Here ya go ... I posted this in January of 2000 on a thread on the UA board. Top part's about Congressional travel, but at the bottom is the stuff on the regular folks.

This is from US Code, Title 2, Chapter 24, Subchapter V on Congressional travel:

(a) Limitation on use of travel awards; exception (1) In general Except as provided in paragraph (2), notwithstanding any other provision of law, or any rule, regulation, or other authority, any travel award that accrues by reason of official travel of a Member, officer, or employee of the Senate shall be considered the property of the office for which the travel was performed and
may not be converted to personal use. (2) Travel between the Washington metropolitan area and a home State Paragraph (1) shall not apply to any travel award relating to air transportation for a Member of the Senate, the spouse of that Member, or a son or daughter of that Member, between the Washington metropolitan area and the State of that Member. (b) Regulations The Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate shall have authority to prescribe regulations to carry out this section. (c) Definitions As used in this section - (1) the term ''travel
award'' means any frequent flyer, free, or discounted travel, or other travel benefit, whether awarded by coupon, membership, or otherwise; and (2) the term ''official travel'' means travel engaged in the course of official business of the Senate.

For other federal employees Section 301-53.5 of the Federal Travel Regulations states that federal employees are allowed to earn miles and, if their particular agency allows it, they may redeem the miles for business-class upgrades while on government business, but not for first unless for reasons relating to safety, and never for personal travel.

And here's the link to the FTRs:

http://policyworks.gov/org/main/mt/h...TR/FTRHP.shtml

And this link takes you specifically to the FF program regs:
http://policyworks.gov/org/main/mt/h.../ch301-53.html

Not so for personal business with any agency. Yes, for government business, but not to first unless you meet special safety concerns as outlined in the FTRs.

[This message has been edited by letiole (edited 06-30-2001).]