If you’ve ever thought your business credit card was just a bill-paying box tick, Michael Simon would like a quiet word. The Carcierge founder runs his entire operation on the American Express® Platinum Business Card – and in his words, he “genuinely couldn’t run the business without it.”
For context, Carcierge is no small side hustle. It’s a premium annual membership service that takes over every aspect of car ownership for clients – from fueling and servicing, to detailing, registration, bill management, and even logistics between homes.
“They pay an annual fee and we handle absolutely everything to do with their cars,” Simon explains. “With over 500 cars currently under management across Sydney and Melbourne, the transactions stack up fast – all of which we’re paying on the American Express.”
Up To 55 Cash Flow Days
One of the most celebrated advantages of the Platinum Business Card (and rightly so) is that you have up to 55 days to pay for purchases1. For a business with rolling expenses – especially one like Carcierge, which essentially pays for its clients’ automotive expenses before being reimbursed – that flexibility can be the difference between stretching and scaling.
“With the amount of money we spend per month, having up to 55 days cash flow is a real safety net,” Simon says. “It allows us so much flexibility.”
Cash flow is oxygen for growth, and Simon’s quick to point out that the card effectively acts like a built-in buffer without the admin headache of juggling multiple facilities.
Every Dollar Working Harder
Second only to servicing his clients, Simon is disciplined about one thing above all: maximising rewards. “How do I maximise the card? I think it’s simple – by putting absolutely every expense onto it. Virtually every dollar is earning me Membership Rewards® points2, without a doubt.”
For him, the real value isn’t just the earn rate, but the transfer partners. “Transferring Membership Rewards points to certain airlines3 for my team’s business travel is the ultimate perk of the card,” he says. “I fly between Sydney and Melbourne every other week. I have not paid cash for a flight in months.”
It’s the classic business owner’s hack: spend big on operations, fly at the front of the plane. But the Platinum Business Card takes it further, allowing you to offset non-travel expenses if you find yourself with a surplus of points. “Sometimes I use points to pay off certain charges on the card, like rent or the annual fee.4 Not often, but it’s handy to have the option.”
Lounges, Status, And International Travel
Not every benefit is measured in dollars. The lifestyle perks matter too, especially for someone who’s in the air as often as Simon. “One of the perks I love is not having to chase airline status, as, when I’m flying Virgin, the Platinum Business Card is my ticket to the Virgin Lounge, and I fly with them quite often,” he says. “When I’m flying Qantas, I’m transferring my Membership Rewards points across to redeem business class classic reward seats, so I don’t have to worry about lounge access then either.”
He also points out a nuance that savvy travellers will appreciate: “I don’t think people realise how easy it is to convert your Membership Rewards points to a number of different airlines3, which allows you the opportunity to fly up front even on airlines that you might not be a frequent flyer on. I’ve flown Singapore Airlines internationally numerous times, and even though I’m a loyal Virgin flyer domestically, I can still fly up the front with Qantas.”
The Founder’s Final Word
For Simon, the Platinum Business Card is baked into the way Carcierge operates: “without sounding like a fanboy, the Amex Platinum Business Card isn’t just a tool of convenience; it genuinely is revolutionary for our business”.
The takeaway? If your business has serious monthly outgoings, the Platinum Business Card can do a lot more than tidy up expenses. It can help unlock growth, free up cash flow, and turn operational spend into premium travel and lifestyle perks, all while keeping you in the driver’s seat.
Limited Time Offer:
Earn 350,000 Bonus Membership Rewards® Points when you apply by 14 July 2026, are approved and spend $12,000 on eligible purchases on your new American Express® Platinum Business Card within 3 months of your approval date. T&Cs apply. Available for new American Express Card Members only.
This article is presented in partnership with American Express. Thank you for supporting the brands that support Boss Hunting.
Terms and Conditions:
1.Cash Flow Days
Extend your cash flow by up to 55 days: Depending on your method of payment, 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. If you pay by direct debit, your payment will be processed 10 days after your statement is issued.
2. Memberships Rewards Program
Subject to the Terms and Conditions of the Membership Rewards program available here. Merchants classified as “government“ include the Australian Taxation Office, the Australian Postal Corporation (Australia Post), Federal/State and Local Government bodies. Industry specific earn rate may apply when you use a payment account, payment aggregator, services of a third party or online retailers that sell goods for another merchant. For example a payment made to Local Government bodies processed through a payment aggregator may earn rates at the government earn rate. There may be tax implications associated with participation in the Membership Rewards program. You are advised to check with your accountant or tax adviser for further information.
3. Transfer Points to Partners
To redeem points at any Partner Program you must be a member of the applicable Program. Enrolment in such Programs is solely your responsibility and fees may apply. The minimum requirement and transfer rate varies. Subject to the Membership Rewards Terms and Conditions.
4. Cover Charges with Points
Cover Charges with Points. For each successful transaction using Cover Charges with Points, points will be debited from your Membership Rewards account and a credit placed on your Card in line with the points chosen to be used for the Eligible Charge. A minimum of 1,000 Membership Rewards points is required to cover any eligible transaction with points. Any credit to your Card account cannot exceed the amount of the relevant Eligible Charges. A credit will appear on your statement identified as “Membership Rewards Credit”. Points will be debited immediately and the credit will take up to 3 business days to appear online. Credits processed after the Card account’s statement closing date will appear in the following statement. You are still responsible for payment of the amount due on your Card account by the due date. Any charges covered by points is not redeemable for cash via Credit balance refund. American Express will select and display each eligible charge that can be covered with points (“Eligible Charge”) and the points rate required to cover the Eligible Charge. Each Eligible Charge must: (a) appear within the Online Statement of the Summary of Accounts page; (b) be redeemed within 2 months of the charge appearing on your Card account; (c) not currently or have previously been disputed; and (d) not be a fee. Eligible Charges, including the points rate required to pay for the Eligible Charge, may be changed at any time without notice. Eligible transactions can be covered by points via your online account or American Express mobile app. Covering charges with points is available only to Basic Cardmembers enrolled in the Australian Membership Rewards program and is subject to the full Membership Rewards Terms and Conditions. Authorised agents, authorised account managers, additional Cardmembers and Authorised Additional Cardmembers are not eligible. All Linked Card accounts must be in good standing.
