[KirkWylie]

I've worked at several financial institutions. This could actually be based on their agreed negotiated rates with preferred airline(s). If they booked less than the negotiated rate of service it would be in violation of their contract with the airline(s).

That's how it was at one previous employer. You had to fly a particular class on certain durations, and that policy was baked into the contract with the preferred airline, as it was the basis for the negotiated discount.