Would you turn down a really good job if the travel policy was all Y?
Mar 2, 2018, 5:22 pm
#47
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Florida
Programs: Delta SkyMiles; Hilton HHonors; NEXUS; National Emerald Club Executive
Posts: 365
My company has a Y-only policy. I like my job in most respects, but I avoid flying as much as possible. Instead, I do rental cars when practical (even if it adds a day or two to my trip.) I've also been trying, somewhat unsuccessfully, to reduce the frequency of business travel. Definitely going to consider writing a J clause into my contract the next time I go job hunting.
Mar 2, 2018, 5:22 pm
#48
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: LHR/ATH
Programs: Amex Platinum, LH SEN (Gold), BA Bronze
Posts: 4,489
Many very successful companies have a Y not policy. It’s funny how some employees make easily 500,000 USD a war, but still have to fly economy!
depends on the pay of the job, and whether it’s something you like. If I really liked the job, I could care less about the y policy !
depends on the pay of the job, and whether it’s something you like. If I really liked the job, I could care less about the y policy !
Mar 2, 2018, 6:20 pm
#49
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: DEN
Programs: AA EXP, AA Million Miles, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,586
"Only Y" isn't enough info to answer the question.
Do you they let you focus on single airline/alliance? Thus making status much easier to attain/retain
Is it lowest Y only?
Can you buy W? (Premium Economy)
What destinations/routes? OP says it's an American company, so is the travel to the States? If so - I'd think about joining one of the American carriers' programs, where elite upgrades are a bigger part of the program.
-------------------------
My perspective: I work for a company with a "lowest reasonable Y fare" policy - but there's some flexibility in it. We can buy W in some cases. We can focus on a preferred airline/alliance. I get upgraded on most of my domestic flights and a good portion of my intl longhauls. It's fine - I have three long-haul roundtrips in Y coming up in April alone.
--------------------------
This, however, is worrisome. Straight from the plane into a meeting is just bad policy regardless of travel class. Recipe for tired, stressed employees. Not to mention what happens if the flight is delayed - there goes the meeting.
I'd get clarification to be sure that it's not within policy to arrive the day before the meeting.
Do you they let you focus on single airline/alliance? Thus making status much easier to attain/retain
Is it lowest Y only?
Can you buy W? (Premium Economy)
What destinations/routes? OP says it's an American company, so is the travel to the States? If so - I'd think about joining one of the American carriers' programs, where elite upgrades are a bigger part of the program.
-------------------------
My perspective: I work for a company with a "lowest reasonable Y fare" policy - but there's some flexibility in it. We can buy W in some cases. We can focus on a preferred airline/alliance. I get upgraded on most of my domestic flights and a good portion of my intl longhauls. It's fine - I have three long-haul roundtrips in Y coming up in April alone.
--------------------------
This, however, is worrisome. Straight from the plane into a meeting is just bad policy regardless of travel class. Recipe for tired, stressed employees. Not to mention what happens if the flight is delayed - there goes the meeting.
I'd get clarification to be sure that it's not within policy to arrive the day before the meeting.
Mar 2, 2018, 6:23 pm
#50
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,600
[left]So here’s the situation, I’m at the 3rd interview stage of a really good job. The package, role etc are all excellent but the company has an all Y travel policy, no exceptions, even the CEO travels Y (it’s a large America company). I’m likely to need to travel long haul once a month and short haul once a month. I’m OK with the short haul Y, I’m used to that in my current job but long-haul Y then straight into a meeting seems brutal.
On the way back, don't rush off to an overnight flight, wait until morning and head back during the day
By Longhaul, do you mean a fairly short trip like LHR-JFK or something long, like LHR-SIN or SYD
Last edited by Dave Noble; Mar 2, 2018 at 6:30 pm
Mar 2, 2018, 7:15 pm
#51
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Brighton. UK
Programs: BA Gold / VS /IHG Diamond & Ambassador
Posts: 14,196
I have very little sympathy for the OP in this situation. Unless they have very particular skills in demand then questioning their travel policy before they have even started work isn't always a good idea.But they ahve and the employer has made them an offer.
The £24k salary bump - NET - is a lot more than a lot of people get in annual salary.
You want the money then fly Y - and use it to buy upgrades / lounge access etc. if not turn the job down.
I cant see buying upgrades costing you more then the salary bump even if you fly every week.
The word 'ingrate' comes to mind.
The £24k salary bump - NET - is a lot more than a lot of people get in annual salary.
You want the money then fly Y - and use it to buy upgrades / lounge access etc. if not turn the job down.
I cant see buying upgrades costing you more then the salary bump even if you fly every week.
The word 'ingrate' comes to mind.
Mar 2, 2018, 7:31 pm
#52
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: MNL / SFO / NYC
Programs: IHG Spire | Marriott Plat | UA Plat | AA Plat Pro
Posts: 533
In the case of the OP, I would take the job for the extra £24k/year after taxes since it really is only 1 RT LH a month and exit row seats can be paid for on almost all airlines between the US and UK/EU. With status that gives lounge access there really is no difference for ground experience between elites and CW.
