GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION
41 CFR Parts 300-3, 300-70, 301-2, 301-10, 301-11, 301-13,
301-53, 301-70, 301-71, Appendix C to Chapter 301, 304-3,
and 304-5
[FTR Case 2020-300-1; Docket No. GSA-FTR-2022-0005,
Sequence No. 2]
RIN 3090-AK40
Federal Travel Regulation; Common Carrier Transportation
AGENCY:

Office of Government-wide Policy (OGP), General

Services Administration (GSA).
ACTION:
SUMMARY:

Final rule.
The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) is

amending the Federal Travel Regulation (FTR) by adding
definitions to the Glossary of Terms; adopting
recommendations from agencies and the Senior Travel
Official Council to simplify the FTR; consolidating
duplicative regulations pertaining to the use of common
carrier transportation accommodations; introducing premium
economy airline accommodations as a class of service and
creating management controls related to the use thereof;
removing an outdated exception to use of a Contract City
Pair fare; sequencing common carrier regulations in a more
logical order; and making miscellaneous editorial
corrections.
DATES:

Effective [INSERT DATE 30 DAYS AFTER DATE OF

PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Mr. Tom Mueller, Director

of Travel, Relocation, Mail, and Transportation Division,
Office of Government-wide Policy, at 202-208-0247 or by
email at thomas.mueller@gsa.gov or clarification of
content.

For information pertaining to status or

publication schedules, contact the Regulatory Secretariat
Division at 202-501-4755 or GSARegSec@gsa.gov.

Please cite

FTR Case 2020-300-1.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
GSA is amending the FTR by defining multiple terms, to
include “coach class”, “other than coach class” (which
includes “first class”, “business class”, and “premium
economy class”), “contract City Pair Program”, “scheduled
flight time”, and “usually traveled route”, along with
making other minor editorial changes in the Glossary of
Terms.

This final rule also relocates regulations that are

informational and not directive in nature, such as “What is
an extra-fare train?” (FTR §301-10.163), and more
appropriately places them in the “Glossary of Terms”.
GSA amended the FTR on October 27, 2009 (74 FR 55145)
to implement recommendations contained in the U.S.
Government Accountability Office (GAO) report, “Premium
Class Travel:

Internal Control Weaknesses Governmentwide

Led to Improper and Abusive Use of Premium Class Travel”
(GAO-07-1268).

The final rule replaced “first-class”,

“business-class”, and “premium-class” with a broad term,
“other than coach-class.”

Since that time, changes in the

airline industry, such as unbundling of services and the
creation of classes of service between coach and business
class, has created uncertainty on what accommodations must
be reported as other than coach class. Consequently, GSA is
defining the term “other than coach class” to include
“first class”, “business class”, and “premium economy
class”, while also clearly stating that only first class
and business class need to be reported as part of GSA’s
efforts to ensure against improper and abusive Government
travel costs per GAO-07-1268.
Including “premium economy class” as its own class of
service aligns with current commercial airline industry
practice and acknowledges a potentially cost-saving
alternative to business class accommodations for Federal
travelers when an exception to using coach class
accommodation applies.
From fiscal years 2011 through 2020, business class
airline accommodations have accounted for about 97 percent
of the cost of all reportable other than coach class
transportation. Of the aforementioned 97 percent of
business class air trips, 35 percent were authorized using
the “14-hour rule” per FTR 301-10.125.

As premium economy

class airline tickets tend to be less expensive than
business class, particularly for flights to destinations

outside the continental United States (OCONUS), GSA is
amending the FTR to authorize premium economy class
accommodations as an exception to the required use of coach
class when scheduled flight time exceeds eight hours and
travel is to, from, or between OCONUS locations (i.e.,
foreign and non-foreign areas).

This exception for using

premium economy class is aimed at reducing the use of first
class and business class transportation with the
anticipation that agencies will authorize premium economy
class where offered, instead of business or first class,
when eligible. In the event a traveler is authorized to fly
premium economy class under the new eight-hour rule, there
is no eligibility for a rest period.
Some agencies have expressed the need for a rest
period in excess of 24 hours when there is limited
availability of scheduled departures, as travelers may
encounter it when traveling to certain foreign or remote
locations.

Accordingly, GSA is adding a paragraph (c) to

section 301-11.20 informing agencies they may authorize a
rest period in excess of 24 hours under the circumstances
described.
Additionally, agencies are required to report annual
travel data on certain types of travel per subpart B of FTR
part 300-70.

Premium class travel (formally known as

“other than coach class” travel) is one such type of travel
that requires annual reporting.

Premium class travel

reporting requirements are set forth in the FTR and do not
have a statutorily mandated deadline for submission, which
provides the Administrator of General Services latitude on
setting reporting deadlines.

Typically, several agencies

request an extension to submit their premium class travel
data.

To provide agencies more time to review their data,

GSA is setting the premium class travel reporting
requirement as December 31 of each year (instead of the
current 60 days after the end of each fiscal year).
GSA will now refer to the “premium class” or “other
than coach class” travel report as the “first class and
business class” travel report as reporting is limited to
only first and business class accommodations.

The renaming

of this report will avoid confusion with the newly proposed
definitions of “other than coach class” and “premium
economy class”.

Agencies will not report premium economy

class or coach class seating upgrades in the first class
and business class report as costs for both are likely to
be substantially lower than business and first class
accommodations, and therefore, pose less risk for travel
cost abuse.

To further reduce agency reporting burden, GSA

requires negative submissions only for CFO Act agencies and
agencies that reported the use of first class or business
class accommodations for the previous reporting cycle.
other agencies may provide a negative report but are not

All

required to do so.

