Although this only affects Germany directly, I think this could be =20 very bad for FF programs, especially if employers attempt to =20 establish that right in other large countries. If FF miles can't be =20 used for personal travel, the brand loyalty factor will be greatly =20 reduced on the part of business travelers, therefore FF programs =20 would be less effective as marketing tools, and that could possibly =20 spell the end of the programs. I know from some friends and =20 colleagues who are airline management people that the airlines, at =20 least the legacy carriers with huge "overhangs" of liability for =20 earned miles, would *love* to get rid of the FF programs, but =20 everyone is afraid to be the first, and antitrust laws prevent them =20 from acting in concert. Could this be the "tap of the hammer" that causes the FF world to =20 slowly begin to crumble? (Some people predicted that would happen =20 after the industry's darkest days after 9/11/01, but it didn't.) --=20 Michael C. Berch mcb@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx On Apr 13, 2006, at 12:45 PM, Travel Pages wrote: > http://www.e-tid.com/pm.aspx?article_id=3D25012&showLive=3D1&useCache=3D= 1 > > Employers not staff own frequent flyer points > 12 Apr 2006 > > The FT reports a court in Germany has ruled employees may use air =20= > miles earned while travelling on business for personal trips only =20 > if their employer agrees. > > The German Federal Labour Court in Erfurt found against a sales =20 > manager who wanted, against his employer=92s wishes, to redeem =809,700-= =20 > worth (=A36,708) of Lufthansa frequent flyer points on personal =20 > travel. The judge ruled air miles earned on business trips belonged =20= > to the company that paid for the trip and could be used privately =20 > only with its permission.