Status credits on flights booked via government agencies

[ddd]

I have some upcoming travel that I can book through either my employer or a government agency. I know that any public servants can't collect points, nor can they use them to upgrade or anything, but they are allowed to collect status credits - Frequently Asked Questions - Airlines and Travel Management Companies | Department of Finance

I have a friend who was in the same position as me and he'd looked at fare prices through our employer, the government agency and the virgin website. He swears that both travel agencies quoted similar prices that corresponded approximately to the getaway fare he could see on the virgin site. The government agency price was a few bucks cheaper so he went with that. After flying he showed me that he received status credits equivalent to a freedom fare and no points.

Is there some secret government fare class? Do government-contracted travel agencies get dirt-cheap access to flights? Or is he just pulling my leg?

 

[serfty]

Search "Whole of Government" or WOAG.

e.g. Whole-of-Australian-Government Travel Services | Department of Finance

 

[williamsf1]

Is there some secret government fare class? Do government-contracted travel agencies get dirt-cheap access to flights? Or is he just pulling my leg?

The process works on the booking office IATA number .... the fares can either be the published ones you see on the VA site or some are discounted /negotiated

When it comes to earning it can vary between

No points or SC
SC only
Points only
Normal points and SC

Same deal with QF and any other airline that has a WOAG agreement

 

[LonePine]

This is a few months old but SC are given to the individual traveler but no points are allocated.

It goes something like the points have a value to the Government but the SC do not

 

[Formal Hall]

Sorry to revive old thread, but does anyone know the equivalent situation for hotels, booked via the QBT/AOT portal? Will I earn points and/or stay credits if in an Accor/IHG/Hilton property booked though the WoAG portal? I suspect QBT is considered a corporate travel agent and points are earned even though not booking directly?

 

[dkr]

Will I earn points and/or stay credits if in an Accor/IHG/Hilton property booked though the WoAG portal?

Can confirm for Hilton, yes.