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FOREST SERVICE HANDBOOK
NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS (WO)
WASHINGTON, DC
FSH 6509.33 - FEDERAL TRAVEL REGULATION
CHAPTER 301 - TEMPORARY DUTY (TDY) TRAVEL ALLOWANCES
Supplement No.: 6509.33-2016-1
Effective Date: February 10, 2016
Duration: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
Approved: ANSTIENETTE SHARPE
FOR: Thelma J. Strong
Chief Financial Officer
Date Approved: 02/04/2016
Posting Instructions: Supplements are numbered consecutively by Handbook number and
calendar year. Post by document; remove the entire document and replace it with this
supplement. Retain this transmittal as the first page(s) of this document. The last supplement to
this handbook was 6509.33-2015-2 to chapter 304.
New Document
6509.33_301
15 Pages
Superseded Document(s)
by Issuance Number and
Effective Date
6509.33_301
(Supplement 6509.33-2011-2, 12/08/2011)
36 Pages
Digest:
301 – Revises and updates direction to include policy and procedure on TDY Travel Allowances.
WO SUPPLEMENT 6509.33-2016-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: 02/10/2016
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
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FSH 6509.33 - FEDERAL TRAVEL REGULATION
CHAPTER 301 - TEMPORARY DUTY (TDY) TRAVEL ALLOWANCES
STANDARD POSTING INSTRUCTIONS
FOR THE FEDERAL TRAVEL REGULATION, FSH 6509.33
(For further direction on organization and posting of parent text (white pages) see the Foreword
to the Federal Travel Regulation beginning on pages i.)
ORGANIZATION. The Federal Travel Regulation (FTR) is divided into chapters, parts,
subparts (if applicable), sections, and paragraphs. The numbers 301, 302, 303, and 304 connote
specific chapters of Title 41 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). The number before the
decimal point indicates the part within each chapter; the number after the decimal point indicates
the section. For example 301-1.1 refers to:
Chapter
301-
Part
1.
Section
1
Pages within each part are consecutively numbered beginning with Arabic number 1. Each page
number is preceded by the part number; for example, the third page of Part 301-2 is numbered
2-3. Individual pages are identified by chapter in the running header.
TRANSMITTALS. Transmittals accompany parent text, Department supplements, and Forest
Service supplements. File transmittals at the front of the handbook in numerical sequence with
the highest amendment or supplement number first. Group the transmittals in the following
order by issuing Agency and unit level:
- Federal Travel Regulation (FTR) (white transmittals);
- Agriculture Travel Regulations (ATR) supplements (yellow transmittals);
- Forest Service Travel Regulations (FSTR) supplements (buff transmittals);
- Region, Station, or Area Supplements (blue transmittals); and
- Forest Supplements (green transmittals).
SUPPLEMENTS AND INTERIM DIRECTIVES. Post supplements to the parent text of the
Federal Travel Regulation (white pages) at the end of each part (for example, at the end of part
301-1, 301-2, and so on) by color in the following order:
- Agriculture Travel Regulations (ATR) supplements (yellow pages);
- Forest Service Travel Regulations (FSTR) supplements (buff pages);
- Washington Office IDs (pink pages);
- Region, Station, or Area Supplements (blue pages);
- Region, Station, or Area IDs (pink pages);
- Forest Supplements (green pages); and
- Forest IDs (pink pages).
