Travel Procedures

Travel Procedures

University Accounting

Last revised: March 17, 2015 (Policy no. 810)

PURPOSE

The purpose of this policy is to define reimbursable travel expenses and what documentation is required for submitting travel vouchers.

SCOPE

Travel includes numerous scenarios and modes of transportation. This procedure encompasses the most popular transportation modes, lodging, meals, foreign travel, and incidental charges. This procedure also summarizes Travel Authorizations, how to calculate meal allowances, and how to complete travel related forms.

Please note:  The Office of State Comptroller (OSC) Travel Manual states “the expense of meals or lodging within the proximity of the official station will not normally be reimbursed, unless it is in the best interest of the State or determined by the head of the agency’s finance office…subject to the audit of the Comptroller.”  For employees traveling within 35 miles from both their official work station and home, travel reimbursement is at the discretion of the department head funding the travel. Other helpful travel information can be found at  http://www.osc.state.ny.us/agencies/travel/travel.htm

PROCEDURES

Travel Authorization

• All trips must be authorized by traveler’s supervisor and the department funding the travel. A Travel Authorization Form must be completed and sent to University Accounting PRIOR to trip, so the funds can be encumbered. A Travel Authorization Form must be completed even if the traveler will not be personally reimbursed for expenses. If traveler is not being reimbursed, the form should state “for insurance purposes only.”

  • A blank Travel Authorization Form, which no longer is sequentially numbered, can be found on-line.

    • Have supervisor’s signature and if applicable signature of department head funding trip. Traveler should verify that supervisor/funding department also provided an account number at time of signature.

Air and Rail Travel

• This process requires that all airline reservations be booked via our authorized State travel agency. The State Contract No. PS66730 with Child Travel is in effect January 20, 2015 through January 20, 2020. Child Travel has an Online Travel Reservation System with a booking fee of $4.95 for airline and rail transactions. The agent-assisted airline transaction fee is $14.95. Should you need the help of an agent, please call:

Telephone: (800) 774-0655
Email: CTTravel@dt.com
Fax: (518) 292-9090

After Hours Emergency Assistance: 800-774-0655, Option 8

• Employees can purchase airfare via their personal credit card, but cannot be reimbursed until AFTER they return and submission of their travel voucher.

• Employees can also purchase airfare via their State issued Travel Card and or Non- Employee Travel Card.

• Process when using Fredonia's New York State Contracted Travel Agent:

  • Traveler contacts Child Travel for an airfare and Rail quotes. When giving the traveler’s name and date of birth must agree exactly to the identification they will be using at check-in. Traveler requests that Travel Child Travel hold a particular itinerary. Traveler may request that an itinerary be e-mailed directly to them.

    • Electronic ticket receipts, which include the traveler’s name, Travel Authorization number, invoice number, electronic ticket number, itinerary and cost of ticket, will be e-mailed to the traveler.

  • Traveler sends the original Travel Authorization and photocopy of the electronic ticket receipt to University Accounting at 402 Maytum Hall.

  • IF TRAVEL IS CANCELLED, TRAVELER MUST NOTIFY UNIVERSITY ACCOUNTING, so the funds may be disencumbered. Also, please let the accounting office know if a credit will be coming from Travel Leaders/Albany Travel for tickets already purchased.

    • Note: University will first apply the approved Trip Allowances to any State Travel card purchase. Any remaining Trip Allowance will then be applied to traveler’s out-of-pocket portion.

Transportation to and from Transportation Terminal

Registration

• Registration can be paid by the traveler and reimbursed on the Travel Voucher OR if permissible by department; traveler can pay for registration on their procurement or travel card, or on a Requisition.

Meal and Lodging Expenses

• Employees may choose from 1 of 2 reimbursement methods for meals and lodging. Per Diem rates are established by the federal government. Rates are identified by county and the traveler must indicate the county as well as the city on the voucher. A full per diem is considered to be dinner the first day, lodging, and breakfast the following day. Incidental expenses such as tips to bellmen, porters, hotel maids, etc. are included in the per diem. Breakfast on the first day and dinner on the last day will also be reimbursed provided traveler meets the same requirements for arrival and departure times as for day trips and THE TIME IS PROPERLY INDICATED ON THE TRAVEL VOUCHER.

  • Overnight Travel – Method I – Without a Lodging receipt
    This is a flat rate per diem allowance for meals, lodging and incidentals as noted above. The rate is based on the location of travel but is the same regardless of where lodging was obtained, including with a relative or friend. For example, there is a $50 maximum for out-of-state and foreign destinations to cover BOTH the meals and lodging. No lodging receipt is required. To receive the full Method I allowance for the specified area, it is necessary for travelers to be in overnight travel status and be eligible for both breakfast and dinner. Click here for Method I Meal Reimbursement Rates.

