How to access WP Status benefits but not accrue points or status credits.

[muppet]

Hi all

My employer has a policy that does not permit me to accrue status credits or points for flights.

Is there a way to get my WP number on the booking so I get priority seat selection and lounge access but not actually accrue any points or status credits in the process?

Cheers
m

 

[samh004]

Does the fare itself not earn (like government fares tend to only earn SC) or is it simply a case that they buy a commercial fare but don't want any employee to get anything extra?

If it's a special fare that earns nothing anyway, then entering your details into the booking wont be a problem. It'll post as 0. However, if it would ordinarily earn then you have two options, you could simply wait till you're at the airport and "show your card" to gain lounge access, but this will forego seat selection. Alternatively, you could take the gamble of entering your FF# to choose seats and then calling the service centre to remove your FF# from the booking (this can usually be done when you want to switch numbers).

As a side note, I'd talk to your employer about what Business Rewards could do for them, and once you have them onboard with the idea that the business can earn points they'll realise the only way that can happen is if the individual also earns points, which could work in your favour

 

[Kangol]

I've heard of government employees not earning points but able to earn SC.
Not heard of a restriction on both.

Can't see why you cannot put your WP QFF number in regardless. If you turned up to the lounge with no status on the BP and your card, chances are they would enter the number in for you..

 

[mviy]

Wouldn’t be surprised if the employer requires boarding passes to prove flying occurred. If that is the case you’d want to ensure that the FF number doesn’t show on the Boarding Pass.

 

[Kerrodt]

I need to cross this employer of my list of potential future employers. Not a very “people friendly” travel policy in place here.

 

[muppet]

Thanks all for the advice.

I have never used the fares so I’m unsure if it posts as 0 (which would be ideal).

I worked in the fed gov and that was simple. But this goes further to say no status credits either...

I’m trying to get my benefits without breaching the policy but seems there is no easy way to be sure so I will just travel without the number in the booking.

 

[blackcat20]

Wouldn’t be surprised if the employer requires boarding passes to prove flying occurred. If that is the case you’d want to ensure that the FF number doesn’t show on the Boarding Pass.

Get boarding pass minus QFF for work, then get a reprint with QFF number for use....

 

[Hvr]

My employer has a policy that does not permit me to accrue status credits or points for flights.

Have you asked why? There may be a reason that is good to them. You've been made aware of their policy and whilst you're employed by them are obliged to adhere to it.

Nothing is stopping asking why or even trying to change the policy.

But, trying to circumvent the policy will only get you into trouble and maybe even unemployed. Your employer will be right to be concerned if you violate the policies you don't like you may consider any of their policies optional.

As much as I disagree with their policy re air travel, it's theirs and one you either need to strictly adhere to or address it with them.

 

[muppet]

Have you asked why? There may be a reason that is good to them. You've been made aware of their policy and whilst you're employed by them are obliged to adhere to it.

Nothing is stopping asking why or even trying to change the policy.

But, trying to circumvent the policy will only get you into trouble and maybe even unemployed. Your employer will be right to be concerned if you violate the policies you don't like you may consider any of their policies optional.

As much as I disagree with their policy re air travel, it's theirs and one you either need to strictly adhere to or address it with them.

Nowhere have I suggested i want to violate the policy - the whole point of this thread is to comply with the policy but still use my privately earned benefits of lounge access and preferred seats.

I was perhaps naively hoping there was a way to have my status recognised but not accrue points or SCs a bit like the old way where people could specify a FF program for status and another FF program to direct the points to.

For clarity I will just quote myself here where I say it seems the only way is to just travel without my WP number in the booking - i.e. compliance with said policy.

Thanks all for the advice.

I have never used the fares so I’m unsure if it posts as 0 (which would be ideal).

I worked in the fed gov and that was simple. But this goes further to say no status credits either...

I’m trying to get my benefits without breaching the policy but seems there is no easy way to be sure so I will just travel without the number in the booking.

 

[defurax]

There is a way, it's called FQTS and FQTR. You need ask them to input your QFF number in the FQTS field. I imagine Qantas can do that. I've had no problem requesting that with AF and KL for my Alitalia status and earning to Flying Blue.

