Best Udhara De Silva Podcasts (2025)

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Episode 19 - KrisFlyer in Australia: Interview with Udhara de Silva 36:08

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10d ago36:08

36:08

Join Matt Graham and special guest Udhara de Silva, the head of Loyalty Marketing & Strategy for Singapore Airlines in Australia, for episode 19 of Travel Pointers! In this podcast episode, Matt and Udhara discuss how Singapore Airlines and KrisFlyer manage to compete in Australia against two very dominant local players. They also talk about the up…

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Episode 18 - What Makes a Good Hotel Loyalty Program? 35:43

24d ago35:43

35:43

Join Matt Graham and Wilson McTaggart for episode 18 of Travel Pointers! In Travel Pointers Episode 18, Matt and Wilson discuss what makes a good hotel loyalty program. The pair talk about our favourite programs, why they like them, and how you can make the most of them. Each episode begins with a discussion of some of the recent Australian travel …

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Episode 17 - Premium Economy on Emirates 31:24

1M ago31:24

31:24

In Travel Pointers Episode 17, Matt and Wilson chat about Emirates' Premium Economy cabin, and their experience onboard. It looks really nice in photos, but what is it really like? The pair also chat about Premium Economy more broadly, and why airlines are more and more keen to add a Premium Economy cabin. Each episode begins with a discussion of s…

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Episode 16 - AFF Point Valuations 29:38

2M ago29:38

29:38

Join Matt Graham and Wilson McTaggart for episode 16 of Travel Pointers! In Travel Pointers Episode 16, Matt and Wilson explain the winners and losers of the AFF Point Valuations. After months spent building a detailed model to calculate the average value of a frequent flyer point, AFF has released its first ever Frequent Flyer Point Valuations! Wi…

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Episode 15 - What the RBA Changes Will Really Mean For Your Credit Card Points 24:39

2M ago24:39

24:39

Join Matt Graham and Wilson McTaggart for episode 15 of Travel Pointers! Last week, the Reserve Bank of Australia announced reforms to Australian credit card fees which could have some unintended consequences when it comes to earning frequent flyer points in Australia. We’ll talk about these proposals in this Travel Pointers episode. Each episode b…

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Episode 14 - Flying Longhaul On Narrowbody Aircraft 26:26

3M ago26:26

26:26

Join Matt Graham and Wilson McTaggart for episode 14 of Travel Pointers! Sorry we missed last month, but we're back to our regular schedule! In Travel Pointers Episode 14, Matt and Wilson discuss Qantas' new A321 XLR and what it's like flying long-haul on narrow-body aircraft. They also chat about the routes they took from Europe to Australia. Each…

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Episode 13 - How to Use Avios 25:42

4M ago25:42

25:42

Join Matt Graham and Wilson McTaggart for episode 13 of Travel Pointers! In this episode, Matt and Wilson talk all about Avios, the valuable points used by 7 different frequent flyer programs. They'll discuss what they are, how you can earn them in Australia – and most importantly, how to use them for maximum benefit. If you want to learn more abou…

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Episode 12 - Redeeming Qantas & Velocity Points on Partner Airlines 25:43

4M ago25:43

25:43

Join Matt Graham and Wilson McTaggart for episode 12 of Travel Pointers! In Travel Pointers Episode 12, Matt and Wilson discuss how to use your Qantas and Velocity points on partner airlines. This can be a great option if you can’t find availability on Qantas or Virgin – or you want to travel somewhere that your own airline doesn’t fly to. They als…

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Episode 11 - When Travel Goes Wrong 36:02

5M ago36:02

36:02

Have you ever got yourself into a sticky situation while travelling? How did you get out of it, and what would you do differently next time? In Travel Pointers Episode 11, join Matt Graham and Wilson McTaggart as they talk about their worst travel mistakes! Even the most experienced travellers have issues, so the pair discuss what's gone wrong on t…

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Episode 10 - How to Find Cheap Flights 30:45

5M ago30:45

30:45

In Travel Pointers Episode 10, Matt and Wilson chat about finding cheap flights! The pair talk about the strategies they use to save money and find cheaper flights to destinations including Asia, Europe and North America, for both Economy and premium cabins. The pair also discuss Virgin Australia's flights to Doha, and recent updates about the serv…

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Episode 9 - Travel Tips for Japan 26:05

6M ago26:05

26:05

In Travel Pointers Episode 9, Matt and Wilson talk all things Japan! Find out why so many Aussies are going there, what we like about it the most, and which airlines you can fly to get there. The pair also chat about Velocity moving to spend-based status, and whether Qantas will follow suit. Each episode begins with a discussion of some of the rece…

