^ ^ That's the part that I find hilarious. Had the OP simply taken her lumps, her employer might not have begun actually requiring the purchase of the no-mileage fares (where available).

Talk about taking an unpleasant episode and completely blowing it out of proportion.

In my experience, co-workers don't usually appreciate someone who loudly convinces the boss that for a few dollars saved, one can actually fly to Japan and earn ZERO miles. Which will eventually make the retention of status more difficult (if not downright impossible) and will eventually guarantee that future flights to Japan are in COACH. Yuck.