Source: https://www.gsa.gov/policy-regulations/regulations/federal-travel-regulation-ftr?asset=107365
Timestamp: 2020-01-18 20:14:18
Document Index: 129558475

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 301', '§301', '§301', '§301', '§301', '§301', '§301', '§0', '§301', '§301', '§301', '§302', '§301', '§301', '§301', '§301', '§301', '§301', '§301', '§301', '§302', '§301', '§301', '§301', '§302', '§301', '§301', '§301', '§302']

Part 301-10-Transportation Expenses
Common carrier transportation (e.g., aircraft, train, bus, ship, or other transit system) under subpart B;
Government vehicle under subpart C;
POV under subpart D; or
Special conveyance (e.g., taxi, TNC, innovative mobility technology company, or commercial automobile) under subpart E.
Common carrier. Travel by common carrier is presumed to be the most advantageous method of transportation and must be used when reasonably available.
Government automobile. When your agency determines that your travel must be performed by automobile, a Government-furnished automobile is presumed to be the most advantageous method of transportation.
Rental car. If no Government-furnished automobile is available, but your agency has determined that travel must be performed by automobile, then a rental car should be authorized.
Privately Owned Vehicle (POV). POVs should be determined to be the most advantageous method of transportation only after your agency evaluates the use of a common carrier, a Government-furnished automobile, and a rental car.
Subpart B-Common Carrier Transportation
Using contract carriers, when available, and if your agency is a mandatory user of GSA's city-pair contracts for air passenger transportation services, unless you have an approved exception (see §§301-10.106 through 301-10.108 of this subpart);
Using coach-class service, unless other than coach-class service is authorized under §301-10.123 or §301-10.162, and when traveling by ship, using lowest first-class accommodations, unless other than lowest first-class accommodations are authorized under §301-10.183 of this subpart; and
You must always use U.S. Flag Air Carrier (or ship) service for air passenger transportation or when traveling by ship, unless your travel circumstances meet one of the exceptions in §§301-10.135 through 301-10.138 or §301-10.183 of this subpart.
If you are a civilian employee of an agency as defined in §0.000 of this chapter, you must always use a contract city-pair fare for scheduled air passenger transportation service unless one of the limited exceptions in §301-10.107 exist. An Internet listing of contract city-pair fares is available at http://www.gsa.gov/citypairs.
Yes, your agency may authorize use of a fare other-than a contract city-pair fare when-
Before purchasing a non-contract fare you must meet one of the exception requirements listed in §301-10.107 and show approval on your travel <?FM MARKER [Header/Footer $6] ??>authorization to use a non-contract fare; and
If the non-contract fare is non-refundable, restricted, or has specific eligibility requirements, you must know or reasonably anticipate, based on your planned trip, that you will use the ticket; and
Your agency must determine that the proposed non-contract transportation is practical and cost effective for the Government.
If you are performing official travel and a carrier denies you a confirmed reserved seat on a plane, you must give your agency any payment you receive for liquidated damages. You must ensure the carrier shows the "Treasurer of the United States" as payee on the compensation check and then forward the payment to the appropriate agency official.
If voluntarily vacating your seat will not interfere with performing your official duties; and
If additional travel expenses, incurred as a result of vacating your seat, are borne by you and are not reimbursed; but
If volunteering delays your travel during duty hours, your agency will charge you with annual leave for the additional hours.
Coach-class. The basic class of accommodation by airlines that is normally the lowest fare offered regardless of airline terminology used. For reference purposes only, coach-class may also be referred to by airlines as "tourist class," "economy class," or as "single class" when the airline offers only one class of accommodations to all travelers.
Other than coach-class. Any class of accommodations above coach-class, e.g., first-class or business-class.
First-class. The highest class of accommodation offered by the airlines in terms of cost and amenities. This is generally termed "first-class" by airlines and reservation systems.
