Deviation gurus, a question. I have a mid-trip deadhead next month intra asia. The booked ticket from corp travel is in coach as the block time is only 3.5 hrs, and the accepted fair is $2000ish. If I am able to get approval for a mid trip deviation for the whole $2000ish bank and then make travel arrangements myself(ie not through global travel) and book a ticket in business for less than $2000 will there be any issue come expense report time? I know global travel won't book it in business but if I'm able to do it myself under the bank will I be protected?
Thx

 

Yes, there will probably be an issue come expense report time. I've seen these things fall through the cracks, but if everyone is on the ball, you'll get called on it.

Your only "approved" option would be to request a personal upgrade and pay the difference between the coach ticket the business class ticket. Sometimes that difference isn't that big with certain Asian carriers.

 

On Asiana the difference between the Corp Travel coach fare and a Business class fare inter Asia has always been less than $100 and well worth it.

 

8.C.3.a.ii Air travel expenses shall be limited to the accepted fare for coach class unless the deviation flight would qualify for a higher class of service under Section 8.A.4.b.

8.A.4.b A class of service higher than coach shall be authorized if:

1. a deadhead exceeds 5 scheduled block hours; or
2. a deadhead is included in a single duty period exceeding 11:30; or
3. the scheduled block hours of a revenue flight plus the scheduled block hours of a deadhead in a single duty period exceed 8 hours. However, if a domestic duty period does not exceed 11:30 and a deadhead within that duty period does not exceed 1:30 (OAG) block, the deadhead may be scheduled in coach.

So.....if you plan your mid trip deviation flights so that you turn without a legal rest and 8.A.4.b.2or3 applies, or you route yourself specifically to get block 5+01 or higher, then your deviation (regardless of your scheduled flight) can qualify for business. You just put in a mid-trip deviation request, listing the flights and the costs and if it's approved, you're golden when it comes to your expense report because you qualify for business out of your $2000 bank.

But, if you don't meet the criteria in 8.A.4.b with your deviation plan then the only legal way to qualify for business is with a personal upgrade request.

The most common way to do what you want is to plan your flight so you have less than 12 hours legal international rest (remember to apply your post-flight 30 minutes and your show time for the DH flight in your 12 hour calculations), then you normally qualify for business with typical Asia timings. Submit your mid trip deviation, and when approved, book that business flight via corporate travel. If corporate travel says it's only good for coach because the block is 3.5 hours, just tell them you are turning from a revenue leg without a legal rest and your duty period exceeds 11:30--they understand that and will document it and book business for you. Use your excess bank money to pay for your transportation and any early hotel check-in costs (but make sure you get the approved FedEx hotel rate, or you'll pay some out of pocket--that's for another thread!)

If the business ticket fare that corporate travel can book exceeds what you want to spend and you can get it cheaper on your own, use contract provision 8.A.5.a.i to buy it using the corporate travel card. Make sure to save the boarding pass and e-ticket receipt as you'll need to submit both on your expense report. See below:

8.A.5 Airline Reservations and Tickets
This paragraph shall apply equally to deviation deadhead tickets and Company scheduled deadhead tickets.
Making Reservations
a. A Company designated group or department shall be utilized for making all airline reservations, except when:
i. the Company cannot issue a ticket for a lower fare than the pilot can obtain himself; or
ii. the pilot must make the reservation himself to prevent delay to FedEx flight operations.