§ 301-70.1 Administration of travel expense authorization and payment.

When administering travel expense authorization and payment, agencies— (a) Must consider the need for travel and limit the authorization and payment of travel expenses to travel that is necessary to accomplish the mission in the most economical and effective manner, under rules stated throughout this chapter; (b) Must ensure that travel is booked as far in advance as possible in order to capture the greatest transportation and lodging savings; for conference and training travel, book at least 30 days in advance when possible; (c) Should consider the most cost effective routing and means of accomplishing travel; (d) Should consider the employee's travel plans, including plans to take leave in conjunction with official travel; (e) Should give consideration to budget constraints, adherence to travel policies, and reasonableness of expenses; (f) Should always consider alternatives to travel, including teleconferencing, prior to authorizing travel; and (g) Must require employees to use the ETS to process travel authorizations and claims for travel expenses, unless an exception has been granted under § 301-50.2 of this chapter.