Club Membership

Accor Plus Explorer Membership

What if the secret to greater success isn't working harder, but stepping away more often?

In this episode of Always Business Class, Steve Hui and Steve Pirie-Nally sit down with executive coach, mindset mentor, speaker, and Boss in Heels podcast host Lara Nercessian to explore the psychology behind high performance, wealth, and why travel is one of the most powerful tools for a well designed life.

Lara shares her journey from a windowless filing room to leading people and culture for 10,000 people across 14 brands at a two billion dollar company, and how a side blog she started in 2016 grew into a podcast, a coaching practice, and eventually her full time business.

The conversation explores the three habits she sees in the world's top performers, why "what got you here won't get you there," how subconscious money beliefs keep people stuck, and why spaciousness, intuition, and time away from the desk are where the best ideas come from. Lara also opens up about her annual solo planning week, her Live List, and why some of her best trips have had zero agenda.

This is a conversation about mindset.

About designing your year with intention instead of reacting to it.

And about building the health, wealth, and freedom to keep travelling for a lifetime.

Guest

Lara Nercessian

Executive Coach & Mindset Mentor

Speaker & Host of The Boss in Heels Podcast

Sponsors

Flights Club Membership

Accor Plus Explorer Membership

What do a no fee credit card, a no contract gym and a Gen Z reinvention of Contiki have in common? One playbook for breaking big, tired industries.

In this episode of Always Business Class, hosts Steve Hui and Steve Pirie-Nally sit down with Katrina Barry, one of the sharpest brand builders in the country. Her career runs from McKinsey to seven years inside Richard Branson's Virgin Group, cofounding Virgin Active, then Managing Director of Contiki and Trafalgar, Global CEO of me&u, and most recently Group CEO and Managing Director of Webjet. Today she sits on boards including PetSure.

Katrina shares the Virgin innovation framework she calls "design to the opposite," what Branson is really like away from the cameras, and the piece of gym market research so good it became a company mission: it is harder to get out of a gym contract than a marriage. She also unpacks her mission to turn Queenstown into the Silicon Valley of down under, why she believes travel creates better humans, and how the shift from SEO to AEO is about to reshape who wins in travel.

If you have been telling yourself you will travel "when things settle down," this one is your nudge to go now, while your knees still work.

Presented with thanks to Accor Plus Explorer.

In This Episode

• Building a career across McKinsey, Virgin, Contiki and Webjet
• The "design to the opposite" framework she learned at Virgi
• What it was really like working with Richard Branson.
• Why "divorce is easier than cancelling your gym" launched Virgin Active
• Turning Queenstown into a tech and innovation hub
• Why travel creates better humans
• Travel wealth, travel longevity and going while you can
• The shift from SEO to AEO and getting found by AI agents
• Why trust, not technology, decides the winners in travel
• Raising kids in the age of ChatGPT
• Time blocking, thinking time and working on the business not in it
• The tired Australian brand she would love to transform

What happens when your very first trip to Antarctica ends with the ship on the sea floor?

In this episode of Always Business Class, hosts Steve Hui and Steve Pirie-Nally sit down with Greg Carter, CEO and founder of Terra Nova Expeditions and one of Australia's genuine Antarctic authorities. His first voyage ended in a shipwreck and a rescue by the Chilean Navy and the Argentinian Air Force. He has spent the twenty years since going back.

Greg traces a career that runs from a secondhand laptop in London to the pointy end of polar travel: cofounding Chimu Adventures and selling it to Intrepid, a stint as Chief Commercial Officer at Albatros, and now a boutique company built on one idea, that in Antarctica the destination is the luxury, not the ship.

Along the way they get into whether Antarctica is really overtouristed, why a smaller ship changes everything from your time ashore to who you end up crying next to on night nine, and the world first day sailing aboard the yacht Icebird.

If Antarctica has been sitting on your bucket list, this episode is your reminder that the best time to start planning is now.

Presented with thanks to Accor Plus Explorer.

In This Episode

The shipwreck that started it all, and why you never say "Titanic" Whether Antarctica is really overrun with tourists Why guides with PhDs matter more than you think Building Chimu Adventures and the exit to Intrepid Travel How smaller ships create a deeper experience The world first day sailing aboard Icebird How Antarctica changes the people who go The remarkable past life of the RMS St Helena Taking teenagers to the ice with the Antarctic Classroom

Chapters

00:00 The Shipwreck, and Never Say "Titanic"

01:22 Rescued by the Chilean Navy and Argentinian Air Force 03:29 Building Chimu From a Laptop in London

05:48 Is Antarctica Really Overtouristed?

