The Qantas Cards That Unlock Business Potential and Personal Travel

As the business brain behind Queensland interior design firm Studio Collective, Melissa Park uses her American Express® Qantas Business Rewards Card to pay bills from suppliers for multi-million-dollar fit-outs, leveraging its cash-flow benefits and earning Qantas Points for future work trips. She also chooses the Qantas American Express Ultimate Card for personal use, unlocking points for holidays and a world of other travel perks.
The Card that helps unlock business possibilities
“We’ve grown our business through word-of-mouth referrals and relationship building; our clients come to us for elevated, timeless interiors and stay with us because of the consistency and care we bring to every project,” says Melissa Park (right), who co-founded Studio Collective with friend Casey Talbot on the Sunshine Coast in 2015. The pair met through their mums and saw an opportunity to combine Talbot’s interior design expertise with Park’s operational and business management qualifications.

It’s proved to be a winning combination. In 10 years, Studio Collective has grown to a team of 13 with up to 40 projects on the go at any one time, taking them from their new Brisbane HQ to Sydney, Perth, Melbourne and regional Australia.
Their work spans everything from multi-residential developments and high-end homes to retirement villages and aged care facilities. Each development shares the group’s signature aesthetic: minimalistic design, quality craftsmanship and the creative use of natural light.
Park says the company’s ongoing strategic growth is supported by the American Express Qantas Business Rewards Card, which unlocks flexible spending power¹ while also earning Qantas Points² to help take the business to the next level.
Flexible funding to help fuel growth
Big projects mean big expenses for Studio Collective. “Right now we’re working on a $40 million building project and the furniture fitout costs are about $2.5 million,” says Park. “A huge benefit of our American Express Qantas Business Rewards Card is its flexible spending power¹, which allows us to pay large invoices.”
The spending power of the Card can grow with the business and is determined by a variety of factors. In Studio Collective's case, it’s given them access to a line of unsecured funding.¹ “The bigger our business and projects get, the more challenging cash flow becomes because we’re dealing with such large amounts. Having flexibility with the Card has been very beneficial. Plus there’s the bonus of earning Qantas Points.”
New American Express® Card Members can earn 150,000 bonus Qantas Points* when you apply, are approved and spend $6000 on eligible purchases on your American Express Qantas Business Rewards Card within 3 months of your approval date. Plus you'll also enjoy a half annual Card fee of $225 in the first year* (normally $450). Offer ends 1 July 2025. T&Cs apply. Learn more.
Build relationships and trust around payment terms

“Our commercial clients roll out projects one after the other and this repeat business has been fundamental to our growth,” says Park. Likewise, the studio’s team of loyal suppliers has been built on a foundation of trust and reliability. “We pride ourselves on paying our bills on time.”
Having up to 51 days to pay for purchases³ on their American Express Qantas Business Rewards Card helps. It means the business can settle supplier invoices quickly while allowing time for client funds to land in their account. “We’ve been working with the same suppliers and clients for years now. We’ve found our groove for how we work – even when it comes to managing really large invoices I’m comfortable knowing our clients will pay us swiftly.”
Enjoy the rewards of success

Each Studio Collective employee uses the Card for business expenses, which helps Studio Collective earn an average of around 80,000 Qantas Points a month. Up to 99 complimentary Employee Cards⁴ can be added to the American Express Qantas Business Rewards Card and they all earn Qantas Points at the same rate. “The team has the flexibility to buy what they need for a job, no questions,” says Park. “When they’re travelling, they put rental car, fuel, accommodation and meal expenses on the Amex, which simplifies the process because all costs are then captured in the one place.”
The business earns 2 Qantas Points for every $1 spent on Qantas products and services and up to 1.25 points per $1 on everyday business spend² – and this bank of points is reinvested into business trips. “Casey and I love to travel and we save up points for big work trips. In 2022, we used our points to conduct research in Switzerland and to go to a window furnishings conference in Abu Dhabi in 2023. We’re planning on attending the Milan Design Fair next year.”
Points come in handy for the Studio Collective crew to get around, too. “We like to take the team on educational trips, such as trade shows in Melbourne or art fairs in Sydney, and we use our business points to book flights and accommodation.”

Unlock cash flow + points
The Card that unlocks personal adventures
Just as she’s conscious of balancing work and home life, Park is diligent about keeping personal and business expenses separate. “I have a Qantas American Express Ultimate Card for my personal spending, which makes that easy,” she says. “It helps me build my own Qantas Points balance for holidays and there are some great travel bonuses, too.” Here, Park shares how she uses her Qantas American Express Ultimate Card both at home and away – and how it unlocks a little bit of extra luxury.
Save your points for upgrades

Park doesn’t necessarily slow down when she’s on holiday but she does treat herself. “I’m a snowboarder and I used my Qantas Points to fly to Niseko, Japan this year. I went there last year, too, with Casey and loved it so much I had to go back again. This year I had enough points to fly Business class by putting all of my everyday expenses – food, clothes, make-up, petrol – on my Qantas American Express Ultimate Card. When I’m travelling, everything goes on it.”
Card Members earn 2.25 Qantas Points per $1 spent on eligible Qantas products and services and up to 1.25 points per $1 spent on everyday purchases with the Ultimate Card⁵.
Take off on a holiday or upgrade your getaway with the Qantas American Express Ultimate Card. Receive 50,000 bonus Qantas Points^ when you apply online by 1 July 2025, are approved and spend $5000 on eligible purchases within the first 3 months of your approval date. T&Cs apply. Available for new American Express Card Members only. Learn more.
Treat yourself with travel credit and lounge access

Park’s Ultimate Card comes with benefits including an annual $450 Qantas Travel Credit⁶, which can be used on eligible domestic or international flights. “It’s great for booking a quick escape,” says Park, who also receives two Qantas Club Lounge Invitations⁷ and two complimentary entries to The Centurion Lounge⁸ at Sydney and Melbourne International airports each year. “It’s nice to relax away from the bustle of the airport. It adds another level of comfort to the trip.”
Take advantage of complimentary travel insurance
By using the Qantas American Express Ultimate Card to pay for eligible return travel, Card Members get complimentary domestic and international travel insurance for themselves, their partner and dependent children. Terms, conditions and exclusions apply (such as maximum age-limits, pre-existing medical conditions and cover limits)⁹. Before using the insurance on an overseas holiday last year, Park took the time to ensure she was properly covered. “I checked the insurance’s conditions closely and found it was right for me,” she says. “I didn’t need to buy any other insurance, meaning I saved money to spend on my holiday instead.”

