Your assumption was a little off. Almost all of my clients are million milers or people like yourself, UA 1K/NW Plat/AA EXP, and they are either consultants or work in a small business. Most everything they do is billable to a client. If that client has stipulated there is no F class travel allowed, then I will gladly book them on the YUP/QUA/A class or whatever, then print them a separate invoice showing coach travel but the same or similar (within $50 or so) price on it. I'm not sure how that is contradictory to anything.
As for the comment about policy, almost every policy I have ever seen was written by some HR numbnut or a beancounter who travels 1x a year on holiday. I have little regard for a policy that does not consult the actual traveller and/or the travel arranger. While I have not, nor would ever flaunt my disregard for these policies by doing something stupid like booking the Ritz Carlton suite instead of the Marriott standard room, I certainly don't think that using my resources to get someone an upgrade is a bad thing.
Originally Posted by SJC1K
Assuming the client is the corporation, not the individual traveler--How can you keep these contradictory ideas in your head at the same time? Your client is paying you to follow their policy, not to substitute your own ideas.