Policies
Local finance offices have the authority to publish local policies that do not change the original intent of the regulation, but rather clarify it or describe procedures for applying it. DFAS-Indianapolis has adopted several local policies to clarify the travel regulations.
Airport Parking
When privately owned conveyance (POC) is used for one-way travel to a transportation terminal and then from terminal back to home or duty station when TDY is complete, the traveler is authorized reimbursement of the following for the most direct route:
- mileage
- parking fees*
- ferry fares
- road, bridge and tunnel tolls
*Parking fees are limited to the cost of two one-way taxicab fares, including allowable tips, unless the approving official waives this limitation. This applies only to parking fees, POC mileage is not to be included. A flat rate of $50.00 for a one-way taxicab fare is used for limiting terminal parking reimbursement. If you disagree with the amount of limitation and provide actual cost documentation or a written statement reflecting the actual cost of the taxi fare to/from the terminal, then Travel Pay Operations will recomputed the limitation.
Allowable Tips for Travelers
Both military and civilian travelers with medical or special needs may claim baggage handling tips.
The following tips are included under the daily rate per diem allowance. This provides the maximum amount you may be reimbursed for lodging, meals, and incidental expenses.
- Fees and tips paid to hotel employees, porters, baggage carriers, and flight attendants for all official domestic and foreign travel.
- Laundry, dry cleaning, and pressing of clothing only while outside the continental United States.
- Tax and service charges, other than vendor surcharges for using a credit card, for any expenses listed here.
- Expenses related to lodging that are listed in the room account.
- Transportation tips for courtesy transportation (for example, an airport shuttle).
After-the-Fact (ATF) Approvals
Approving officials may approve certain entitlements not originally authorized on a TDY Travel Order by signing and dating blocks 21a and 21b of the DD form 1351-2 in lieu of issuing amended orders. The following expenses may be approved “after-the-fact”:
- in and around mileage
- variations in the itinerary
- allowable miscellaneous expenses (rental cars, excess baggage and registration fees)
The approving official must specifically state what item they are approving after-the-fact in block 29, as well as, sign and date the form.
Cost Construction when using Taxis
When a traveler uses their privately owned conveyance (POC) for official travel, but POC is not authorized as more advantageous to the Government, a cost construction is done to determine the correct reimbursement. The traveler is authorized the lesser of:
a. Mileage and authorized reimbursable expenses for the official ordered travel distance plus per diem for the actual travel time; or
b. What it would have cost the government had a Government=procured transportation been used, plus the per diem for the constructed travel time, plus allowable expenses for taxi fares.
A flat rate of $50.00 for a one-way taxicab fare is used for limiting terminal parking reimbursement. If you disagree with the amount of limitation and provide actual cost documentation or a written statement reflecting the actual cost of the taxi fare to/from the terminal, then Travel Pay Operations will recomputed the limitation.
In-and-around Mileage at a Temporary Duty (TDY) Site
- Applies to a traveler who drives their privately owned vehicle (POV)
- A travel approving official (AO) may authorize/approve
- In and around mileage at a TDY site does not require a mileage log
- A statement-of-non-availability of government transportation alone does not authorize reimbursement
- May be authorized on a travel order or an amendment, or may be approved after the fact by the AO on the DD Form 1351-2
In and Around Transportation at a Temporary Duty (TDY) Site
- Pertains to public transportation obtained at a TDY site
- A travel approving official (AO) may authorize/approve
- Reimbursement of transportation fares and transportation-related tips are authorized
Page updated June 25, 2018