07:15 Guides With PhDs and Peter Hillary's 43rd Voyage

08:39 The Exit to Intrepid Travel

12:00 Getting There: Flights and Visa Free Rules

14:47 Flying Over Antarctica and Mawson's Huts

18:03 Why Terra Nova: Smaller Ships, More Time Ashore

21:10 What "Immersive" Really Means

23:24 Icebird: A World First in Antarctica

25:45 How Antarctica Changes People

29:22 Internet on the Ice: Help or Hindrance?

37:17 Where the Name Terra Nova Comes From

38:15 The Extraordinary Life of RMS St Helena

41:55 The Antarctic Classroom

44:42 Rapid Fire Round

Is the goal really to fly business class… or is it to live a life filled with unforgettable travel experiences?

In this episode of Always Business Class, hosts Steve Hui and Steve Pirie-Nally reflect on the evolution of Flights Club, sharing why their mission has grown beyond premium cabins and into something much bigger: helping people redeem their travel dreams.

Drawing on hundreds of conversations with members, they reveal that the biggest obstacle to travel isn't earning points—it's waiting for "someday." Whether it's Europe, Antarctica, the NFL in Melbourne, or a weekend wellness escape, every meaningful journey starts with making the decision to go.

Steve and Steve also discuss how business owners can use travel to create a richer life, why frequent flyer points are simply a tool rather than the destination, and how their growing community is connecting people through shared experiences, business relationships, and a love of exploration.

If you've been putting off your bucket list, this episode is your reminder that the best time to start planning your next adventure is now.

In This Episode

•

Why Flights Club's mission has evolved beyond business class

•

The importance of defining your travel dreams

•

How frequent flyer points help unlock more travel

•

Why business owners should prioritise experiences over possessions

•

The idea of "80 great summers" and making every year count

•

The value of community through shared travel experiences

•

Booking smarter with points, cash fares, and flexible strategies

•

Why now is the time to plan future travel

•

How Flights Club helps members maximise every trip

•

The future of travel, events, and member experiences

Chapters

00:00 Redeeming Your Travel Dreams

01:42 Why Flights Club Has Evolved

04:03 Defining Your Bucket List

07:31 Travel Is More Than One Big Trip

09:17 Creating Life-Changing Experiences

12:00 Lessons From Flights Club Members

16:39 Turning Points Into Real Travel

18:06 Why Demand for Travel Is Surging

20:58 Smarter Ways to Book Flights

24:32 Planning Your Next 12 Months of Travel

25:56 New Experiences and Member Events

29:16 House of Points and Everyday Rewards

30:31 The Future of Flights Club

What does it take to turn a simple everyday frustration into a globally recognised brand?

In this episode of Always Business Class, Steve Hui and Steve Pirie-Nally sit down with Rex Kuo, co-founder of Orbitkey, to unpack the journey from a side project built after work to one of Australia's most successful product design companies.

Rex shares how a simple idea to eliminate noisy, bulky keys became a record-breaking Kickstarter campaign that raised over $210,000 in just 30 days, launching a business that now sells millions of products worldwide. Along the way, he opens up about balancing entrepreneurship with a full-time career as a pharmacist, building a global team, expanding through retail, and creating products that genuinely improve everyday life.

The conversation also explores product innovation, crowdfunding, travel, family, business partnerships, and why building a purpose-driven company has been just as important as building a profitable one.

Whether you're launching your first business, creating a physical product, or simply love hearing the stories behind iconic Australian brands, this episode is packed with practical lessons and founder insights.

In This Episode

•

How Orbitkey started from a simple frustration with noisy keys

•

Raising over $210,000 through Kickstarter in just 30 days

•

Why you don't need to quit your job to start a business

•

Building a global product brand from Australia

•

The role of crowdfunding in validating new ideas

•

Lessons from launching 13 successful Kickstarter campaigns

•

Growing through retail, trade shows, and international expansion

•

Collaborating with Disney and Marie Kondo

•

Building a strong company culture across global teams

•

Using travel to inspire creativity, productivity, and better business

•

Why purpose, sustainability, and B Corp certification matter

•

Supporting neurodiversity in the workplace

Chapters

00:00 Meet Rex Kuo, Co-founder of Orbitkey

01:59 The Idea That Started Orbitkey

03:43 Launching Australia's First Kickstarter Success

06:02 Turning a Side Hustle into a Business

09:05 Growing Beyond One Product

10:45 Taking Orbitkey Global Through Trade Shows

15:10 Building a Loyal Community Through Kickstarter

18:39 The Power of Great Co-founders

20:42 Family, Travel and Frequent Flyer Points

25:36 Building a Global Team and Company Culture

30:33 Purpose, Sustainability and Becoming a B Corp

33:18 Product Philosophy and Long-Term Thinking

36:37 The Secrets Behind Successful Kickstarter Launches

40:18 Collaborating with Disney and Marie Kondo

42:24 Supporting Neurodiversity at Work

45:31 Rapid Fire Travel Questions

What if travel wasn't just a reward for working hard, but one of the most powerful tools for improving how you think, make decisions, and perform?

