Frequent-flying MPs told to save on fares

[oz_mark]

From:Frequent-flying MPs told to save on fares | NEWS.com.au

FEDERAL politicians have been ordered to save public money by using discount airlines such as Virgin Blue when travelling on the public purse.


And they have also been told to think ahead and book flights using frequent flyer points rather than booking the expensive fares at the last moment.

News of the crackdown emerged yesterday, a day after Finance Minister Lindsay Tanner said he had told the public service to use discount airlines and, where possible, use video-conferencing to eliminate their need to travel interstate.

 

[Evan]

I thought that govt types did not earn FF points on there fares (we all know some get them) so how could they use points they are not supposed to be awarded ?

Best price on the day... now they will know what the rest of us have to put up with !

E

 

[Travel Guru]

It's about bloody time too!!

TG

 

[drron]

Is this a good thing?The last thing we need is a few hundred more people chasing the elusive award seat IMHO.

 

[oz_mark]

Is this a good thing?The last thing we need is a few hundred more people chasing the elusive award seat IMHO.

Do you think they wll really try that hard?

 

[Travel Guru]

Do you think they wll really try that hard?

I'm guessing they'll try as hard as suits would if they had their BFOD restrictions removed from their travel policy.

I can see a few like Nick Xenophon doing his best, but the old schoolers like Downer don't give two hoots how much they spend because it's not theirs.

TG

 

[Febs]

Words, and nothing more. Won't change a thing.

Or who knows? Maybe it will and Virgin Blue will introduce their own version of CL. Actually I think I'd like to see Virgin's spin on CL!

 

[coyote25]

I thought that govt types did not earn FF points on there fares (we all know some get them) so how could they use points they are not supposed to be awarded ?
E

Government employees as a rule haven't gotten points since ANSETT left us however the restriction was never applied to MPs or Senators. The offical reason is QANTAS couldn't/wouldn't stop the points for MPs but could for the 200k public servants/army etc people.

Unoffically it's a well known perk that MPs keep the points and then use them over long RTW first class awards especially once they leave the Parliament. The biggest problem they have is finding awards seats.

In reality this changes nothing, the points are allocated to the individual and the Government doesn't know about them (although it's easy to work out). The only fair way is to make QANTAS stop giving the points and try to neg a lower corporate rate or rebate for travel without points, that's the real way to save the taxpayer money.

However QANTAS like MPs getting the point and redeeming for the same reason alot of them have CL, makes those decisions about opening routes up to other carriers easier

 

[Mal]

Why do people have double standards as to whether a MP should earn points vs a person employed by any other employer? Surely you aren't worried about the $0.0000001 you pay towards the tickets that they use. I know through my shareholdings that I probably pay at least that or more towards travel by some of the Senior Execs of the companies I hold shares in.

The MP's should be able to use their points for whatever purpose they choose - just like employees at most other organisations in Australia.

As for BFOD, some companies have implemented this, but the loopholes exist to allow travel on whatever carrier you want (within reason). Once again, why should MP's be any different?

 

[coyote25]

Why do people have double standards as to whether a MP should earn points vs a person employed by any other employer?

My only issue is they impose standards on their employees (ie. no points ever) but keep them for themselves. I have no problem paying MPs more I actually think they deserve it, instead they get hidden perks they have deemed unacceptable for anyone else on the public purse.

Like a drunk stopping every one else drinking. Rudd should be more interested in BFOD and getting the best contract for entire Fed Government surely they have financial muscle:!:

 

[bambbbam2]

I see lots of bills for Public Service travel and the execs seem to travel, then claim the points later. That way it doesn't show on the paperwork..

 

[kkutasi]

my understanding is that it is just government policy for public servants not to be allowed to use their FF points for personal usage. points are supposed to be used to get free work-related flights only.

a friend at the ATO told me he has seen colleagues fired for using points for personal travel. i can remember being warned about it too when i worked for the Federal Government myself years ago.

but when i left, i just took all my points with me and no one ever asked for them to be reliquished. i suppose they could hardly force me to hand them back anyway after i was no longer under their auspices

...and needless to say, they were redeemed long ago! :mrgreen:

 

[serfty]

There have peen several posts on this forum about Govt departments having agreements with Qantas that points are not earned with the contracted discounted fares used, this is implemented in the booking. Interesting SC's are earned on these bookings.