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.

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.

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.

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.