The Government is going to take my FF award seats

[MrHyde]

Can't the Government just sign up for Aquire and then any points that they negotiate with the airlines would go into the Government's bucket.

 

[dajop]

Also don't forget there are also ASA's that can be accessed, overcoming availability and flexibility issues - and whilst the average FF'er may not see value in that it certainly can be valued at a c/point level allowing savings to be potentially made (depending on whether the fares that come with points are more expensive than status quo or not).

 

[burmans]

Although I don't know if govt fares were slightly reduced anyway because no points?

It is my understanding this is the case, government have negotiated very cheap rates and I would find it difficult to believe Qantas has not taken no points earn into account in calculating those rates. We all know those seats do have some value/cost.

 

[andye]

This is looking like a government-generated story to influence contract negotiations rather than a serious plan

 

[The Flying Brick]

It is my understanding this is the case, government have negotiated very cheap rates and I would find it difficult to believe Qantas has not taken no points earn into account in calculating those rates. We all know those seats do have some value/cost.

You are quite correct. Not only did the Federal Government already get a fantastic rate on QF and VA up to March 2010 - it then lowered the rate again by negotiating fares without FF points.

It was Finance Minister Lindsay Tanner's idea and that was the end of FF points for Public Service employees (and MP's). It would be fair to say that he was not highly popular in Canberra around this time. :evil:

As "get-me-outta-here" said in a post above there was a push to book Award seats using points before this time. The problem was that of the few that did book classic Awards, a lot ended up missing flights, especially from Canberra which operates in its own time, then losing the points and then having to book last minute full fare flex Y or J flights instead.

Rather than a benefit to the taxpayer the old system actually became a cost. :-|

AFAIK there haven't been any figures published as to the actual savings under the new system without points compared to the old one with points but with a $377 mill annual travel bill even a percent or two is a substantial amount of $$.

 

[Danger]

Is this due to ABBOTT or TURNBULL?

Neither.

There is an existing thread on this very topic, just a couple of months old: http://www.australianfrequentflyer....edgov-wants-collect-frequent-flyer-69097.html

Interesting issue.

I just looked now (10pm Wednesday) for flights tomorrow (Thursday) between MEL-SYD. Most of the early morning flights had award seats available, taxes/fees of $30. The cheapest red e-deals are in the $200-$251 range. So a saving of $170-$221.

Let's assume an average of $200 saving... if just 5 Victorian public servants a day were heading off interstate on 220 work days a year - that's an annual $220k saving. Coming home however most of the evening flights had no awards.

More of a saving if you had secretaries/ministers flying - business class awards are freely available, saving $750, and those seats are available both ways, even at peak times.

Although I don't know if govt fares were slightly reduced anyway because no points?

probably not going to be a good thing for the average punter if govt departments can snaffle all the award seats

I'm not sure I follow your comments. However, one must also factor in how many paid flights need to be achieved for just one award flight.

One complication of this ridiculous suggestion (of the Finance Department's) is that employees are entitled to status credits. If an employee then finds him or herself on an award flight, one of that employee's conditions of employment has actually been breached.

 

[trippin_the_rift]

Why doesn't the gov sign up for a plat Amex and earn points on purchases... I hear they spend a lot

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Neither.

There is an existing thread on this very topic, just a couple of months old: http://www.australianfrequentflyer....edgov-wants-collect-frequent-flyer-69097.html



I'm not sure I follow your comments. However, one must also factor in how many paid flights need to be achieved for just one award flight.

One complication of this ridiculous suggestion (of the Finance Department's) is that employees are entitled to status credits. If an employee then finds him or herself on an award flight, one of that employee's conditions of employment has actually been breached.

Assuming points from all govt employees could be pooled - I was responding to the issue that 'few award seats will be available close to departure, which is when public servants might book'.

The examples I found showed quite a lot of flexibility - with award seats available on peak MEL-SYD flights the next day.