Travel Frequently Asked Questions

If you have questions on completing your TDY Travel Voucher visit Completing Your TDY Travel Voucher (DD Form 1351-2).

If further guidance is needed submit a question via Ask Travel Pay.

Defense Travel System (DTS) Users: We recommend you first contact your Lead Defense Travel Administrator (LDTA), or login to the Defense Travel System Website to check your status.

For checking the status of vouchers sent to DFAS for processing and payment please visit Travel Voucher Status.  

If you received notification that your Travel Voucher has been received and you would like to know average processing times, please see below:

• Army TDY travelers visit: Army Temporary Duty (TDY)
• Army PCS travelers visit: Army PCS
• Civilian PCS travelers visit: Civilian PCS

Travel Voucher Direct is a submission tool. Once your claim has been submitted to the processing department your ticket will be closed. You will receive notification when your claim has been inputted into the processing system.

Please allow 3-5 business days for payment to post to your account. If this time has been exceeded you may submit a question via Ask Travel Pay.

There are several reasons why you may experience a discrepancy in payment. Please review the remarks on your Advice of Payment (AOP) for reason(s). If you need additional assistance or clarification follow the instructions below:
 
DTS - Travel inquires can be answered by your Lead Defense Travel Administrator (LDTA), or you can verify information on the Defense Travel System Website.
 
Army - Most travel inquires can be answered at your local finance office. If you need additional information, please submit a question via Ask Travel Pay.

All Other Branches of service – Reach out to your local finance office for assistance. Unfortunately, DFAS cannot assist you with travel inquiries.

To find answers about your debt, visit  Debt & Claims on DFAS.mil.
 

To obtain a copy of your advice of payment login to your myPay account and select Travel Advice of Payment. Your local finance office may be able to assist in obtaining as well.

If you receive a short payment make sure to review the remarks on your advice of payment for guidance. You can file a supplemental claim by submitting a revised SmartVoucher or 1351-2 with new signatures and current dates for the claimant and reviewer. If not submitting through SmartVoucher annotate "Supplemental” at the top of the 1351-2 along with remarks in block 29 of what you are looking to be reimbursed for. Remember to resubmit all travel orders, statement of non-availability (if required per orders), and all paid receipts, where applicable, are required.

Travel orders are not the same and each have its own characteristics. Your orders may affect how long you serve at the post, the specific location, and your entitlements. It is essential to read your travel orders prior to travel to know what you are authorized.  Failure to do so may result in additional expenses that will not be reimbursed.
 
The Joint Travel Regulations (JTR) are for members of the Uniformed Services of the United States and DoD civilian employees and civilians who travel using DoD funding. The JTR contains regulations related to per diem, travel and transportation allowances, relocation allowances, and certain other allowances.
 
The Department of Defense Financial Management Regulation (DoD FMR), Volume 9: Travel Policy and Procedures provides supplemental instructions regarding the payment of allowances authorized by the JTR. The DoD FMR applies to all personnel traveling under orders funded by the DoD, including:

• Military members
• Reserve component members
• Civilian Employees
• Dependents on official orders
• Travelers on DoD invitational travel authorizations

Visit the Defense Travel Management Office to learn more about  travel programs, travel policy, travel card program management, customer support, per diem rates, and allowances. 

An advance can be requested any time prior to your travel. 
 
For information on how to submit your travel advance, visit Where to Submit Your Claim.

Visit the Defense Travel Management Office to learn more about mileage rates.
 
Travel orders are not the same and each have its own characteristics. Your orders may affect how long you serve at the post, the specific location, and your entitlements. It is essential to read your travel orders prior to travel to know what you are authorized.  Failure to do so may result in additional expenses that will not be reimbursed.

Travel orders are not the same and each have its own characteristics. Your orders may affect your entitlements. It is essential to read your travel orders prior to travel to know what you are authorized including airfare.  Failure to do so may result in additional expenses that will not be reimbursed.
 
Visit the Defense Travel Management Office to learn more about mileage rates.

