Australia’s central government is planning to save about $50 million a year, almost 15%, from its official travel budget by using frequent flyer points to buy tickets for government employees flying on official business.
The plan, which would affect about 100,000 government travelers, won’t hurt the passengers because they are, under Australian law, forbidden to earn the miles themselves. Qantas and other Australian airlines, have plans of various sorts that allow employers to earn points that are convertible to airline award points.
There’s still a bonus for the actual travelers, since they are allowed to earn status points that can move them to higher levels that grant lounge access, preferred boarding and more. In the U.S., only the traveler can earn the award points.
