Online booking tools and self-funded upgrades

[PineappleSkip]

Hi

I have a general question about self-funded upgrades and online booking tools. In the case where an employer will only pay for BFOD in Y,and will only book that, but they are OK with you upgrading at own cost, are there online tools that will facilitate the upgrade; i.e. one transaction with the employer for the base fare, but a separate transaction with a different user (the traveller) to upgrade the fare.

I suspect this is a common issue and there are online booking tools that can manage this. Are you faced with this issue, and if so how what tools do you use to get around it.

Cheers skip

 

[mooingchicken]

Are you able to just book the fare you want, and have the company just credit you the price of a Y fare? would be the easiest, but not always possible if they have to pay direct. Otherwise your best best would be a TA who could do split payment?
If you book a Y fare then go to upgrade after the fact it can cost a lot more then if you booked the upgraded fare to begin with, or sometimes not possible at all

 

[PineappleSkip]

Are you able to just book the fare you want, and have the company just credit you the price of a Y fare? would be the easiest, but not always possible if they have to pay direct.

That was the sensible option, but for some strange reason it was decided the company had to make the payment on behalf of the third party who is being billed for the cost. Any I think they want a Y booking to bill, hence the suggestion I upgrade.

Yes it could could cost a lot more that way.
:shock:
Cheers skip

 

[samh004]

Sounds like a great business opportunity if it isn't already out in the wild... now where's trippin_the_rift

 

[trippin_the_rift]

Sounds like a great business opportunity if it isn't already out in the wild... now where's trippin_the_rift

Building frequent flyer tools seems to be my life now, thanks Sam

My first thought is why wouldn't your employer deduct the difference from your salary or if you can use an outside travel agent do split payments.
I would think your employer would want you to be in a higher class fare as it helps them! (their spend with airline XX or TA increases, you are happier and it justifies their position on booking a cheap seat).

 

[esseeeayeenn]

The OP stated that his employer needs a tax invoice for a Y fare so they can invoice their client.
That would be why they won't let him pay for J and reimburse him for Y.
That process wouldn't produce a tax invoice for the Y fare.
I have on a couple of occasions asked an admin assistant to arrange a split payment with our corporate travel agent.
Maybe that would be an option in this case.

 

[docjames]

I would suggest you may be better having an agent do it and split the bill into two components.

 

[trippin_the_rift]

The OP stated that his employer needs a tax invoice for a Y fare so they can invoice their client.
That would be why they won't let him pay for J and reimburse him for Y.
That process wouldn't produce a tax invoice for the Y fare.
I have on a couple of occasions asked an admin assistant to arrange a split payment with our corporate travel agent.
Maybe that would be an option in this case.

The client likely doesn't want to pay biz - but likely has no problem if they fly biz but pay Y.
Go back to the client and/or the agreement and make amendments to the contract to allow for greater flexibility where it benefits both parties.

If there's an underlying company travel policy in place - amend this to as it's likely cost the company in other ways by not having flexibility built in. Talk to the airline where the most business is sent to and ask them for assistance in re-wording it too since they will have more to gain by opening up these additional options to employees.

Problem solved. Next?

 

[esseeeayeenn]

As someone who negotiates contracts every day, I can assure you that no (sensible) consulting or service firm would reopen negotiation of a client contract for a reason like this.
I am sure you are right to say that the client doesn't care what class he flies, they only care about what class they pay for.
However, that isn't the issue - the issue is that they need an invoice which exactly matches the amount they are paying.
Accounts payable staff don't read contracts. They just follow procedures.

 

[PineappleSkip]

As someone who negotiates contracts every day, I can assure you that no (sensible) consulting or service firm would reopen negotiation of a client contract for a reason like this.
I am sure you are right to say that the client doesn't care what class he flies, they only care about what class they pay for.
However, that isn't the issue - the issue is that they need an invoice which exactly matches the amount they are paying.
Accounts payable staff don't read contracts. They just follow procedures.

Yes, 'bout right. Also its a (non-Australian) government client who will no doubt have a bucket of rules.

Sounds like split bookings through a TA would be the go, unless there are OBT tools that allow for original bookings by a travel arranger with modifications by the traveller as per my original post.

Cheers skip

 

[Boca68]

Just one out of left field here?

But, could the OP, contract a Flex Y fare, to satisfy accounts payable at work. I.E - provide the necessary paperwork.

Then, on thier own terms upgrade the flight to J or F as they see fit? And paying out of thier own wallet the difference? Might be potentially costly, but at times it could be at a price advantage? Understand that the paper trail would need to to change for the Upgrade. Hmmm..more I think about it, more complicated it seems....

Anyway, a thought!