Velocity Frequent Flyer CEO Nick Rohrlach shares top travel hacks

He's notched up visits to 98 countries and counting, and now this frequent flyer has revealed his expert travel tricks - including the insider tip to maximise your points.

Velocity Frequent Flyer CEO Nick Rohrlach hits the ground running at any new destination.

I travel…

For everything. I go on work trips to see our Velocity partners. Velocity has amazing airline partners and I’m lucky enough to be able to visit them from time to time. Recently this has included Singapore Airlines at their home in Singapore, ANA in Tokyo, Qatar in Doha, Air Canada in Toronto and United in New York.

For holidays, I love to ski or explore new countries. I used to live in Japan and have skied there almost every year since 2012, but the best-kept secret powder stash is not so secret anymore.

Away from skiing, we recently got to experience the majesty of Machu Picchu in the southern part of Peru, where the sheer engineering marvel of an ancient civilisation building a city so high up on a picturesque mountain is unforgettable. I love to travel to discover and explore – I’m at 98 countries and counting.

I plan the trip... Myself. I always plan myself. It helps to build the excitement and I love finding some out-of-the-way special hotel or bar.

Inside my carry-on you’ll always find… Running shoes. Running is a great way to see and get a feel for a city even if you’re only there for a really short time.

My best tip for accumulating Velocity points is… By treating everyday spending as an opportunity to earn points. For me that means doing my shopping at Coles and auto transferring my Flybuys points to Velocity. Other ways include earning points on every ride I take with Didi, being a Medibank member, doing my shopping through the Velocity E-Store and also switching my energy provider to AGL.

One hack some might not know is… You can double dip. If you have a Velocity Points-earning credit card, you can earn points by using the card and by earning with our everyday spend partners.

Velocity Frequent Flyer CEO Nick Rohrlach at Machu Picchu.

I like to get to the airport… For a simple business trip I’m all about efficiency; I have a simple routine and don’t enjoy loitering in shops.

As soon as I check in, I… If it’s a simple business trip, I like to keep it very efficient, but on a long-haul flight, there is something special about the airport lounge. Velocity partners like Qatar, Singapore Airlines, United and Air Canada give our Gold and Platinum members access to their amazing lounges.

My favourite type of travel companion is… My husband. It’s always nice to have someone match your energy and to explore things with.

Virgin Velocity Frequent Flyer CEO Nick Rohrlach. Picture: Dallas Kilponen/Virgin Australia

I pack my suitcase… Optimising every last square centimetre. I’ve lived out of suitcases a few times in my life so I pride myself on it. Rolling and stuffing are both helpful. A great tip is to pack anything slightly breakable in your shoes. It saves space and gives some protection.

I get travel insurance… Always. Especially given the Velocity AMEX includes it. Alternatively, Cover-More policies give Velocity Points.

My best tip for beating jet lag is… Turn your clock to the destination as soon as you can (even a few days earlier) and when you get there, be active – go for a run.

I use public transport in… Every city. You get a great feel for the city by using its public transport. The cable car system in La Paz or the Star Ferry in Hong Kong are perhaps the most unforgettable.

Velocity Frequent Flyer CEO Nick Rohrlach at Horseshoe Bend, Arizona.

The destination I think is the best bang for buck is… Bangkok. Here you’ll find simple street food up to world-class dining, with some of the best five-star hotels around and more than a few shopping bargains.

My number one rule for flying is… Enjoy! It really is a miracle and we’re so fortunate to be able to see the world and connect with people. I never take it for granted.

The travel app I swear by is… Flightradar24. Yes, I’m a plane spotter and always want to know where the plane I can see is flying to.

Originally published as Velocity Frequent Flyer CEO Nick Rohrlach shares top travel hacks