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Episode 8 - How to Use Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Miles 33:19

6M ago33:19

33:19

In Travel Pointers Episode 8, Matt and Wilson explain everything you need to know about redeeming Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer miles. It’s a great program with tons of Business Class award availability in and out of Australia, so it’s worth taking the time to get to know it! The pair discuss the quirks you need to be aware of when using Singapore A…

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Episode 7 - How to Find Reward Flight Availability in 2025 31:10

7M ago31:10

31:10

In Travel Pointers Episode 7, Matt and Wilson explain how to find reward flight availability in 2025 - especially if you want to redeem your frequent flyer points for Business Class tickets. The pair discuss the latest reward flight trends, the airlines and routes which have the most reward seats, and the strategies you need to find them. Over rece…

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Episode 6 - Qantas Frequent Flyer Changes & A Deep Dive Into Qatar Airways 42:09

8M ago42:09

42:09

Welcome to a new year of the Travel Pointers podcast! After a break over the summer holidays, we’re back with not just a new episode, but also a new format. From 2025, Travel Pointers is becoming an Australian Frequent Flyer (AFF) podcast. Of course, we’ll still share lots of tips to help you make the most of your frequent flyer points, tell lots o…

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Episode 5 - Interview with Velocity Frequent Flyer CEO Nick Rohrlach 45:03

10M ago45:03

45:03

In episode 5 of the Travel Pointers podcast, Velocity Frequent Flyer CEO Nick Rohrlach joins Matt and Chris to talk about the recent changes to Virgin Australia's loyalty program. In this interview, find out why Velocity is making status harder to earn, why Velocity is launching a Forever Gold tier, what the enhanced partnership with Qatar Airways …

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Episode 4 - Major Velocity Frequent Flyer Changes & Lord Howe Island 55:17

11M ago55:17

55:17

In Travel Pointers Episode 4, Matt and Chris share their thoughts and opinions about the changes Virgin Australia is making to its Velocity Frequent Flyer program over the next year. These include changes to the way flyers earn and redeem points, the introduction of Platinum Plus and Forever Gold status, and Virgin making status much harder for mos…

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Episode 3 - Our First Times in First Class & Easy Ways to Earn Points 43:48

12M ago43:48

43:48

In Travel Pointers Episode 3, Matt and Chris discuss how they earn Qantas and Velocity Points in ways other than the obvious methods of flying and through credit cards. This includes several ways to earn frequent flyer points in Australia for free. Your hosts also talk about the first time they each flew internationally in First Class. They weren't…

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Episode 2 - Airplane Seat Selection Strategies & Status Matches 43:10

1y ago43:10

43:10

Point Hacks News Editor Chris Chamberlin and Australian Frequent Flyer Editor Matt Graham explain how they ended up in a window seat without a window, after a seat selection mishap - and discuss the tools and strategies you can use to avoid making the same error! Plus, find out how you can leverage your current elite status with one airline to get …

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Episode 1 – Around the World with Qantas Points & Central Asia Calling 42:14

1y ago42:14

42:14

Point Hacks News Editor Chris Chamberlin and Australian Frequent Flyer Editor Matt Graham explain how to use your Qantas Frequent Flyer points to fly around the globe, including in Business Class, with the Oneworld Classic Flight Reward. Plus, find out why Central Asia could be one of the world's most underrated tourist destinations! Each episode b…

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Taking Batik to New Places: Fern Chua, Malaysia 53:23

4y ago53:23

53:23

Fern Chua is the award-winning founder of FERN, a Malaysian sustainable and high-end fashion label rediscovering the elegance of the ancient Asian fabric art form, Batik. Fern and I chatted earlier this year on the unexpected path that led her to Batik, the challenges building and growing her team of artisans from the ground up, and pushing the bou…

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Creating Australia’s First Anti-Racist Comedy Club: Tina Zaman, Australia 51:41

4y ago51:41

51:41

Tina Zaman is a comedian, writer, teacher and founder of Tight5Comedy a unique platform in Sydney’s comedy scene. Tight5’s comedians of colour and allies have entertained thousands of fans, handpicked for their originality and social impact. Acts are empowered to explore both their comedic and cultural identities in careful curated venues from thea…

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The Relentless Optimist: Matthew Chapman, Singapore & New Zealand 48:07

5y ago48:07

48:07

Matthew Chapman is an entrepreneur and investor who has mastered the art of relationship building. His company ChapmanCG finds HR leaders for the world’s leading companies. He's an investor in Bawah Reserve, a luxurious and sustainable tropical island retreat that's a Condé Nast Traveler Top 10 resort of Asia. And he's a co-founder of the 300km Sno…