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EFFECTIVE DATE: 02/10/2016
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
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FSH 6509.33 - FEDERAL TRAVEL REGULATION
CHAPTER 301 - TEMPORARY DUTY (TDY) TRAVEL ALLOWANCES
Table of Contents
301-1 - APPLICABILITY ................................................................................................. 4
301-1.3 - Who is eligible for TDY allowances? ......................................................................... 4
301-2 - GENERAL RULES ............................................................................................. 5
301-2.1 - Must I have authorization to travel?............................................................................ 5
301-2.2 - What travel expenses may my Agency pay? ............................................................... 5
301-10 - Transportation Expenses ............................................................................... 6
301-10.1 - Am I eligible for payment of transportation expenses? ............................................ 6
301-10.8 - What is my liability if, for personal convenience, I travel by an indirect route or
interrupt travel by a direct route? .................................................................................... 6
301-10.108 - What requirements must be met to use a non contract fare? ............................. 7
301-10.114 - What must I do with unused Government Transportation Request(s) (GTR(s),
ticket(s) or refund application(s)? ............................................................................... 7
301-10.122 - What class of airline accommodations must I use? ........................................... 7
301-10.124 - What are coach-class Seating Upgrade Programs? ........................................... 8
301-10.200 - What types of Government vehicles may my Agency authorize me to use? .... 8
301-10.303 - What am I reimbursed when use of a POV is determined by my Agency to be
advantageous to the Government? .............................................................................. 9
301-10.450 - When can I use a rental vehicle? ....................................................................... 9
301-11 - Per Diem Expenses .................................................................................................... 10
301-11.1 - When am I eligible for an allowance (per diem or actual expense)? .................. 10
301-11.200 - Under what circumstances may my Agency prescribe a reduced per diem rate
lower than the prescribed maximum? ....................................................................... 11
301-51 - Paying travel expenses ................................................................................ 12
301-51.1 - What is the required method of payment for official travel expenses? ................... 12
301-52 - Claiming Reimbursement ............................................................................. 12
301-52.1 - Must I file a travel claim? ....................................................................................... 12
301-53 - Using Promotional Materials and Frequent Traveler Programs ............... 13
301-71 - Agency Travel Accountability Requirements ............................................. 13
301-71.200 - Who must review and sign travel claims?........................................................... 13
301-71.300 - What is the policy governing the use of travel advances? .................................. 13
301-73 - Travel Programs ............................................................................................ 14
301-73.102 May we grant a traveler an exception from required use of TMC or ETS once
we have fully deployed ETS within the Agency? ..................................................... 14
WO SUPPLEMENT 6509.33-2016-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: 02/10/2016
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
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FSH 6509.33 - FEDERAL TRAVEL REGULATION
CHAPTER 301 - TEMPORARY DUTY (TDY) TRAVEL ALLOWANCES
301-1 - APPLICABILITY
This handbook supplements the Federal Travel Regulations (FTR), follows the corresponding
sections in the FTR, and addresses Agency policy to provide additional detail to FTR direction.
Use this handbook in conjunction with the FTR and Agriculture Travel Regulation (ATR) to
properly determine travel regulations.
This handbook contains items which have been negotiated between the Forest Service and the
National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE) Forest Service Council (FSC). It is not to be
altered or supplemented below the National level by units covered by NFFE except as provided
in the Master Agreement between the parties. National level changes must not be made without
notice, and bargaining between the parties, as appropriate.
301-1.3 - Who is eligible for TDY allowances?
This Forest Service policy covers the following individuals traveling on official business:
1. Forest Service employees.
2. Invitational Travelers - Travelers, except contractors, who act in a capacity directly
connected with official Forest Service activities. All of the non-employees listed below
are eligible to travel using City Pair fares while on official Forest Service business.
a. Speakers at Forest Service events, program experts, and advisors.
b. Interns, fellows, and research associates.
c. Employees of other Federal agencies whose travel is solely for Forest Service
business.
d. Persons providing personal assistance to employees with special needs who are
authorized to travel; and
e. Employment applicants traveling at the request of Forest Service.
3. Contractors are subject to the FTR and Forest Service travel policy. Contractors are
not authorized to use the City Pair Program to obtain discounted airfares. In addition,
contractors are not allowed to claim travel reimbursement using the electronic travel
system.