Business-class. A class of accommodation offered by airlines that is higher than coach and lower than first-class, in both cost and amenities. This class of accommodation is generally referred to as "business, business elite, business first, world business, connoisseur, or envoy" depending on the airline.
Note to §301-10.121: If an airline flight has only two classes of accommodations available, i.e., two "cabins", with two distinctly different seating types (such as girth and pitch) and the front cabin is termed "business-class" or higher by the airline and the tickets are fare-coded as business-class, then the front of the cabin is deemed to be other than coach-class. Alternatively, if an airline flight has only two cabins available but equips both with one type of seating, (i.e., seating girth and pitch are the same in both cabins), and the seats in the front of the airplane are fare coded as full-fare economy class, and only restricted economy fares are available in the back of the aircraft, then the entire aircraft is to be classified as coach-class seating. In this second situation, qualifying for other than coach-class travel is not required to purchase a non-restricted economy fare seat in the front of the aircraft as the entire aircraft is considered "coach-class."
Your agency may authorize/approve first class accommodations if any of the following apply:
No coach-class accommodations are reasonably available. "Reasonably available" means available on an airline that is scheduled to leave within 24 hours of your proposed departure time, or scheduled to arrive within 24 hours of your proposed arrival time;
When use of other than coach-class is necessary to accommodate a medical disability or other special need.
A disability must be certified annually in a written statement by a competent medical authority. However, if the disability is a lifelong condition, then a one-time certification statement is required. Certification statements must include at a minimum:
A written statement by a competent medical authority stating that special accommodation is necessary;
An approximate duration of the special accommodation; and
A recommendation as to the suitable class of transportation accommodations based on the disability.
A special need must be certified annually in writing according to your agency's procedures. However, if the special need is a lifelong condition, then a one-time certification statement is required;
If you are authorized under §302-9.3(a) of this Subchapter to have an attendant accompany you, your agency may also authorize the attendant to use other than coach-class accommodations if you require the attendant's services en route;
When exceptional security circumstances require other than coach-class airline accommodations. Exceptional security circumstances are determined by your agency and should only be authorized up to the minimum other than coach-class accommodation necessary. These circumstances include, but are not limited to:
Use of coach-class accommodations would endanger your life or Government property;
You are an agent on protective detail and you are accompanying an individual authorized to use other than coach- class accommodations; or
You are a courier or control officer accompanying controlled pouches or packages;
When required because of agency mission, consistent with your agency's internal procedures pursuant to §(i).
Your agency may authorize/approve business-class accommodations if any of the following apply:
When exceptional security circumstances require other than coach-class airline accommodations. Exceptional security circumstances are determined by your agency and should only be authorized to the minimum other than coach-class accommodation necessary to meet the agency's mission. These circumstances include, but are not limited to:
You are an agent on protective detail and you are accompanying an individual authorized to use other than coach-class accommodations; or
Coach-class accommodations on an authorized/approved foreign air carrier do not provide adequate sanitation or health standards;
Regularly scheduled flights between origin/destination points (including connecting points) provide only other than coach-class accommodations and you certify such on your voucher;
Your transportation costs are paid in full through agency acceptance of payment from a non-Federal source in accordance with chapter of this Title;
Where the origin and/or destination are OCONUS, and the scheduled flight time, including stopovers and change of planes, is in excess of 14 hours, in accordance with §301-10.125;
The use results in an overall cost savings to the Government by avoiding additional subsistence costs, overtime, or lost productive time while awaiting coach-class accommodations;
No space is available in coach-class accommodations in time to accomplish the mission, which is urgent and cannot be postponed; or
When required because of agency mission, consistent with your agency's internal procedures pursuant to §301-70.102.
