^

Many corporate travel departments are idiots. Even if the premium cabin is cheaper, they will not let you buy it.

I've gone through this with my own travel dept many times.

While I was unemployed, I seriously began to consider starting a consulting gig on business travel and how to save money. I just never had the contacts for it. Funnel the bookings off to trusted travel agents who aren't useless, it could be great.

Disaster day averted, looking up now!

The problem is these orgs are so entrenched that you can't reason with them. I've had numerous arguments with mine when flying in the pointy-end would save $1k.

They wouldn't have it. I just shrugged my shoulders and went on my way and made sure my boss new about the idiocy.

Winner! I'm having a much better day today as well. My grandmother is doing remarkably well, and I have gotten several things accomplished this morning and it's only 10:15. I should be able to do several more over the course of the day. :D

Right, which is why the service I wanted to offer would essentially replace that corporate travel department who is run by people who don't travel and don't understand how to find fares that are a good value while not killing the person actually traveling.

The biggest complaint most companies have about business travel is the cost. Once you get a group of people who are diabused of the notion of premium cabin travel always being more expensive than a Y fare, the possibilities to save money and make a happier employee (which returns its own intrinsic values) are bountiful.

But, yeah, that whole contact thing fails me.

LAN Peru counts as a new carrier, even if you've flown LAN, yes?

Our resident FM czar is asking for guidance from the masses? ;)

It has its own IATA Code. I think it should count.

I work for one of those companies.

I caught grief for buying a B fare (which we're supposed to buy) and having it insta-upgrade into F. This was only because co.com shows the receipt as purchasing into the F cabin.

I believe I started a thread about it. :rolleyes:

Don't get me wrong, there is a market for it.

However, going up against the likes of Amex travel is not a battle that will end well. It would be an uphill battle and not likely one that would be good for your mental state of health.

The ideal way to do it would be to get in as a Corporate Travel Manager and then develop it and go private.

It's not just convincing the Travel Dept, it's also convincing an entire company to understand that Y isn't always cheaper than F. It's so entrenched in people's minds.

I just called Claudio and he said "Is Possible."

I'll buy it.

I just had to explain to the bean counters why a 3 day week-end car rental in the NYC market was less than a 1 day weekday rental. I was visiting my mother after working all day Friday and the car sat at her house until Sunday, but I thought I was doing them a favor by saving them $15. Next time, I'll drop the car back off, pay the higher rate and take the LIRR home.