FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATION MEMORANDUM NO 2008-03
February 20, 2008
FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATION MEMORANDUM NO. 2008-003 (II.G.1.)
To: Bureau Assistant Directors. Administration
Director, National Business Center
Bureau Finance Officers
Director, Office of Acquisition and Property Management
From: Daniel Fletcher /s/
Director, Office of Financial Management
Subject: First Class and Business Class Travel-Addendum
The Department of the Interior, Office of Financial Management recently issued Financial
Administrative Memorandum (FAM) 2007-019 emphasizing that premium class travel should be
only taken as a last resort. This policy demonstrates that we are prudent travelers when
performing official travel and this addendum is issued to clarify definitions and
circumstances surrounding that goal. Offices should only consider First Class or Business
Class Travel under truly exceptional circumstances.
FAM 2007-019 identifies the correct delegation chain when requesting First class travel or
Business Class accommodations. This addendum addresses additional requirements when
considering premium class travel.
• First Class Travel accommodations can only be approved by the Assistant Secretary -
Policy, Management and Budget per 205 DM 15. Please use the routing chain described
in FAM 2007-019. Business Class Travel at the Bureau Level should be delegated at the
Assistant/Associate Director of Administration level.
• Business Class Travel accommodations for Departmental Offices must be approved by
the Assistant Secretary - Policy. Management and Budget.
• If First Class Travel accommodations are being requested based on a justifiable reason
under Federal Travel Regulation 301-10.123 or Business Class is being requested based
on a justifiable reason under Federal T ravel Regulation FTR 301-10.124. the detailed
justification for use of Premium Class Travel must be submitted with a Trip-by-Trip
(TDT) Authorization to the appropriate approving authority described. Use of Premium
Class Travel is not permitted in conjunction with Annual Temporary Duty Limited (TDL)
or Temporary Duly Unlimited (TDU) authorization types.
• If space is not available for coach class accommodations, on any scheduled flight in lime
to accomplish the purpose of the official travel, which is so urgent that it cannot be
postponed: an explanation is required as to why the matter is so urgent that it cannot be
postponed and how a delay of the trip would endanger the mission. The explanation
should describe when the travel requirement became known and when travel was
scheduled, including reasons for any failure to make advance travel arrangements.
• Premium class travel for either temporary duty or permanent change of station travel will
not be authorized when the employee is not required to report to duty the following day.
• Rest Stops:
- When travel is direct between duty points which are separated by several time
zones and at least one duty point is outside CONUS, a rest period not in excess of
24 hours may be authorized or approved when air travel between the duty points
is by less-than-premium-class accommodations and the scheduled flight time
(including stopovers of less than 8 hours) exceeds 14 hours by a direct or usually
traveled route. The rest stop may be authorized at any intermediate point,
including points within CONUS, provided the point is midway in the journey or
as near to midway as requirements for use of U.S. flag air carriers and carrier
scheduling permit.
- A rest stop shall not be authorized when an employee, for personal convenience,
elects to travel by an indirect route resulting in excess travel time. The per diem
rate for the rest stop shall be the rate applicable for the rest stop location.
- When carrier schedules or the requirements for use of U.S. flag air carriers
preclude an intermediate rest stop, or a rest stop is not authorized, it is
recommended that the employee be scheduled to arrive at the temporary duty
point with sufficient time to allow a reasonable rest period before reporting for
duty in lieu of authorizing premium class accommodations.
• If the Premium Class travel is being requested based on a medical necessity, the
employee must provide current medical documentation from their medical provider
supporting the request for business class accommodations. This certification must
document the employee is so handicapped or otherwise physically impaired that other
accommodations cannot be used; and such documentation must be updated annually,
unless the physical impairment is a lifelong impairment.
Business class and First class tickets can not be booked through the online booking engine,
and the Travel Management Center will not issue any premium class tickets without the
above-described documentation. Employees may upgrade to business class or first class at
their own personal expense, through redemption of frequent flyer benefits, with no
additional approval required.
For more information, please review the recent GAO Audit GAO-07-1268 on Premium Class
Travel. Please direct any questions you may have on this subject to Jackie Lynch,
Jacqueline_Lynch@ios.doi.gov or 703-648-7680.
Prior Financial Administration Memoranda on this subject:
FAM 2001-003 (II.G.N dated 1/24/01 (active)
FAM 2007-019 (II.G.N dated 11/27/07 (active)
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