(a) City employees are prohibited from accumulating frequent flyer miles earned on official travel that is paid for or reimbursed by the City for personal travel.
(1) According to Ohio Ethic Commission Advisory Opinion No. 91-010, a "frequent flyer" is typically a plan whereby the passenger accrues the mileage traveled on a specific airline and, based upon the mileage for which the passenger has purchased tickets, the passenger may receive free, upgraded, or discounted tickets, or other benefits, such as hotel and rental car discounts.
(2) The term "public official" or "employee" includes any person who is an official or employee of any department, division, institution, board, commission, authority, bureau or other instrumentality of the municipality.
(3) According to Ohio R.C. 102.03, a government official or employee is prohibited from accepting, soliciting, or using authority or influence of office or employment to secure, for personal travel, discounted or free air travel tickets or other benefits, based upon mileage accrued while traveling for government business.
(b) City employees are required to use such miles for future official travel for themselves or another City employee, or forfeit such miles.
(1) When purchasing an air travel ticket, the City has also paid for the incidental frequent flyer benefits, and, in fact, owns the benefits, and may use the benefits in official City travel.
(2) The City has the discretion to pay slightly more for an air travel ticket in order to accrue frequent flyer credits, and then use the credits for City travel, so long as the City ultimately saves money on official travel.
(c) Any employee found to be in violation of this policy will be subject to disciplinary action.
(Res. 266-04. Passed 10-4-04.)