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TRANSPORTATION
General Services Administration (GSA) airlift contracted through the Contract City Pair Program shall be used for uniformed members.
EXCEPTION TO THE USE OF CONTRACT CARRIERS:
One or more of the following travel conditions which must be certified on the travel order, travel voucher, or other document provided by the traveler or OPDIV/Program/Agency-approved authorizing official, must apply if a non-contract carrier or a contract carrier other than the primary contractor is used for travel within a contract route.
Federal and military travelers on official business are required to use the contract carrier unless a specific exception applies. This required use is the incentive necessary to obtain airline participation in the city pair program and allows the airlines the business volume necessary to offer discounted rates. Choosing not to use the contract carrier because of personal preference, frequent flyer clubs, etc., is a violation of the contract. The only exceptions to use of the contract carrier are:
a.. No seats/flights available in time to accomplish the purpose of the travel. (For example, the contract flight is fully booked.)
b. A lower priced commercial fare is available. GSA advises travelers to read the restrictions on such fares carefully. Often the non-contract fares prohibit or charge for changes or cancellations, require advance purchases, Saturday stays, etc. If you can live with the terms of the fare, you can use it. (Most OPDIVs/Programs/Agencies find that non-contract fares are not beneficial to their program because of all the restrictions that apply). If you see an attractive rate, check the contract carrier first to see if they have a similar fare.
c. All of the flights are outside your core work hours and your OPDIV/Program/Agency has a written policy prohibiting travel outside core work hours (this very seldom occurs). Cost effective rail service is available and is consistent with mission requirements.
d. Amtrak offers discount rates to Federal travelers. GSA encourages use of Amtrak when appropriate.
e. Smoking is permitted on the contract flight and the nonsmoking section of the aircraft for the contract flight is not acceptable to the traveler.
Officers may not be reimbursed for personally procured transportation when a specific mode of transportation is directed ( as distinguished from authorized).
Officers are required to use the Travel Management Centers (TMC) for official travel reservations including; Tickets (Air, Rail, Bus)
A non-contract travel agent may be used in unusual circumstances when there is no alternative.
A non-contract travel agent may be used in a foreign country if Contract Travel Office (CTO)/Travel Management Centers (TMC) services:
(1) are not reasonably available, and
(2) ticketing arrangements cannot be made though a branch office or general agent of an American flag carrier.
Reimbursement for transportation arranged through authorized/approved use of a non-contract travel agent or common carrier direct purchase, is limited to the amount the member would have paid if the arrangements had been made directly through the carrier(s).
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Last updated: 23 June 2008