Corporate Flight Policies for Employees Booking Business/First Class?
#136
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: SNA
Programs: Delta PM, Marriott Gold, IHG Platinum
Posts: 44
This discussion inspires me to want to try and lead a change effort at my employer. Here is my contribution to this post:
Information Technology Company
1000-5000 Employees
100-500M$/YR Revenue
air reservations, employees are expected to book the lowest logical coach airfare for the specific itinerary
All travel should be in the coach class of service.
As a consultant, I have had to do the LAX-SYD and ATL-JNB round trips this year in Y. It usually makes me unproductive for 3-5 days, most of the time I am in front of customers after 1 day of recovery. I usually feel very miserable after these trips, specifically suffering from headaches, nausea, and back pain.
For personal travel I have done DTW to NRT in both Y and J (used miles to purchase). I experienced no health issues when I completed the trip in J.
Information Technology Company
1000-5000 Employees
100-500M$/YR Revenue
air reservations, employees are expected to book the lowest logical coach airfare for the specific itinerary
All travel should be in the coach class of service.
As a consultant, I have had to do the LAX-SYD and ATL-JNB round trips this year in Y. It usually makes me unproductive for 3-5 days, most of the time I am in front of customers after 1 day of recovery. I usually feel very miserable after these trips, specifically suffering from headaches, nausea, and back pain.
For personal travel I have done DTW to NRT in both Y and J (used miles to purchase). I experienced no health issues when I completed the trip in J.
Last edited by cytog64; Nov 4, 2014 at 11:31 am
#137
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Ontario, Canada
Programs: Aeroplan, IHG, Enterprise, Avios, Nexus
Posts: 8,355
Happy to oblige. My billing rate for that extra day with hotel, meal expenses when added to a flexible Y fare would probably approach if not exceed the cost of a business fare. But if you're good with me sitting pool side for a day on your dime I am too.
#139
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Bangkok or San Francisco
Programs: United 1k, Marriott Lifetime PE, Former DL Gold, Former SQ Solitaire, HH Gold
Posts: 11,886
I don't nickel and dime. I just don't pay for business class flights on demand.
We're not, as I made clear, talking about nickels and dimes, but thousands.
I've travelled more miles on longer flights than anyone I've hired and I don't buy their bluster that the work will somehow be $3000 better if I let them spend $3000 more on their flights and charge it back. They can have an extra day in a hotel if they're tired.
We're not, as I made clear, talking about nickels and dimes, but thousands.
I've travelled more miles on longer flights than anyone I've hired and I don't buy their bluster that the work will somehow be $3000 better if I let them spend $3000 more on their flights and charge it back. They can have an extra day in a hotel if they're tired.
Going out the client pays for Friday night the last week. If I want to stay after that, it's on my dime.
Now, to make this relevant to the OP, the business I consult for is international oil upstream. And there are buckets of money being thrown around in that business. So the travel policies can be pretty loose.
#142
Join Date: Jul 2011
Programs: AA Plat, UA 1K>Plat>moving to Silver
Posts: 2,090
As a consultant, I have had to do the LAX-SYD and ATL-JNB round trips this year in Y. It usually makes me unproductive for 3-5 days, most of the time I am in front of customers after 1 day of recovery. I usually feel very miserable after these trips, specifically suffering from headaches, nausea, and back pain.
For personal travel I have done DTW to NRT in both Y and J (used miles to purchase). I experienced no health issues when I completed the trip in J.
For personal travel I have done DTW to NRT in both Y and J (used miles to purchase). I experienced no health issues when I completed the trip in J.
#143
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Scotland - ABZ
Programs: Qantas LTG, BA-Blue, KLM -Gold, SAS - Silver
Posts: 2,057
business I consult for is international oil upstream.
#144
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: gggrrrovvveee (ORD)
Programs: UA Pt, Marriott Ti, Hertz PC
Posts: 6,091
I've done ORD-LHR in Y and it wasn't so bad when I had an entire row of 3 seats to myself and could lie down (with some discomfort). Glad it was only a 6-7 hour flight, so I got by, but business class is definitely favorable. This was purely due to project budget constraints. Otherwise, my company's policy is J for overseas travel of 5+ hours (mainly to ensure the NYC-LON flights for execs qualify), regardless of level. We do have to use preferred airlines, where possible, but there are no rules about having to take lowest fare, connections, etc, although everything goes through at least 1 level of approvals and have to enter business justification (from drop-down).
#145
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Bangkok or San Francisco
Programs: United 1k, Marriott Lifetime PE, Former DL Gold, Former SQ Solitaire, HH Gold
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But I understand your pain. In the late 90s when oil plunged I was working in Kazakhstan and Urals Blend dropped to $7/bbl. Management sent everyone on my team home, except me, and I was tasked with jerry-rigging some processes together that would hold them through the down turn.
I love $100 oil.
#146
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 254
The company I consult with right now is expanding so it's not as bad. In fact, they just this week signed me for another year.
But I understand your pain. In the late 90s when oil plunged I was working in Kazakhstan and Urals Blend dropped to $7/bbl. Management sent everyone on my team home, except me, and I was tasked with jerry-rigging some processes together that would hold them through the down turn.
I love $100 oil.
But I understand your pain. In the late 90s when oil plunged I was working in Kazakhstan and Urals Blend dropped to $7/bbl. Management sent everyone on my team home, except me, and I was tasked with jerry-rigging some processes together that would hold them through the down turn.
I love $100 oil.
#147
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Bangkok or San Francisco
Programs: United 1k, Marriott Lifetime PE, Former DL Gold, Former SQ Solitaire, HH Gold
Posts: 11,886
#148
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Bye Delta
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Posts: 16,276
Fortune 100 technology company. J is allowed for flights over 7 hours for VPs and above only. Economy Plus/Economy Comfort/etc. isn't even allowed unless you're Director or above. Even more senior ranks permit F/J for shorter flights.
#149
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Staffordshire UK
Programs: FB LT Plat, BA LTG, LH HON
Posts: 273
Really - I was in Sunbury last week and it was still teeming with consultants. Those 101 week contracts are still prevalent.
#150
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 9
Was on the bus to FCO last year and was talking to a woman that said that her company makes her fly business or first (whatever the highest class is) because if they are upgraded the company would have to claim that for taxes. Did I hear this wrong or is this pretty common? Thanks