Aussie ‘points addict’ books Paris for ‘free’

Sarah Maree Cameron has mastered the art of points hacking, so much so she’s taking her mum to her dream destination ‘for free’.

Sarah Maree Cameron has mastered the art of points hacking with half a million loyalty points to her name.

The 38-year-old 3AW radio personality is a self-described “points addict” – and with good reason.

Sarah Maree has the highest Velocity points balance she’s ever had – having accumulates years worth through her everyday spending from scanning Flybuys at Coles and fuelling up at 7-Eleven, to using her Amex Velocity Credit Card, Virgin Money insurance, shopping via the Velocity eStore and linking her membership with hotel and car hire partners.

Sarah Maree Cameron has accumulated half a million Velocity points – and is now able to take her mum Zara on a trip of a lifetime. Picture: Instagram

“It all started with one of my best mates. He is a massive aviation geek and loves something for nothing, as do most of us,” Sarah Maree told news.com.au.

“I started noticing he was flying first class and business class all over the world. We were both working in radio and I’m thinking to myself, ‘mate, we’re not on Kyle Sandilands’ money, how are you doing this?’

“And that’s when he told me about points hacking and I was really fortunate he taught me how best to do it and where you want to start aligning your points.”

Sarah Maree quickly learned the most important thing is where you’re choosing to put your energy and effort.

“For me it seemed like a no-brainer – I was often flying with Virgin and already had a Flybuys card that I used a lot,” she explained.

The duo will head to Paris in December with Sarah securing a five-star hotel in the bustling city for 120,000 points.

“I went from there and started to find all the other ways I could start accruing points and it’s great because Velocity has grown so much I can now get points at 7-Eleven, booking my ride share with Didi – and even hotels like IHG, Crown, Accor, TFE.

“I’ve got everything linked so that every time I am spending a dollar somewhere, it’s going back into my Velocity,” she added.

Sarah Maree’s points hustle has allowed her to soon fulfil a long-time dream for her 78-year-old mother – by taking her to see the Eiffel Tower during her first-ever trip to Paris in December.

“She is so excited. She had no idea about it. She said something a few months ago about never having seen it in person and I was like, ‘I’ve been twice’ and was riddled with guilt,” Sarah Maree said.

It will be Zara’s first time to Europe, let alone Paris – a destination she’s always wanted to visit.

“I went home and said to my husband, ‘do you mind if I quickly duck off and take Mum to Paris’,” she laughed.

“He was fully supportive especially because we do so much points hacking.”

She said it’s times like this when collecting points truly pays off.

“I was able to jump onto the Velocity website and look at all the hotels and let’s be honest, you think it’s the flights that are going to hurt you, but it ends up being accommodation,” she said.

“It can eclipse your airfares and it’s just another thing we didn’t have to worry about.”

Sarah Maree was able to book three nights accommodation at a 5-star hotel in the bustling city for just over 120,000, including breakfast. The only thing she had to pay for was the taxes which amounted to roughly $A70.

Sarah said she can’t wait to have a mother-daughter trip.

“It feels like you’re booking the accommodation for free,” she said.

The radio host and travel writer said she could have done it for less (points) but wanted to spoil her mum on what could be their last trip to Paris together.

“I wanted to also make sure we were bunkering down in a great place that was accessible because my Mum is 78 – and I think anyone can struggle with the European cobble stones let alone my mother.”

The 38-year-old recommended checking out occupancy rates.

“In a private browser have a look at the accommodation in the area and try and get an idea of the occupancy rates,” she explained.

“If you know an area quite well you can see when the rates are higher that what they normally would be. For example, Christmas and New Year are obviously going to be a little higher. When you zoom out and if you’re willing to be a bit further away from certain things – we for example, we didn’t need to be at the doorstep of the Eiffel Tower – then you’re getting the most bang for your buck when it comes to points.”

Sarah Maree is still in the process of finalising her flights but they too will be purchased using points.

“The first thing Mum wants to do is have a croissant and a macaron,” Sarah Maree said. “She also keeps talking about being in Paris when the sunsets and they turn on the lights on for the Eiffel Tower.

“It’s ridiculous I get to do this and make her dreams come true.”