Sometimes these programs are called "Coach Elite," "Coach Plus," "Preferred Coach" or some other identifier. Under these airline programs, a passenger may obtain for a fee a more desirable seat choice within the coach-class cabin. These airline upgrade or preferred seat choices are generally available for an annual fee, at an airport kiosk or gate or as a frequent flier perk. These coach upgrade options are not considered a new or higher class of accommodation since the seating is still in the coach cabin. However, the use of these upgraded/preferred coach seating options is generally a traveler's personal choice and therefore is at the traveler's personal expense. An agency travel authorization approving official or his/her designee (e.g., supervisor of the traveler) may authorize and reimburse the additional seat choice fee according to internal agency policy (see §301-70.102(k)).
You may use the 14-hour rule to travel via other than coach-class when:
The origin and/or destination are OCONUS; and
The scheduled flight time, including non-overnight stopovers and change of planes, is in excess of 14 hours; and
You are required to report to duty the following day or sooner.
Scheduled flight time is the flight time between the originating departure point and the ultimate arrival point including scheduled non-overnight time spent at airports during plane changes. Scheduled non-overnight time does not include time spent at the originating or ultimate arrival airports.
If other than coach-class accommodation is authorized based on the 14-hour rule then you will not be eligible for a rest stop en route or a rest period upon arrival at your duty site, in accordance with internal agency procedures pursuant to §301-70.102.
For purposes of the use of United States flag air carriers, "United States" means the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the territories and possessions of the United States (49 U.S.C. 40102).
You are required by 49 U.S.C. 40118, commonly referred to as the "Fly America Act," to use U.S. flag air carrier service for all air travel funded by the U.S. Government, except as provided in §§301-10.136 and 301-10.137 or when one of the following exceptions applies:
Information on bilateral or multilateral air transportation agreements impacting United States Government procured transportation can be accessed at http://www.gsa.gov/openskies; and
If determined appropriate, GSA may periodically issue FTR Bulletins providing further guidance on bilateral or multilateral air transportation agreements impacting United States Government procured transportation. These bulletins may be accessed at http://www.gsa.gov/bulletins.
The dates that you traveled;
The origin and the destination of your travel;
A detailed itinerary of your travel, name of the air carrier and flight number for each leg of the trip; and
A statement explaining why you met one of the exceptions in §301-10.135, 301-10.136, or 301-10.137 or a copy of your agency's written approval that foreign air carrier service was deemed a matter of necessity in accordance with §301-10.138.
Coach-class-The basic class of accommodations offered by a rail carrier to passengers that includes a level of service available to all passengers regardless of the fare paid. Coach-class includes reserved coach accommodations as well as slumber coach accommodations when overnight train travel is involved.
Slumber coach-Includes slumber coach accommodations on trains offering such accommodations, or the lowest level of sleeping accommodations available on a train that does not offer slumber coach accommodations.
Other than coach-class-Any class of accommodations above coach, e.g., first-class or business-class.
First-class-Includes bedrooms, roomettes, club service, parlor car accommodations or other premium accommodations.
Business-class-A class of extra fare train service that is offered above coach class, but is lower than first-class, as described above.
No coach-class accommodations are reasonably available on a train that is scheduled to leave within 24 hours of your proposed departure time, or scheduled to arrive within 24 hours of your proposed arrival time;
When use of other than coach-class accommodations is necessary to accommodate a medical disability or other special need.
When exceptional security circumstances require other than coach-class rail accommodations. Exceptional security circumstances are determined by your agency and should only be authorized to the minimum other than coach-class accommodation necessary to meet the agency's mission. These circumstances include, but are not limited to:
Coach-class accommodations on an authorized/approved foreign rail carrier do not provide adequate sanitation or health standards; or
When required because of agency mission, consistent with your agency's internal procedures pursuant to §301-70.102(i).
Other than lowest first-class-All classes above the lowest first-class, includes but is not limited to a suite.
Lowest first-class-The least expensive class of reserved accommodations available on a ship.
Lowest first class accommodations are not available on the ship.
When use of other than lowest first-class accommodations is necessary to accommodate a medical disability or other special need.
