Business travelers move to better seats
Thursday, July 5, 2012
In a recent article in the New York Times, business travel columnist Joe Sharkley told of his recent drive to get business travelers better seats, particularly on lengthier flights, regardless of extra costs.
Sharkley explained that because business travelers often fly under managed travel programs, they usually get stuck with the cheapest coach seats. The programs typically outline exactly which airline must be chosen, which fare is to be booked, and can often impose restrictions on other aspects of corporate accommodations for travel.
However, Sharkley said that PhoCusWright, a travel market research firm, released a report in February that revealed “just under one-fourth (24 percent) of upper management and only 9 percent of executive leadership are required to comply [with company travel policy].” In other words, there are ways to get around travel policy.
In another recent article in Tripbase Blog, frequent flier and global investment banker Jonathan Marks gave his top secret tips for ensuring he always gets a flight upgrade. Marks gave the simple but useful advice of making sure always to ask. He said, “If you don’t ask, you rarely get.”
Marks also advised readers to banter with the staff behind the flight check-in desk and to travel alone for more opportunities. It is easier to accommodate one person than a group. Other tips included obtaining an airline membership or loyalty card and to take advantage of special occasions that coincide with travel.