How Jeremy Daunay puts his AMEX Platinum Business Card to work

For Jeremy Daunay, it’s simply not a viable option to be wedged into an Economy seat for 12 hours.

The French-born Australian resident is the prototype of a modern small business entrepreneur, juggling a role as the Australian brand manager for two high-end Swiss watch brands with a rapidly growing business of his own, importing French whisky into Australia.

It’s the type of business model that offers a savvy small business operator the opportunity to pull together several key benefits of the American Express® Platinum Business Card, as Jeremy does.

This article is sponsored by American Express

Most obviously, he earns up to 2.25 rewards points from every dollar he spends¹ on the importation to Australia of Armorik, his whisky brand. The points earned are used to purchase spacious Business Class seating for several business trips per year to Europe and Asia. “It’s brilliant. For me, it changes the way I travel and operate,” Jeremy says.

“My business does half a million dollars’ worth of turnover, which is not big but not small. If I had to pay retail to fly [to Europe] three times a year in Business Class, it would be approximately $20,000, and that would be a big chunk of my margin.

“But because of my spending being streamlined through my American Express Platinum Business Card, almost every dollar means points."

“It’s allowing me to access a level of comfort and travel and financial help that I would not otherwise have access to, due to the small size of my business. I haven’t flown Economy internationally for over five years now.”

In managing the cashflow of a small business, flexibility is a crucial advantage. Because his Platinum Business Card has no pre-set spending limit² and up to 55 days to pay for purchases³, Jeremy uses the Card to purchase consignments of whisky, plans his payments fastidiously, and reaps the Membership Rewards points.

“Because the nature of the business is to import and distribute whisky, I do pay some rather large bills in euros using the Amex and also a Forex service that takes Amex, as well as all my normal business expenses here,” he says.

“Basically, every dollar I can, I put it through my American Express Platinum Business Card so I maximise the advantages I have.

“The up to 55 days to pay for purchases is a breath of fresh air. It gives you the financial stability to plan better. I plan my payments on the exact day after the balance rolls out. That’s massive for me.”

Jeremy also utilises the comprehensive travel insurance provisions that the Platinum Business Card provides for his overseas travel, saving him from purchasing additional insurance himself⁴. Ever-keen to keep his costs low, he leverages the complimentary Accor Plus membership valued at $395⁵ to find advantageous accommodation deals.

There is also the ability to access more than 1200 airport lounges in 130 countries around the world with the American Express Global Lounge Collection^{SM 6}. Even though Jeremy habitually chooses international Business Class flights that include complimentary airport lounge access, his Platinum Business Card opens doors – literally – to lounges whenever he strays off his typical flight paths to Paris, Hong Kong and Singapore, such as on a recent visit to Auckland.

The Platinum Business Card again proved its worth during a recent family crisis. “I had to fly last-minute to Europe. Unfortunately, I had a loss in my family,” Jeremy says.

“Using my points, I could book in 24 hours to fly return in Business Class to Paris for approximately $800. They're the things that really help – I booked on the Monday night and I departed on the Tuesday night. If you did that with dollars, it would cost you massively.

“If you know how to use the Card and pay on time, it’s a no-brainer. I recommend it to a lot of my friends.”

To learn more about the American Express Platinum Business Card, click here.

This article is sponsored by American Express

Disclaimers

1. Membership Rewards. Subject to the Terms and Conditions of the Membership Rewards program available at americanexpress.com/australia/membershiprewardsplatinum. To transfer Membership Rewards points into an Airline or Frequent Guest Partner Program you must be a member of the Partner Program. Membership of the Partner Program is the Card Members responsibility and is subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable Program. A joining fee may apply. Award seats are not available on all routes. Please check availability with the Partner prior to transferring your points. Charges/levies/taxes may apply.

2. Pre-set spending limit. No pre-set spending limit does not mean unlimited spending. Your purchases are approved based on a variety of factors, including current spending patterns, your payment history, credit records, and financial resources known to us.

3. 55 Cash Flow days. Extend your cash flow by up to 55 days: Depending on when you make a purchase, when your statement is issued and whether or not you are carrying forward a balance on your account from your previous statement period.

4. Travel Insurance. The American Express Platinum Business Card insurance is subject to terms, conditions and exclusions (such as maximum age limits, pre-existing medical conditions and cover limits) - see the full Terms and Conditions. Cover is automatically effective by being an American Express Platinum Business Card Member. The insurance is underwritten by Chubb Insurance Australia Limited (ABN 23 001 642 020, AFSL No. 239687) under a group policy held by American Express Australia Limited (ABN 92 108 952 085, AFSL No. 291313). Card members are not a party to the group policy, but may be able to claim under it as third party beneficiaries. This communication does not take into account your objectives or financial situation. You should read the full Terms and Conditions to decide if this insurance meets your needs.

5. Accor Plus Complimentary Membership. Accor Plus enrolment is required and available until 16 April 2021. Accor Plus benefit is available only to the Primary Platinum Business Card Member. Complimentary membership is annual within the benefit validity after which standard eligibility criteria applies. Membership privileges will only be granted on presentation of valid Accor Plus card and member must identify themselves as an Accor Plus member at time of booking. American Express reserves the right to instruct Accor hotels to cancel your membership if you cease to be a Platinum Card Member or your account is not in good standing. Visit accorplus.com for full membership conditions, benefits and participating properties.

6. American Express Global Lounge Collection^SM. Terms and conditions apply. Visit global.americanexpress.com/lounge-access/the-platinum-card for further information.

American Express Australia Limited ABN 92 108 952 085. ®Registered Trademark of American Express Company.