B-242607, Feb 5, 1991
Highlights
Since Senate has authority to dispose of unneeded property and since frequent flyer mileage points are usually nontransferable and of no value to government after separation. Chairman is advised that we see no objection to amending Senate travel regulations to so provide. You ask whether the Senate may provide that a Member or staff employee who is separating from Senate service may retain for personal use frequent flyer mileage accrued on official travel if that person pays the Senate a reasonable sum of money in return. Frequent flyer points are usually nontransferable and of no value to the government after the departure of the Member or staff person. We hope that this is responsive to your request.
B-242607, Feb 5, 1991
CIVILIAN PERSONNEL - Travel - Bonuses - Acceptance - Propriety DIGEST: Chairman, Senate Committee on Rules and Administration, asks whether Senate may allow separating Senators or staff employees to retain for personal use frequent flyer mileage accrued on official travel, provided such person reimburse the Senate a reasonable sum of money in exchange therefor. Since Senate has authority to dispose of unneeded property and since frequent flyer mileage points are usually nontransferable and of no value to government after separation, Chairman is advised that we see no objection to amending Senate travel regulations to so provide.
The Honorable Wendell H. Ford
Chairman:
We refer to the request from you and Senator Stevens of January 16, 1991, concerning a proposal to provide an exception in the Senate's travel regulations to the prohibition on the use of airline frequent flyer mileage for personal use.
Specifically, you ask whether the Senate may provide that a Member or staff employee who is separating from Senate service may retain for personal use frequent flyer mileage accrued on official travel if that person pays the Senate a reasonable sum of money in return.
Frequent flyer points are usually nontransferable and of no value to the government after the departure of the Member or staff person. Therefore, if the Senate determines as a matter of sound administration that its travel regulations should provide for disposing of frequent flyer mileage in exchange for payment of a reasonable sum of money from a departing Member or staff person, we see no objection to such a regulation.
We hope that this is responsive to your request. If further assistance is required, please let me know.