Table of Contents
August 2025
Back on the Exchange: What Virgin Australia’s ASX Return Means for You
by Ryan Potts, COO
Virgin Australia is back on the ASX – and that’s more than just a headline for investors, it’s a win for travellers.
With fresh capital and a stronger foundation, Virgin can focus on what matters most: expanding their network, sharpening their product, and competing hard in the skies. In a country like ours, having a strong second player isn’t just nice to have, it’s critical.
Competition keeps things honest. It puts downward pressure on fares, opens new routes, and keeps service standards high. Without Virgin pushing, prices rise, service stalls, and choice shrinks – no one wants that. Their return to the market secures their long-term future and ensures Qantas isn’t the only show in town.
For our clients, this translates into tangible benefits: better fares, stronger service delivery, and an expanding network that evolves with your needs. And because of the partnerships we’ve built with Virgin, you’ll feel the momentum of their growth every time you book with us.
Virgin’s relisting helps keep the skies competitive – and that’s good news for everyone.
Tariffs & Turbulence: Why Business Travel Just Got a Bit More Complicated
by Andy Buerckner, CEO
In the US, we’re seeing a shift: domestic travel is rising, while international is softening significantly under tariff pressure.
And we’re already seeing the impact flow through — airlines and suppliers are adjusting strategies, capacity and pricing worldwide.
Here in Australia, the story is steadier. Domestic demand is holding strong and international travel is building back, but we’re not in a boom. For corporates, that means the focus isn’t about chasing extremes — it’s about making sure travel policies are flexible enough to handle change.
If a tariff, a pricing shift, or a supply squeeze hits, static policies can leave businesses exposed — either overspending or under-servicing their teams. The companies who adapt quickly will keep moving smoothly and spend smarter.
At Platinum, our commitment is simple — to keep you informed and supported as conditions change.
Steering the Ship: How Our MD Sarah is Shaping the Future of Australian Travel Management
by Sarah Szubanski, Managing Director
L-R: Dean Long (ATIA), Oliver Tams (ATMC), Penny Spencer (ATMC), David Goldman (ATMC), Sarah Szubanski (ATMC), Ingrid Fraser (ATIA).
Two months ago I was appointed to the Steering Committee guiding the new partnership between the Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA) and the Association of Travel Management Companies (ATMC).
So what does this actually mean for you as our clients?
- A stronger voice where it counts — By combining ATMC’s specialist corporate travel expertise with ATIA’s national reach, we now have more influence with government and suppliers. That means the issues that affect your travellers most directly — from airline policies to industry regulation — are more likely to be heard, understood and acted on.
- No dilution of focus — ATMC retains its own brand, committee and priorities, ensuring that corporate travel isn’t lost in the wider industry agenda. Instead, it’s amplified.
- Better use of resources — By removing duplication between the two bodies, more energy can go into delivering practical outcomes for members and their clients.
- Future-proofing the sector — The 24-month joint venture allows ATMC to remain independent while trialling the benefits of ATIA’s broader infrastructure. It’s about building sustainability and making sure the corporate travel voice has long-term strength.
For you, it means Platinum has a direct seat at the table as this partnership takes shape — making sure your needs and challenges are represented right at the heart of industry decision-making.
I’m proud to be part of this work, and even prouder to ensure that the voices of our clients and our people are heard as the future of corporate travel continues to take shape.
Momentum in the West: 18 Months of Platinum in WA – Growth, Grit and Gains
with Laura Lotter, General Manager | Western Australia
Top L-R: Rachel Stone, Consultant; Laura Lotter, General Manager | Western Australia; Michelle Fairbairn, Consultant; Nerys Vickers, Consultant Front: Alex Gerodias, Consultant
When Platinum opened its WA office just over 18 months ago, we weren’t testing the waters — we were committing to building something lasting.
And now, with a strong local team, solid client partnerships and momentum continuing to grow, we’ve well and truly arrived.
General Manager Laura Lotter, a WA local with deep travel experience, has led that charge from day one — building a team that understands the nuances of regional travel, especially in sectors like mining, energy and infrastructure.
They know which suppliers actually answer the phone. They know when fares are likely to shift, when accommodation gets tight, and how to make sure a traveller with five site visits, an M-Spec vehicle and a weather-dependent route still gets where they need to be.
WA’s not an easy place to travel — but that’s exactly why we’re here.
👉 Want to know what really makes regional travel tick? Start here → Built for WA: What Regional and FIFO Travel Really Demands
Midwinter Mistletoe: Platinum Melbourne’s Christmas in July Shenanigans
Last fin year was another solid run for the Platinum crew, so once July 1 hit we did what any self-respecting team would do… took some time out to celebrate.
