[Scoundreller]

Sometimes it's a tax thing. The points usually don't count as a taxable benefit, so even if you're travelling for your own incorporated business, it's a way to squeeze a few percent of your expenses out as tax-free income.

Or at least a tax-free retirement benefit (not bad if you have an employer).

But it is funny to read on the travel discussion boards how much road-warriors hate hotel/airline X Y or Z because their points program isn't great, but they're substantially cheaper.

Some country's tax policies consider employer-paid meals a (partly/fully) taxable benefit, but if the hotel provides it for free, that's cool.

Same thing with credit card points. That's a huge one for squeezing out tax-free income out of your business.

[usr1106]

I guess that depends on the country. In several European countries I have worked the points are property of the employer or they are taxable benefits. However, it is widely practiced and probably rarely prosecuted that employees just use them for their private fun and don't declare anything to the tax office.

However, if you get into any quarrel with your employer that can be fatal. Now they have an good argument to fire you with any compensation because of your wrongdoing. This had recently happened to the head of a Finnish government agency, ironically enough the audit office.