Originally Posted by
MSPeconomist
I didn't read the OP this way exactly. When the OP referred to an entitlement ticket, I interpreted this as something like a contractual annual trip home, not a ticket for some business trip that is paid by the employer. For the former, the employer's rules might allow the ticket to be used however the employee desired, so that the ticket price is really a credit with the airline for some future fare.
Yes, it's more that I'd rather maximize the benefit myself than go through that particular travel agency and pay $60+ per ticket on a cost-constructive basis for the flights I'd rather take up to that value. It's change of station, so they don't care as long as I'm out of the country on the day they expect me to be gone.