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EFFECTIVE DATE: 02/10/2016
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
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FSH 6509.33 - FEDERAL TRAVEL REGULATION
CHAPTER 301 - TEMPORARY DUTY (TDY) TRAVEL ALLOWANCES
4. The Volunteers in the National Forests Act of 1972, as amended, authorizes
reimbursement to a volunteer for transportation, lodging, and meals and incidental
expenses (M&IE). See FSM 1800, chapter 1830.
301-2 - GENERAL RULES
301-2.1 - Must I have authorization to travel?
1. All Forest Service traveler must have a written or electronic travel authorization prior
to incurring any travel expenses for any official travel.
2. Post-travel authorizations may be created in the electronic travel system once travel
has been completed in the following instances:
a. Travel expenses related to incident business or disaster recovery;
b. Travel expenses related to threatened law enforcement/investigative employees
and members of their families; and
c. Travel expenses related to last minute travel when there is inadequate time to
complete the authorization prior to departure.
3. The Travel shall use the electronic travel system to make reservations and purchase
common carrier transportation, lodging, and car rental arrangements.
4. Forest Service is contractually obligated to use Travel Management Centers (TMCs)
for common carrier reservations and ticketing.
5. For more information on types of authorizations and trip purpose codes see
FSH 6509.33, chapter 300.
301-2.2 - What travel expenses may my Agency pay?
As provided in the FTR, however the traveler shall not be reimbursed for any costs incurred
solely for the convenience of the traveler (i.e., travel by an indirect route or interruption of travel
by a direct route.)
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EFFECTIVE DATE: 02/10/2016
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
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FSH 6509.33 - FEDERAL TRAVEL REGULATION
CHAPTER 301 - TEMPORARY DUTY (TDY) TRAVEL ALLOWANCES
301-10 - Transportation Expenses
Subpart A - General
301-10.1 - Am I eligible for payment of transportation expenses?
Yes, when performing official travel.
301-10.8 - What is my liability if, for personal convenience, I travel by an indirect
route or interrupt travel by a direct route?
The traveler is responsible for all risks related to deviating from the official travel authorization.
When mixing personal travel with official travel, the following procedures must be used:
1. Book the official travel using the Agency designated electronic system.
2. Complete form FS-6500-5 Constructive Travel Using Privately Owned Cost
Comparative Stmt or FS-6500-6 Constructive Travel Using Common Carrier Cost
Comparative Stmt. To assist with the approval requirement, including requesting annual
leave taken in conjunction with the official travel, the approved form with proper
documentation (screen prints of the comparable rates) must be attached to the travel
authorization regardless of the type of travel.
3. Travelers need justification when they stop enroute to, from, or between points of
official business for personal preference.
4. Government fares and/or rental cars must not be used for personal (leisure) travel.
5. Per diem must not be paid for personal days taken in conjunction with official travel.
Per diem is not allowed on any day where more than one-half the prescribed workday is
charged to annual leave.
6. Any fees and costs resulting from personal travel must be paid by the traveler and
must not be reimbursed by the Agency, even if the additional costs are a result of the
official travel being canceled.
7. Any cost savings resulting from modified travel, such as exchanged tickets, must be
reflected on the travel voucher and returned to the Agency.
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EFFECTIVE DATE: 02/10/2016
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
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FSH 6509.33 - FEDERAL TRAVEL REGULATION
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301-10.108 - What requirements must be met to use a non contract fare?
Exceptions to the use of the contract city-pair fare must be approved in advance of the tickets
being purchased. Approval must be obtained from the Approving Official prior to booking
travel. Exceptions to the use of the contract city pair are listed in FTR 301-10.107. Employees
shall know or reasonably anticipate, based on the planned trip, that they will use the ticket.
Associated fees of changing or canceling the arrangements associated with a non-refundable fare
must be taken in consideration prior to purchase.
If a non-refundable fare is approved and purchased and the travel is cancelled, the traveler shall
claim the cost of the ticket and associated fees using the Agency designated electronic system to
file a travel voucher. When the travel voucher is digitally signed in the Agency designated
electronic system, in the “Additional Remarks” box, enter: “Non-refundable ticket not used on
[give dates and reason(s)]. Non-refundable ticket (include ticket number) will be used on the
next travel voucher.”