These changes, along with clarifying

that agencies only need to report first class and business
class accommodations, will promote a common understanding
of the reporting requirements across Government.
GSA is also making several changes to the FTR based on
recommendations from the Travel and Expense Management
Federal Integrated Business Framework working group,
established by GSA in April 2017, in which GSA worked with
other agencies to develop baseline travel and expense
management standards.

For example, the group proposed

removing an outdated City Pair Program exception which
allows travelers to use a non-contract fare if smoking is
permitted on the contract air carrier and the nonsmoking
section of the contract aircraft is not acceptable (FTR
§301-10.107(e)).

In 2000, smoking was banned on all

scheduled U.S. domestic and international airline flights
between the U.S. and another country (65 FR 36772), which
eventually led to smoke-free policies for airlines
worldwide.

Consequently, GSA is removing this outdated

exception to Contract City Pair Program fare use.
This final rule also eliminates the duplicative
language in the FTR on the classes of accommodations for
each mode of common carrier transportation, i.e., FTR
§§301-10.121 (air), 301-10.160 (rail), and 301-10.182
(ship), the requirement to use coach class accommodations
for each mode, i.e., FTR §§301-10.122 (air), 301-10.161
(rail), and 301-10.183 (ship), and the duplicative

regulations that prescribe when a traveler may be
authorized use of other than coach class accommodations,
i.e., FTR §§301-10.123 (air), 301-10.162 (rail), and 30110.183 (ship), into a single definition for “coach class”,
one regulation on the requirement to use coach class, and
one regulation governing when other than coach class may be
authorized, irrespective of the mode of common carrier
transportation.

Further, this rule eliminates examples of

exceptional security circumstances that currently accompany
the exception for use of other than coach class, as such
circumstances are determined by the agency.
The final rule also clarifies circumstances under
which agencies may authorize the use of sleeping cars on
trains.

Lastly, due in part to the consolidation and

elimination of multiple regulations, this rule resequences
the common carrier regulations found in FTR part 301-10. It
also makes other miscellaneous editorial changes.
II.

Discussion of the Final Rule
GSA published a proposed rule on March 3, 2022 (87 FR

12048), to amend the FTR sections pertaining to the use of
common carrier transportation, e.g., commercial airline and
train.

The proposed rule received one anonymous comment

that recommended changing the term and definition of
“Flight Time” under the 14-hour rule to “Travel Time”, to
account for the total travel time from point of origin to
final destination.

In drafting the proposed rule, GSA considered total
travel time, but agencies expressed concern that it may
actually increase the use of business class.

Consequently,

GSA is maintaining scheduled flight time as a determining
factor for eligibility, not entitlement, to use of business
class airline accommodations.
Additionally, as total travel time may include train
travel that offers business class seating, and often
includes time spent traveling between a traveler’s
residence and airport or train station, time awaiting
transportation, and time traveling using shuttle, taxi, or
transportation network company services to the final
destination, these factors further deterred GSA from
proposing to use total travel time as a basis for business
class eligibility.
III.

Executive Orders 12866 and 13563

Executive Orders (E.O.s) 12866 and 13563 direct
agencies to assess all costs and benefits of available
regulatory alternatives and, if regulation is necessary, to
select regulatory approaches that maximize net benefits
(including potential economic, environmental, public health
and safety effects, distributive impacts, and equity).

E.O

13563 emphasizes the importance of quantifying both costs
and benefits, of reducing costs, of harmonizing rules, and
of promoting flexibility.

This is not a significant

regulatory action and, therefore, was not subject to review

under Section 6(b) of Executive Order 12866, Regulatory
Planning and Review, dated September 30, 1993.
IV. Congressional Review Act
OIRA has determined that this rule is not a “major
rule” as defined by 5 U.S.C. 804(2).

Additionally, this

rule is excepted from Congressional Review Act reporting
requirements prescribed under 5 U.S.C. 801 since it relates
to agency management or personnel under 5 U.S.C. 804(3).
IV.

Regulatory Flexibility Act
This final rule will not have a significant economic

impact on a substantial number of small entities within the
meaning of the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601, et
seq., because it applies to agency management.

Therefore,

a Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis has not been
performed.
V.

Paperwork Reduction Act
The Paperwork Reduction Act does not apply because the

changes to the FTR do not impose recordkeeping or
information collection requirements, or the collection of
information from offerors, contractors, or members of the
public that require the approval of the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) under 44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq.
List of Subjects
41 CFR Part 300-3

Government employees, Income Taxes, Travel and
transportation expenses.
41 CFR Part 300-70
Government employees, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements, Travel and transportation expenses.
41 CFR Part 301-2
Government employees, Travel and transportation
expenses.
41 CFR Part 301-10
Common carriers, Government employees, Government
property, Travel and transportation expenses.
41 CFR Part 301-11
Government employees, Travel and transportation
expenses.
41 CFR Part 301-13
Government employees, Individuals with disabilities,
Travel and transportation expenses.
41 CFR Part 301-53
Government employees, Travel and transportation
expenses.
41 CFR Part 301-70
Administrative practice and procedure, Government
employees, Individuals with disabilities, Travel and
transportation expenses.
41 CFR Part 301-71

Accounting, Government employees, Travel and
transportation expenses.
41 CFR Part 304-3 and 304-5
Government employees, Travel and transportation
expenses.

Robin Carnahan,
Administrator of General Services.