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On writing her first book, rejection, and diversity: T.P. Tovenaar, Sri Lanka 1:12:41

5y ago1:12:41

1:12:41

T.P. Tovenaar is a writer from London, born to Sri Lankan parents. For the last decade, she’s called Colombo home. Her book, 'Mum’s the Word', is a collection of hilarious and heartwarming stories about the relationship between a Sri Lankan mother and her British-born daughter, both trying to live within a complex mix of cultures, customs and envir…

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The Warrior of Singapore’s Kranji Countryside: Ivy Singh-Lim, Singapore 52:43

6+ y ago52:43

52:43

Ivy Singh-Lim founded Bollywood Veggies Organic Farm with her husband in Kranji, a northwestern suburb about 22 kilometres from the towering skyline of Singapore, showing an alternative, greener side to the country. Visitors can explore the village-like tropical farm, eat a mouth-watering, farm-to-table Nasi Lemak served on a banana leaf, and learn…

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Becoming MoneySmart: Vinod Nair, Singapore 54:41

6+ y ago54:41

54:41

Vinod Nair used the last of his life savings to set up a website and hire an intern. Today, that website, MoneySmart.sg, is Southeast Asia’s leading personal finance portal, helping people compare loans, insurance, and credit cards. There’s been a lot of press coverage in Singapore about the big wins of his career, but show hosts Vanessa Fernandez …

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Irreverence is an Asset: Rosalyn Lee (Rozz), Singapore 1:03:25

6+ y ago1:03:25

1:03:25

Rosalyn Lee, or Rozz, is a Singaporean radio DJ and TV host with an incredibly adventurous career. She has featured in Elle and Esquire magazines, hosted Singapore’s hottest radio shows, and interviewed everyone from Lana del Ray to Gene Simmons. She has not one but two travel shows. The first is Rozz Recommends, where she explores the world on her…

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How to Make Things Cool: Andrew Ing, Singapore 42:48

6+ y ago42:48

42:48

Andrew Ing creates culture for a living, whose career is based on combining the cool with the commercial. In the early 90s he promoted concerts in Hong Kong for artists likes Diana Ross, Simply Red and Public Enemy. He then moved to Singapore to turn the nightclub Zouk into one of the top 10 clubs in the world and bringing electronic music culture …

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The King of the Jacket: Thomas Wee, Singapore 1:06:33

7y ago1:06:33

1:06:33

Thomas Wee is a Singaporean fashion designer who has worked in the industry for over 4 decades. He is known for his masterful workmanship, cutting edge 3D forms and perfectly tailored suits. After building several high-end fashion labels serving South-East Asia’s elite, the “King of the Jacket” took to teaching fashion design and pattern drafting f…

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Breaking World Records & Breaking Taboos: Theresa Goh, Singapore 45:25

7y ago45:25

45:25

Theresa Goh is the first female Singaporean swimmer to qualify for the Paralympics. Vanessa and Udhara met the world-record breaker to talk about her childhood, how athletes compete over milliseconds to win races, being an openly gay public figure, and why accessibility should be a given in any space. Theresa Goh is an ambassador for Singapore's LG…

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From Creative Public Servant to Tech Exec: Nic Foo, Singapore 56:46

7y ago56:46

56:46

Nicolas Foo has had a successful career with the Singapore Tourism Board, is a photographer whose experiences living in India inspired an exhibition, ‘For Your Approval, Please’, and has also been the head of business development for South-East Asia’s largest tech startup and ride-hailing platform, Grab. Vanessa and Udhara met Nic at The Analog Vau…

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Helping the Underdog: Adrian Sim, Singapore 41:55

7y ago41:55

41:55

Adrian Sim is a volunteer with Singapore’s Workers’ Party, the only opposition party to have elected members in parliament in a political system led since 1959 by the People’s Action Party. Vanessa and Udhara sat down with Adrian at an ‘HDB’ apartment complex in Lorong Ah Soo, a Workers’ Party constituency, who shared: His story growing up in a low…

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The Sibling Co-Founders of The Working Capitol: Ben & Saranta Gattie, Singapore 58:29

7y ago58:29

58:29

Ben and Saranta Gattie built The Working Capitol, a co-working space set up in a renovated former biscuit factory on Keong Saik Road. Since opening in 2015, it has become one of Asia’s leading co-working spaces. Hosts Vanessa & Udhara spoke to them at The Working Capitol about: Growing up as third culture kids Real estate in Singapore How they deve…