 

[muppet]

There is a way, it's called FQTS and FQTR. You need ask them to input your QFF number in the FQTS field. I imagine Qantas can do that. I've had no problem requesting that with AF and KL for my Alitalia status and earning to Flying Blue.

Ahh thanks. That’s what i was thinking of.

I will call and i guess ask for FQTR to stay blank?

 

[Kangol]

Does the policy say something like, "you are not permitted to earn points and SC [for your benefit]"
Or "fares booked are not eligible to earn points and SC"?
Both very different scenarios.

If you put your number in the latter, it will come up as 0 / 0 on your statement - in line with the policy.
If you put your number in the former and they find out, then you might have some explaining to do. How they are legally able to find out is another issue.
My guess is if the former actually is the case, they are doing so because they don't want you to access an additional benefit.

 

[moa999]

Depends if it's part of a fare agreement (like the government fares) in which case I'd expect the fare will be marked so as not to earn.

Or some other reason (eg. FBT or something?)

 

[samh004]

I guess... you could put in a cheeky missing points claim after the flight has passed, say a week or more later? This would give you an idea of how the flight posts, but if it posts points/SC you could be in trouble (though how they'd find out I don't know – impossible?).

If it was my employer I would ask for an explanation, pointing out that you have status earned privately and would like to utilise this status on the tickets for preferential seat selection and lounge access. Their answer may be that this is fine, as the flights will simply earn nothing. You lose nothing by asking the question.

 

[Vic]

I guess... you could put in a cheeky missing points claim after the flight has passed, say a week or more later? This would give you an idea of how the flight posts, but if it posts points/SC you could be in trouble (though how they'd find out I don't know – impossible?).

If it was my employer I would ask for an explanation, pointing out that you have status earned privately and would like to utilise this status on the tickets for preferential seat selection and lounge access. Their answer may be that this is fine, as the flights will simply earn nothing. You lose nothing by asking the question.

I'd also suggest explaining that it is possible to add the number to gain the recognition benefits via the FQTS method. To be 100% certain that it doesn't break the policy.

Does the policy say something like, "you are not permitted to earn points and SC [for your benefit]"
Or "fares booked are not eligible to earn points and SC"?
Both very different scenarios.

If you put your number in the latter, it will come up as 0 / 0 on your statement - in line with the policy.
If you put your number in the former and they find out, then you might have some explaining to do. How they are legally able to find out is another issue.
My guess is if the former actually is the case, they are doing so because they don't want you to access an additional benefit.

The first option should be easy to address by demonstrating there was no earning.

 

[samh004]

I hope @muppet is able to report back on the outcome of this, as I'm quite interested in what the deal is.

 

[muppet]

I hope @muppet is able to report back on the outcome of this, as I'm quite interested in what the deal is.

Sorry everyone. I appreciate the advice. I will call Qantas and update you tomorrow. Hoping the FQTS works.

In terms of the policy it says not permitted to earn - rather than the fares are “non-earning”.

I definitely won’t put in a missing points claim after the fact. I am very keen to earn zero points in compliance with the policy.

I just want a forward seat and a likely shadow (as is the case with many QF link flights i am on). I’m a smidge fat so the empty seat is great when it happens.

Why don’t i just ask I hear? My employer’s corporate staff tend to just repeat the policy verbatim or make up rules when asked for clarification. And once it’s asked it cannot be un-asked. I just want to comply with “no earning points or SC”.

Worst case, I assume QF will delete the points if I asked nicely. They made massive stuff-ups of deleting and adding points when claiming ORC so it’s definitely possible!

 

[CaptJCool]

Bizarre idea from the boss!

As a former Fed Gov employee we never received points ever....as that was the travel contract with dept of finance.

We did receive SCs and back in the day DSC

I suppose you could stick the FF in the booking, select the seat then Remove the FF number ....

 

[Happy Dude]

Why can't you just show your FF card at check-in and request a forward seat while saying "Don't put my number in the booking pls", and repeat at the lounge and priority boarding?

 

[Mike65]

Other than the mandated govt situation, why would an employer prevent an employee from gaining points or SCs if it doesn't affect the price they pay for the fares? Seems draconian, miserly, stingy officiousness to me.