For the reasons set forth in the preamble, GSA amends
41 CFR parts 300-3, 300-70, 301-2, 301-10, 301-11, 301-13,
301-53, 301-70, 301-71, Appendix C to Chapter 301, 304-3,
and 304-5 as set forth below:
PART 300-3-GLOSSARY OF TERMS
1.

The authority citation for part 300-3 continues to

read as follows:
Authority: 5 U.S.C. 5707; 40 U.S.C. 121(c); 49 U.S.C.
40118; 5 U.S.C. 5738; 5 U.S.C. 5741-5742; 20 U.S.C. 905(a);
31 U.S.C. 1353; E.O 11609, as amended, 3 CFR, 1971-1975
Comp., p. 586, Office of Management and Budget Circular No.
A-126, revised May 22, 1992.
2.

Amend §300-3.1 by—
a.

Adding in alphabetical order definitions for

“Coach class” and “Coach class seating upgrade programs”;
b.

Revising the definition of “Common carrier”;

c.

Adding in alphabetical order definitions for

“Contract City Pair Program”, “Extra-fare train”, and
“Other than coach class”;
d.

Revising the definition of “Privately owned

automobile”; and
e.

Adding in alphabetical order definitions for

“Scheduled flight time” and “Usually traveled route”.
The additions and revisions read as follows:
§300-3.1
*

*

What do the following terms mean?
*

*

*

Coach class-The class of accommodation that is
normally the lowest class of fare offered by common
carriers regardless of terminology used.

For reference

purposes only, coach class may also be referred to as
tourist class, economy class, steerage, or standard class.
Coach class seating upgrade programs-Under commercial
air transportation seating upgrade programs, a passenger
may obtain a preferable seat choice or increased amenities
or services within the coach class seating area.

These

upgraded choices are generally available for a fee, as a
program membership benefit (such as frequent flyer) or at
an airport kiosk or gate.

Coach class seating upgrade

options are not considered a new or higher class of
accommodation from coach as the seat is lower than other
than coach class accommodations in terms of cost and
amenities (e.g., seating girth and pitch, priority
boarding, luggage allowance, expedited food/drink service).
*

*

*

*

*

Common carrier-Private sector supplier of air, rail,
bus, ship, or other transit system.
*

*

*

*

*

Contract City Pair Program-A mandatory use (see §30110.110 for required users) Government program that provides
commercially available scheduled air passenger
transportation services to persons authorized to travel
directly at the Government’s expense.

The City Pair

Program offers negotiated firm-fixed-price fares on one-way
routes between airports that apply in either direction of
travel.

Fares may be issued using one of the following

fare types, or others that the contract City Pair Program
may solicit:
(1)

Capacity-controlled coach class contract fare

(_CA) - A contract City Pair Program coach class fare that
is less expensive than the unrestricted contract City Pair
Program coach class fare (YCA), but has limited inventory
availability, meaning, once the flight reaches a certain
capacity, _CA fares may no longer be available for booking.
Unlike YCA fares, _CA fares are restricted by the
availability of seats.

Accordingly, early booking may

increase the likelihood of booking a _CA fare.

The first

character of the three-character fare basis code varies by
airline.
(2)

Unrestricted coach class contract fare (YCA) -

A contract City Pair Program coach class fare that is more
expensive than a _CA fare, but offers last seat (inventory)
availability (unless a flight is already sold out),
meaning, as long as coach class inventory is available to
sell on the flight, the Government traveler can purchase
it.
(3)

Contract business fare (_CB) - Contract fare

offered by carriers in some domestic and international line
item markets for business class service.

The first

character of the three-character fare basis code varies by
airline.
*

*

*

*

*

Extra-fare train-A train that operates at an increased
fare due to the extra performance of the train, i.e.,
faster speed or fewer stops, or both.
*

*

*

*

*

Other than coach class-Any class of accommodations
above coach class.
(1)

First class. The highest class of accommodation

offered by a common carrier in terms of cost and amenities.
(2)

Business class.

A class of accommodation

offered by a common carrier that is lower than first class
but higher than coach and premium economy, in cost and
amenities.
(3)

Premium economy class.

A class of airline

accommodation that is lower than both first class and
business class, but higher than coach class in terms of
cost and amenities.

Airlines are constantly updating their

offerings; however, for the purposes of this regulation,
premium economy class is considered a separate, higher
class of accommodation from coach class and is not
considered a coach class seating upgrade.
*

*

*

*

*

Privately owned automobile—A car or light truck,
including a van or a pickup truck, that is owned or leased

for personal use by an individual, but not necessarily the
traveler.
*

*

*

*

*

Scheduled flight time-The flight time between the
originating departure point and the ultimate arrival point,
as scheduled by the airline, including scheduled nonovernight time spent at airports during plane changes.
Scheduled non-overnight time does not include time spent at
the originating or ultimate arrival airports.
*

*

*

*

*

Usually traveled route-The most direct route between
the employee’s official station (or invitational traveler’s
home) and the temporary duty location, as defined by maps
or consistent with established scheduled services of
contract or common carriers.
PART 300-70-AGENCY REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
3.

The authority citation for 41 CFR part 300-70

continues to read as follows:
Authority: 5 U.S.C. 5707; 5 U.S.C. 5738; 5 U.S.C.
5741-5742; 20 U.S.C. 905(a); 31 U.S.C. 1353; 40 U.S.C.
121(c); 49 U.S.C. 40118; E.O. 11609, as amended, 3 CFR,
1971-1975 Comp., p. 586.
4.

The subpart B heading is revised to read as

follows:
Subpart B—Requirement to Report Use of First Class and
Business Class Transportation Accommodations

5.

