Well, everyone I have worked for has had a (cheapest) Y-travel policy and I have survived 30+ years of travel - often one rtn LH trip/month. It's not ideal, but I've made Gold - primarily from some additional personal flights. Y is okay, you have to accept it for what it is, and delight in the additional benefits when they present themselves. (An extra 2k/month would be really nice!).
Certainly in my line of work you all pay for my travel - why would you pay for me to travel business/first? (In fact all, those company tickets - we all also pay for through the goods we buy!).