Why Business Class Is Still the Smart Play in 2026

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

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