Personally our company has a Y only travel policy for those working up to a certain position regardless of duration while those above that threshold can fly J for flights that have at least 1 segment that is 10 hours or greater (Y+ for 8 hours or greater where available). It hasn't caused anyone to move/resign AFAIK, and most of those impacted got nice pay bumps based on their past and expected travel.
Personally our company has a Y only travel policy for those working up to a certain position regardless of duration while those above that threshold can fly J for flights that have at least 1 segment that is 10 hours or greater (Y+ for 8 hours or greater where available). It hasn't caused anyone to move/resign AFAIK, and most of those impacted got nice pay bumps based on their past and expected travel.
Mar 2, 2018, 7:41 pm
#54
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Singapore
Programs: BA Gold. KrisFlyer Gold
Posts: 732
Interesting question, and I'm a little surprised by how negative the responses are on here to your circumstances. If it's the perfect job for you, and the Y only travel policy for monthly long-haul flights is the only significant downside, then I would take the job without a second thought. If they're going to pay you £2k net extra then it sounds like they are receptive to your concerns, and have found a way to enable you to upgrade your own flights indirectly - assuming I've understood this correctly and the policy is flexible enough to allow you to take personal control over your flight bookings. This is parallel to my own situation, where a Y-only policy can be circumvented by spending the flight expense allowance as I see fit - i.e. in the most comfort I can discern by scouring the pages of Flyertalk and typically visiting various European cities en route to my destination!
Putting all that to one side, travelling with work and hanging out in airport lounges has given me the sense that there are quite a few corporate bods out there who dislike their jobs, and the pressures and demands associated with it, and their J flights are one of the few perks of a rather miserable working life. My view is that if you love the work you do, and you're in good health, then travelling to do it down the back of the bus won't feel like much of a chore, so long as you approach it in the right frame of my mind.
Putting all that to one side, travelling with work and hanging out in airport lounges has given me the sense that there are quite a few corporate bods out there who dislike their jobs, and the pressures and demands associated with it, and their J flights are one of the few perks of a rather miserable working life. My view is that if you love the work you do, and you're in good health, then travelling to do it down the back of the bus won't feel like much of a chore, so long as you approach it in the right frame of my mind.
Mar 2, 2018, 8:39 pm
#56
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Programs: CX Green, QF Platinum, BAEC Silver, Hyatt Glob
Posts: 10,780
For the OP the main question is what is the alternative job? Worse job with worse pay but better travel policy?
Need to balance the trade off of the frequent uncomfortable travel with how “perfect” this job is and how it sets you up for future opportunities.
Need to balance the trade off of the frequent uncomfortable travel with how “perfect” this job is and how it sets you up for future opportunities.
Mar 2, 2018, 9:52 pm
#57
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: SFO
Programs: AA PP, OZ *G, Hyatt Expl, Marriott Gold, Lots of Ex-statuses
Posts: 318
With 2K GBP, you can just book a J RT from LHR to US? They're literally 1500 GBP right now for LHR-NYC, 2200-2400 GBP to SFO/LAX. I would just buy my own tickets. The company is being very reasonable here --> your HR person may not have the authority to change the travel policy, but they are making it up to you with straight cash.
I also echo other sentiments on what other offers you have. If I had a job offer that was 2k less per month but had J travel, I would definitely take the cash option and spend to upgrade whenever I wanted.
I also echo other sentiments on what other offers you have. If I had a job offer that was 2k less per month but had J travel, I would definitely take the cash option and spend to upgrade whenever I wanted.
Mar 2, 2018, 9:57 pm
#59
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2017
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 36
If I was already Gold or close enough that I could achieve it quickly with this Y policy, then I would take the position. Otherwise I would turn it down. Status makes SUCH a difference in LH travel, especially here in the US where AA flagship lounge (or here in LA, Qantas First lounge) access has been significantly improved.
Folks who ask you to take a reality check because your 2k Y only supplement payment is more than what others make annually is nonsense and they fail to appreciate that this 2k supplement is likely a small % increase in your salary and a reflection of your education, experience and expertise.
I would not count on AUP’s. Quite often my LAX-LHR-LAX AUP requests are denied. And if I have added a rental car (so becoming a BA holidays booking) my AUP rejection rate is 100%.
Good luck.
Folks who ask you to take a reality check because your 2k Y only supplement payment is more than what others make annually is nonsense and they fail to appreciate that this 2k supplement is likely a small % increase in your salary and a reflection of your education, experience and expertise.
I would not count on AUP’s. Quite often my LAX-LHR-LAX AUP requests are denied. And if I have added a rental car (so becoming a BA holidays booking) my AUP rejection rate is 100%.
Good luck.
Mar 2, 2018, 10:00 pm
#60
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Harrogate
Programs: BA, KL, DL
Posts: 996