If you are authorized under §302-9.3(a) of this Subchapter to have an attendant accompany you, your agency may also authorize the attendant to use other than lowest first-class class accommodations if you require the attendant's services en route;
When exceptional security circumstances require other than lowest first-class travel. Exceptional security circumstances are determined by your agency and should only be authorized to the minimum other than lowest first-class travel accommodation necessary to meet the agency's mission. These circumstances include, but are not limited to:
The use of lowest first-class accommodations would endanger your life or Government property; or
You are an agent on protective detail and you are accompanying an individual authorized to use other than lowest first-class accommodations; or
You are a courier or control officer accompanying controlled pouches or packages.
At your official station.
From your residence or other authorized point of departure, e.g., rail to airport;
To your residence or other authorized point of return, e.g., airport to rail;
From your residence to your office on the day you depart the official station on official TDY that requires at least one night's lodging; or
From your office to your residence on the day you return to the official station from an official TDY assignment that required at least one night's lodging.
At your TDY location.
From the TDY transit system station(s) to your place of lodging or place of official business and return;
To, from, and between your places of lodging and official business;
Between places of official business; or
To obtain meals at the nearest available place when the nature and location of the official business or the lodging at a TDY location are such that meals cannot be obtained there. You must attach a statement or include electronic remarks with your travel voucher explaining why such transportation was necessary.
Subpart C-Government Vehicle
A Government-furnished automobile in accordance with §301-10.220;
A Government aircraft in accordance with §§301-10.260 through 301-10.262 of this part; and
Other type of Government vehicle in accordance with any Government-issued rules governing its use.
Between places of official business;
Between such places and places of temporary lodging when public transportation is unavailable or its use is impractical;
Between either paragraph (a) or (b) of this section and restaurants, drug stores, barber shops, places of worship, cleaning establishments, and similar places necessary for the sustenance, comfort, or health of the employee to foster the continued efficient performance of Government business; or
As otherwise authorized by your agency under 31 U.S.C. 1344.
You must possess a valid State, District of Columbia, or territorial motor vehicle operator's license and have a travel authorization specifically authorizing the use of a Government-furnished automobile.
You may use Government aircraft-
For official travel only when-
No scheduled commercial airline service is reasonably available (i.e., able to meet your departure and/or arrival requirements within a 24-hour period, unless you demonstrate that extraordinary circumstances require a shorter period) to fulfill your agency's travel requirement; or
The cost of using a Government aircraft is less than the cost of the city-pair fare for scheduled commercial airline service or the cost of the lowest available full coach fare if a city-pair fare is not available to you. The cost of non-productive or lost work time while in travel status and certain other costs should be considered when comparing the cost of using a Government aircraft in lieu of scheduled commercial airline service. Additional information on costs included in this cost comparison may be found in the "U.S. Government Aircraft Cost Accounting Guide," available from the General Services Administration, Office of Governmentwide Policy, MTA, 1800 F Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20405.
For required-use travel only when you are required to use Government aircraft for bona fide communications (e.g., 24-hour secure communications) or security reasons (e.g., highly unusual circumstances that present a clear and present danger) or exceptional scheduling requirements (e.g., a national emergency or other compelling operational considerations). Required use travel may include travel for official, personal, or political purposes, but must be approved in accordance with §301-10.262(a) and §302-70.803(a).
For space available travel only when-
The aircraft is already scheduled for use for an official purpose, and your use of the aircraft does not require a larger aircraft or result in more than minor additional cost to the Government; or
You are a Federal traveler or a dependent of a Federal traveler stationed by the Government in a remote location not accessible to commercial airline service and authorized to use Government aircraft; or
You are authorized to travel on a space available basis under 10 U.S.C. 2648 and regulations implementing that statute.