When the deferred ticket is used for official travel at a later date, the employee does not claim
the cost of the ticket on the travel voucher, but may claim any change fee or additional costs on
the new travel voucher as a miscellaneous expense. When the travel voucher is digitally signed
in the Agency designated electronic system, in the “Additional Remarks” box enter: “Used a
non-refundable ticket (include ticket number) claimed on travel voucher dated, mm/dd/yyyy.”
Subpart B - Common Carrier Transportation
301-10.114 - What must I do with unused Government Transportation Request(s)
(GTR(s), ticket(s) or refund application(s)?
Travelers are responsible for obtaining credit for unused tickets, deposits, or for reporting a loss
to the carrier. Failure to obtain a credit from the carrier will result in the employee being
financially liable for the entire amount of the ticket. Employees should not submit the unused
ticket to an Agency payment office with the travel voucher if it was charged to the individually
billed travel charge card account. The unused ticket must be returned to the Travel Management
Center (TMC). Employees may seek advice from ASC-B&F Travel Branch for assistance.
301-10.122 - What class of airline accommodations must I use?
A traveler should select coach class when making common carrier arrangements unless a
premium (business or first) class accommodation is authorized in writing. A higher class of
service may be justified due to the length of an overseas flight, a medical condition certified by a
physician, or specific requirements of a donor of artifacts or exhibits.
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EFFECTIVE DATE: 02/10/2016
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
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301-10.124 - What are coach-class Seating Upgrade Programs?
For an additional fee, airline programs allow a passenger to obtain a more desirable seat choice
within the coach-class cabin. The use of upgraded/preferred coach seating options is generally a
traveler’s personal choice and therefore is at the traveler’s personal expense. Requests for
reimbursement of fees that allow only for early boarding, free beverages, and other items that do
not guarantee a specific seat assignment will not be approved for reimbursement.
However, in certain situations, an employee may request reimbursement of fees associated with
upgraded seating by submitting a written justification to their Supervisor or Approving Officer.
Requests will be reviewed and evaluated by the Supervisor or Approving Officer based on what
is considered reasonable and prudent for government travel and not just the traveler’s personal
preference. Approved justifications must be attached to the electronic travel system document
and the fee is claimed as part of the airfare cost.
Subpart C - Government Vehicle
301-10.200 - What types of Government vehicles may my Agency authorize me to
use?
1. An employee should use a Government-owned vehicle (GOV) when available and
ordinarily may not be authorized the use of a privately-owned vehicle (POV). The Forest
Service may occasionally permit the employee to use a POV or a rental vehicle when
Government equipment is available. The supervisor shall authorize the use of a POV or
rental vehicle in advance.
2. An employee must use a GOV when:
a. A GOV is needed for a continuing assignment basis and is expected to be driven
by the employee more than 1,000 miles monthly; or
b. A Forest Service or General Services Administration (GSA) vehicle is assigned to
the employee or the employee's unit or division and such assignment is based
partially or wholly on the employee's anticipated use, and
c. Assigned vehicle is available, and
d. Vehicle is suitable for the employee's needs.
3. The Forest Service may authorize brief or overnight storage of a GOV at an
employee's residence when necessary for the proper performance of official duties under
the direction in FSM 7132.1 and FSH 6409.31 - AGPMR 104-38.5003 and 5004. n
employee must use a GOV when:
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EFFECTIVE DATE: 02/10/2016
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
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4. In addition to the purposes listed in FTR 301-10.201, examples of authorized official
use of a GOV include
a. The carrying of passengers in emergencies threatening loss of life or property.
b. Transporting persons on official business, including contractors, collaborators,
cooperators, grantees, permittees, prospective bidders, volunteers, and enrollees.
