March 2007 | Back to Travel Express Home |

Planning Your Trip: Ensure That Your Airfare Will be Reimbursed

LBNL recommends that travelers purchase their airline tickets through the contracted agency, Carlson Wagonlit Travel (CWT). Reservations can be made through an on-line booking tool, TravelPOWER-Cliqbook, or by calling an agent direct at 1-888-243-1125.

Travelers who choose to purchase tickets from a source, other than CWT, will be reimbursed up to the amount the ticket would have cost the Laboratory if purchased through the agency.

There are several benefits to using CWT. The agency will:

Ensure the airfare is “allowable” based on YCAL* fares and the Published Airline Tariff
Obtain a United Airlines discount of 2%-10% off of the Published Airline Tariff (where applicable)
In the case of an international ticket, ensure compliance with the Fly America Act (Public Law 93-623)
Directly bill the Laboratory
Assist with booking hotels and car rentals
Provide 24/7 customer support

LBNL Policy on Transportation Expenses (RPM 4.01.I.1):

Travelers are expected to make every effort to obtain the most economical rates, use the most economical mode of transportation, and use the most usually traveled route consistent with the purpose of the trip.

For travelers choosing not to use CWT to book airfare, below is information designed to help ensure that a ticket is allowable and the Fly America Act is followed:

Every effort should be make to obtain the most economical rate. (Note: travelers are not expected to use connecting flights or fly out of a specific airport in order to comply with this Laboratory policy.)
Coach class or any discounted class must be used. Refer to the Lab’s Travel Polic y (RPM §4.01.I.2.a.) for exceptions.
The YCAL fare, for domestic and international markets for which there is such a fare, will serve as the reimbursable ceiling.
If choosing to fly on United Airlines, contact CWT about the 2%- 10% discount agreement on selected Domestic and International airfares. (Note: This discount is also applied to United reservations booked and ticketed with TravelPower-Cliqbook.)
For international travel to be reimbursed from Federal grants and contracts, the Federal Travel Regulations require the Laboratory to use American flag carriers/U.S. Carrier code share flight numbers. Click HERE to see allowable exceptions.

E-mail/fax the travel itinerary along with airfare quote for review to the Travel Office, Attn: Maxine Redfearn: travelhotline@lbl.gov; fax 1-530-534-4523.

The Travel Office will respond to your proposed outside agency itinerary and airfare quote within 24 hours. The response will:

Include LBNL allowable airfare
Advise of any unallowable/non-reimbursable costs due to:
- Personal travel; and/or
- Additional business destinations listed on the itinerary that will be directly reimbursed to travelers by other organizations.
Advise of any unallowable costs due to non-compliance of the Fly America Act .

Questions?

Please contact Maxine Redfearn: travelhotline@lbl.gov; fax 1-530-534-4523.

*YCAL is a State of California program that offers the Lab discount airfares for over 140 city-pairs within the State, out-of-state and international markets. For a complete listing of YCAL fares, go HERE.