The dreaded corporate travel decision.

[ReLoad]

Ok, so the dreaded corporate travel decision has been made, in that its now whatever the hell is cheapest, which is all cool with one minor timing related exception.

I am 140 SC's away from QF partner gold, until my SC's reset at the end of December!

I think I can sneak in a few Red-e deals MEL-SYD, but apart from that I think I am in trouble.

Does anyone have any suggestions on excuses or tricks used to help me get over the line?

 

[ejb]

I would push the "need flexability" line and try for full SC earning Y tickets.

Other than that try a quick personal trip using a JASA to Perth via Adelaide.

ejb

 

[medhead]

I have no tips but perhaps 2 stories.
First was in the place I used to work for last minute bookings were allowed to be done by staff using corporate CC. Turns out a lot of travel turned into last minute stuff.

Had a friend who had to go away in one trip to 2 different jobs and the first one involved a fair bit of gear. All was good until it was time to return from the second job on JQ. $200 of excess baggage later in would have been cheaper to fly QF.

No doubt you know already but factor in the extra costs.

 

[muppet]

Hi

I'm usually in this situation (trying to avoid Corp policy, not partner gold)
Now I'll try to get status match to fly VB and then corp are happy too.
We all presume qantas are the ants pants but when flights are delayed or cancelled, I get the same "ur contract doesnt involve flight times" spiell as Tiger give. (maybe diff for u platinums, gold doesn't get anything special).
Time to give virgin a go and help out corporate as well.
M

 

[yohy?!]

Definetely pays to do your research before going to your Corporate Travel Person. I find usually I can pick the window when Virgin is more expensive and then state that as my required departure time.

Would think that they wouldn't try to push you onto Jetstar but if they do it should simply be a matter of pointing out that as a LCC they do not guarantee your flight times nor do they have the frequency of schedule on mainline routes to be able to shift you easily onto another flight.

 

[BVT]

Ok, so the dreaded corporate travel decision has been made, in that its now whatever the hell is cheapest, which is all cool with one minor timing related exception.

I am 140 SC's away from QF partner gold, until my SC's reset at the end of December!

I think I can sneak in a few Red-e deals MEL-SYD, but apart from that I think I am in trouble.

Does anyone have any suggestions on excuses or tricks used to help me get over the line?

A "friend" of mine, always says that it is best to beg forgiveness, after the event, rather than ask permission and risk refusal beforehand.



Good luck.

 

[Leumas]

Depending on your process, whether you just need to advise a time or whether you can specify a flight, I tend to compare the rough times I want to travel and find when QF is actually cheaper and tell them I want that flight. This may not work if your office has access to unpublished rates.

If at the time of your comparison doesn't work out, wait a little. Obviously, don't wait too long, you don't want the company to disallow travel due to people booking last minute (expensive) fares...

Don't expect that to work every time, but over time, and over a few DJ cancellations, they will gradually come around.

 

[Moody]

I view BFOD as a guideline rather than a commandment, and would usually factor in at least a $30 Virgin "tax" as I would have to buy my way into The Lounge rather than make use of the QC.

Then on the longer flights (2 hours +) I would throw in another $20 for vittals.

But if the differential is $50 or more then there is no real justification apart from personal greed, so if you're desparate for Partner Gold then discuss with your company about continuing to book QF but only claiming BFOD on your expenses. It will cost you a bit, but better to be upfront with your company and it will avoid the temptation of the evil ego runs.

 

[muppet]

I really wish I could book Virgin and have the company throw in $20 for drinks/snacks and $30 for lounge. Then I'd book them all the time.

 

[markis10]

Go for a DJ tier match while the offer is on the table (it wont last long) and maybe look at a JASA CBR-HBA, best of both worlds

 

[Grooba]

Definetely pays to do your research before going to your Corporate Travel Person. I find usually I can pick the window when Virgin is more expensive and then state that as my required departure time.

Agreed 100%. Pick the right time to prove to your employer that DJ is actually more expensive and you'll then not have any issues with traveling with QF (that's my experience anyway).

 

[yohy?!]

it is tough though, i end on DJ 50% of the time (generally the evening) because there's no 'window' at all. our execs heavily push DJ too because of the benefits to the business so you don't want to be known as someone who is going too far outside policy.