This is the exactly the key problem - I love Hilton honours program and the benefits I get as a diamond, but they dont even have a hotel in Canberra - and in Sydney Hilton/West Hotel can go upto north of 700$ on busy weeks. Accor has the most reach - but terrible program and return points. I now ...

+1 on Qantas club being grim and crappy for doing any sort of work - For the lack of better word, it looks like a glorified food court.

Just called Qantas - they said this is not a public offer open to everyone and they offer it on case by case basis. I am currently gold with Qantas and Plat with VA. As Jon said above, its usual of qantas being arrogant and better to stick with VA anyways.