Work Travel Accommodation Choice
Apr 11, 2025 | 10:51 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 20
Work Travel Accommodation Choice
Hey folks, looking for some input on a travel approval situation. I have an accommodation for my work travel.
About 20 trips a year. Everywhere from 1 hour flights to flying from US to China. BNA is home.
Right now, the approval I have allows for two economy seats together. If that option isnt available, Im allowed to upgrade to one business class seat.
Or
I can pick to have a Premium Economy seat on any flight.
My decision applies to all flights! I cannot change.
So my question is:
Would you rather fly with two economy seats (more space, but still economy) with the ability to book business if they cant find two together or take one premium economy seat (a bit nicer, but less space than having two)?
About 20 trips a year. Everywhere from 1 hour flights to flying from US to China. BNA is home.
Right now, the approval I have allows for two economy seats together. If that option isnt available, Im allowed to upgrade to one business class seat.
Or
I can pick to have a Premium Economy seat on any flight.
My decision applies to all flights! I cannot change.
So my question is:
Would you rather fly with two economy seats (more space, but still economy) with the ability to book business if they cant find two together or take one premium economy seat (a bit nicer, but less space than having two)?
Apr 11, 2025 | 11:16 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Not here; there!
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 35,029
How tall are you? How important is seat pitch -- versus seat width -- to you?
Premium Economy is typically not offered on domestic flights; your choice would be a standard Coach seat; an extra-leg-room Coach seat (each carrier has its own name for that, like "Main Cabin Extra" on American); or First/Business Class. The extra-leg-room Coach seats are usually no wider than standard Coach seats.
If you fly enough in a single alliance (oneworld, Star Alliance, or SkyTeam), you might attain elite status which would entitle you to free extra-leg-room seats, and maybe even free upgrades to First/Business on domestic flights.
Premium Economy is typically not offered on domestic flights; your choice would be a standard Coach seat; an extra-leg-room Coach seat (each carrier has its own name for that, like "Main Cabin Extra" on American); or First/Business Class. The extra-leg-room Coach seats are usually no wider than standard Coach seats.
If you fly enough in a single alliance (oneworld, Star Alliance, or SkyTeam), you might attain elite status which would entitle you to free extra-leg-room seats, and maybe even free upgrades to First/Business on domestic flights.
Apr 12, 2025 | 12:16 am
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Not here; there!
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Posts: 35,029
One thing you might investigate with AS and WN is whether, if you book an extra seat for yourself and are eligible for an extra-leg-room seat as an MVP or A-Lister, will you get two extra-leg-room seats? (I see that WN is in the process of adding extra-leg-room seats and will soon make them available to A-Listers for free at 48 hours before departure -- if any such seats still remain.)
Last edited by guv1976; Apr 12, 2025 at 12:32 am
Apr 12, 2025 | 12:51 am
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 22,926
Real (international) PE has bigger wider seats and more legroom.
example CX A350 https://www.aerolopa.com/cx
Y 3-3-3 (9 across)
PE 2-4-2 (8 across and more leg room)
Business 1-2-1
AS "Premium Class" is not premium economy by international standards. Still surprised and amused AS use that term after joining oneworld alliance. Creates confusion
https://www.alaskaair.com/content/tr...premium-class?
If you select the "Premium Economy" option and is not available, what happens?
Or are they conflating real [international] "Premium Economy" and MCE, Economy plus?
Earnings to a ffp are more with real PE/bus compared to economy/coach Y.
Apr 12, 2025 | 9:14 am
#6
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Nashua, NH USA
Programs: Seashore Trolley Museum "flight attendant"
Posts: 2,015
Are the two regular economy seats allowed to you (and paid for by your company) always next to each other As-If you were a Customer-Of-Size? Unlike for a Traveling-Companion such as a spouse not guaranteed to sit next to you?
You do get some extra length out of a regular seat by stretching your legs diagonally into the adjacent seating area.
You do get some extra length out of a regular seat by stretching your legs diagonally into the adjacent seating area.
Apr 12, 2025 | 10:46 am
#7
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: OSL
Posts: 2,977
I’d pick 2xY/C over Y+. I find the Y+ cabin not worth it, and would appreciate the abilty to raise an armrest over night and go diagonal over what i still find to be quite crammed Y+. Ive not done long hauk Y for years, did one Y+ 7 years ago and realised econ would have been better with a vacant seat next to me, and I’m a C or not go kind of guy.
But i think more importantly, whats the qualifier for this? Some airlines do not give the option of buying a second seat, some close to arrival, etc. is it is simoly when you book, the seat next to you is vacant, which means in a world of seat reservations fees, at time of booking, even lne week out, two seats are very likely to be available.
But i think more importantly, whats the qualifier for this? Some airlines do not give the option of buying a second seat, some close to arrival, etc. is it is simoly when you book, the seat next to you is vacant, which means in a world of seat reservations fees, at time of booking, even lne week out, two seats are very likely to be available.
Apr 12, 2025 | 11:28 am
#8
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Apr 12, 2025 | 2:11 pm
#9
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Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 22,926
Id pick 2xY/C over Y+. I find the Y+ cabin not worth it, and would appreciate the abilty to raise an armrest over night and go diagonal over what i still find to be quite crammed Y+. Ive not done long hauk Y for years, did one Y+ 7 years ago and realised econ would have been better with a vacant seat next to me, and Im a C or not go kind of guy.
But i think more importantly, whats the qualifier for this? Some airlines do not give the option of buying a second seat, some close to arrival, etc. is it is simoly when you book, the seat next to you is vacant, which means in a world of seat reservations fees, at time of booking, even lne week out, two seats are very likely to be available.
But i think more importantly, whats the qualifier for this? Some airlines do not give the option of buying a second seat, some close to arrival, etc. is it is simoly when you book, the seat next to you is vacant, which means in a world of seat reservations fees, at time of booking, even lne week out, two seats are very likely to be available.
Apr 12, 2025 | 2:49 pm
#10
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Virginia City Highlands
Programs: Nothing anymore after 20 years
Posts: 7,190
Aside from your current dilemma - this is very generous. Our travel policy only allows E+ (just extra legroom) for flights more than 8 hours and PE only for flights with more than 14 hours and with CFO's approval. Tech company in the US with 10K+ headcount.
Apr 13, 2025 | 6:47 am
#13
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: NYC
Posts: 9,783
PE usually comes with priority benefits, gets you status/miles faster - and may be easier/cheaper to upgrade - so I would always go with this. Also ask what the upgrade cost is before booking as China is bound to get a lot cheaper in premium classes.
To China I would opt for flights that leave in the morning - arrive in the evening - whenever possible.
To China I would opt for flights that leave in the morning - arrive in the evening - whenever possible.
Apr 13, 2025 | 10:42 am
#15
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Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Not here; there!
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"My decision applies to all flights! I cannot change."
Does that mean that if he chooses the Premium Economy option because of his couple of annual Asia trips, he will be stuck in a standard Coach seat (with 30-31" of seat pitch) unless he is able to get extra-leg-room seats based on elite status? Or would his selection of the Premium Economy option entitle him to book extra-leg-room seats on his domestic flights from the get-go?