BA LHR to JFK - Wife in Economy [while husband is in CW]
Jan 10, 2019, 2:37 pm
#46
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If your employer is paying extra for your business class seat, you shouldn't give it away to someone else (regardless of whether it's your wife or not). There's presumably a business purpose and your employer wants you to arrive well rested or to be able to work during the flight.
ADDED: would you take and give to relatives other items that your employer provides to enable you to do your job (better), such as a laptop or computer?
ADDED: would you take and give to relatives other items that your employer provides to enable you to do your job (better), such as a laptop or computer?
Last edited by MSPeconomist; Jan 10, 2019 at 2:45 pm
Jan 10, 2019, 2:42 pm
#47
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: USA
Posts: 1,153
I would if my employer paid for my business class seat, but my wife bought an economy seat to join me on a trip. I'd get fired if my employer found out I swapped classes like that.
Jan 10, 2019, 2:43 pm
#48
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Jan 10, 2019, 2:53 pm
#50
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 3,925
If any employee of mine that I was expecting to add value to the company above and beyond the cost of a CW ticket then put his wife in the seat instead of him I would do him a favour and first terminate him for gross miss conduct, and secondly I would see if the quality of his work was substandard while he was out there, and if it was good, reduce everyone else's travel policy using him as an example.
I dont have a company or employees though to be fair.
I dont have a company or employees though to be fair.
Jan 10, 2019, 3:18 pm
#51
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: LHR, LGW
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 3,436
wotk colleague on the same flight.
OP says something that gets picked up by a client that gets reported back or says something themselves at work.
wife says something at a work do about how marvellous hubby was for letting her sit in CW when she was with hubby on a work trip.
Maybe I’m a rarity but I believe people should be happy and so if it makes the main pax happy to have their partner happy in their seat then great. Everyone wins. Employer, employee and wife.
Jan 10, 2019, 3:51 pm
#53
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: YYC
Programs: BA bronze, Aeroplan peon
Posts: 4,746
If an employer/colleague or client is more troubled by the seats you and your wife are using on the aircraft to transport between the 2 business locations, than the work or project delivered then the focus is completely wrong and “you” need to change employer (as employer values are wrong in my opinion, as a boss if my employee said I’m going to let my wife sit up front, I’d say great, no prob, just get that meeting or piece of work) and as for the client, I’d say the same plus their focus should be on the value and service you deliver not how you got there.
Maybe I’m a rarity but I believe people should be happy and so if it makes the main pax happy to have their partner happy in their seat then great. Everyone wins. Employer, employee and wife.
Maybe I’m a rarity but I believe people should be happy and so if it makes the main pax happy to have their partner happy in their seat then great. Everyone wins. Employer, employee and wife.
By not using the CW seat as a business tool, you're essentially enriching yourself (or your family) at the companies expense. I don't see much difference between this and buying a full flex ticket, expensing it to the company; then getting it refunded, keeping the cash and buying the cheapest WT ticket possible. You got to the destination, why should anyone have a problem with that?
Jan 10, 2019, 3:52 pm
#54
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: London
Programs: BAEC Gold, Marriott LT Platinum
Posts: 2,334
Holy bamboly. Simply give her your boarding pass and you sit in Economy.
I don't think I am the best Gentleman/ husband in the world; but I am wondering why we actually need here a discussion 'how employer might find out', what upgrades might work. etc.
I think to give her the pleasure of an J trip should be enough; to mention the footrest as possible option/ discussion point I find personally embarrassing.
Just my opinion though.
I don't think I am the best Gentleman/ husband in the world; but I am wondering why we actually need here a discussion 'how employer might find out', what upgrades might work. etc.
I think to give her the pleasure of an J trip should be enough; to mention the footrest as possible option/ discussion point I find personally embarrassing.
Just my opinion though.
Jan 10, 2019, 4:35 pm
#55
Join Date: Mar 2015
Programs: BA GGL
Posts: 2,447
Otherwise my overall view of the situation you're in is thus: you've already got a booking, you have to go for work, your wife does not have to go along and therefore you're both making a choice for personal reasons; it's ultimately how much you want to spend to achieve that goal. Six hours apart won't kill you and if you effectively save £xxxx as a result of booking an eco seat for one then that's some nice dinners out or something else you can spend quality time over when there for days, isn't it?
Jan 10, 2019, 8:02 pm
#57
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: DTW
Programs: Marriott Platinum, SPG Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 394
She will survive a few hours in economy. If her sitting in economy and you sitting in premium class will cause friction for the trip then maybe you should keep it strictly....business 
Jan 10, 2019, 8:44 pm
#58
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Singapore - the hot, little red dot
Programs: BA, SQ
Posts: 861
Technically would swapping a CW seat paid for by the business now become a taxable benefit for the husband if he swapped with his wife?
His company is paying for a seat where it's no longer a business expense but now a benefit in kind.
HMRC is watching you
His company is paying for a seat where it's no longer a business expense but now a benefit in kind.
HMRC is watching you
Jan 10, 2019, 8:46 pm
#59
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 6,349
If an employer/colleague or client is more troubled by the seats you and your wife are using on the aircraft to transport between the 2 business locations, than the work or project delivered then the focus is completely wrong and “you” need to change employer (as employer values are wrong in my opinion, as a boss if my employee said I’m going to let my wife sit up front, I’d say great, no prob, just get that meeting or piece of work) and as for the client, I’d say the same plus their focus should be on the value and service you deliver not how you got there.
Maybe I’m a rarity but I believe people should be happy and so if it makes the main pax happy to have their partner happy in their seat then great. Everyone wins. Employer, employee and wife.
If the wife is accompanying the employee for a short break that's great, if she needs a premium cabin then pay for it.....
Jan 10, 2019, 9:07 pm
#60
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Join Date: May 2000
Location: أمريكا
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On short TATL it's not worth getting too excited about either way. I travel fine in economy and would take that seat and give my partner the CW. Most of the time on the plane we're doing separate things anyway, so being seated in different cabins is not a big deal.