Amend §300-70.100 by revising the section heading

to read as follows:
§300-70.100

Who must report the use of first class and

business class transportation accommodations?
*

*

*
6.

*

*

Revise §300-70.101 to read as follows:

§300-70.101

What information must we report on the use of

first class and business class transportation
accommodations?
GSA issues FTR bulletins that inform you of the
required information and reporting format(s) for each trip
where you paid for at least one segment of first class or
business class transportation accommodations that were more
expensive than coach class accommodations for the same
itinerary.

FTR bulletins are updated as necessary and

available at https://www.gsa.gov/ftrbulletins.
7.

Revise §300-70.102 to read as follows:

§300-70.102

When must we report on the use of first class

and business class transportation accommodations?
You must report to the U.S. General Services
Administration, Office of Government-wide Policy no later
than December 31 of each year.

The reporting period is

October 1 through September 30.

Negative submissions,

i.e., no data to report, are required for Chief Financial
Officers (CFO) Act agencies and agencies that reported the
use of first class or business class transportation

accommodations for the previous reporting cycle.

All other

agencies may provide a negative report, as relevant.
8.

Amend §300-70.103 by revising the section heading,

introductory text, and paragraphs (a) and (b) to read as
follows:
§300-70.103

Are there any exceptions to the first class

and business class reporting requirement?
Yes.

You must not report data that is protected from

public disclosure by statute or Executive Order, such as
classified data or data otherwise withheld from the public
in response to written requests under the Freedom of
Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552).

In these cases, you are

required to report the following aggregate information:
(a)

Aggregate number of authorized first class and

business class trips that are protected from disclosure;
(b)

Total cost of actual first class and business

class fares paid that exceeded the coach class fare; and
*

*

*

*

*

PART 301-2-GENERAL RULES
9.

The authority citation for 41 CFR part 301-2

continues to read as follows:
Authority: 5 U.S.C. 5707; 31 U.S.C. 1353; 49 U.S.C.
40118.
10.
§301-2.1

Revise §301-2.1 to read as follows:
Must I have authorization to travel?

Yes, generally you must have written or electronic
authorization before incurring any travel expense.

When it

is not practicable or possible to obtain such authorization
before travel begins, your agency may approve reimbursement
for specific travel expenses after travel is completed.
However, written or electronic advance authorization is
required for items in §301-2.5(c), (i), (n), and (o) of
this part.
11.

Amend §301-2.4 by adding a sentence to the end of

the section to read as follows:
§301-2.4
*

For what travel expenses am I responsible?
*

*

Failure to provide sufficient justification

to your approving official for such accommodations or
services will limit your reimbursement to the constructive
cost of the amount authorized versus the amount claimed.
§301-2.5
12.

[Amended]
Amend §301-2.5, in paragraph (b), by removing the

words “foreign air carrier” and adding in their place
“foreign air carrier or foreign ship”.
PART 301-10-TRANSPORTATION EXPENSES
13.

The authority citation for part 301-10 continues

to read as follows:
Authority: 5 U.S.C. 5707, 40 U.S.C. 121(c); 49 U.S.C.
40118; Office of Management and Budget Circular No. A-126,
“Improving the Management and Use of Government Aircraft.”
Revised May 22, 1992.

14.

Add §§301-10.101 through 301-10.104 to read as

follows:
Sec.
*

*

*

301-10.101

*

*

What classes of common carrier accommodations

are available?
301-10.102

What class of common carrier accommodations

must I use?
301-10.103

When may I use other than coach class

accommodations?
301-10.104

What must I do if I change or do not use a

common carrier reservation?
*

*

*

§301-10.101

*

*
What classes of common carrier accommodations

are available?
Common carriers frequently update their levels of
service and use various terminologies to distinguish those
levels of service.

For the purposes of this regulation,

the classes of common carrier transportation are
categorized as coach class, premium economy class, business
class, and first class.
Note 1 to §301-10.101: If an airline flight has only
two classes of accommodations available, i.e., two
distinctly different seating types (such as girth and
pitch) and the front of the aircraft is termed “premium
economy class” or higher by the airline and the tickets are

fare coded as premium economy class or higher, then the
front of the aircraft is deemed to be other than coach
class.

Alternatively, if an airline flight has only two

seating sections available but equips both with one type of
seating, (i.e., seating girth and pitch are the same in
both sections of the aircraft), and the seats in the front
of the aircraft are fare coded as full fare economy class,
and only restricted economy fares are available in the back
of the aircraft, then the entire aircraft is to be
classified as coach class.

In this second situation,

qualifying for other than coach class travel is not
required to purchase an unrestricted full fare economy seat
in the front of the aircraft as the entire aircraft is
considered “coach class.”
§301-10.102

What class of common carrier accommodations

must I use?
For all official travel you must use coach class
accommodations, unless your agency authorizes or approves
the use of other than coach class accommodations as
provided under §301-10.103.
§301-10.103

When may I use other than coach class

accommodations?
You are required to exercise the same care in
incurring expenses that a prudent person would exercise if
traveling on personal business when making official travel
arrangements.

Therefore, you are required to use the least

expensive class of accommodations necessary to meet your
needs and accomplish the agency’s mission.

You may use the

lowest other than coach class accommodations only when your
agency specifically authorizes or approves such use as
specified in paragraph (a), (b), or (c) of this section.
(a)

Your agency may authorize or approve premium

economy class accommodations when:
(1)

Required to accommodate a medical disability or

other special need;
(i)

A medical disability must be certified

annually in a written statement by a competent medical
authority.

However, if the disability is a lifelong

condition, then a one-time certification statement is
required.