  • Overnight Travel – Method II – With a Lodging Receipt
    This method provides reimbursement of ACTUAL lodging costs based on the location of travel, and an allowance for meals. Receipts for lodging are required for any meals associated with overnight travel. Traveler must attach the original lodging receipt to the Travel Voucher. If another agency or organization provides lodging, this should be indicated on the voucher, (with a copy of the receipt) and the traveler may claim the meal allowance for the area (find the Per Diem link below). Once the Per Diem rate is determined; click here for Method II Meal Allowance Breakdown.

    • For travel in NYS, employees should use the Tax Exemption Certificate (ST-129) for lodging. NYS taxes cannot be reimbursed. For out of state travel, taxes are not included in the maximum lodging amount, and may be reimbursed.

    • If the amount paid for lodging is greater than the maximum per diem allowed, traveler must obtain approval and attach and Over Per Diem Memo, signed by the department head funding trip, approving the over per diem rate.

  • Meal Allowance

    • Only breakfast and dinner are reimbursable meals. Lunch is not a reimbursable expense.

    • Breakfast - Employees will be allowed reimbursement for breakfast if they have to leave at least one hour before their normal work starting time. For example, if their regular work hours are 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M., they would be entitled to breakfast reimbursement on the day the trip starts if they have to leave before 7:00 A.M.

    • Dinner - Employees are allowed reimbursement for dinner if they return at least two hours later than their normal work ending time. For example, if their regular work hours are 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M., they would be entitled to dinner reimbursement if they return after 7:00 P.M.

  • Overnight Trips
    Employees will automatically get dinner the night of the stay and breakfast the next morning if a lodging receipt is provided. For breakfast on the first day or dinner on the last day of an overnight trip, travelers may claim the federal per diem allowance for the place of lodging and will automatically get reimbursed with the lodging receipt. DEPARTURE AND RETURN TIMES MUST BE CLEARLY MARKED on the Travel Voucher to get these extra meals reimbursed.

  • Day Trips
    Employees in travel status for day trips are allowed breakfast and dinner reimbursement based on the departure and arrival times of the trips. For non- overnight travel, an employee may claim the non-receipted meal allowance, (the rate now in effect is $5.00 for breakfast and $12.00 for dinner) or actual expenses up to the federal maximum meal allowances with a receipt but not more than the amount spent if less than the per diem. All meal reimbursements not associated with overnight travel are considered taxable by the IRS.

  • Per Diem Rates
    Per Diem rates for domestic and foreign travel may be found at http://www.gsa.gov. Click on Per Diem Rates, on the left under Most Requested Links. Locate the map of the United States.

    • To get domestic rates, click on the state being traveled to.

    • To get foreign rates, click on the rates in foreign location (found on the right side of the US map).

      • Note: These rates will change on October 1st of every year and may be adjusted throughout the year as well.

• Foreign Travel

  • Travel outside the continental United States is reimbursed based on the maximum per diem allowance established by the U.S. Department of State. The rates are posted on the above listed website. Expenses should be converted to American dollars, based on the exchange rate in effect during the period of travel.

  • The foreign travel rates provide for lodging costs up to a maximum amount, and an allowance for meals and incidental expenses. If a traveler is entitled to the full meal per diem, the allowance is divided into 80% for dinner and 20% for breakfast.

  • The passport rules are changing. It is the traveler’s responsibility to know the document requirements of the country they are traveling to!

  • Incidental Expenses
    Expenses directly related to lodging and meals are included in the per diem allowance and are not reimbursed. However, some expenses unique to foreign travel may be reimbursed.

    • Examples of some of these expenses include:

      • Passports

      • Visa fees

      • Cost to convert currency

      • Travelers’ checks

      • Laundry charges for extended stays

      • Departure taxes

When all the above has been determined, please complete a Travel Voucher and submit to University Accounting.

• Travel Voucher

  • All expenses must be recorded on the appropriate forms and attached to a completed Travel Voucher.

    • Make sure these items are filled in or attached:

      • Traveler’s New York State Employee ID Number (your number begins with an “N” and can be found on the SUNY Portal under Human Resources.

      • Date and time of departure - this will determine if meals will be paid for

      • Supervisor’s signature

      • Conference brochure

      • Mileage Statement for Personal Automobile Usage, if applicable

      • Original receipts for hotel, conference registration, rental cars, airline ticket stubs, or travel agency print out.

      • Method I MUST BE USED IF TRAVELER DOES NOT STAY IN A HOTEL.

      • Sales tax for lodging is only reimbursable if it is out of NY State.

      • Non-overnight trips; when you take a day trip & are going to claim meals you must have a receipt of some sort for all of the claimed meals (breakfast & dinner) in order to get up to the listed per diem. No reimbursement is allowed for lunch. Otherwise, you will only get reimbursed $5.00 for breakfast and $12.00 for dinner. Both are taxable since these are non-overnight trips.

      • WE CANNOT REIMBURSE TRAVELER FOR SOMEONE ELSE’S TRAVEL COSTS.

  • Mail completed and signed Travel Voucher to University Accounting for payment.

DOCUMENT REQUIRED FOR PAYMENT

If you have any questions regarding this procedure, please contact University Accounting via e-mail or by calling Ext. 3467.