<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size="2">Originally posted by Butcher Bird:
For the gubment folks out there, most can and do use the miles for upgrades while on personal business. No, this is not quite as generous as open market companies. However, it is a very good option and one that makes a lot of sense. As for the agencies that do not allow you to use miles for upgrades; I would opt for squirreling the miles up for year after year and using them when you leave government service.</font>
I can only speak for DOD employees, of which I am one.
Official policy is that FF miles can never be used for personal use of any type, including upgrades or free tickets. In addition, for official travel, miles can only be used for upgrades to Business,
not First, so if it is a two-class cabin, you are out of luck. Don't even get me started on the lunacy of that provision, because no one understands it.
AFAIK, there is no policy, DOD-wide anyway, on whether it is appropriate to use 500-milers/EUs, since those are provided gratis.
Finally, while DOD prohibits the use of TDY miles for personal use even after an employee retires, the real world answer is that, having retired, the employee is no longer subject to administrative sanctions by the employing agency (such as suspension or termination).
[This message has been edited by jmiyazawa (edited 06-30-2001).]