You are upgraded, your boss is not. Should you offer your seat to your boss?
Should you sit comfortably in your premium class seat while your boss pushes through to his way to the economy class? But you earned the miles, are you willing to give it up?
If you don’t offer your seat, what if your manager never forgets it?
To offer or not to offer, this is a question
Business trips can boost or sabotage your career. It can throw you into unexpected scenarios out of the office setting.
So here are the three scenarios:
1. I’m upgraded, my boss is not
My advice is to generously offer the seat to your manager. Most of the time your manager will decline, but your gesture matters. Your manager would appreciate your effort to show respect.
If you still worry about that, then just go quietly to the gate agent and ask to be taken off the upgrade list.
2. You are upgraded, your peer is not
It all depends on your relationship with this colleague. Is the upgrade worth ruining your work relationship?
If there is such risk, then you can go quietly to the gate agent and ask to be taken off the upgrade list.
3. You are the boss, but your subordinate is upgraded.
A good leader knows how to use humor to cope with awkward situations.
A friend of mine was traveling with his boss and was upgraded. He offered the seat to his manager, who politely declined. Then his manager said:”
“Now I know where all the expense reports that I approved has gone!”
They both had a good laugh. My friend thinks his manager is not a jealous person and is someone worth working for.
The rule of thumb is: is the upgraded seat worth ruining your working relationship.
What matters is not the seat but your ability to cope with awkward situations with humor.
Even with peers, you can joke:” I think our company travel policy should allow everyone to travel in business class, so we don’t need to be upgraded!”
Good luck!
Hey, I’m Tess, an entrepreneur, and owner of Delicate Revolt, where I share 1. Lessons learned by an entrepreneur; 2. How to achieve energy, efficiency, and style on business travels. Welcome to the Revolt!
