Interview etiquette. Okay to earn miles on ticket paid by interviewer?
Interview etiquette. Okay to earn miles on ticket paid by interviewer?
Feb 16, 2015, 2:58 pm
#2
Join Date: Jul 2009
Programs: none
Posts: 1,670
Yes. Go ahead and do it. It doesn't cost the company any more if you do; it doesn't save them any money if you don't.
This is also a good time to bring up the subject of travel, and how you would be expected to handle the issue of how to handle miles earned while on company business.
This is also a good time to bring up the subject of travel, and how you would be expected to handle the issue of how to handle miles earned while on company business.
Feb 16, 2015, 2:59 pm
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: London
Posts: 17,007
I am being flown to a job interview next month and the interviewing company purchased the lowest cost ticket, which happens to be an airline with which I have status.
Would it be inappropriate to attach my FF number to the reservation in order to take advantage of status perks? Of course I would also earn award miles for a ticket I did not purchase... I am a little torn whether that is totally fine or may appear to be taking advantage.
Thanks for your advice!
Would it be inappropriate to attach my FF number to the reservation in order to take advantage of status perks? Of course I would also earn award miles for a ticket I did not purchase... I am a little torn whether that is totally fine or may appear to be taking advantage.
Thanks for your advice!
I don't see why it would be a problem at all. The company doesn't lose anything by you doing so, and is unlikely to find out unless they specifically check.
If the company gets tetchy about it, it's probably a sign you should not accept any offer of employment from them.
Feb 16, 2015, 3:32 pm
#4
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Canada, USA, Europe
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 31,451
Of course you should. I doubt that there's any way for them to find out if you gave your FF number or not, and if they did, so what, it's no skin off their backs, and you could go so far as to argue that it's really none of their business.
Welcome to FT!
Welcome to FT!
Feb 16, 2015, 6:27 pm
#5
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: BKK
Programs: AA Plat, HH Diamond, SPG Gold
Posts: 2,395
Welcome to FlyerTalk! This discussion will probably do better here in the TravelBuzz forum.
Good luck with the interview!
Moderator, Information Desk
Good luck with the interview!
Moderator, Information Desk
Feb 16, 2015, 8:06 pm
#8
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: CMI (Champaign, IL)
Programs: AA, WN, UA
Posts: 268
Totally standard to do this. Most business travelers who fly on fares paid by their company accrue the miles personally. Although you're not (yet?) an employee, it's still your rear end in the seat.
Feb 16, 2015, 8:22 pm
#10
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: SJC/SFO
Programs: WN A+ CP, UA 1MM/*A Gold, Mar LT Tit, IHG Plat, HH Dia
Posts: 6,288
It's fair to presume that the miles are yours to keep. I would not ask the company or even mention it to them. I'd just call the airline to attach my FF number to the reservation. If the airline says the person who booked the travel needs to do it, only then would I call the company's travel coordinator.
Be aware, though, that there are two cases where you might not get to accrue miles:
1) Depending on the airline or the method of payment the company used, it's possible that no FF miles will be paid.
2) Some companies and some government organizations have policies that employees may not keep miles. If you learn that this employer has such a policy and your job responsibilities would include periodic travel consider that along with other factors about the working environment.
Be aware, though, that there are two cases where you might not get to accrue miles:
1) Depending on the airline or the method of payment the company used, it's possible that no FF miles will be paid.
2) Some companies and some government organizations have policies that employees may not keep miles. If you learn that this employer has such a policy and your job responsibilities would include periodic travel consider that along with other factors about the working environment.
Feb 16, 2015, 9:26 pm
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Bangkok or San Francisco
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Posts: 11,887
I am being flown to a job interview next month and the interviewing company purchased the lowest cost ticket, which happens to be an airline with which I have status.
Would it be inappropriate to attach my FF number to the reservation in order to take advantage of status perks? Of course I would also earn award miles for a ticket I did not purchase... I am a little torn whether that is totally fine or may appear to be taking advantage.
Thanks for your advice!
Would it be inappropriate to attach my FF number to the reservation in order to take advantage of status perks? Of course I would also earn award miles for a ticket I did not purchase... I am a little torn whether that is totally fine or may appear to be taking advantage.
Thanks for your advice!
Feb 16, 2015, 10:38 pm
#12
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: LAX
Programs: UA Platinum
Posts: 216
Why are you even wondering about this? If I were the hiring manager, and knew that you were on the fence about this, I might wonder about your ability to make decisions. Do it. Don't mention it. Move on.
Although there are a FEW exceptions, almost all business travelers accrue miles to their own FF account on all flights flown on behalf of the business. Good luck on the interview.
Although there are a FEW exceptions, almost all business travelers accrue miles to their own FF account on all flights flown on behalf of the business. Good luck on the interview.
Feb 17, 2015, 1:30 am
#13
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: DCA
Programs: UA 1K; *G and *A Top 1000; HHonors Diamond; *$ Gold; Global Entry
Posts: 2,284
In the U.S., the miles are always the traveler's to keep. So, I see no issue here. Attach your number to the reservation and earn the miles.
Companies may claim to have policies; however, these would contradict the airlines' rules that state that only the traveler may earn the miles.
Companies may claim to have policies; however, these would contradict the airlines' rules that state that only the traveler may earn the miles.
Last edited by Ocn Vw 1K; Feb 17, 2015 at 8:44 am Reason: Combine consecutive posts of same member.
Feb 17, 2015, 2:22 am
#14
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 530
Uh, not sure if I agree with this...... I would not bring this up at anytime during the interview phase -- maybe ask HR once they've extended an offer, but do you seriously think your boss needs to know that this is a concern of yours?
Feb 17, 2015, 3:03 am
#15
Join Date: Dec 2012
Programs: NZ*S
Posts: 773
That in no way contradicts the company policy that employees are not permitted to collect miles on travel paid for by the company. I imagine the policy is very hard to enforce however, at least in countries where employees have some right to privacy.