Certification statements must include at a

minimum:
(A)

A written statement by a competent medical

authority stating that special accommodation is necessary;
(B)

An approximate duration of the special

accommodation; and
(C)

A recommendation as to the suitable class

of transportation accommodations based on the medical
disability.
(ii)

A special need must be certified annually

in writing according to your agency's procedures. However,
if the special need is a lifelong condition, then a onetime certification statement is required;

(iii)

If you are authorized under §301-13.3(a)

of this subchapter to have an attendant accompany you, your
agency may also authorize the attendant to use premium
economy class accommodations if you require the attendant's
services en route;
(2)

Exceptional security circumstances, as

determined by your agency, require premium economy class
accommodations;
(3)

Coach class accommodations on an authorized

foreign carrier do not provide adequate sanitation or
health standards;
(4)

Regularly scheduled service between origin and

destination points, including connecting points, provide
only other than coach class accommodations and you certify
such on your voucher;
(5)

Your common carrier costs are paid in full

through agency acceptance of payment from a non-Federal
source in accordance with chapter 304 of this title;
(6)

Your origin and/or destination is/are OCONUS

and your scheduled flight time, including stopovers and
change of planes, is in excess of eight hours;
(7)

The use results in an overall cost savings to

the Government by avoiding additional subsistence costs,
overtime, or lost productive time while awaiting coach
class accommodations;

(8)

No space is available in coach class

accommodations that allows you to arrive in time to
accomplish the mission, which is urgent and cannot be
postponed; or
(9)

Required because of agency mission, consistent

with your agency’s internal procedures pursuant to §30170.102(i).
(b)

Your agency may authorize or approve business

class accommodations under paragraphs (a)(1) through (5)
and (7) through (9) of this section, or when:
(1)

Your origin and/or destination are OCONUS;

(2)

Your scheduled flight time, including stopovers

and change of planes, is more than 14 hours;
(3)

You are required to report to duty the

following day or sooner; and
(4)

Your agency has determined business class

accommodations are more advantageous than authorizing a
rest period en route or at your destination pursuant to
§301-11.20.
(c)

Your agency may authorize or approve first class

accommodations under paragraph (a)(1), (2), or (9) of this
section, or when no coach class, premium economy class, or
business class accommodations are reasonably available.
“Reasonably available” means available on a common carrier
that is scheduled to leave within 24 hours of your proposed

departure time, or scheduled to arrive within 24 hours of
your proposed arrival time.
Note 1 to §301-10.103:

Other than coach class

accommodations may be obtained at a traveler’s personal
expense, including through redemption of program membership
benefits such as frequent flyer programs.
Note 2 to §301-10.103:

Open authorization (i.e.,

Unlimited Open or Limited Open) of other than coach class
transportation accommodations is prohibited and shall be
authorized on an individual trip-by-trip basis, unless the
traveler has an up-to-date documented medical disability or
special need.
§301-10.104

What must I do if I change or do not use a

common carrier reservation?
If you know you will change or not use your
reservation, you must take action to change or cancel it as
prescribed by your agency.

Also, you must report all

changes of your reservation according to your agency's
procedures in an effort to prevent losses to the
Government.

Failure to do so may subject you to liability

for any resulting losses.
15.

Revise §301-10.105 to read as follows:

§301-10.105

What must I do with unused Government

Transportation Request(s) (GTR(s)), ticket(s), or refund
application(s)?

You must submit any unused GTR(s), unused ticket
coupons, unused e-tickets, unused e-vouchers, or refund
applications to your agency in accordance with your
agency's procedures.
16.

Remove the undesignated center heading “Use of

Contract City-Pair Fares” that appears above §301-10.106.
17.

Revise §301-10.106 to read as follows:

§301-10.106

Am I authorized to receive or keep a refund or

credit for unused transportation?
No.

You are not authorized to receive or keep a

refund, credit, or any other negotiable document from a
transportation service provider for undelivered services
(except as provided in §301-10.123) or any portion of an
unused ticket issued in exchange for a GTR or billed to an
agency's centrally billed account.

However, any charges

billed directly to your individually billed Government
charge card account should be credited to your account.
You must immediately remit to the Government for any unused
transportation expense(s) credited to your individually
billed Government charge card account.
§§301-10.107 through 301-10.109 [Removed and Reserved]
18.

Remove and reserve §§301-10.107 through 301-

10.109.
19.

Add an undesignated center heading

before §301-

10.110 and revise §§301-10.110 through 301-10.114 to read
as follows:

Sec.
*

*

*

*

*

Use of Contract City Pair Program Fares
301-10.110

When must I use a contract City Pair Program

fare?
301-10.111

Are there any exceptions to the use of a

contract City Pair Program fare?
301-10.112

What requirements must be met to use a non-

contract fare?
301-10.113

What is my liability for unauthorized use of a

non-contract carrier when contract service is available and
I do not meet one of the exceptions for required use?
301-10.114

May I use contract passenger transportation

service for personal travel?
*

*

*

*

*

Use of Contract City Pair Program Fares
§301-10.110

When must I use a contract City Pair Program

fare?
If you are an employee of an agency as defined in
§301-1.1 of this chapter, you must use a contract City Pair
Program fare for scheduled air passenger transportation
service unless one of the limited exceptions in §301-10.111
exists.
Note 1 to §301-10.110:

When a contract City Pair

Program carrier offers a lower cost capacity-controlled
coach class contract fare (_CA) and an unrestricted coach

class contract fare (YCA), you must use the lower cost
capacity-controlled fare when it is advantageous and meets
mission needs.

