Originally Posted by
nd2010
The people who get the cheapest flight save more than getting a more expensive flight on a preferred airline. And those on expense accounts can get flights on any airline. If we all had to pay for our own flights, we wouldn't care so much about loyalty.
How do you know all of this? As I stated earlier, my company's travel reservation system (and many others) picks out alternative routings that are cheaper and generates an e-mail to my boss if I choose something more expensive. I've been fortunate that I've had managers who understood the reasons I gave in my earlier post as examples of why I chose a more expensive fare ($100-$150 difference, not hundreds). Those are reasons I would (and have) chose the more expensive option when I'm traveling on my own dime. Last year I saved the company $3,000 flying to Bangalore through LHR instead of taking the ORD-DEL nonstop and then connecting to BLR- I just thought the extra bucks were a ripoff. In November I flew to SEA on Midwest despite my status on AA. Better seats, nonstop, real meals (although they charged for them). No-brainer.
So please do not assume that everyone is out to rip off the company to keep status.