Interesting and informative responses. There was a prior posting on this topic about four or five months ago, and a link was posted to the Fed law on this topic. Definitely pertinent from my point, since I fly for the Fed three weeks out of every four.

Miles earned while flying on government travel are the property of Los Estados Unidos. There is latitude provided to each government agency as to whether let the person use FF miles at all; or use them for first class upgrades. -Most agencies opt for the latter. On a sidenote to this, one can upgrade to first class on a two class aircraft, but only to business class on a three class aircraft.

The diversity of the posts to this topic is reflective of the varied agency responses. For my agency, we are allowed to use the miles for upgrades. While this is not as flexible as most open market companies, it is a near second. I assure you that being able to fly first class a % of the time is a highly coveted benefit. At least I am in comfort as I contemplate the missed graduations, birthdays, irreplacable childhood moments, father's day, wife's birthday, etc., etc. You get the point as to why most agencies do not mind you using the miles for upgrades, and do remember that I travel three weeks out of every four.

If you mix your personal/business miles, it is assumed that all miles are the governments unless you maintain records to the contrary. I have not heard of anyone ever being nailed on this topic, but one of the prior posts indicated that it has occurred. Interesting. For myself, I will keep using miles to get to first, and not risk any job ramifications by using miles on my own.

[This message has been edited by BR (edited 05-06-2000).]