A listing of contract City Pair Program

fares is available at https://www.gsa.gov/citypairs.
Note 2 to §301-10.110:

Employees of the Government of

the District of Columbia, with the exception of the
District of Columbia Courts, are not eligible to use
contract City Pair Program fares even though these
employees otherwise may be covered by the FTR.
§301-10.111

Are there any exceptions to the use of a

contract City Pair Program fare?
Yes, your agency may authorize use of a non-contract
fare when:
(a)

There are no accommodations available on any

scheduled contract City Pair Program flight arriving to
your destination in time to accomplish the purpose of your
travel or use of contract service would require you to
incur unnecessary overnight lodging costs which would
increase the total cost of the trip;
(b)

The contractor’s flight schedule is inconsistent

with explicit policies of your Federal department or agency
with regard to scheduling travel during normal working
hours;
(c)

A non-contract carrier offers a lower fare to the

general public that, if used, will result in a lower total
trip cost to the Government (the combined costs of

transportation, lodging, meals, and related expenses
considered); or
Note 1 to paragraph (c):

This exception does not

apply if the contract carrier offers the same or lower fare
and has seats available at that fare, or if the fare
offered by the non-contract carrier is restricted to
Government and military travelers performing official
business and may be purchased only with a contractor-issued
charge card, centrally billed account (e.g., YDG, MDG, QDG,
VDG, and similar fares) or GTR where the two previous
options are not available.
(d)

Cost effective rail transportation is available

and is consistent with mission requirements.
Note 2 to §301-10.111:

A group of 10 or more

passengers traveling together on the same day, on the same
flight, for the same mission, requiring group integrity and
identified as a group by the travel management service upon
booking is not a mandatory user of the Government's
contract City Pair Program fares.

For group travel,

agencies are expected to obtain air passenger
transportation service that is practical and cost effective
to the Government.
Note 3 to §301-10.111:

Contractors are not authorized

to use contract City Pair Program fares to perform travel
under their contracts.

Note 4 to §301-10.111:

Carrier preference is not a

valid exception for using a non-contract City Pair Program
fare.
§301-10.112

What requirements must be met to use a non-

contract fare?
(a)

Before purchasing a non-contract fare you must

meet one of the exception requirements listed in §30110.111 and show approval on your travel authorization to
use a non-contract fare; and
(b)

If the non-contract fare is non-refundable,

restricted, or has specific eligibility requirements, you
must know or reasonably anticipate, based on your planned
trip, that you will use the ticket; and
(c)

Your agency must determine that the proposed non-

contract transportation is practical and cost effective for
the Government.
§301-10.113

What is my liability for unauthorized use of a

non-contract carrier when contract service is available and
I do not meet one of the exceptions for required use?
You are responsible for any additional costs or
penalties incurred by you resulting from unauthorized use
of non-contract service.
§301-10.114

May I use contract passenger transportation

service for personal travel?
No, you may not use contract passenger transportation
service for personal travel.

§§301-10.115 through 301-10.117
20.

[Removed and Reserved]

Remove and reserve §§301-10.115 through 301-

10.117.
§§301-10.118 and 301-10.119
21.

[Reserved]

Add reserved §§301-10.118 and 301-10.119 after

the undesignated center heading “Airline Accommodations”.
22.

Add §301-10.120 after the undesignated center

heading “Airline Accommodations” to read as follows:
§301-10.120

What must I do when different airlines furnish

the same service at different fares?
When there is no contract City Pair Program fare and
other carriers furnish the same service at different fares
between the same points for the same type of
accommodations, you must use the lowest cost service unless
your agency determines that the use of higher cost service
is more advantageous to the Government.
23. Revise §§301-10.121 through 301-10.124 to read as
follows:
Sec.
*

*

*

301-10.121

*

*

When may I use coach class seating upgrade

programs?
301-10.122

What must I do with compensation an airline

gives me if it denies me a seat on a plane?

301-10.123

May I keep compensation an airline gives me for

voluntarily vacating my seat on my scheduled airline flight
when the airline asks for volunteers?
301-10.124

When may I use a reduced group or charter fare?

*

*

*

*

§301-10.121

*
When may I use coach class seating upgrade

programs?
Use of upgraded coach class seating options is
generally a traveler’s personal choice and therefore is at
the traveler’s personal expense.

However, your agency

approving official may approve reimbursement of the
additional seat choice fee according to part 301-13 of this
chapter or internal agency policy (see §301-70.102(k)).
§301-10.122

What must I do with compensation an airline

gives me if it denies me a seat on a plane?
If you are performing official travel and a carrier
denies you a confirmed reserved seat on a plane, you must
give your agency any payment you receive for liquidated
damages.

You must ensure the carrier shows the “Treasurer

of the United States” as payee on the compensation check
and then forward the payment to the appropriate agency
official.
§301-10.123

May I keep compensation an airline gives me

for voluntarily vacating my seat on my scheduled airline
flight when the airline asks for volunteers?
(a)

Yes, you may keep airline compensation if:

(1)

Voluntarily vacating your seat will not

interfere with performing your official duties; and
(2)

Additional travel expenses, incurred as a

result of vacating your seat, are borne by you and are not
reimbursed by the Government.
(b)

If volunteering delays your travel during duty

hours, your agency will charge you with annual leave for
the additional hours.
§301-10.124

When may I use a reduced group or charter

fare?
You may use a reduced group or charter fare when your
agency has determined, on an individual case basis before
your travel begins, that use of such a fare is cost
effective. Chartered aircraft are subject to the same rules
as Government aircraft, and agencies in the executive
branch of the Federal Government are subject to the
requirements of Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
Circular A-126 and 41 CFR part 102-33 in making such cost
effectiveness determinations.
§301-10.125
24.

