Virus work flight cancelled that I paid to upgrade - should work pay my flight costs?

MCJJ999

What is everyone’s opinion on this.  I was flying to the USA for work and they only pay for economy. I paid myself to upgrade to premium. The employers travel agent booked it through BA direct and deducted the cost of the upgrade from my salary. My employers have now cancelled my flight and it is a non refundable ticket ( I called BA to ask). Should they pay for my upgrade portion, or am I liable. I was fine to travel but it is not up to me. 

jonesMUFCforever

If you can claim off travel insurance do so - otherwise you lose IMO

sheramber

Your choice to pay extra. Your employer has no liability for it.

gettingtheresometime

Why did they cancel? 

Westin

I have very mixed feeling on this and can see both sides views.  Have you spoken to your line manager/director and explained the situation of the paid upgrade? Perhaps some arrangement can be offered for compromise that suits both sides.

tacpot12

This sort of issue is very difficult for the business to deal with because the expense isn't tax deductible as it was never a necessary expense of the business. And most finance departments aren't set up to pay expenses that aren't tax deductible, so expect a bit of battle get the employer to pay anything. 

The upgrade was never  going to benefit anyone other than the OP, but the employer did facilitate the employee spending their money in this way by allowing the employee to buy the upgrade through their travel agent and deducting the money from payroll, so i think the employer should help compensate the OP to some degree.

MCJJ999

Thanks all, they cancelled because of fear of the virus. I also see both sides but it was a 10 hour flight and I have back issues, so help with the gruelling schedule, wanted to arrive ready to start full on.  Knowing my employer, they won’t pay anything, but wanted impartial views. 

Ballard

Have you asked BA whether they are willing to give you a credit for the upgrade portion? 

gettingtheresometime

MCJJ999 said:

Thanks all, they cancelled because of fear of the virus. I also see both sides but it was a 10 hour flight and I have back issues, so help with the gruelling schedule, wanted to arrive ready to start full on.  Knowing my employer, they won’t pay anything, but wanted impartial views. 

Well that's the biggest over-reaction I've heard so far .....and that includes the mass hysteria concerning toilet roll.

I flew to / from the US recently & whilst it was asked for passengers who had recently travelled to China to make themselves known before boarding, we were asked specifically at immigration when we landed.
Personally if I was expect to suck up the loss I would be moighty annoyed 

Ballard

My company has implemented a complete ban on international travel until further notice and anyone travelling on holiday to any of several countries must work from home for a fortnight after returning.

In my opinion this is a sensible move. We have around 200 people in the organisation housed in one building. If the virus were to take hold with us and a significant number of people became sick it would be a disaster. The chances of it happening are relatively small but the consequences are massive. 

unforeseen

Imagine the mayhem if every other business took such an over the top stance? 
I assume that any travel within the UK is banned as well in case you have to travel through an area where some by has been diagnosed with it?