Fly business class for work?

[alkemyst]

Business Class is more about comfort than drinks. I couldn't tolerate flying more than 2 hours or so in standard class due to leg room.

 

[bigrash]

Talk to either your supervisor or the person you give your expense reports to and say "I just want to double-check that this is ok."
They'll either say 'yes go for it' or 'actually it would be better if you...' Don't skimp if you don't have to though.

This is what I was going to recommend doing.

 

[Todd33]

This is my first real visit overseas for work, and under corporate policy, intercontinental flights over 8 hours are eligible for business class.

Do you do it or no.

I'm an engineer. If we're one of those companies that have no problem spending a la Google, Apple, then I wouldn't worry, but at our company, I'm not too comfortable.

They usually wiggle out of those policies. I've got to go business class a few times, just because my managers were being cool and knew I had a bad back. It was awesome.

 

[ichy]

I swear, between this thread and the guy who was feeling guilty about "only" giving two weeks notice to his employer I feel like there's an outbreak of employee Stockholm Syndrome. I'm not advocating fucking your employer over, but if they explicitly offer you a benefit then take it!

 

[evident]

what is wrong with following corporate policy?

 

[dave_the_nerd]

If you're too fucked up from coach to work when you get there, they're losing productivity.

What's your time worth? Must be a fair amount if they're willing to fly you out there in the first place.

 

[CA19100]

Unless you have two days to recover before you need to do whatever it is you're over there doing, business class isn't a luxury -- it's a necessity. That many hours in coach will cripple you!

 

[sze5003]

I swear, between this thread and the guy who was feeling guilty about "only" giving two weeks notice to his employer I feel like there's an outbreak of employee Stockholm Syndrome. I'm not advocating fucking your employer over, but if they explicitly offer you a benefit then take it!

He doesn't want to seem like he's asking for or taking advantage of company money and stuff. If its in the policy it doesn't hurt to ask. If Its reserved for higher level employees they should also specify that.

 

[sdifox]

This is my first real visit overseas for work, and under corporate policy, intercontinental flights over 8 hours are eligible for business class.

Do you do it or no.

I'm an engineer. If we're one of those companies that have no problem spending a la Google, Apple, then I wouldn't worry, but at our company, I'm not too comfortable.

why wouldn't you?

 

[jagec]

Business Class is more about comfort than drinks. I couldn't tolerate flying more than 2 hours or so in standard class due to leg room.

But now that you're comfortable, you'll enjoy your drink that much more!:awe:

 

[iamwiz82]

Last job I flew quite a bit and was allowed to book on business. Last I heard that policy was revoked. I banked a lot of miles though

 

[SketchMaster]

One more for Yes.

Much better food, seats that recline all the way, better service, quiet cabin...

Just do it, trust me.

 

[evident]

the first time i flew business class i took them up on all the drinks and half way through the trip i had to go up and piss multiple times and then i felt hungover. don't feel obligated to drink just because it's there (which was what i did! i wanted to get my moneys worth, damn it!) , although a nice mimosa before takeoff and a glass or 2 of scotch should make you sleep comfortably. after that, i realized it's not about getting trashed, it's about feeling comfortable !!

 

[rcpratt]

OP, when in doubt, ask HR (in writing) just to cover your butt.

I used to travel around the US for work a lot (at least once a month) and my former company (Fortune 100) was so cheap, it only allowed coach for everyone except the big cheese (C level and above).

And I do agree with OP about US airlines to Asia. After you flied with ANA, Japan Air, Cathay, etc. and being served by cute hotties, you would not want to go back with United/AA/Delta, ever.

I would go through at least two levels supervision before contacting HR at any level, personally. They should have ample experience with these things, including knowing the norm for your department.

That said, in general, if it's clearly allowed by policy...well...somebody put a lot of thought into those policies. $10k is pretty steep, though. Which leads me back to...ask your management.

