I guess this depends how it communicated. 'I have a spare pass which needs to be used' vs 'I bought you a pass especially' has potentially different connotations.

Guesting one (or both) of them into the lounge with your points isn't too hard. As a Silver, I've invited my colleagues (and friend) into the Pier before - I just tell them to walk ahead to the bar while I settle the paperwork with the lounge hostesses.

Its a simple form to sign away your 9000 points. They do not need to be in your redemption group.

Colleagues? Yes. Bosses? No.

No offense - I would rather guest a stranger rather than a boss.

No, especially when it comes to business travel.

It's still a personal choice. You can remain within company policy but choose to upgrade (miles, cash, whatever), or if you can't afford that, find a job that suits your needs.

I wouldn't take a job involving frequent travel if it meant I was going to be sitting on a plane miserable for hours at a time (and at 6'3 that's anything over a couple hours these days with seats being as tight as they are).

Travelling with work colleagues (and I include bosses in that) you can easily explain your upgrade if asked. It becomes a little more difficult if you are travelling with clients... who may be paying your fare. That may trigger some questions (via your boss or contract manager) that can't be explained at the time (a client isn't going to ask you on the spot why you are flying business if their contract with your company only allows for economy).

You can sure do whatever you like with your flight. However, what your colleagues will think is totally a different thing. I personally doesn't think it is a good thing to make your colleagues felt you had a better life than them (providing normally colleagues receive similar pay).

There are also several ways to guest 2 colleagues at HKG with OWS status, as most of us suggested already, however I don't suggest to push it too hard. A lot of people doesn't even know what available in the lounge. I might even chose to arrive airport a little late (together) in your case and forget about the whole lounge thing, since you're travelling with a boss. Let the boss decide what you guys supposed to do, maybe the boss already had an idea, i.e. take all of you to dining area.

Living a better life while traveling is okay. That only means the person is "well-traveled". I once took TPE-TNA on SC. I guested my boss in lounge as I was CA Gold. He did appreciate that very much. Different people may take that differently though.

However, I do agree that if your boss have any idea, just follow.

Agreed with LHR/MEL/Europe FF post.

Find out in advance if they have access, if they want it, and if not then ask if you would like to arrange something and act accordingly. No need to be a sycophant, no need to cause offence, be helpful.

I often fly a lower class than my contractors, if they want to pay extra for the seat, it is their choice, but there is no doubt there are some people whom are overly sensitive about hierarchy. However when flying for clients I strictly follow their corporate travel policies.

I think it largely comes down to the culture you are operating within. In some places a loss of face is serious business and its not worth the risk - travelling in a higher class would be an insult. In others, noone would care. It's on the OP to figure out which one his boss would be.

Thanks to all, great points all around with excellent discussion.

Had an informal chat with my nearest superior (CIO). Turns out he just earned SL, so lounge access is not an issue for him. The two other higher executives are traveling J, so no need for me to *attempt* to provide lounge access.

He asked me when I was traveling, I told him on the same day. I also told him no need for us to travel to the airport together. I'll find my way without the company service as I have before, so as not to impede the group. Their flight is 1:30 minutes earlier.

I'll probably go the the Pier J, even if my flight leaves from gate 15 where it usually does. My boss (CIO) doesn't seem to know about the Pier, seems to be currently fixated on Wing J as are the rest of my colleagues.

Reading culture is important, especially in business. As an American working for a Chinese company in Shenzhen for the last 2 years, I still am not confident on the appropriate customs. My boss (CIO) is a Chinese-American who lived and worked in America for a long time. So the relationship with him is a little more comfortable, we work closer together and socialize a little outside of the office. I would not feel comfortable with any of the other senior executives knowing my travel pattern or status especially since they are funding it all.

So I will let them enjoy their flight and time in the lounge together, while I use alternate means :)

Their loss!

It makes me almost cringe to think that some people still prefer to huddle with the masses at the Wing to the Pier. Makes me almost feel guilty sauntering from one seating area to another with my smoked salmon and champagne.

Thanks for sharing your dilemma, lots of interesting insights!

If I was the boss, I wouldn't really mind being guested by someone lower down in the company management chain. I'm confident enough about my person not to be offended by a junior or direct report having more travel privileges (especially if that person's job requires frequent travel) as long as it is not costing the company more than what policy allows.

Personally, I would only volunteer to invite a superior in my company if our working relationship/rapport is at a level where we are friendly outside of work.

When I bring my team and we had the few occasions that we didn't travel on OW flights but on other alliances, I had my team members guest me in (had C tickets but guest into F lounge). I do not feel offended at all. It's a lounge use for crying out loud. If he doesn't want to guest me in I will just go to C lounge, no big deal.

Funny, a DM friend was telling me in passing he called MPC recently and requested for a "Do not greet" tag in his account for the next 3 months. He said he was to travel frequently regionally in Y with his new-to-HK European boss and just wanted to be overly sensitive... Wondering how he will react when he gets a sudden op-up in one of those flights.

Also has anyone ever requested a "do not greet" policy here? Just seems overly hung-up to me.