The Platinum Edit

Corporate travel and events, decoded by Platinum. From industry trends to the quirks of travel life, we cut through the noise to bring you stories that matter — and a few that just make you smile.

October 2025

Different Markets. Same Mission.

by Andy Buerckner, CEO

Spend time with travel leaders from around the world — as I did recently in Singapore — and one truth becomes clear: every market is different. Different systems, different commercial models, different challenges entirely.

But one thing remains universal — the pursuit of a better user experience.

In every corner of the industry, we’re all trying to simplify what has become increasingly complex.

Travellers want speed and clarity.
Travel managers want visibility and control.
Consultants want systems that work with them, not against them.

It’s what companies like Amazon, Uber and Apple have trained us to expect — frictionless experiences that anticipate your next move before you make it. The travel industry, for all its efforts, still has work to do to meet that standard.

At Platinum, we’re determined to be part of that evolution.

The last six months have seen us deepen our relationships with leading tech partners and volunteer for more than our fair share of beta programs — not for bragging rights, but because being in the thick of testing and development means we can help shape what comes next.

For us, an exceptional user experience isn’t a future ambition — it’s something we’re actively building, one integration and one partnership at a time.

Feeling Safe Shouldn’t Be a Luxury in Business Travel

by Sarah Szubanski, Managing Director

When we talk about Duty of Care, it’s easy to focus on the logistics — itineraries, tracking tools, emergency contacts.

But real safety starts much earlier than that. It starts with feeling seen.

A recent World Travel Protection survey found that 71% of women travelling for work feel unsafe when away from home. A third avoid going out alone at night, and one in ten have faced theft or assault while on business trips.

Now — don’t get me started on how frustrating that statistic is, or how much better we need to do as a society. But what we can control is how we care for people within our own workplaces and travel programs.

From an employer’s perspective, that means looking beyond compliance and asking, “Would I feel comfortable in this situation?”

Are we setting clear expectations and providing genuine support before travel begins?
Are we choosing safe, well-lit accommodation and reliable transfers, especially for those arriving late?
Do our travellers know they have someone to call — and do they feel safe enough to pick up the phone?

These are simple but powerful questions that help create a culture of care, not just a checklist of rules.

Technology can play a part too. Many companies now offer digital tools to help travellers stay connected and supported while they’re away. For our clients, that includes the option to add the PULSE Booking platform as a widget on their phone for quick access to travel policies, Duty of Care details, and support contacts.

The tools are there — but the confidence to use them comes from knowing someone on the other end truly cares.

Your Trip’s Booked. But Are You Clear for Takeoff?

by Dave Phillips, Head of Operations

Travel is incredible – but it’s not quite the same world it was a few years ago. Between shifting visa rules, rising costs, and unpredictable disruptions, a little preparation goes a long way.

Visas and entry requirements are evolving fast. More destinations now require electronic travel authorisations, new fees are appearing (looking at you, ESTA), and entry conditions can change without much notice. Arrive with the wrong one and it’s not just a delay – it could derail an entire trip.

Insurance used to feel like a standard tick-box. Not anymore. A recent survey by Southern Cross Travel Insurance found one in four Australians travelled overseas without coverage – particularly younger travellers. With trip cancellations, weather events and medical costs on the rise, “just in case” has quickly become “must have”.

At Platinum, we see it every day – schedules shift, borders tighten, or plans get upended overnight. The difference between smooth and stressful often comes down to having the right cover and the right entry permissions.

Before you go, double-check your visa requirements and make sure your insurance suits where you’re heading. If you’re not sure, our team can point you in the right direction – so the only surprise on your trip is a good one.

Powered by People. Evolved by Technology

with Phil Gleeson, General Manager | Strategy & Partnerships

At Platinum Travel Group, evolution is constant. From today through to 2030, our focus is on building smarter, more connected operations that make your travel experience as seamless as possible.

Behind the scenes, our operations teams are transforming, blending deep expertise with new technology and a genuine commitment to care.

They’re no longer just processing bookings; they’re strategic partners who understand your business, anticipate needs, and respond fast when plans change.

The role of operations is shifting rapidly, and we’re leaning in. Over the past six months, we’ve continued strengthening our tech stack, integrating AI where it adds real value, and ensuring our people are equipped to deliver the exceptional service our clients rely on.

Each improvement – from smarter automation to sharper data insights – is designed to save time, increase accuracy and build confidence at every step of the journey.

As we look ahead, our goal is simple: to lead the next decade of corporate travel operations with the perfect balance of innovation and human connection.

The tools may evolve, but our promise stays the same – exceptional service, every day.

The Platinum Short Week: A Summer Experiment

Change doesn’t happen overnight — but this summer, we’re giving it a nudge.

We’ve launched The Platinum Summer Short Week Trial, our version of the four-day work week, to see what happens when we trade a little desk time for a lot more life.

It’s not about doing less. It’s about creating the space for our team to show up sharper, happier, and more energised — at work and in life. Every calendar’s been reworked, every team onboarded, and yes, every Friday schedule has been fiercely negotiated. But the purpose is simple: to see what happens when we trade “always on” for “fully present.”

The trial runs through summer and is part of our broader Health & Happiness program — an ongoing commitment to testing new ways to support balance, belonging, and brilliance across the business.

Because we don’t want to be another company that says they care about wellbeing — we want to prove it.

You can watch how it all began (and a few questionable acting debuts) over on LinkedIn.

PULSE BI: The Next Evolution in Travel Insight

by Lauren O’Dowd, General Manager | Customer Experience

You might already be using our PULSE Dashboard reporting – but get ready, because a major upgrade is on its way.

The next version of PULSE BI gives you even deeper visibility into your travel spend, traveller wellbeing, and policy performance – all in one place.

What’s New (and What You’ll Love):

Set Budgets & Track Spend: Create travel budgets and instantly see how you’re tracking.
Traveller Insight: Understand the human side of travel. See how much time your team spends in the air, on weekends, or on red-eye flights – and where the impact lies.
Policy Compliance: See how much changes are costing, identify missed hotel nights, and track in-policy vs out-of-policy bookings.
Full Data Access: Don’t stop at Top 10 – click More Detail to export full department, cost centre, or hotel lists anytime.
Heat Maps: Get an instant visual on your key travel locations.
PowerPoint Exports: Need a board-ready report? Export your data instantly.

Here’s a sneak peek at what’s coming soon 👀

Tech, Turbulence & Transformation: FACTS 2025

with Ryan Potts, COO

This November, our Senior Leadership Team will converge at FACTS 2025 in Sydney, where one theme is set to dominate the conversation: travel technology disruption.

From AI-driven agents to next-gen integrations and startup insurgents shaking up the status quo, the Tech & Innovation agenda is fast becoming the axis on which the future of corporate and event travel turns.

So what does that mean for you?

It means the systems and solutions behind your travel program are evolving fast — unlocking new levels of visibility, control, and efficiency. The rise of smarter analytics and automation is changing not only how trips are booked and managed, but also how organisations measure return on travel and protect their people on the move.

At Platinum, we’ll be there to engage with the innovators leading that change — ensuring our clients stay ahead of what’s next. Because while technology is transforming travel, it’s still people and partnerships that make it work.