Unlocking Value From Everyday Spend: How The Flights Club Turns Business Costs Into Business Class

Australian business owners often overlook a hidden goldmine in their day-to-day spending—but now the company iFLYflat has launched a solution to help them claim this value. With the introduction of its new membership program, The Flights Club, iFLYflat is offering businesses a way to turn mundane operational costs—payments for taxes, suppliers, payroll and other routine business expenses—into reward points that can be used for business-class travel.

The club targets Australian companies with annual turnovers between approximately AUD 1 million and 10 million. For a membership fee starting at AUD 3,000 plus GST, members can begin unlocking reward points that translate into premium-class travel. According to iFLYflat co-founder Steve Hui, many business owners are unaware of the value tied up in everyday business transactions. He estimates that a business spending around AUD 1 million annually may have the potential to tap more than AUD 40,000 worth of business-class flights—if only they apply the right strategy.

Hui explains that when companies typically pay around 2 % in payment fees, the club’s model can help convert that spend into more than 4 % back in value via reward points. By applying analytical tools and structured guidance, The Flights Club aims to help companies treat travel not as an occasional break, but as a standard, elevated benefit of their corporate lifestyle.

However, the ecosystem of reward points and travel perks is evolving. Regulatory reform by the Reserve Bank of Australia around surcharges and interchange fees is changing how reward cards and point-earning mechanisms work. Hui emphasises that business owners must now move beyond traditional methods (such as relying on a single card type or historical transfer ratios) and adopt a data-driven approach to maintain value.

The Flights Club offers multiple tier options. For example, the Platinum tier (AUD 6,000 + GST) includes up to four return business-class reward bookings per year (using accumulated points), equivalent to over AUD 40,000 in retail value. Additional perks include a booking concierge, a tailored rewards strategy, and access to luxury deals via a closed community of business travellers.

One early success story comes from founding member Sara Phillips, who used The Flights Club’s strategic approach to spend AUD 8,000 in membership fees and managed to secure approximately AUD 70,000 worth of business-class flights in just 12 months. “Once you experience value like this, you’ll never go back to economy again,” she remarked. T

The launch of The Flights Club also coincides with its new podcast, Always Business Class, produced in partnership with the global hotel and travel loyalty program ALL Accor+ Explorer. The 25-episode season will feature high-profile entrepreneurs sharing insights on business growth, lifestyle, travel and points mastery. Members also receive complimentary ALL Accor+ Explorer membership, instant Gold status (or higher), exclusive savings across lodging, dining and beverages across Asia-Pacific, and access to member-only experiences at the global Accor portfolio of over 4,500 hotels and 30 brands.

In addition to flight-reward strategies, many businesses pair their premium travel strategy with premium accommodation partners. For example, Corporate Keys, a well-established provider of corporate accommodation in Australia, is often used by companies seeking long-stay or serviced apartments for business travel. Their extensive property portfolio helps businesses complement the elevated travel experience they gain through reward points with equally convenient and comfortable accommodation solutions—especially for extended corporate stays.

Looking ahead, The Flights Club plans to announce further partnerships in the coming months to expand the value proposition for its community. “Our ambition is simple: that our members never fly economy again,” says co-founder Steve Pirie‑Nally. “We’re building a community of business leaders who understand that how you travel is as important as where you’re going.”