[Removed and Reserved]

Remove and reserve §301-10.125.

§§301-10.126 through 301-10.129
25.

[Reserved]

Add reserved §§301-10.126 through 301-10.129

before the undesignated center heading “Use of United
States Flag Air Carriers”.
§301-10.130

[Reserved]

26.

Add reserved §301-10.130 after the undesignated

center heading “Use of United States Flag Air Carriers”.
§§301-10.144 through 301-10.159
27.

[Reserved]

Add reserved §§301-10.144 through 301-10.159

before the undesignated center heading “Train”.
28.

Revise §§301-10.160 and 301-10.161 to read as

follows:
§301-10.160

When may I use extra-fare train service?

You may use extra-fare train service whenever your
agency determines it is more advantageous to the Government
or is required for security reasons.

Use of extra-fare

train service must be authorized or approved as other than
coach class accommodations as provided in §§301-10.103(b)
and 301-10.103(c).
§301-10.161

When may I use sleeping accommodations aboard

train service?
You may use the lowest class of sleeping
accommodations aboard a train that meets your mission needs
when overnight travel is required, and your agency
determines it is advantageous to the Government.
§§301-10.162 through 301-10.164 [Removed and Reserved]
29. Remove and reserve §§301-10.162 through 30110.164.
§§301-10.165 through 301-10.179 [Reserved]
30. Add reserved §§301-10.165 through 301-10.179
before the undesignated center heading “Ship”.

31. Revise §301-10.180 to read as follows:
§301-10.180

Must I travel by a U.S. flag ship?

Yes, when authorized to travel by ship you must use a
U.S. flag ship when one is available unless the necessity
of the mission requires the use of a foreign ship.

(See 46

U.S.C. 55302).
§§301-10.182 and 183
32.

[Removed and Reserved]

Remove and reserve §§301-10.182 and 301-10.183.

§§301-10.184 through 301-10.189
33.

[Reserved]

Add reserved §§301-10.184 through 301-10.189

before the undesignated center heading “Transit Systems”.
PART 301-11-PER DIEM EXPENSES
34.

The authority citation for 41 CFR part 301-11

continues to read as follows:
Authority: 5 U.S.C. 5707
35.

Amend §301-11.20 by revising paragraph (a) and

adding paragraph (c) to read as follows:
§301-11.20

May my agency authorize a rest period for me

while I am traveling?
(a)

Your agency may authorize a rest period not in

excess of 24 hours at either an intermediate point or at
your destination when:
(1)

Either your origin or destination is OCONUS;

(2)

Your scheduled flight time, including

stopovers, exceeds 14 hours;

(3)

Travel is by a direct or usually traveled

route; and
(4)

Travel is by coach class or premium economy

class.
*

*

*
(c)

*

*

Your agency may authorize a rest period that

exceeds 24 hours when no scheduled transportation service
departs within 24 hours of your arrival at an intermediate
point.

To qualify for a rest period exceeding 24 hours,

you must be scheduled to board the first available
scheduled departure.

Your agency will determine a

reasonable additional length of time for any rest period
exceeding 24 hours.
36.

Amend §301-11.26 by revising the table to read as

follows:
§ 301-11.26

How do I request a review of the per diem in a

location?
*

*

*

*

*
Table 1 to § 301-11.26

For CONUS locations

For non-foreign area For foreign area
locations
locations

General Services
Administration,
Office of Governmentwide Policy, 1800 F
St. NW., Washington,
DC 20405

Defense Travel
Management Office,
Attn: Policy and
Regulations
Division, 4800 Mark
Center Drive, Suite
04J25-01,
Alexandria, VA
22350-9000

Director, Office
of Allowances,
Department of
State, Annex 1,
Suite L-314,
Washington, DC
20522-0103.

PART 301-13-TRAVEL OF AN EMPLOYEE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
37.

The authority citation for 41 CFR part 301-13

continues to read as follows:
Authority: 5 U.S.C. 5707.
38.

Amend §301-13.3 by revising the introductory text

and paragraph (f) to read as follows:
§301-13.3

What additional travel expenses may my agency

pay under this part?
Your agency approving official may pay for any
expenses deemed necessary by your agency to accommodate
your special need including, but not limited to, the
following expenses:
*

*

*
(f)

*

*

Other than coach class accommodations to

accommodate your special need, under subpart B of part 30110 of this subchapter; and
*

*

*

*

*

PART 301-53-USING PROMOTIONAL MATERIAL AND FREQUENT
TRAVELER PROGRAMS
39.

The authority citation for part 301-53 continues

to read as follows:
Authority: 5 U.S.C. 5707; 31 U.S.C. 1353.
§301-53.4

[Amended]

40.

Amend §301-53.4 by removing “§§301-10.109 and

301-10.110” and adding “§§301-10.113 and 301-10.114” in its
place.
41.
§301-53.5

Revise §301-53.5 to read as follows:
Are there exceptions to the mandatory use of

contract City Pair Program fares and an agency’s travel
management service?
Yes, the exceptions are in accordance with §§30110.111 and 301-10.112 of this chapter for the mandatory use
of a contract City Pair Program fare, and §301-73.103 of
this chapter for the mandatory use of a travel management
service.
§301-53.6
42.

[Amended]
Amend §301-53.6 by removing “§301-10.116” and

“§301-10.117” and adding “§301-10.122” and “§301-10.123” in
their places, respectively.
PART 301-70-INTERNAL POLICY AND PROCEDURE REQUIREMENTS
43.