In this episode of Always Business Class, Steve Hui and Steve Pirie-Nally explore the neuroscience behind travel and why stepping away from your routine can sharpen creativity, improve judgment, and help you return with greater clarity.

Together, they unpack why new environments force your brain out of autopilot, how short, frequent trips can be more powerful than one long holiday, and why business owners should think of travel as a performance reset rather than simply time off.

From staycations and business class to Crystal Cruises and spontaneous walks through unfamiliar cities, this conversation challenges the way we think about travel and productivity.

In This Episode

•

Why travel activates different parts of your brain

•

The science behind breaking out of autopilot

•

How travel improves creativity and decision-making

•

The four stages of a performance reset

•

Why shorter, more frequent trips can outperform long holidays

•

Staycations as an accessible performance tool

•

Removing friction through smarter travel

•

How travel experiences inspire better businesses

•

Why exploration helps you feel like you've lived longer

•

The philosophy behind "Redeeming Your Travel Dreams"

Whether you're planning an overseas adventure or simply checking into a hotel across town, this episode offers a fresh perspective on using travel as an investment in your performance, wellbeing, and business.

Chapters

00:00 Travel as a Performance Reset

01:22 Why Your Brain Needs New Environments

07:31 The Four Stages of the Travel Reset

09:30 Why Short Trips Can Be More Powerful

14:06 Lessons from Crystal Cruises

20:17 Removing Friction Through Better Travel

22:16 Can Travel Be Better Than Therapy?

24:26 Escaping Autopilot Through Exploration

27:28 Redeeming Your Travel Dreams

30:39 The Blueprint for Better Travel

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

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 spending
• Why most Australians massively underuse their loyalty programs
• The “Get Appy” method for simplifying point collection
• Why points are not just for business travellers or high earners
• How households can “triple stack” rewards across multiple systems
• The emotional power of travel and family holidays
• Why travel points can improve workplace wellbeing and reduce burnout
• The difference between earning points and strategically using them
• How teenagers are now flying internationally on points from normal spending habits
• Why Dina believes holidays become “more affordable and more frequent” with points

What does it take to go from doing customs forms by hand at Australia Post to running a $100M+ global fashion brand?

In this episode of Always Business Class, Steve Hui and Steve Pirie-Nally sit down with Jane Lu, founder of Showpo, to unpack the real story behind building a global brand from her parents' garage, why naivety is a founder's greatest asset, and how backing yourself is the only strategy that matters.

They also get into delegation, content creation as a CEO, the aisle vs window seat debate, and why business class is the best investment a founder can make.

We cover:

• Why entrepreneurs need naivety to take the leap
• How a trademark crisis nearly wiped out everything she built
• Building Like Minded Bitches Drinking Wine to 180,000+ women
• Why delegation changes everything
• The aisle vs window seat debate, settled
• What is still on the bucket list

This is not just about travel. It is about building something you love and choosing to do it in style.

Guest: Jane Lu Founder and CEO, Showpo

Sponsors: Flights Club:https://iflyflat.com.au/membership/ Accor Plus Explorer Membership:https://www.accorplus.com/explorer-members...

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

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

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 Grace

Founder, Nudge Group

Nudge 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 Perspective

02:22 Flying Better and Accessing Business Class

05:18 From Customer to Podcast Guest

10:07 Building a Lifestyle Around Travel

18:00 Why Founders Need Global Exposure

25:49 Raising Kids Through Travel

27:01 Caribbean Travel and Unique Experiences

30:48 Seeing Different Ways of Living

34:58 Travel as a Life Advantage

40:08 Business, Media and Lifestyle Design

45:30 Community and Lifestyle Leverage

50:03 AI, Travel and the Future of Work

53:34 Rapid Fire Travel Questions

55:16 Where He Is Heading Next

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 Mendelson
Founder, 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 Container
02:52 Why Start FMCG With No Experience
05:22 Selling One Box
10:24 Coconut Water’s Category Growth
16:30 The US Retail Breakthrough
34:19 Factories, Loyalty and Long-Term Thinking
49:59 Taking on America

See https://omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 Philosophy
02:33 Is Flights Club a Scam?
05:31 Cash vs Points: Two Separate Systems
09:43 Why Fixed Pricing Changes the Game
11:26 Cancellation Freedom and COVID Lessons
13:50 Why People “Can’t Find Seats”
17:35 Using Points Poorly vs Strategically
20:25 The Biggest Earning Myths
27:02 Are Points Worth It Anymore?
37:45 Platinum vs Black Membership Breakdown
42:23 Travel, Joy and Founder Perspective

See https://omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 https://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 Coutonhttps://asia.hsmai.org/team/emilie-couton/https://asia.hsmai.org/team/emilie-couton/https://asia.hsmai.org/team/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

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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

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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.

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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 https://omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.