AEA is the reimbursement of incurred expenses, up to the limit specified in the Joint Travel Regulations (JTR). Reimbursement is contingent on per diem eligibility and is subject to the same definitions and rules governing per diem.
 
Travel orders are not the same and each have its own characteristics. Your orders may affect your entitlements. It is essential to read your travel orders prior to travel to know what you are authorized.  Failure to do so may result in additional expenses that will not be reimbursed.

Visit the Defense Travel Management Office to learn more about Government Travel Charge Cards and how to apply.
 
Remember to work with your supervisor throughout the process to ensure you successfully receive your card on your first attempt. 

No, each time you create a new voucher it is automatically saved to your account. Therefore, you can log back into the SmartVoucher and finish completing the voucher at any point.

Initially you must complete each step in order.  Once the steps are fully completed, you will be able to navigate through the steps to view information. However, if you make changes on a step, and those changes affect information or calculations on subsequent steps, you will be required to once again complete the steps in order.

After completing the itinerary tab, it will be displayed on the itinerary in a summary format. If you do not have an option to click the Next button, your itinerary is incomplete. Therefore, in the itinerary you must add another destination and state MC as your reason for stopping; or you must answer No to the following question: Did you depart this location? and input the date when the travel period ended.

Click Supplemental Voucher on the Menu tab, then all applicable vouchers will appear on which a supplemental can be generated. Once the correct voucher is selected, make the necessary edits and then follow the same procedures you followed on your initial submission. Be sure to add remarks on the Miscellaneous tab section C to indicate additional entitlements being claimed on this supplemental voucher.

Include your leave into your itinerary as one of your destinations, and use the LV as the code associated with the reason for stop.

The Lodging Tax is not included in the drop-down list for Reimbursable expenses because it is included as part of the total lodging cost being claimed in the Itinerary tab. An entry in the Reimbursable Expenses section is created when you enter an amount for lodging taxes.

The application is available 24 hours/7 days a week.

DTS is an online system that automates temporary duty (TDY) travel. It allows Active Duty Army, Army Reserve and Army National Guard members to create authorizations, book reservations, receive approval, generate payment vouchers, and direct payments to their bank accounts and Government Travel Charge Card (GTCC).

Contact your current Defense Travel Administrator (DTA) and ask them to reset your profile. Find out from your supervisor who the DTA is for your organization. When you login, DTS will ask for your social security number. Enter your number with a capital "R"; for Reserves or "G" for National Guard, i.e. 123456789R or 123456789G. This allows you to register with a second SSN (a second account). Work with your DTA to make sure the information for your organization is correct before you submit.

Changes to your profile must be made by your Defense Travel Administrator (DTA). Find out from your supervisor who the DTA is for your organization.

Check document status by logging in to Defense Travel System. Go to "Official Travel" vouchers or authorization, and then look in the "Sort by Status" column or go to the digital signature page within the document.
 
If you’re unable to access DTS, contact your Defense Travel Administrator (DTA) to check the status of your document.

Read and follow the instructions within the Trip Cancellation Procedures in DTS guide.
 
After a document is cancelled it can be accessed and adjusted but cannot be approved.

Most likely the Authorization has not processed through the system or was adjusted after processing and must be routed through your organization again. Contact your Defense Travel Administrator (DTA) for help getting your Authorization processed.

Read and follow the instructions within the Adjust or Amend a Voucher with Itinerary or Reservation Changes: Traveler guide.

Most likely your direct deposit, Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) information, is incorrect in DTS. You must contact your Defense Travel Administrator (DTA). Ask them to "initiate an EFT Trace" This returns the funds back to your organization.

The Commercial Travel Office (CTO) has 24 hours from the time the Authorization has been stamped "SIGNED" to process reservations. If it has been longer than that contact your Defense Travel Administrator (DTA). Ask them initiate a helpdesk ticket through the Travel Assistance Center (TAC). Find out from your supervisor who the DTA is for your organization.

Detaching from an organization's DTS database must be done by the Defense Travel Administrator (DTA) from your old organization. Work with your current DTA to contact your old DTA and request they detach you.