Subpart D - Privately-Owned Vehicle (POV)
301-10.303 - What am I reimbursed when use of a POV is determined by my
Agency to be advantageous to the Government?
The Forest Service must adhere to the established GSA mileage reimbursement rates for Federal
employees who use POVs while on official travel.
The rate of reimbursement when you use your POV for Government business is dependent upon
the availability of a GOV. The rates for the use of these modes of transportation are subject to
change at any time, therefore, current POV rates are posted at www.gsa.gov/mileage, and apply
accordingly as categorized below:
1. POV-Temporary Duty (No GOV Available). When it has been determined by your
approving official that the use of a POV is advantageous to the Government or when
there is no suitable GOV available.
2. POV-Available Government Vehicle. When it has been determined by your
approving official that the use of a GOV is advantageous to the government, a GOV is
available, and the use of a POV is a matter of personal preference.
Subpart E - Special Conveyances
301-10.450 - When can I use a rental vehicle?
Travelers should use a rental vehicle when it is most advantageous to the Government. The
determination of most advantageous to the Government is determined by discussions between
the traveler and Authorizing Official after considering factors such as cost, number of
passengers, security and location of rental facilities, office hours, and wait times. Travelers must
use the least expensive compact car available unless an exception is approved. Authorizing
Officials should approve these exceptions on a limited basis and must indicate on the travel
authorization the reason for the exception.
A global positioning system (GPS) in a rental vehicle is not reimbursable when its inclusion is at
additional cost.
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EFFECTIVE DATE: 02/10/2016
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
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Employees shall not engage in talking on any communication devices and/or text messaging
when driving a GOV, a POV, or a rental vehicle while on official Government business.
Employees, in an official business travel status, who need rental vehicle transportation for
personal travel or intermixed personal and Government travel shall use the following guidelines:
1. When feasible, the employee should make arrangements with the company for
personal use of a rented vehicle either before or after the Government use is completed,
and make arrangements to have a separate billing rendered for the personal use.
Employees are not covered by Government vehicle insurance when using a rental car for
personal reasons.
2. When the primary need for the rented vehicle is for official business, but the employee
intermixes personal use of the vehicle, the employee shall claim reimbursement of the
daily rate, plus only that mileage and fuel use that were directly attributable to the official
use.
3. If the use is intermixed, and the official use is not the primary purpose for which the
vehicle is used, the employee may claim reimbursement for only that mileage for which
the vehicle was used for official business at the appropriate mileage reimbursement rate.
Employees can access the U.S. Government Car Rental Agreement on the ASC-B&F website.
301-11 - Per Diem Expenses
Subpart A - General Rules
301-11.1 - When am I eligible for an allowance (per diem or actual expense)?
Travelers are eligible for an allowance when performing official travel away from the official
duty station, incurring per diem expenses while performing official travel, and traveling for more
than twelve (12) hours.
Employees should make every effort to obtain lodging at or below the per diem rate. Actual
subsistence must be authorized on a trip-by-trip authorization. An authorization request for
actual subsistence reimbursement should be made in advance of travel. Actual subsistence
reimbursement may also be approved after travel is completed (“post-approval”) with sufficient
justification.
Actual subsistence requests up to 150 percent of the established per diem rate can be approved
by the Approving Official with sufficient justification. If the request is greater than 150 percent
of the established per diem rate, the request must be approved in advance by the Chief.
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EFFECTIVE DATE: 02/10/2016
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
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Subpart C - Reduced Per Diem
301-11.200 - Under what circumstances may my Agency prescribe a reduced per
diem rate lower than the prescribed maximum?
1. A reduced per diem rate of 55 percent will be established for long-term assignments
greater than thirty (30) days.
a. Meals and Incidental Expenses (M&IE): For 30 calendar days of a long-term
assignment, the applicable GSA M&IE rate of the temporary duty location may be
authorized. A reduced M&IE rate of 55 percent will be applied on day 31 until the
end of the long-term assignment. Interruption of travel will not restart the allowance
of full M&IE.
b. Lodging: Prior to reporting for the long-term assignment, or during the first 30day period, the employee shall seek long-term residence accommodations. The longterm assignment travel must be documented on a trip-by-trip travel authorization and
must document the reduced lodging rate.
