Globaliser

For some, because there is a reputational risk for any of their employees to be seen in business class, regardless of how they got there. This would be done on a defensive basis, because those who see, notice and publicise the fact are unlikely to be privy to information about how the employees got into business class and may therefore spread scurrilous or merely uninformed suggestions (particularly in this age of social media) which the company cannot in practice defend itself against. So it is better to have a rule that the employee must not upgrade or be upgraded.

MPH1980

There can also be internal problems. For example - I do a lot of UUA. I always made a point of saying it was on my dime (and on my points) to anyone who saw me.

Didn't stop rumours spreading that I was "always" in business and "must" be charging it to the company. To the point the CFO came for a chat and was fine about it but suggested I stop for a bit when travelling with others to let the rumours die down.

What had happened, as far as I could make out, was that someone had said (in a .....ing session about the travel policy) 'well MPH1980 is in business a lot' ... 'how???' ... 'not sure ... he does it some how'. Chinese whispers kicked in and, by the time it had looped the company, I was some how defrauding them.

Appearance can be everything.

Globaliser

Could you have added it to your work email signature?

Grace B

Yes, my old boss got very upset when he found out I was flying Ansett instead of Qantas (it could have impacted on his Chairmans Lounge membership!).

Didn't cost the organisation anything, apart from maybe the kickbacks, but I then became peronna non grata (almost).

Oh, and is it correct (as indicated in an above post) that one is seamlessly reduced to Silver if one doesn't manage to requalify for Gold (I assume that one still has to fly the 4 segments). I think that'll be me in the future.

corporate-wage-slave

Yes, you go to Silver. Search for "soft landing" for more details.

Grace B

Thanks cws. Looks like I'll be OWS with BA and QF in 2019 then. Unless I have a rush of blood (or cash) to the head then.