Visit the following web site for per diem rates: Defense Travel Management Office -Per Diem.

Per the JTR (020304 F) the reimbursement rates for incidental expenses
differ by location:

1. CONUS Incidental Expenses are $5.
2.  OCONUS Reduced Incidental Expenses ($3.50) are the rate when a traveler is assigned to a TDY at a U.S. installation and lodged in Government quarters, except for en route travel days. If the AO determines that the $3.50 is inadequate, then the OCONUS locality rate for incidental expenses may be authorized and stated on the travel authorization. This does not apply on any day the Service member is traveling.

For additional information, visit Army Temporary Duty (TDY).

Communication services are covered in the incidental expenses portion of per diem rate and are not reimbursable separately. Goverment owned/leased services should be used for official communications. Expenses, such as cell phone or prepaid minutes use, necessary for official TDY travel are mission-related expenses and not payable under JTR authority.
 
To determine your reimbursable expenses, please see ‘Per Diem’ and ‘Misc Reimbursable Expenses’ listed under the appropriate TDY travel type located at Army Temporary Duty (TDY).

It all depends on how your orders are written. If they state 'limited to cost construct' you will be paid what is most advantageous to the government. You would be reimbursed the lesser of the Defense Table of Official Distances (DTOD) mileage or the city pairs airfare. In addition, when paying POV miles enroute lodging will not be reimbursed as it is not advantageous to the government.

All travel orders are required to state whether transportation tickets were personally purchased by the traveler through an individually billed account (IBA) or if they were purchased by the government through a centrally billed account (CBA). If the orders do not state which method was used, then the expense is not reimbursable until purchasing the ticket by IBA is authorized in an amended travel order.

Lodging only, regardless of the amount claimed, requires an itemized paid receipt. Receipts are also required for all other miscellaneous expenses of $75 or more.

If you are on TDY under multiple orders and there is no break in duty between them, file all of your TDY vouchers on one DD1351-2.  This will reduce errors or shortages in your reimbursement. 

If there are breaks in duty, for example, you returned home before starting the next TDY or went on leave at the end of one TDY before starting the next TDY, file your claims separately.

No. Regulations state that travel claims for TDY more than 30 days are to be filed monthly as accruals.

You must request an itemized final paid receipt from the rental car company. Rental cars, regardless of dollar amount, can only be reimbursed with a rental receipt showing the itemization of charges, as well as, showing paid in full with method or form of payment.

You will need to go back to your point of contact for your travel to assist you in obtaining an SNA/DD Form 1351-5 for lodging.

If you are on extended TDY (anything over 30 days) while on Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders, you may submit an accrual for the TDY portion only. Accruals should be submitted to the TDY processing department.  Once the TDY is complete, you will need to see your gaining Army Military Pay Office (AMPO) for your PCS entitlements.

To find out where you need to submit your travel claim, visit Where to Submit Your Claim.

Temporary Duty (TDY) regulations allow travel to begin within a seven day window (before or after) the proceed date listed on the orders.  If travel occurs outside of the seven days, your orders will require an amendment.

VOCO stands for Verbal Orders of the Commander or Verbal Orders of the Commanding Officer. If travel begins before the orders to do so were issued, an official amendment listing the VOCO date will be needed. The VOCO date must be on or before the first date of travel. To initiate this process contact your S1 office.

All arrival and departure dates must be listed in the itinerary (DD Form 1351-2 block 15a) in chronological order to receive reimbursement, including delays.  Ensure all travel dates and locations listed match actual dates of travel. Excessive travel usually occurs when the date departing one location has an unnecessarily long gap before the arrival date at the next location.

Only CAC enabled, or wet (pen and ink) signatures can be used on Temporary Duty (TDY) claim submissions.  No typed, adobe fill and sign, or stamped signature can be accepted.

To find out where you need to submit your travel claim, visit Where to Submit Your Claim.

Most travel PCS inquiries can be answered at your local finance office or on DFAS.mil Army Permanent Change of Station (PCS) Travel Vouchers.
 
If you need additional assistance, please submit a question via Ask Travel Pay