Business Travel marker on VAA booking

[AL]

I booked some travel through work’s travel agent today. My international segments are operated on VAA tin on a VAA ticket.

For some reason, and the first time I’ve seen it, the reservation shows in the app with a “business travel” sign attached to it. My previous US trips booked in the same way on VAA haven’t had it.

Curious – what does this represent? It hasn’t gone on a corporate card because I’ve paid for it myself and will claim it back. Upgrade pecking order priority, perhaps, like Delta have? Or are they earning bluebiz points on my purchase?

Doesn’t pose me a problem. Just interested.

[Blair Waldorf Salad]

My experience is that it counts for priority if rebooking is required due to cancellations/missed connections.

[AL]

Thanks Blair Waldorf Salad! I had a reply, too, from our travel agent. I’ve pasted the pertinent parts below in case others out there on the internet also had this question:

When you travel for work, you’re literally going the extra mile, so you deserve special perks. Waiting a while to board or getting a middle seat in the back row? Your company’s relationship’s with Delta means you can take advantage of Corporate Traveler benefits that make your trip easier and more enjoyable.

– Check-In Recognition. Delta’s kiosks and online check-in channels can identify Corporate Travelers by their company’s name — recognizing the value of both your traveler and your partnership.

– Preferred Seats. Corporate Travelers can choose where they sit – aisle, exit row or window – near the front of the plane at no extra cost. (Customers travelling on company business with an employer who has an active Delta Corporate Sales Agreement with Delta are eligible to receive complimentary Preferred Seating on Delta and Delta Connection(R) carrier operated flights. Preferred Seating may be selected by the customer any time after ticketing. Only flights that are booked using the employer’s Corporate Ticket Designator are eligible, and tickets booked in Basic Economy (E) are not eligible for this benefit. Eligibility may vary by class; contact your Corporate Travel Manager for more details and eligible fare classes. Preferred Seating is subject to availability. All Preferred Seating terms and conditions apply and are available at delta.com.)

– Priority Service Recovery. Corporate Travelers will be prioritized above other passengers during rebooking for flights and seats when Medallion(R) status and booking class are the sam.

– Involuntary Denied Boarding Protection. If every confirmed passenger cannot be accommodated on a flight, Corporate Travelers receive priority status and enhanced protection from involuntary denied boarding.

– Involuntary Downgrade Protection. In the unlikely event we can’t accommodate every ticketed passenger in a cabin of service, Corporate Travelers take priority over non-Corporate Travelers of comparable status.

– Delta Sky Club(R) Exclusive Discount. Corporate Travelers are eligible for an exclusive Membership offer of 20% off an Executive Membership and 10% off an Individual Membership to the Delta Sky Club, our premium airport lounge.

– Delta Vacactions. Corporate Travelers receive benefits, flexibility and service to truly
customize their vacation with savings up to $500 per booking and an extra 3,000 bonus miles per person. (Offers subject to change without notice; other restrictions may apply. All SkyMiles rules apply. To review the rules, visit delta.com/memberguide. Bonus miles do not count towards Medallion or Million Miler(TM) Status. Offers void where prohibited by law.

– Priority Standby. Corporate Travelers receive tie-breaker prioritization over similarly situated non-Corporate Travelers when standing by for a flight.

– Priority Boarding. A higher boarding priority for SkyMiles(R) Members ensure that they get on their flight sooner. If a Corporate Traveler is not a SkyMiles Member, he/she can still take advantage by enrolling and ensuring his/her SkyMiles number is added to the reservation by the time of check-in.

– Priority Medallion Upgrades. We now offer Corporate Travelers who are SkyMiles Medallion Members more benefts, like upgrade priority over other Medallion Members in the same Medallion group.

Given boarding processes have becoming stricter since the re-start after the initial part of the pandemic (i.e. boarding is by cabin and status, and seemingly no longer by any other route), and since purchasing membership of the Sky Club has been suspended indefinitely, it seems that most of the ‘advantages’ are about protecting your flight – stopping you booted off, downgraded or denied boarding.