Turn your everyday business bills into Business Class seats

Overview

In this episode of My Business Guide, Lachlan Nicolson speaks with Steve Hui, the founder and CEO of iFlyFlat, Australia's leading rewards travel agency. This conversation unpacks how business owners can turn their everyday business expenses into business class flights.

Steve shared his extensive experience in helping business owners earn airline points from their regular bills and how they can leverage those points to enjoy luxurious travel experiences at a fraction of the cost. With over a decade of experience in the industry, Steve's passion for points and travel is infectious, and he provided valuable insights into why business owners should be just as excited about earning points as he is.

Steve delved into the mechanics of how frequent flyer points work, likening it to a form of alchemy where business expenses can be transformed into incredible travel opportunities. Steve emphasised that many business owners overlook the potential of their bills, often failing to realise that they can earn significant points that translate into substantial savings on flights. Steve highlighted that, on average, his clients save around 50% compared to purchasing tickets outright, which is a remarkable benefit for anyone who travels frequently for business or pleasure.

Throughout our discussion, Steve and Lachlan explored the common misconceptions that hold business owners back from utilising points effectively. Many are deterred by the perceived complexity of the calculations involved or the fear of hidden fees. However, Steve reassured that with the right guidance and strategy, anyone can navigate the points system successfully.

Steve also touched on the importance of booking the right type of seats—reward seats—versus points plus pay options, which can lead to inflated point costs. Steve provided practical tips on how to identify these valuable reward seats and the significance of understanding the distance-based pricing system for points.

In addition to sharing his expertise, Steve introduced his services, including a points flight concierge service and consulting strategy sessions designed to help business owners maximise their points potential. He also launched a new service called The Flights Club, which combines points strategy and flight booking, making it easier for busy entrepreneurs to travel without the hassle of managing points on their own.

As the episode wraps up, Steve encouraged listeners to start earning points now, even if they don't have specific travel plans in mind. With the right approach, business owners can open up a world of travel opportunities and enjoy the rewards of their hard work.

Timestamps:

00:00:00 - Introduction to iFlyFlat and Steve Hui
00:01:00 - The Excitement of Earning Points
00:02:00 - Transforming Business Expenses into Travel Rewards
00:03:30 - Understanding the Value of Business Class Flights
00:04:30 - Common Misconceptions About Points and Fees
00:05:30 - Calculating Savings with Points
00:06:30 - The Stress of Economy Travel vs. Business Class
00:07:30 - The Philosophy of Rewarding Hard Work
00:08:30 - The Complexity of Points Programs
00:09:30 - Finding the Right Type of Seats
00:10:30 - The Importance of Reward Seats
00:11:30 - Mastering Points: Two Types of People
00:12:30 - Services Offered by iFlyFlat
00:13:30 - The Flights Club: An All-Inclusive Service
00:14:30 - Preparing for Future Travel
00:15:30 - The Joy of Exploring the World
00:16:30 - Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Quotes:

• "You can basically earn heaps of points and fly a business class cheaply." - 00:01:08

• "It's like alchemy... with frequent flyer points, you can turn points into business and first class seats." - 00:02:12

• "Imagine you can live life doing anything you want and never consider about price again." - 00:02:55

• "Most people don't even do the calculations to look into it. But it's basically sitting there waiting to be utilized." - 00:04:33

• "50% is the average of savings compared to buying a ticket." - 00:05:37

• "Business owners work so bloody hard in their business... and then you got to walk up to the back of the plane in cattle class." - 00:06:09

• "I have not flown economy for over 12 years... I'm too old to fly economy and I'm never doing it again." - 00:07:45

• "There's a massive difference between doing it one way and doing it another way in terms of value." - 00:09:12

• "If you know that you're going to go somewhere, all my clients fly like about four times a year because once you've got the points, there's places to go." - 00:15:45

• "I've never met anyone who came back from a trip unhappy. They're all very happy. This is the secret to happiness." - 00:17:09