Is Frequent Flyer Miles ownership moving from employees, to employers?

[stuartbb]

Whilst some companies are insisting employees fly coach instead of business, or simpler/cheaper airlines rather than more expensive, others are clearly taking ownership of the frequent flyer miles to use them against future flight ticket purchases, creating significant savings.

Are you also seeing companies take ownership of frequent flyer miles in order to significantly reduce future travel cost?

 

[Happy Trails]

They can take them from my cold dead hands.

(With apologies to Chuck Heston)

 

[straitman]

Whilst some companies are insisting employees fly coach instead of business, or simpler/cheaper airlines rather than more expensive, others are clearly taking ownership of the frequent flyer miles to use them against future flight ticket purchases, creating significant savings.

Are you also seeing companies take ownership of frequent flyer miles in order to significantly reduce future travel cost?

I thought that this was illegal.

 

[oz_mark]

Interesting first up post. I wonder what the context around the question is? And what is this 'coach' thing?

I've heard of it (not so much taking ownership, but tracking them for use), but have not seen it.

 

[samh004]

I recall simongr (or perhaps another member sorry) talking about using miles earned from business flights only for upgrades on buisness flights, and not using them for personal flights, but not sure if this was personal tracking or the business doing so.

 

[rwatts]

As a public servant any FF points gained through official travel have always been considered by my department to be its property and only to be used for other official travel. Personal use of such points is considered a breach of the APS Code of Conduct. Because of the problems tracking such things the department began negotiating contract rates which do not earn points. Status credits on the other hand are considered fair game.

Can't see why companies should think differently although obviously many (most ?) do.

Richard.

 

[nlagalle]

The day the company says that to me is the day I stop flying for them..

 

[stuartbb]

rwatts's comment " .. the department began negotiating contract rates which do not earn points" says a lot ... His organisation understood the price of the air ticket included the price of the miles/points, so as legislation prevents government employees owning the points, they are negotiating a lower ticket cost, that doesn't include the (perceived) free benefit of the points.

Following on from rwatts's comment, it seems to make sense that some companies are taking the approach "we paid for the ticket, and the ticket price includes points/miles, so we own the points/miles".

 

[nlagalle]

rwatts's comment " .. the department began negotiating contract rates which do not earn points" says a lot ... His organisation understood the price of the air ticket included the price of the miles/points, so as legislation prevents government employees owning the points, they are negotiating a lower ticket cost, that doesn't include the (perceived) free benefit of the points.

Following on from rwatts's comment, it seems to make sense that some companies are taking the approach "we paid for the ticket, and the ticket price includes points/miles, so we own the points/miles".

Employees could also argue it's their bum on the seat too and they aren't being re-imbursed for it either (See how much travel is done on personal time).

 

[oz_mark]

Following on from rwatts's comment, it seems to make sense that some companies are taking the approach "we paid for the ticket, and the ticket price includes points/miles, so we own the points/miles".

By the same token, when I was travelling a lot, much of the flying was on my own time. If the company decided it was going to keep the points, that certainly would not have happened.

 

[samiam]

As a public servant any FF points gained through official travel have always been considered by my department to be its property and only to be used for other official travel. Personal use of such points is considered a breach of the APS Code of Conduct. Because of the problems tracking such things the department began negotiating contract rates which do not earn points. Status credits on the other hand are considered fair game.

Can't see why companies should think differently although obviously many (most ?) do.

Richard.

Sitting on a government advisory committee, I can confirm that I only receive SC's and not FF points, when they arrange (and pay for) my travel. They also appear to have a J policy for PER-CBR and Y for CBR-MEL.

 

[el_rooto]

From memory when dad worked for an investment bank in the 80's/90's the policy was that they were supposed to be used for company use...

However I doubt this was practical and in the end the company ended up being bought out/sold.

They all got free QP membership though.

 

[levelnine]

I'll add to those who've already said it that when I flew for the APS I received SCs but not FF points. My understanding was that the department had negotiated a contract with Qantas that gave them a lower rate in return for forfeiting the accumulation of FF points.

I wouldn't be surprised if more companies eventually move to this system. A question would therefore arise whether travel allowances sufficiently compensated you for any travel undertaken in your own time.

 

[casanovawa]

Yeah, in my WA public sector Department accrued points on govt business are supposed to be used for future official travel as well... don't do a very good job of tracking but not sure if they are trying to improve that...

 

[rtyuiop]

I haven't heard of this in the IT industry (government employees aside)... My theory is that they can do that when they start paying me overtime for time spent travelling out of hours, and pay me a travel allowance for days away from home.

 

[ozmille]

If that happened I would only fly during business hours and every minute after that should be overtime. Which would be a high cost if you are overseas for 3 to 4 weeks at a time. I think FF miles are a small compensation for being away from home...
My 2 cents

 

[cove]

If a business changed its policy to claw back points from flights and business expense payments the loss of the flyers morale would be quite significant.
If a staffer can upgrade on overseas longhaul we reimburse the points used.So if the flyer goes PE paid to J on a points upgrade we get those points back to the flyer.
I saw cold dead body talk......yes a decision from hell is a big call and could result in good staff leaving.

 

[Oneworldplus2]

Also depends on what airline you fly, not all award points.
Look no further than Star Alliance. LH, SQ and TG are some where not all buckets earn points.
QF on the other hand, you get 1000 minimum per flight/sector.

I did a bucket load of FIFO in WA a number of years ago. Nothing was earned as they were chartered flights. Had than been QF with FULL Y SC earn, l would easily earned enough for WP+PG.

 

[simongr]

Are you the same person or connected to the person that posted links to a commercial website recently on this specific topic?

@sam - wasn't me that said that points were only used for upgrades.

Like many others there are two things that would stop me flying - int'l whY and a lack of FF points. The former is more important than the latter. Yes I try to maximise earning but more importantly for me is the overall travel experience and the opportunity to get out and about comfortably.

 

[straitman]

Are you the same person or connected to the person that posted links to a commercial website recently on this specific topic?

simongr,

He is one and the same :!:

This thread is being watched with interest.