If reduced lodging cannot be obtained, the employee may request a higher rate from
their approving official via the electronic travel system as justified by the anticipated
costs. The justification can either be attached as additional documentation or the
information can be included on the digital signature page.
An employee who is receiving lodging reimbursement at the long-term assignment
location may be authorized receipt of an additional lodging allowance while on
official temporary duty at another location. The additional lodging is allowed only if
the assignee is occupying long-term residence accommodations and is limited to the
increased expenses resulting from the temporary duty travel.
2. Line Officers may develop and authorize a reduced per diem rate for remote duty
assignments subject to provisions of any applicable collective bargaining agreement.
Based on a determination that operations of the Agency may be accomplished more
efficiently through the use of "spike camps," the reduced per diem rate must be
authorized for any remote duty lasting more than 12 hours, regardless of actual miles
from an employee's duty station. The field rates should be revisited annually by the
intermediate or local area. At least one or more of the following circumstances must
exist in order to authorize use of the reduced per diem rate:
a. When it is advantageous to keep employees at fire camps or other emergency
locations.
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b. When the work activity is in a remote area where a unit's capability to transport
employees to their official station would take excessive time or otherwise pose an
unacceptable safety hazard.
c. When Field Managers determine that the cost of travel to and from worksites,
including lost productive time, exceeds the cost of providing a reduced per diem
reimbursement.
d. For activities such as prescribed burns, when employees are under close control
and are not allowed the opportunity to leave the area to obtain meals. This may
extend to other operational situations but not to administrative activities such as
meetings or training.
301-51 - PAYING TRAVEL EXPENSES
301-51.1 - What is the required method of payment for official travel expenses?
You are required to use the travel charge card for all official travel expenses unless you have an
exemption. Train tickets may be purchased directly from Amtrak with an individually billed
travel charge card or personal funds. Government discounts on Acela trains are not available if
tickets are purchased with personal funds. If the traveler does not have a travel charge card, the
Acela ticket must be purchased through TMC’s to receive the Government discount. See FSH
6509.33, Chapter 300 for more information on travel charge cards and local travel.
301-52 - CLAIMING REIMBURSEMENT
301-52.1 - Must I file a travel claim?
Yes, if the traveler is seeking reimbursement for travel expenses, they must file a travel claim
(voucher) in the the electronic travel system system.
1. A travel voucher must be submitted, with receipts electronically attached, within five
(5) business days after completion of travel, or every two (2) weeks if on long-term or
continuous travel unless incident business or disaster recovery related.
2. If the traveler does not digitally sign the voucher in the electronic travel system, they
must sign in ink a printout of the voucher. This signed travel voucher must be
electronically attached to the electronic travel system record. The travel arranger may
then (and only then) digitally “sign” the travel voucher on behalf of the employee.
3. A voucher for expenses associated with an illness, injury, or natural disaster while in
travel status requires approval from an Approving Official. A post authorization or travel
authorization amendment must be prepared.
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301-53 - USING PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS AND FREQUENT TRAVELER
PROGRAMS
The Forest Service policy on the Travel Savings Shared Benefits Program is also referred to as
the Travel Gainsharing Program (See the ASC-B&F website for specific information). The
Government Employees Incentive Awards Act, Title 5, United States Code, section 4501-4507
(5 U.S.C. 4501-4507), authorizes an agency to pay a cash award for “efficiency” or “economy.”
