ALCOAST 405/08
COMDTNOTE 4600
SUBJ:  EXCESS BAGGAGE, ECONOMY CLASS UPGRADES, AND MANDATORY USE OF
A TRAVEL MANAGEMENT CENTER
A.  JOINT FEDERAL TRAVEL REGULATIONS (JFTR), VOL. 1
B.  COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC 141404Z JUL 08/ALCOAST 333/08
1.  IN ACCORDANCE WITH PARA U3015, APPENDIX A, AND APPENDIX G IN
REF A, ACCOMPANIED BAGGAGE IN EXCESS OF THE MAXIMUM WEIGHT, SIZE,
OR NUMBER OF PIECES CARRIED AT NO ADDITIONAL COST (FREE) BY A
TRANSPORTATION CARRIER IS EXCESS ACCOMPANIED BAGGAGE.  EFFECTIVE
IMMEDIATELY, AUTHORIZING/ORDER-ISSUING OFFICIALS (AO) MAY INDICATE
ON ALL TRAVEL ORDERS THAT EXCESS BAGGAGE IS AUTHORIZED,
REIMBURSEMENT NOT TO EXCEED 75 DOLLARS.  RECEIPTS ARE REQUIRED WITH
SUBMISSION OF TRAVEL CLAIMS.  SHOULD A MEMBER INCUR EXCESS BAGGAGE
FEES IN EXCESS OF 75 DOLLARS, THE AO SHOULD VERIFY THAT THE CLAIM
FOR REIMBURSEMENT IS PROPER AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH PARA U3015 OF
THE JFTR.  THE AO MUST ENSURE THAT ALL CLAIMS FOR EXCESS BAGGAGE
CHARGES ARE LIMITED TO THE PERSONAL EFFECTS OF A TRAVELER NECESSARY
FOR OFFICIAL TRAVEL AND ARE IMMEDIATELY NEEDED UPON ARRIVAL AT THE
POINT OF ASSIGNMENT.  MATERIAL/EQUIPMENT BELONGING TO THE
GOVERNMENT MAY BE INCLUDED AS AUTHORIZED EXCESS BAGGAGE.  TRAVELERS
WHO PURCHASE AIRLINE TICKETS TO ACCOMMODATE CIRCUITOUS OR PERSONAL
CONVENIENCE TRAVEL, IN CONJUNCTION WITH OFFICIAL TRAVEL, ARE
ENTITLED TO REIMBURSEMENT FOR EXCESS BAGGAGE COSTS THAT WOULD HAVE
BEEN INCURRED IF THE ENTIRE TRIP WAS FOR OFFICIAL TRAVEL.
2.  AS INDICATED IN REF B, SOME AIRLINES MAY EXEMPT GOVERNMENT
TRAVELERS FROM PAYING EXCESS BAGGAGE FEES BUT MAY REQUIRE TRAVELERS
TO PRESENT GOVERNMENT IDS AND/OR COPIES OF OFFICIAL TRAVEL ORDERS
AT TIME OF CHECK-IN.  COAST GUARD TRAVELERS SHOULD BE PREPARED TO
PRESENT MILITARY OR GOVERNMENT IDS AND COPIES OF OFFICIAL TRAVEL
ORDERS AT THE TIME BAGGAGE IS CHECKED IN.  CHECKED BAGGAGE FEES
CANNOT BE CHARGED TO THE COAST GUARD CENTRALLY BILLED ACCOUNT
(CBA).  TRAVELERS WHO HAVE THEIR AIRLINE TICKETS CHARGED TO A COAST
GUARD CBA MUST BE PREPARED TO PAY ANY ASSESSED BAGGAGE FEES AT THE
TIME THE BAGS ARE CHECKED WITH THE AIRLINES.  CHECKED BAGGAGE FEES
CAN BE CHARGED TO THE TRAVELERS INDIVIDUALLY BILLED GOVERNMENT
TRAVEL CHARGE CARDS AND CLAIMED ON TRAVEL VOUCHERS AS LINE ITEMS
FOR MISCELLANEOUS REIMBURSABLE EXPENSES.
3.  SOME AIRLINES ARE OFFERING PREFERRED SEATING IN COACH CLASS
(FOR EXAMPLE, AISLE, WINDOW, EXIT ROW, OR SEATING IN THE FRONT ROWS
OF THE COACH SECTION) FOR AN ADDITIONAL FEE.  SUCH FEES INCURRED AS
A RESULT OF PERSONAL CHOICE ARE NOT REIMBURSABLE.  HOWEVER, IF YOU
ARE ASSIGNED A SEAT CONSIDERED PREFERRED SEATING, AND YOU BOOK YOUR
FLIGHT THROUGH A GOVERNMENT CONTRACT TRAVEL MANAGEMENT CENTER (TMC)
NO ADDITIONAL CHARGES WILL BE INCURRED.
4.  MEMBERS ARE REMINDED THAT ALL OFFICIAL TRAVEL MUST BE ARRANGED
THROUGH A GOVERNMENT CONTRACT TRAVEL MANAGEMENT CENTER (TMC), EVEN
IF A NON-CONTRACT FARE IS BEING PURCHASED.  USE OF RESTRICTED
AND/OR PENALTY FARES REQUIRE AO AUTHORIZATION.  A GOVERNMENT
TRAVELER WHO USES RESTRICTED OR PENALTY FARE FLIGHTS WITHOUT
AUTHORIZATION MAY BE REQUIRED TO BEAR ADDITIONAL COSTS AND
PENALTIES AND MAY HAVE TO BEAR THE PERSONAL FINANCIAL BURDEN FOR
CANCELLATIONS AND CHANGES.
5.  IF A TMC IS NOT AVAILABLE AND THE TRAVELER PURCHASES COMMON
CARRIER TRANSPORTATION AT PERSONAL EXPENSE, REIMBURSEMENT IS
LIMITED TO THE CONSTRUCTED OR ESTIMATED COMMERICAL TRANSPORATION
COST BETWEEN AUTHORIZED POINTS.
6.  FOR ASSISTANCE ON TRAVEL CLAIMS GO TO
HTTP://WWW.USCG.MIL/HQ/CG1/PSC/TVL.ASP, CLICK ON JOB AIDS GUIDES
AND PRESENTATIONS, THEN CLICK ON TRAVEL CLAIM QUICK REFERENCE
GUIDE.  TPAX CUSTOMER CARE MAY BE REACHED AT (866) PSC-USCG (772-
8724).
7.  FOR POLICY QUESTIONS, CONTACT YNCM MALY AT E-MAIL DAVID.J.MALY
(AT)USCG.MIL.
8.  RELEASED BY RDML DANIEL A. NEPTUN, DIRECTOR OF PERSONNEL
MANAGEMENT.
9.  INTERNET RELEASE AUTHORIZED.