I don't understand the "chiseling" aspect referred to.

The issue is quite simple. There is a certain budget that the company, person, or institution is willing to spend on a specific goal. If the money isn't spent on you, it's spent on someone else or something else. Since we're not talking about volunteering, my main goal is to maximize my return while maintaining my integrity and professionalism (e.g., without stealing, lying excessively [we all lie a bit, come on], or operating outside the ethical norms as dictated by common sense).

If the C-suite is flying first or business class, I feel encouraged to fly business or first class. If nobody is flying first or business, flying not in economy would not be ethical. But if they insist...