Frequent Flyer Number Ethics

[PaulC83]

Hi All,

I have an ethical question, I have a job opportunity (not as a contractor but for more or less an interview of sorts for a permanent job), for which I have been given a QF booking for. Because of the way conversations transpired (mainly through email), I didn't get a chance to slip the old my FF number is.....

Is it unethical to add my FF number to the booking now that I have the QF reference number? How would you handle it from both my situation and the potential employer?????

I do note that in my limited career (2 previous times) their travel arranger has asked me if I have FF when arranging the travel.

Any thoughts? am I just being greedy?? (it would be worth 40 SCs to me, I'm not too fussed about the points).

Also if I choose not to put my number on it, can I still enter the QP if I am SG with a boarding pass travelling on QF that day but without FF on the BP???

 

[Cyclogenesis]

Unless explicitly told not to I most definitely would...
Either that or you can provide your card upon check in

 

[markis10]

If the employer gets a discount for booking a flight for you that wont earn points then adding your FF number wont make any difference.

 

[futaris]

Unless the job is for the government, or you're flying on a "government rate", give your QANTAS FF# online at Manage Your Booking, over the phone (to QANTAS) or on check-in.

 

[rwatts]

If the employer gets a discount for booking a flight for you that wont earn points then adding your FF number wont make any difference.

But if its like my employer, while you wont get points you will get status credits and segment qualification, plus any status you hold may be of benefit in seat allocation.

Richard.

[ie go for it !]

 

[markis10]

But if its like my employer, while you wont get points you will get status credits and segment qualification, plus any status you hold may be of benefit in seat allocation.

Richard.

Sure, no argument there but the question is the ethics, what is the emplpoyer loosing by you getting points and or SC's, the answer is nothing, and its your time being used on the flight, so I am sure there really is not ethical issue here.

 

[Anna]

I don't see what the problem is, unless you have been specifically told that you can't put in your QFF number for some (strange) reason.

 

[rwatts]

Sure, no argument there but the question is the ethics, what is the emplpoyer loosing by you getting points and or SC's, the answer is nothing, and its your time being used on the flight, so I am sure there really is not ethical issue here.

Yes, agree absolutely - I should have made myself clearer. To me its all upside for the OP and no downside for the (prospective) employer to supply the FF number.

Naturally if points are awarded and the OP gets the job then they can use the points to offset the cost of future work travel (at least thats how its supposed to work in the public service).

Richard.

 

[NM]

Nothing unethical out applying your FF number to the booking. It will not cost nor impact the company purchasing the fare. If the fare is eligible for benefits then they will be provided, if its not then then they will not be provided.

 

[anat0l]

I don't see anything unethical here. Just do it.

Even if you get nothing, putting your number on will cover your bases if there is something to be claimed.

You can do this via QF telephone support, MMB or at the airport whilst checking in. (If you have status, you might want to do this before you get to the airport/T-80/OLCI, so that you can possibly access a better range of seats).

 

[Flying Fox]

As others have said, do it.

Use Manage My Bookings or at the airport when you check in. You can always say it was to ensure that you had lounge access which is correct.

 

[JohnK]

I don't see any ethical issues adding a QFF number to the booking.

Is it unethical to add my FF number to the booking now that I have the QF reference number? How would you handle it from both my situation and the potential employer?????

What you need is a good employer. My flights up to Brisbane (for the second interview) were booked during the first interview at SYD airport QF meeting rooms by the IT director and he asked me for a QFF number to put in the booking.

 

[drewbles]

Pretty much my first QF flight ever was in Late 2000 when a company flew me to SYD for an interview (I was an AN boy - still would be if they were around I reckon) and that was my entire reason for signing up for QFF. I joined a month or so after the flight, retrospectively credited it, and now am almost at LTS thanks to people on here.

I'd go for it.

(and yes, I did get the job - Good luck with it!)

 

[PaulC83]

Thank you all for your responses, I am going to add it in, and see if I can score those 40 SCs, they certainly will help to try and retain Gold this year!

 

[samh004]

Thank you all for your responses, I am going to add it in, and see if I can score those 40 SCs, they certainly will help to try and retain Gold this year!

You might like to change your status in your profile too, as it still shows you as QF PS

 

[david870mdg]

Corporate travel policies often include clauses that employess may accrue FF miles for company sponsored travel "where the company will incur no extra expenses associated with such claim" (often associated with employee using points to upgrade a fare) etc....

Worst case scenario, keep you BP and throw in a retroactive claim after the interview

 

[albatross710]

I had two fares booked for me by a Govt Dept last year. I felt very happy to add my QFF number and due to the ticket class I was able to use points to upgrade Mrs Albatross and I to business.

I felt very ethical.

 

[medhead]

Overall I agree with everyone but if it is a government employer I would suggest great caution. I know that NSW Health does not allow FF numbers to be added to bookings by policy. I previously worked in another area of NSW government and they allowed earning of status but not points.

These rules are generally not in place because it will cost the government but because of anti-corruption/governance type of issues. I.e. making sure taxes are spent appropriately without providing a personal benefit to anyone.

Of course, if it is a government department then it's not as if you can really ask them their policy on this type of thing.

So overall go for it, they're not going to find out before the offer the job if your successful.

Good luck with it as well

 

[Davo70]

Yep - NIKE !!!!

 

[thewinchester]

I've just skimmed through the posts here, so sorry if this already been said.

This is an issue which always comes up in Govt. circles, and unless agencies are receiving all the paperwork for their employees who are members of schemes - it's neigh on impossible for them to track and prevent this.

The reason why earning points/rewards from govt. travel is discouraged as this can be used by employees as an excuse for not choosing the best fare of the day in order to gain a personal advantage - thus increasing the costs of travel without good reason.

So, if the company/employer doesn't have;

• a specific policy from earning rewards from travel, and
• systems to track and enforce the policy;

and the price of the fare is comparable to other carriers on the route, add your membership number to your booking with wild abandon using the appropriate method for the carrier in question.

And if it's a client who's paid for the fare, just add the membership number anyway. If you get quizzed on it, simply say it was added by the airline who wanted to make sure you received the class of service and recognition you're entitled to with them.

Final note: Let's be honest, most of us in the public service work for agencies where we get bent over backwards and hardly see any extra reward or recognition for our work - so I consider the ability to earn points for govt. travel a small and nice infrequent perk, and will grab them when I've got the chance. Stuff 'em.