Travel Regulations and Seat Entitlement Quiz

Study Notes

Travel Expenses and Reimbursement

Lodging receipts are required; if no lodging costs, per diem is reduced to meals and incidental expenses (M&IE) rate applicable to the location.
If nominal lodging costs, M&IE plus nominal lodging costs are applied for days 61-120, and 50% lodging and 50% M&IE are applied for days 121 and beyond.
If only 25% of expenses are incurred, per diem is reduced to 25% of M&IE.

Seat Entitlement and Assignment

The Seat Entitlement and Assignment policy (SSP) replaced the Extended Economy Seating program in 14 FAM 575.3 in May 2019.
Travelers are entitled to occupy a seat on an airplane and can claim the cost of obtaining an economy class seat assignment up to $300 (each way) between two authorized duty locations.
If a traveler qualifies for an official rest stop, it is not considered a separate duty location for seat assignment purposes.
Monetary compensation for denied seat belongs to the USG, and payments are made payable to the "Treasurer of the United States".
Travelers are not permitted to accept checks from the carrier showing the traveler as payee.

Airline Luggage Allowances

The Foreign Affairs Manual establishes two categories of luggage allowances: authorized luggage (14 FAM 568.1) and excess luggage (14 FAM 568.2).
The Transportation Management and Policy Division (TMP) simplified the regulations to apply to all types of travel, including Entitlement Travel and Medical Travel.
Employees are responsible for excess costs and additional expenses incurred for personal preference or convenience.

Restricted Fares

Posts have the option of using restricted or penalty fares, which can stretch travel budgets.
Travelers may use restricted fares if their post or Bureau has a formal policy allowing their use, and the restricted fare is lower than the City Pair contract fare.
Posts and Bureaus must provide specific and written guidance for the use of restricted fares.
If no policy is in place, travelers must use City Pair fares, and if no City Pair exists, they will use the lowest unrestricted fare.
Posts assume financial responsibility for penalties associated with restricted fares, unless the traveler is engaged in indirect travel.

Description

Test your knowledge on lodging receipts requirements, per diem rules, and recent updates to the Seat Entitlement and Assignment policies. This quiz covers topics related to travel regulations and seat entitlement in the context of government travel.