Recently a colleague had to travel to London for a meeting and searched for the best value tickets on the Virgin Trains website. Because of the time she was travelling and the type of yield management Virgin uses, it turned out that the best value tickets available for her journey were in First Class. Delighted at the offer, the fact that she would have more space to work and that the free refreshment offer would also save her the cost of a meal on arrival in London, she purchased the tickets. On her return she submitted the receipt to her employer for reimbursement - only to find herself summoned to the Head of Finance for a severe telling off for breaching regulations and travelling in First rather than Standard Class. Her justification, that she actually bought the cheapest tickets on offer and also saved money as she wouldn't be claiming for a meal, was rejected out of hand and the rules restated. Whilst the matter is still to be resolved, the rules drawn up for travel expenses in the days before advance purchase tickets became commonplace are now being reviewed.
展开▼