Required use travelers. Your agency's senior legal official or his/her principal deputy must authorize your required-use travel on a trip-by-trip basis, in advance, in writing, and in compliance with the agency's written policies describing the special circumstances under which the agency will require a traveler to use Government aircraft, unless-
You are an agency head and the President has determined that all your travel (or your travel in specified categories) qualifies as required-use travel; or
You are not an agency head, and your agency head has determined in writing that all of your travel, or your travel in specified categories, qualifies as required-use travel. Such written explanation must state the specific basis for the determination.
Senior Federal officials. If you are a senior Federal official, your agency's senior legal official or his/her principal deputy must authorize all your travel on Government aircraft in advance and in writing, except for required use travel authorized under paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2)of this section. In an emergency situation, prior verbal approval with an after-the-fact written authorization by your agency's senior legal official is permitted. Senior Federal officials who are crewmembers or qualified non-crewmembers on a flight in which they are also traveling (i.e., being transported from point to point) are considered travelers and must be authorized to travel on Government aircraft according to this paragraph.
Non-Federal travelers. If you are a non-Federal traveler, the senior legal official or his/her principal deputy in the agency sponsoring your travel must authorize you to fly on Government aircraft in advance and in writing. In an emergency situation, prior verbal approval with an after-the-fact written authorization by your sponsoring agency's senior legal official is permitted.
All other Federal travelers. Your designated travel-approving official (or anyone to whom he/she delegates this authority), who must be at least one organizational level above you, must authorize your travel on Government aircraft, in advance and in writing. Prior verbal approval with an after-the-fact written authorization by your agency's designated travel approving official is permitted in an emergency situation. If you hold a blanket travel authorization for official travel that authorizes travel on Government aircraft, it must define the circumstances that must be met for using Government aircraft and must comply with this regulation and any additional agency policies. Travel on Government aircraft that does not meet the circumstances specified in the blanket travel authorization must be authorized on a trip-by-trip basis in accordance with this regulation and other applicable agency policies. Check with your designated travel approving official for information on your agency's policy.
You must present to the aircraft management office that operates the Government aircraft-
A copy of your written travel authorization, including a blanket travel authorization, if applicable, approved in accordance with §301-10.262; and
Valid picture identification, such as a Government identification card or a state-issued driver's license.
For any required use travel, you must reimburse the Government for the excess of the full coach fare for all flights taken over the full coach fare for the flights that you would have taken had you not engaged in personal activities during the trip,i.e., for a wholly personal trip, you must pay the full coach fare for the entire trip;
For travel authorized under 10 U.S.C. 2648 and regulations implementing that statute, or when you or your dependents are stationed by the Government in a remote location with no access to regularly scheduled commercial airline service and are authorized to use Government aircraft, you do not have to reimburse the Government.
For political travel on a Government aircraft (i.e., for any trip or part of a trip during which you engage in political activities), the Government must be reimbursed the excess of the full coach fare for all flights taken on the trip over the full coach fare for the flights that you would have taken had you not engaged in political activities, except if other law or regulation specifies a different amount (see, e.g., 11 CFR 106.3, "Allocation of Expenses between Campaign and Non-campaign Related Travel."), in which case the amount reimbursed is the amount required by such law or regulation.
Subpart D-Privately Owned Vehicle (POV)
If you travel by<?FM MARKER [TableSummary] A 2-column table describing how to determine the origin to destination distance based on whether you are traveling by a privately owned automobile or motorcycle or traveling by a privately owned aircraft??> The distance between your origin and destination is
Reimbursable expenses in addition to mileage allowance<?FM MARKER [TableSummary] A 2-column table describing reimbursable expenses in addition to mileage allowance and non-reimbursable expenses included in the mileage allowance??> Non-reimbursable expenses included in the mileage allowance
If another employee(s) travels with you on the sa<?FM MARKER [Header/Footer $6] (Amendment 2017-01)??>me trip in the same POV, mileage is payable to only one of you. No deduction will be made from your mileage allowance if other passengers contribute <?FM MARKER [Header/Footer $6] ??>to defraying your expenses.
