Well.....when we travel for work (a Government Department), we don't get FF points...haven't for several years now.
And pay for our Qantas Club membership out of our own pocket.
However, we are also NOT OBLIGED to travel QF - if you need to go at a certain time and whatever airline (other than QF) flies at that time...you can request that airline.
Did it out of Darwin two years ago - flew Ansett. Have flown Rex several times Syd - Canberra in recent times.
And although they are quasi-official....have travelled to the UK (on business) with BA rahter than QF becasue the timing suited us better.............