Frequent flyer points on a Government (PATS) funded flight

[vertisol]

As a CBR based public servant the best thing they ever did was get rid of points earn on govt booked fares. The previous system of making it a no no to use earned ff points on non govt travel was impossible to police and a pain to have hanging over you.

On a side note I have 2 on site meetings (I do public works projects) this week in ADL and PER. So my day will be leaving CBR at 0600 site meeting at 0800 the back to airport for 1130 to PER, site meeting at 4pm then I get the rest of the day off before heading back to CBR via Sydney first thing in the morning (only PER -CBR direct is at 4pm) back in Canberra in time for a 1630 meeting back at the office. Some of us do work hard...

 

[Moody]

As a CBR based public servant the best thing they ever did was get rid of points earn on govt booked fares. The previous system of making it a no no to use earned ff points on non govt travel was impossible to police and a pain to have hanging over you.

On a side note I have 2 on site meetings (I do public works projects) this week in ADL and PER. So my day will be leaving CBR at 0600 site meeting at 0800 the back to airport for 1130 to PER, site meeting at 4pm then I get the rest of the day off before heading back to CBR via Sydney first thing in the morning (only PER -CBR direct is at 4pm) back in Canberra in time for a 1630 meeting back at the office. Some of us do work hard...

And this is what really bothers me about denying FF points for PS travel. Whilst I don't hate travelling for work, it has an impact on me (long days) and my family (missing events and just being around). Part of the roundabouts and swings is the fact that we can get award seats with the points for family holidays.

So by all means enforce BFOD - but let them keep the SC's and points. It's not as if they have a particularly high value!

 

[ozbeachbabe]

It may be that some of the time there would be points earning red-e-deal or sale fares available for less than the contract (non ff points earning) fares.

 

[alieninperth]

Having seen some of the contract fares that we (WA State govt) have negotiated, I would be very surprised if that were the case. I have seen semi-flex fares that are cheaper (by some margin) that the red e-sales generally available.

My 2c on the public sector v private sector thing. I think that there are very few people out there in either sector who want to rort the system. While my agency does have a BFOD policy there are other factors that are considered alongside this.
1) Departure and arrival time to coincide with other work commitments and policies - If the cheapest fare is the early morning then additional allowances will kick in, this could mean an additional $70 or so. Not to mention the increased efficiency from working at the office as opposed to the plane/QP/hotel.
2) The airline - this is not so much of an issue now but before VA offered free F+B on their trans continental flights then their lower prices would not cover the cost of the meal allowance (generally $10-$15 cheaper than QF). nb If we have food on board as part of the flight then we do not claim the allowance for that meal (I personally treat the QP as if I am onboard so if I am there at meal time then I dont claim the allowance.

To give a live example - looking at a trip to CBR in a few weeks the cheapest fare is with VA and via either MEL or ADL with at least 2hr in either airport. Both flights leave just after 6am so I would be there by 5. The next cheapest is with QF and via sydney, again with at least 2 hrs in the airport, but this time the departure is 5.30. If I look later in the day and leave at lunchtime then the price goes up by about $50 over the cheapest fare, however in this case I would not be claiming allowances and the cab to the airport would be at least half price. Saving at least the fare differential, no to mention the increased work that I would be able to do at the office. The only direct flight from CBR to PER is late afternoon and arrives after 10.30. It is often the most expensive.

TL: DR there are many things to consider when travelling for work.

PS. Where did the OP go?

 

[casanovawa]

She probably just took her flight and got on with life...

It's us PSs who have to keep living with these great ideas... :-|

 

[alieninperth]

But think of all the money that the govt is saving

 

[HKGNZL]

The reverse question is: has anyone ever been audited to return their points gained from govt travels?

 

[alieninperth]

I think that there are mechanisms in place to do this but they may not be enforced. As with all things YMMV.

In terms of keeping track of points and using them for work, it is no more difficult than the process for getting approval to travel.