I doubt many companies are doing this for long. After all, after a few $2000 vs $400 fares, they get smart and just book the $400 fares in the first place and tell you to have nice dinner in the airport someplace.

Most large companies have a "get the best fare" policy, with a little hedge factor. Reality is that most agencies will book what you ask them for since it is so close to impossible to go back and audit what the "best fare" was on tuesday the 4th at 2:38pm when you called.

Slightly off topic, but how many of you know people that wait until they are inside the 7 or 3 day window to buy the ticket to make sure they get an upgradeable and/or changeable ticket?

I used to work with a guy who ALWAYS did that - his excuse always being "well, we didn't nail down the meeting until yesterday"... took more chutzpah than I had. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

WEll No Stress - The company I worked for printed out the Lowest Usable Fare at the time you called on your iternary - no retro auditing necessary http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Same here. Any request for a routing or airline other than the one automatically selected by the agent is also noted and printed just above the "Budget holder sign here" box.... :-(

- Dambus

[This message has been edited by Dambus (edited 03-19-2002).]

[This message has been edited by Dambus (edited 03-19-2002).]

I'd take the cash and run!

Keep the cash. I will only fly on my terms. AA first, oneworld after that; it is the rare instance that I will consent to travel where I do not get miles. (Two segments last year.)

I don't invest much time, or emotion, worrying about the cost. If cost is out of range, the travel agency calls back. If we can justify the choice and want to present the situation to the VP, we can take the higher fare, contingent on VP approval.

Thanks to a modest research talent, and all that I have learned here, on FT, I usually get exactly what I want.

I just have to editorialize; when the chips are down, the multi-billion dollar behemoths will have no recollection of you saving them money on airfare. Work hard, but live well while you can. In a cyclical industry, like aerospace, they issue pink-slips in a heart beat. Loyalty, allegiance, fiscal prudence, and hard work are all for naught. My company started handing them out on October 12, and are not half finished. If they want me to leave Momma and the kids, they must pay. As Barry Goldwater said, "With No Apologies!"

"As Barry Goldwater said, "With No Apologies!"

Ah. I knew I likeed the guy!

LoneStar

I'd do the same as you would... take the cash!

Now, lets put a new spin to your original question: what if you can choose to either stay at the W in NY, or the Embassy Suites in NY? Price difference is about $150 per night give or take, and under the same scenario you've set up, you get to keep the difference.

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share the knowledge = share the wealth

My previous employer had the stay over on Saturday, get the lower fare, and spend the difference policy. Just don't abuse it.

I took full advantage!

My husband had moved from IND (where my house was, but where I rarely spent time) to DEN in the time between when I met him and when he finally asked me out. For our first date, I flew to DEN (very interesting 1000 mile flight). For our second date, I flew him down to PHX, where I was living on assignment. I could keep going, if any of you actually want to know, but you get the idea...

Moral of the story, if my wonderful employer did not have such a wonderful policy, I would be Miss IndyHyattHopper.

To me, it's a question of value.
In the hotel case, I most likely would stay at the more expensive hotel and forget about pocketing the cash difference. The extra services and amenities at the luxury hotel are worth the price difference to me. The extra service and amenities of a seat on a major as opposed to a low fare carrier is not worth the price difference to me.

Mike

Hi Mike, nice name http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif.

I love this thread.

I would take the first option, some of the time, never the second, not enough $$$, especially as someone mentioned, the "beloved" taxman taketh away.

My miles and status are important, but I would also want to save the company some $$$ and receive some $$$ at the same time. It is a nice bonus. If I needed the flight for my status, then would go AA.

A point made here, the fares are way overpriced and it ceases to amaze me that the airlines can get away with it. I always fly on some kind of advance ticket, whatever it is, or miles. When I had to go to a funeral last minute, I learned all about last minute fares, ouch!. Yes, under their bereavement policy, they do refund half I believe, BUT!, you have to pay the whole thing upfront, was not cheap, but atleast was upgraded.

I think you will find that if everyone had to pay these ridiculous fares out of pocket(and some companies make you do that, fyi),
and then get reimbursed, there would be more of an outcry.

Thanks...

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Michael
AA PLT,1 MLN Miles+
HH GLD, SCI GLD, MM SIL
LE PRESIDENT ETERNEL DE CAMAIR-CAMEROUN AIRLINES :)