Govt Ticket question
 

I was wondering if its possible, and ethical, once a govt ticket is issued to have the airline (CO) change it to a paper ticket and endorse it to another airline (UA). I have status and expiring upgrades that I would like to use if possible. I dont think this is a city pairs issue, because a coworked is booked on UA the same routing for a different time.

Thx for any insight.

Mods feel free to move this if I posted in the wrong area.

??
 

I don't see a problem with it. I think as long as both airlines agree and the cost is the same then it shouldn't be a problem. I just had a guy from SAN change from Delta to USair this past saturday so it's def not an ethical question.

Rex
US Navy

It depends, what justification (to his/her supervisor) did your coworker use to get the non-city pair ticket?

It isnt listed as a city pair. Ive seen this itn booked on several different arilines. Seems to be luck of the draw with Sato.

I think it's OK if:

1. there's no contract;
2. you don't get any money back (personally); and
3. the government isn't disadvantaged because you get their later, have to leave work earlier etc.

Why didn't you just ask them to issue on UA though?

Actually I wasnt thinking at the time, although I have no control how this is booked. Normally dont worry about which airline I get booked, but managed to attain status last year on UA, but flying TED out of TPA isnt an easy way to get upgraded. Gonna stop by the CO counter and see what I can work out, or would a phone call be more likely to produce results?

Change airlines
 

I did this all the time on my ORF-SAN runs when I was on active duty. Had DL issue a paper ticket and walked over to AA and they put me on their flights. As long as no other charges are incurred and a contract is not involved, it shouldn't be a problem.

Of course most GSA city pairs are subject to a contract. The whole point of the city pairs is that all government employees flying that route will use the specified contract carrier. If there is low compliance by employees, the carriers will be less likely to submit favorable bids for "exclusive" rights that in reality are not.

The fact that you never got caught doesn't mean that the command would have approved it if it knew. There has been increasing emphasis on compliance over the past decade.