The authority citation for part 301-70 is revised

to read as follows:
Authority: 5 U.S.C. 5707; 40 U.S.C. 121(c); Sec. 2,
Pub. L. 105-264, 112 Stat. 2350 (5 U.S.C. 5701, note); OMB
Circular No. A-126, revised May 22, 1992; OMB Circular No.
A-123, Appendix B, revised August 27, 2019.
44.

Amend §301-70.102 by revising paragraphs (b)(1)

and (3), (d), (i), and (k) to read as follows:

§301-70.102

What governing policies must we establish for

authorization and payment of transportation expenses?
*

*

*
(b)

*
*

(1)

*
*

*

Use of other than coach class accommodations

under §301-10.103 of this chapter;
*

*

*

*

(3)

*

Use of an extra-fare train service under §301-

10.160;
*

*

*
(d)

*

*

When you consider the use of a POV advantageous

to the Government, such as travel to and from common
carrier terminals or to the TDY location.

When determining

whether the use of a POV to a TDY location is the most
advantageous method of transportation, you must consider
the total cost of using a POV as compared to the total cost
of using a rental vehicle, including rental costs, fuel,
taxes, parking (at a common carrier terminal--not to exceed
the cost of taxi or transportation network company fare,
etc.), and any other relevant costs;
*

*

*
(i)

*

*

Develop and issue internal guidance on what

specific mission criteria justify use of other than coach
class under §301-10.103(a)(9) and the use of other than the
least expensive compact car available under §301-10.450(c).

The justification criteria shall be noted on the traveler’s
authorization.
*

*

*
(k)

*

*

Develop and publish internal guidance regarding

when coach class seating upgrade fees will be authorized as
advantageous to the Government and reimbursed (see §30110.121).
45.

Amend §301-70.401 by revising paragraph (a) to

read as follows:
§301–70.401

What governing policies and procedures must we

establish regarding travel of an employee with a disability
or special need?
*

*

*
(a)

*

*

Who will determine if an employee has a

disability or special need which requires accommodation,
including when documentation is necessary under §§30110.103 and 301-10.121, and when a determination may be
based on a clearly visible and discernible physical
condition; and
*

*

*

*

*

PART 301–71–AGENCY TRAVEL ACCOUNTABILITY REQUIREMENTS
46.

The authority citation for 41 CFR part 301-71

continues to read as follows:
Authority: 5 U.S.C. 5707; 40 U.S.C. 121(c); Sec. 2,
Pub. L. 105-264, 112 Stat. 2350 (5 U.S.C. 5701 note).
47.

Revise §301-71.105 to read as follows:

§301–71.105 Must we issue a travel authorization in advance
of travel?
Yes, except when advance authorization is not possible
or practical and approval is in accordance with §§301-2.1,
301-2.5, or 304-3.13.

However, the following always

require advance authorization:
(a)

Use of reduced fares for group or charter

arrangements;
(b)

Payment of a reduced rate per diem;

(c)

Acceptance of payment from a non–Federal source

for travel expenses (see chapter 304 of this title); and
(d)

Travel expenses related to attendance at a

conference.
48.

Amend appendix C to chapter 301 by

a.

Revising the entry for “Transportation Method

Indicator” in the table for “Commercial Transportation
Information”; and
b.

Revising the entry for “Transportation Method

Cost” in the table for “Travel Expense Information”.
The revisions read as follows:
Appendix C to Chapter 301 - Standard Data Elements for
Federal Travel [Traveler Identification]
*

*

*

*

*

Commercial Transportation Information
Group name

Data elements

Description

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

Transportation

Air (other than

Common carrier

Method Indicator

coach class)

used as
transportation to
TDY location

Air (coach class)

Non-contract Air,
Train, Other
*

*

*

*

*

*

*

Travel Expense Information
Group name

*

Data elements

*

*

*

*

Description

*

*

Transportation

Air (other than

The amount of

Method Cost

coach class)

money the
transportation
actually cost the
traveler, entered
according to
method of
transportation

Air (coach class)

Non-contract Air,
Train
Other

Bus or other form
of transportation

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

PART 304-3-EMPLOYEE RESPONSIBILITY
49.

The authority citation for part 304-3 continues

to read as follows:
Authority: 5 U.S.C. 5707; 31 U.S.C. 1353.
50.
§304-3.9

Revise §304-3.9 to read as follows:
May I use other than coach class accommodations

on common carriers when a non-Federal source pays in full
for my common carrier transportation expenses to attend a
meeting?
Yes, you may use other than coach class accommodations
on common carriers if you meet one of the criteria
contained in §301-10.103 of this subtitle, and are
authorized to do so by your agency in accordance with §3045.5 of this chapter.
PART 304-5-AGENCY RESPONSIBILITIES
51.

The authority citation for 41 CFR part 304-5

continues to read as follows:

Authority: 5 U.S.C. 5707; 31 U.S.C. 1353.
52.

Amend §304-5.5 by revising the section heading,

introductory text, and paragraph (c) to read as follows:
§304–5.5

May we authorize an employee to use other than

coach class accommodations on common carriers if we accept
payment in full from a non-Federal source for such
transportation expenses?
Yes, you may authorize an employee to use other than
coach class accommodations on common carriers as long as
the:
*

*

*
(c)

*

*

Travel meets at least one of the conditions in

§301-10.103 of this title.
[FR Doc. 2022-19484 Filed: 9/9/2022 8:45 am; Publication Date: 9/12/2022]