The cost of a TNC fare.
Subpart E-Special Conveyances
Taxis, TNCs, or innovative mobility technology companies as specified in §§301-10.420 through 301-10.421 of this chapter;
Commercial rental automobiles as specified in §§301-10.450 through 301-10.453 of this chapter; or
Any other special conveyance when determined to be advantageous to the Government.
Rental of a garage, hangar, or boathouse;
Feeding and stabling of horses;
Per diem of operator; and
Ferriage, tolls, etc.
When authorized and approved by your agency, your transportation expenses in the performance of official travel are reimbursable for the usual fare plus tip for use of a taxi, TNC, innovative mobility technology company, shuttle service or other courtesy transportation (if charges result), in the following manner:
From your residence or other authorized point of departure, e.g., residence to airport;
To your residence or other authorized point of return, e.g., airport to residence;
From the TDY transit system station to your place of lodging or place of official business and return;
Courtesy transportation. You should use courtesy transportation service furnished by hotels/motels to the maximum extent possible as a first source of transportation between a place of lodging at the TDY station and a common carrier terminal. You will be reimbursed for tips when you use courtesy transportation service.
Restrictions. When appropriate, your agency will restrict or place a monetary limit on the amount of reimbursement for the use of taxis, TNCs, or innovative mobility technology companies under this paragraph when-
Suitable Government or common carrier transportation service, including shuttle service, is available for all or part of the distance involved; or
Courtesy transportation service is provided by hotels/motels between the place of lodging at the TDY station and the common carrier terminal.
Your agency must determine that use of a rental vehicle is advantageous to the Government and must specifically authorize such use.
When authorized to use a rental vehicle, you should consider renting a vehicle from a vendor that participates in the Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO) U.S. Government Car Rental Agreement to avail yourself of the Agreement's benefits, including the insurance and damage liability provisions, unless you are OCONUS and no agreement is in place for your TDY location. The advantages of renting a car through the DTMO rental car program are:
Rental car agreements are pre-negotiated;
The agreement includes automatic unlimited mileage and collision damage insurance; and
The rates established by the car rental agreement cannot be exceeded by the vendor.
Travelers must use the least expensive compact car available, unless an exception for another class of vehicle is approved. Agencies should approve these exceptions on a limited basis and must indicate on the travel authorization the reason for the exception. Your agency may authorize the use of other than a compact car if any of the following apply:
When use of other than a compact car is necessary to accommodate a medical disability or other special need.
A disability must be certified an<?FM MARKER [Header/Footer $6] (Amendment 2017-01)??>nually in a written statement by a competent medical authority. However, if the disability is a lifelong condition, then a one-time certification statement is required. Certification statements must include at a minimum:
A written statement by a competent medical auth<?FM MARKER [Header/Footer $7] ??>ority stating that special accommodation is necessary;
If you are authorized under §302-9.3(a) to have an attendant accompany you, your agency may authorize the use of other than a compact car if deemed necessary by your agency.
When the cost of other than a compact car is less than or equal to the cost of the least expensive compact car.
When additional room is required to accommodate multiple employees authorized to travel together in the same rental vehicle.
When travelers must carry a large amount of Government material incident to their official business, and a compact rental vehicle does not contain sufficient space.
When necessary for safety reasons, such as during severe weather or having to travel on rough or difficult terrain.
General rule-no. You will not be reimbursed for CDW or theft insurance for travel within CONUS for the following reasons:
The Government is a self-insurer.
Rental vehicles available under agreement(s) with the Government includes full coverage insurance for damages resulting from an accident while performing official travel.
Any deductible amount paid by you may be reimbursed directly to you or directly to the rental agency if the damage occurred while you were performing official business.
Exception. You will be reimbursed for collision damage waiver or theft insurance when you travel outside CONUS and such insurance is necessary because the rental or leasing agency requirements, foreign statute, or legal procedures could cause extreme difficulty for an employee involved in an accident.