Melbourne led the charge — questionable Christmas sweaters and all — with a few of our East Coasters flying in (Tassie up, Qld down) to join the chaos.
Tokyo Tina played host: cocktails flowing, plates flying, and plenty of those debatable jokes that somehow always make the cut with this crew.
And sure, it was about having a laugh, but also about what we actually pulled off last year — growing our national footprint, rolling out new tech, landing big accounts, and keeping the focus where it belongs: people, relationships and showing up with heart.
Bring on FY26. More growth. More laughs. More cocktails.
Loungeless in MEL? Your Guide to Eating, Drinking and Surviving the Terminals
by Ryan Potts, COO
Recently, I almost lost my Gold Status. That close call had me picturing life on the other side of the frosted glass — no comfy chairs, no buffet, no sneaky barista coffee before boarding.
So, just in case my card ever does get clipped, I did a bit of digging. If you’re dialling down the travel but still want something decent before take-off, here’s the intel straight from the terminals:
- T1 (Qantas): Skip anything sitting under a heat lamp. Axil Coffee Roasters is the real deal — their breakfast burrito is worth the walk (and wait).
- T3 (Virgin): Roll’d is your friend here. Grab a rice paper roll pack to take onboard — fresh, quick, and doesn’t feel like plane food.
- T4 (Jetstar): Chaos central. Head to Hunky Dory near security for something proper, or Mad Mex if you’re feeling brave (and don’t mind the risk of guac at 35,000 feet).
- Bonus tip: There’s a Chemist Warehouse in T4. Great for last-minute toiletries, or when that red-eye headache kicks in.
Not quite the lounge — but with the right pit stop, you won’t feel like you’re missing out… completely.
The Do’s and Don’ts of Luggage Tags Etiquette
Airports are chaos machines — so set your bag up to survive them. Here’s the intel our frequent flyers (and consultants who live in terminals) actually swear by:
Do:
- Tag smart. Keep it simple — initials + mobile. Pop a Tile or AirTag inside. And always snap a photo of your bag before check-in (trust us, describing “medium black suitcase with wheels” won’t cut it at lost baggage).
- Make it visible (without the drama). Go for a bold luggage strap or sticker. Easy to spot, zero risk to the conveyor belt.
- Carry your “can’t lose” kit. Chargers, meds, a clean shirt for Day 1 — all in your carry-on. If your bag takes a detour, you’re still good to go.
Don’t:
- Rely on airline tags. Flimsy, full of personal info, and usually shredded before your bag even leaves the carousel.
- Tie on ribbons. We know, they seem cute, or are intended to help you find your bag. But they can block the scanners and slow the process for everyone. Plus, they give your bag “my first flight” energy.
- Over-trust locks. A simple biro can pop most zip locks. Use TSA-approved ones as a deterrent, not a fortress.
Platinum tip: Treat your bag like your business card. Sleek, practical, and ready for anything. That way, even if your flight gets messy, your luggage game doesn’t save you if your bag goes on an unexpected holiday without you.
Card Declined: What Happens When a Trusted Travel Payment Solution Leaves the Market
by Marcel Stawiczny, Finance Manager
In July, our team navigated one of the largest payment disruptions we’ve ever faced — the sudden withdrawal of AirPlus from the Australian market.
For many of our clients, AirPlus had been their go-to virtual payment solution. So when it was announced that services would cease by June 30, we had less than six weeks to move fast, reconfigure systems, and prevent serious financial and operational risk.
Here’s what that actually meant on the ground:
- Over 1,000 new chargebacks were issued across July to transition affected transactions.
- Our operations team worked client-by-client to rebuild payment workflows from scratch.
- Multiple tools, including online booking platforms, expense systems, and approval chains, had to be relinked and re-tested to avoid breaks in automation.
- We liaised daily with AirPlus, card issuers, and our tech partners to stay ahead of every deadline and prevent downtime.
And at the same time, we supported clients through education, risk guidance, and rollout plans for new solutions — some switching to lodge cards, others to virtual commercial cards.
It wasn’t easy. But it’s the kind of challenge where our people shine — pulling together across service, tech, finance and account management to protect our clients and their travellers from disruption. If you didn’t notice anything went wrong — that was kind of the point.
Are You the 1%? Take Our Travel(ish) Brain Test To See
by Dayne Byrne, Head of Technology
Pottsy’s Pun of the Month: The Best (or Worst) Dad Joke You Never Asked For
Why did the suitcase go to therapy?
🥁🥁🥁
Because it had too much baggage …
