Driving vs. Flying

 

The employee may be reimbursed the lesser of:

     1) The total of:  actual mileage traveled (round trip mileage from the employee’s official station or domicile to the lodging establishment at the destination, (whichever is less), turnpike tolls, and parking charges; or

     2) Airfare in lieu of mileage, which is the total of:  round trip mileage from the employee’s official station or domicile to the nearest airport (whichever is less), round trip coach airfare from the nearest airport to the nearest destination, and round trip mileage (taxi/shuttle) from the airport nearest the destination to the lodging establishment; airport parking and tolls ..

 

The cost comparison of option (1) or (2) including a written airfare quote (this can be printed from an internet site) should be attached to the payment voucher.  This comparison should be made based on airfare rates available 14 days in advance of the travel request. 

In addition to the reimbursement allowed in (1) and (2), the employee may be reimbursed for mileage incurred between the lodging establishment and meetings.  No taxi or terminal expense incurred at the destination is reimbursable.

 

NOTE:  When figuring per diem for the trip Travel Audit allows the traveler only ½ day (2 quarters) to drive to the destination and return because they know it doesn’t take more than that to leave from home and board a plane to fly to a destination anywhere in the U.S.

Example of Driving vs. Flying

MILEAGE:

Mileage from Parsons, KS to San Francisco, CA & return = 1848 miles) one way) x 2 (round trip) x .505/mile = $1,866.48

AIRFARE:

 

Airfare cost = $421.50

Mileage from Parsons, KS to Tulsa, OK Airport & return = 111 miles x 2 x

            .505/mi = $112.11

            Mileage between destination city’s airport and conference hotel &

            12 miles x 2 x .505/mi = 12.12

            Tulsa Airport Parking = 5 days @ 7.00 per day = 35.00

Total cost = $580.73