I have often been requested / asked / pushed towards +500 for VFR during my touring (mostly in Europe may I add) I recall a time earlier this year when French ATC advised me that "the only flight level available for you VFR is FL85 or FL105" whilst flying in uncontrolled airspace at FL100.
So don't talk to them, then they can't "push" you! Also to note that if you are in VMC outside CAS there is nothing to stop you flying IFR which then makes FL100 available!
Fishbang, I was only responding to the post, not myself differentiating between IFR and VFR.