 

[Ns1]

I went to HR with a question about business travel and they knew nothing and referred me back to my supervisors. Do not go to HR.

the first time i flew business class i took them up on all the drinks and half way through the trip i had to go up and piss multiple times and then i felt hungover. don't feel obligated to drink just because it's there (which was what i did! i wanted to get my moneys worth, damn it!) , although a nice mimosa before takeoff and a glass or 2 of scotch should make you sleep comfortably. after that, i realized it's not about getting trashed, it's about feeling comfortable !!

well you can drink champagne instead of hitting the hard/straight alcohol. I'm pretty sure I consumed 5-10 flutes of champagne per leg in my flight. Free champagne + free coffee = free 4loko

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

Well my boss is gone this whole month, so I can't really do much there. The other manager I work with is gone too. I know. It's freaking December. To go upwards in the ranks, our director has resigned, so that's 3 people I work with that I could talk to gone. The next would be a VP, but I'm a little intimidated by that.

Polling the guys I work with, the people who have gone abroad have gone Business. I have no problem doing it with a standard fare, but for $10k I'm kinda unsure what to do.

 

[Ns1]

Well my boss is gone this whole month, so I can't really do much there. The other manager I work with is gone too. I know. It's freaking December. To go upwards in the ranks, our director has resigned, so that's 3 people I work with that I could talk to gone. The next would be a VP, but I'm a little intimidated by that.

Polling the guys I work with, the people who have gone abroad have gone Business. I have no problem doing it with a standard fare, but for $10k I'm kinda unsure what to do.

Your bosses don't have phones with email?

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

Your bosses don't have phones with email?

he's off the grid entirely. anyway, i'll have the other engineer who i'm going with talk to his boss to see what's up.

 

[nanobreath]

This is my first real visit overseas for work, and under corporate policy, intercontinental flights over 8 hours are eligible for business class.

Do you do it or no.

I'm an engineer. If we're one of those companies that have no problem spending a la Google, Apple, then I wouldn't worry, but at our company, I'm not too comfortable.

Edit: I should add the main thing I'm holding back on is the fact that the flight costs $10k. I priced a flight a few months out and it's $4k only, which is the standard price.

Take the business class. You will greatly thank yourself later. It's companies policies for a reason. Typically people flying for business are flying in the day before they need to be somewhere to do work. The company would rather pay for the business class flight than have somebody who is unproductive, or producing bad work. Unless you're flying in on the weekend and have 2-3 days to recover, take the business class.

Also, the reason it is 10k is probably because you're booking so close to the flying date. Book several months in advance, and the price is closer to 6-7k. This is of course your works fault, not yours. They are choosing to send you.

Trust me, you WANT to fly business class, take it.

 

[dainthomas]

This is a strange thread.

Everyone says "just go" and he's like "derp, I don't know." Why even ask?

 

[mnewsham]

If they didn't want people to do it, they wouldn't have put it in the company policy, period.

 

[KeithTalent]

God, just fucking do it you puss.

KT

 

[mikegg]

I swear, between this thread and the guy who was feeling guilty about "only" giving two weeks notice to his employer I feel like there's an outbreak of employee Stockholm Syndrome. I'm not advocating fucking your employer over, but if they explicitly offer you a benefit then take it!

That would be me.

I guess I'm a puss too. I'd say don't do it. It's only 8 hours. Just save the money for your company especially if it's between $10k and $3-4k. Your boss will notice. Trust me.

 

[Ns1]

That would be me.

I guess I'm a puss too. I'd say don't do it. It's only 8 hours. Just save the money for your company especially if it's between $10k and $3-4k. Your boss will notice. Trust me.

so much face palm it hurts.

It's not an 8 hour flight. The statement was any flight OVER 8 hours is eligible for business class.

SF -> China = ~12 hours

you know what the boss IS going to notice? The employee all fucked up and tired the first day he's in china, rendering him useless to everyone.

 

[mikegg]

so much face palm it hurts.

It's not an 8 hour flight. The statement was any flight OVER 8 hours is eligible for business class.

SF -> China = ~12 hours

True. But if the difference is $6k-7k, that's a year's rent for most areas. A year's rent of money for 8-12 hours? :\

Consider me cheap but I'm not going to spend an extra $6k-7k for only 8 hours even if it's not my own money unless I get to have an orgy with beautiful STD-free women while flying.