4 ms·

Keeping in mind this was really made for business flyers who enjoy the benefits of the miles personally for a ticket paid by the employer. I guess the switch cr

• ericmay 3y ago
  > You give an incentive to the employee that is dissociated from the interest of their employer. This is mitigated by the employer setting rates, per-diem, rules on what seats you can purchase, etc. and the employer can't use the points from the frequent flyer program anyway. If there's, say, a $50 fare difference and that causes an employee to choose a more expensive flight (because the comparable flights are comparable) because they get points it's fine and basically an added benefit. In consulting for example that's a stated benefit in employee handbooks. Of course that's not to say employees of companies can't go against the interest of their employer here, but it's up to the employer to set guidelines and for the employee to follow them.
  • brk 3y ago
    >and the employer can't use the points from the frequent flyer program anyway This isn't always true. Some employers insist you book through their internal travel department or use their corporate FF accounts, which kick all the mileage and hotel night benefits to them. It's not common, fortunately, but it does happen.
    • bluGill 3y ago
      Some of those companies have discovered that those travel departments are a profit center and so they can make more money by booking the most expensive economy seat.
    • SoftTalker 3y ago
      Yep I was just going to say I'm flying and staying in a hotel for a conference next month and although I have loyalty programs with the airline and the hotel I am getting zip for those because I had to book through my employer's travel system.
      • gamblor956 3y ago
        With the major hotel chains like Marriot, you can change the loyalty account getting the points when you check in.
• nemo44x 3y ago
  As someone who has employed many people that need to fly a lot I encourage it. Frequent travel can lead to quick burnout because of the constant stress of being in an unfamiliar place and interfacing with people you don’t know. It’s important to add as much consistency as possible to these experiences. So airlines and hotels bring the same help a lot. You don’t have to think about it and the subconscious mind is not at stress about it. You can focus on your work. There’s indirect benefits to the business as well since they’ll be first to be put on a flight after cancellations, can get guaranteed lodging in areas that sell out often, and can use their points to upgrade making their trip nicer. So it’s unwise to chase that as an employer. Let them get points and be comfortable and use them to take the family somewhere.
  • rrrrrrrrrrrryan 3y ago
    Exactly - traveling for work can be fun for a year or two, but once the novelty wears off it's just tiring and stressful. Having preferred status with airlines and hotels makes things much more bearable, and all the miles that you rack up can be spent on the occasional trip with your partner, who has to endure you being away from home so often.
    • nemo44x 3y ago
      Even as much as knowing there will be a bottle of water in your room or what type of meals will be served on your flight make a huge difference. It’s one less thing to think about. There’s a lot of these types of things and being a regular is important. I’m grateful I did my turn of it when SPG was still a thing. Damn they treated us well.
  • nerdbert 3y ago
    > the constant stress of being in an unfamiliar place Is this a thing for most people? Being in an unfamiliar place is one of my greatest joys. I am never more relaxed than my first day in a new city where I know absolutely nothing, and turning each new corner is a revelation.
• mat_epice 3y ago
  Many government-type travelers are obligated to go with the cheapest airfare that’s reasonable. I know folks who take 5:30am Delta flights so they can get loyalty benefits while obeying those rules, but these new spending levels makes gaining status that way impractical.