This program rewards employees who save Forest Service money while on temporary duty
(TDY) travel. These savings come from the use of less expensive lodging or from the use of
Frequent Flyer benefits to purchase airline tickets for official travel. Employee participation in
the program is optional and applies only to reservations for air and/or lodging made through the
Travel Management Center if applicable. Taxes are withheld (Federal, State, local, FICA) on the
award amount. Awards are processed once an employee accumulates a minimum of $200 in
savings. However, if at the end of the current fiscal year, the employee has not accumulated a
minimum of $200 in savings, then the employee may submit the dollar amount that has been
accumulated for the current fiscal year for processing. Savings can be accumulated over
multiple trips, but may not be accumulated over multiple fiscal years.
301-71 - AGENCY TRAVEL ACCOUNTABILITY REQUIREMENTS
Subpart C - Travel Claims for Reimbursement
301-71.200 - Who must review and sign travel claims?
Traveler’s immediate supervisor or delegated individual shall approve travel authorizations and
vouchers within five (5) business days. In the absence of an immediate supervisor, a peer of the
immediate supervisor or a delegated acting may review and approve the travel voucher. This
delegation must be in writing (FSM 1231.3).
The Approving Official shall be knowledgeable of the employee’s travel plans and ensure that
the travel expenses claimed on the voucher are prudent and necessary. A travel voucher is
proper or complete for approval when all applicable documentation and receipts are attached.
Subpart D - Accounting for Travel Advances
301-71.300 - What is the policy governing the use of travel advances?
1. Employees issued a travel charge card are not permitted a travel advance unless
foreign travel is authorized for an extended period or due to transfer of station.
2. A cancelled travel card account can reflect unfavorable past performance, employees
with these accounts are considered high risk in the repayment of travel advances. In the
case of extreme hardship, employees who lost their charge card privileges may request
written approval by the Chief Financial Officer for a travel advance for per diem on a
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trip-by-trip basis. Consideration of such requests is made on a case-by-case basis, and
approval should not be assumed. In addition to the employee’s first line supervisor, the
employee shall also obtain approval from their Line Officer or at a minimum, two
supervisory levels above the employee submitting request, before submitting to the Forest
Service Chief Financial Officer.
3. Travelers who do not have a travel charge card may receive a travel advance for per
diem and lodging.
4. No advances will be approved if the following conditions exist:
a. Prior outstanding travel advance(s);
b. Outstanding debts to the Government;
c. Prior debt write-offs; or
d. Delinquency on a closed government travel charge card.
5. Transportation (tickets) are not included in a travel advance. Any tickets must be
charged to the Forest Service’s centrally billed accounts.
6. The use of personal funds to finance all travel expenses (except transportation tickets)
on official travel is authorized when employees' travel charge card privileges are
cancelled. When personal funds are used, employees shall be reimbursed for qualifying
travel expenses by submitting a proper travel voucher.
301-73 - TRAVEL PROGRAMS
Subpart B - eTravel Service and Travel Management Service
301-73.102 May we grant a traveler an exception from required use of TMC or ETS
once we have fully deployed ETS within the Agency?
Use of the Travel Management Center (TMC) via the electronic travel system or directly via
telephone for booking reservations and ticketing is mandatory unless one of the conditions below
is met. Use of the exemptions is conditioned upon the use of the employee self-service functions
of the TMC system being impractical, not simply due to inconvenience.
1. Extended stays at facilities such as a commercial apartment complex, condominium,
and so forth.
2. Stays at Government furnished quarters, trailers, college dorms, and/or
accommodations with friends or family.
WO SUPPLEMENT 6509.33-2016-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: 02/10/2016
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
6509.33_301
Page 15 of 15
FSH 6509.33 - FEDERAL TRAVEL REGULATION
CHAPTER 301 - TEMPORARY DUTY (TDY) TRAVEL ALLOWANCES
3. Local travel situations where employees are traveling within/or adjacent to the
boundaries of their administrative unit and do not know where lodging would be needed
when travel commences.
4. Travel situations where only a rental car is needed, travelers may conduct business
directly with the rental agency.
5. Travel to a remote area or small town where travelers have to conduct business
directly with the hotel, and travel management centers are unfamiliar with the area.