Originally Posted by
dkjb3t4
I have miles I'd like to use for either business class or first class, but the work requires a few things for reimbursements
1) they will reimburse economy
2) they will reimburse whatever dollar amount appears on the e-ticket
Given these constraints, how can I get the work to reimburse me for economy price, while riding in business or first?
Which airline will allow me to do this?
As far as I can tell, I can either purchase a full price economy and upgrade using miles, or book a flight in economy or J/F using miles and somehow try to get partial reimbursement, but that will only work if some dollar amount appears on the e-ticket.
I don't know if the partial reimbursement will work if the dollar amount is for the J/F ticket, rather than Y.
The easiest method would seem to be simply purchasing the Y ticket and upgrading with miles. That way it's very clear cut what the person who approves your expenses sees - an economy ticket which is in line with the policies and all you would get reimbursed for regardless. Easy peasy.
As for the second option...There will be a dollar amount charged by the frequent flyer program even for an award ticket - always some taxes/fees and with some FFPs, exorbitant fuel/carrier-imposed fees. I suppose you could ask your expense approving person if they would reimburse the cash portion of the award redemption so long as you could demonstrate that amount is less than what an economy ticket would cost (and it surely would be, unless you redeem with an FFP charging high fuel/carrier surcharges). But I would think that sort of arrangement is something to work out with your company before you do anything, rather than after the fact. IME the type of folks who approve travel costs tend not to be outside-the-box thinkers and will simply disapprove anything that doesn't "seem right" or isn't what they're used to.
I'd be hesitant, though, to use my miles for such a trip even if it would be more of a guarantee of getting J/F space. What if your work requirements change and you now have to pay a fee (depending on the FFP) to change the date and/or refund your miles? Would your company reimburse you for that? Again, I'd want to have all this ironed out clearly in writing with your company before proceeding down this option, if it were me.