Qantas Amex Ultimate Card
Click here for Terms and Conditions
SEE ALSO: How This Sydney Mum Built a Global Interior Design Business
American Express approval criteria applies. Subject to Terms and Conditions. Fees and charges apply. All information is correct as at 1 May 2025 and is subject to change. This offer is only available to those who reside in Australia. ®Registered Trademark of American Express Company.
*American Express Qantas Business Rewards Card 150,000 bonus Qantas Points + $225 Year 1 annual Card fee: 150,000 bonus Qantas Points offer is available to new American Express Card Members who apply by 1 July 2025, are approved and spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on their new Card in the first three (3) months from the Card approval date. The American Express® Qantas Business Rewards Card will have an annual Card fee of $225 in the first year for new and existing Card Members who apply by 1 July 2025 and are approved. From the second year of membership an annual Card fee of $450 applies. Eligible purchases do not include Card fees and charges, for example annual fees, interest, late payment, cash advances, balance transfers, traveller’s cheques and foreign currency conversion. Card Members who currently hold or who have previously held any Card product issued by American Express Australia Limited in the past 18 months are ineligible for the 150,000 Qantas Points offer. 150,000 bonus Qantas Points will be awarded to the eligible Card Member's Account 8-10 weeks after the spend criteria has been met. Subject to the American Express® Qantas Business Rewards Card Points Terms and Conditions. This advertised offer is not applicable or valid in conjunction with any other advertised or promotional offer.
^Qantas American Express Ultimate Card Bonus & Eligibility: Receive 50,000 bonus Qantas Points when you apply online by 1 July 2025, are approved, and spend $5,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card within the first 3 months from the Card approval date. Eligible purchases do not include Card fees and charges, for example annual fees, interest, late payment, cash advances, balance transfers, traveller’s cheques and foreign currency conversion. This offer is only available to new American Express Card Members. If you previously held a David Jones American Express Card and have not held any other American Express Card(s) in the past 18 months, you will be eligible for the offer. All other Card Members who currently hold or who have previously held any Card product issued by American Express Australia Limited in the past 18 months are ineligible for this offer. Qantas Points are earned in accordance with and subject to the Qantas American Express Card Points Terms and Conditions. 50,000 bonus Qantas Points will be awarded to the eligible Card Member’s account 8-10 weeks after the spend criteria has been met. Qantas Frequent Flyer membership and the earning and redemption of points are subject to the Terms and Conditions of the Qantas Frequent Flyer program available at qantas.com/terms. The Qantas American Express Ultimate Card has an annual Card fee of $450. This advertised offer is not applicable or valid in conjunction with any other advertised or promotional offer.
*American Express Qantas Business Rewards Card 150,000 bonus Qantas Points + $225 Year 1 annual Card fee: 150,000 bonus Qantas Points offer is available to new American Express Card Members who apply by 1 July 2025, are approved and spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on their new Card in the first three (3) months from the Card approval date. The American Express® Qantas Business Rewards Card will have an annual Card fee of $225 in the first year for new and existing Card Members who apply by 1 July 2025 and are approved. From the second year of membership an annual Card fee of $450 applies. Eligible purchases do not include Card fees and charges, for example annual fees, interest, late payment, cash advances, balance transfers, traveller’s cheques and foreign currency conversion. Card Members who currently hold or who have previously held any Card product issued by American Express Australia Limited in the past 18 months are ineligible for the 150,000 Qantas Points offer. 150,000 bonus Qantas Points will be awarded to the eligible Card Member's Account 8-10 weeks after the spend criteria has been met. Subject to the American Express® Qantas Business Rewards Card Points Terms and Conditions. This advertised offer is not applicable or valid in conjunction with any other advertised or promotional offer.
^Qantas American Express Ultimate Card Bonus & Eligibility: Receive 50,000 bonus Qantas Points when you apply online by 1 July 2025, are approved, and spend $5,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card within the first 3 months from the Card approval date. Eligible purchases do not include Card fees and charges, for example annual fees, interest, late payment, cash advances, balance transfers, traveller’s cheques and foreign currency conversion. This offer is only available to new American Express Card Members. If you previously held a David Jones American Express Card and have not held any other American Express Card(s) in the past 18 months, you will be eligible for the offer. All other Card Members who currently hold or who have previously held any Card product issued by American Express Australia Limited in the past 18 months are ineligible for this offer. Qantas Points are earned in accordance with and subject to the Qantas American Express Card Points Terms and Conditions. 50,000 bonus Qantas Points will be awarded to the eligible Card Member’s account 8-10 weeks after the spend criteria has been met. Qantas Frequent Flyer membership and the earning and redemption of points are subject to the Terms and Conditions of the Qantas Frequent Flyer program available at qantas.com/terms. The Qantas American Express Ultimate Card has an annual Card fee of $450. This advertised offer is not applicable or valid in conjunction with any other advertised or promotional offer.