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Redefining Success by Embracing Individuality: Dr. Vanessa Von Auer, Singapore 49:39

7y ago49:39

49:39

Dr. Vanessa Von Auer is one of Asia’s leading child experts and founded Singapore’s one-of-a-kind Integrated International School, where students get the complete opposite of a “one-size-fits-all” education. Dr. Von Auer invited Udhara and Vanessa to her school to talk about psychology and parenting in Asia, the challenges of building your own busi…

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The Business of Design & the Design of Businesses: Jonathan Bonsey & John Palmer, Singapore 54:06

7y ago54:06

54:06

Jonathan Bonsey and John Palmer have called Singapore home for the last 3 decades. Jonathan Bonsey runs Bonsey Design, a design agency which has built iconic Asian brands in entertainment, media, retail, and much more. John Palmer is a serial entrepreneur who’s built e-commerce, social media and aviation companies. Hosts Vanessa and Udhara had a ch…

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The Magic of Acting: Tan Kheng Hua, Singapore 1:14:51

7y ago1:14:51

1:14:51

Tan Kheng Hua is an award-winning actress and producer who has worked on projects in theatre, TV and film since the early 90s. She was the Empress Dowager on Netflix’s Marco Polo, has produced a critically acclaimed cabaret act, The Dim Sum Dollies, and most recently, played the role of Kerry Chu in the record-breaking, much loved Hollywood film, C…

Udhara De Silva Podcasts

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A Life Less Ordinary

Udhara de Silva

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Travel Pointers

Matt Graham and Wilson McTaggart

1
Episode 19 - KrisFlyer in Australia: Interview with Udhara de Silva 36:08

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Episode 18 - What Makes a Good Hotel Loyalty Program? 35:43

1
Episode 17 - Premium Economy on Emirates 31:24

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Episode 16 - AFF Point Valuations 29:38

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Episode 15 - What the RBA Changes Will Really Mean For Your Credit Card Points 24:39

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Episode 14 - Flying Longhaul On Narrowbody Aircraft 26:26

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Episode 13 - How to Use Avios 25:42

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Episode 12 - Redeeming Qantas & Velocity Points on Partner Airlines 25:43

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Episode 11 - When Travel Goes Wrong 36:02

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Episode 10 - How to Find Cheap Flights 30:45

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Episode 9 - Travel Tips for Japan 26:05

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Episode 8 - How to Use Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Miles 33:19

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Episode 7 - How to Find Reward Flight Availability in 2025 31:10

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Episode 6 - Qantas Frequent Flyer Changes & A Deep Dive Into Qatar Airways 42:09

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Episode 5 - Interview with Velocity Frequent Flyer CEO Nick Rohrlach 45:03

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Episode 4 - Major Velocity Frequent Flyer Changes & Lord Howe Island 55:17

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Episode 3 - Our First Times in First Class & Easy Ways to Earn Points 43:48

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Episode 2 - Airplane Seat Selection Strategies & Status Matches 43:10

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Episode 1 – Around the World with Qantas Points & Central Asia Calling 42:14

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Taking Batik to New Places: Fern Chua, Malaysia 53:23

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Creating Australia’s First Anti-Racist Comedy Club: Tina Zaman, Australia 51:41

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The Relentless Optimist: Matthew Chapman, Singapore & New Zealand 48:07

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On writing her first book, rejection, and diversity: T.P. Tovenaar, Sri Lanka 1:12:41

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The Warrior of Singapore’s Kranji Countryside: Ivy Singh-Lim, Singapore 52:43

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Becoming MoneySmart: Vinod Nair, Singapore 54:41

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Irreverence is an Asset: Rosalyn Lee (Rozz), Singapore 1:03:25

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How to Make Things Cool: Andrew Ing, Singapore 42:48

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The King of the Jacket: Thomas Wee, Singapore 1:06:33

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Breaking World Records & Breaking Taboos: Theresa Goh, Singapore 45:25

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From Creative Public Servant to Tech Exec: Nic Foo, Singapore 56:46

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Helping the Underdog: Adrian Sim, Singapore 41:55

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The Sibling Co-Founders of The Working Capitol: Ben & Saranta Gattie, Singapore 58:29

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Redefining Success by Embracing Individuality: Dr. Vanessa Von Auer, Singapore 49:39

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The Business of Design & the Design of Businesses: Jonathan Bonsey & John Palmer, Singapore 54:06

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The Magic of Acting: Tan Kheng Hua, Singapore 1:14:51