Request for Transportation Ticket (TR):

return to International Finance

International Travel Registration Form (ITRF):

return to International Finance

International Travel Health Insurance Benefits:

retain for your reference purposes

This is a one-page overview of the CMU health insurance benefit options that are available to employees who are traveling on official University business. This document also provides contact information for the CMU HR Benefits Specialist and the insurance carrier if questions arise.

Travelers who are not employees of CMU should disregard this document as they will need to coordinate their own insurance coverage while traveling for the University.

Aetna Global Benefits overview:

retain for your reference purposes

The Aetna insurance company has provided a straightforward, two-page document which outlines the services provided to employees of Carnegie Mellon University who are traveling abroad. This document contains a standard card for all CMU employed travelers, which a traveler can simply carry with them during their trip by cutting out the pre-printed benefits card. This will provide all the necessary contact information in the event of a medical need.

Travelers who are not employees of CMU should disregard this document as they will need to provide their own insurance coverage while traveling for the University.

Travel Itinerary / electronic ticket:

retain for your reference purposes

At the time we have completed booking your airline accommodations you will receive a document from International Finance that is provided by our travel agency that details your confirmed airline travel plans.

It is critical that you retain this document as it will serve as your electronic ticket that will be needed at the airport for security processing and boarding.

Work Visa:

retain for your reference purposes

The International Finance Travel Analyst will work with the appropriate University individuals to obtain your work Visa when needed. Once obtained, the approved Visa will be sent to you to file with your travel records. This document will be needed when traveling abroad and is your means of passing through the customs processing area of each final destination airport.

Lodging and Transportation confirmations:

retain for your reference purposes

If you require lodging and transportation accommodations you will need to work through the International Finance Travel Analyst who will coordinate these arrangements.

At the time the Travel Analyst has completed the reservation(s) you will receive an e-mail confirmation that should be retained with your travel records for use when you arrive at the hotel or transportation service provider.

Side-trip calculation and agreement:

retain a copy for your records and return the signed original to International Finance

If you plan to take a side-trip for personal purposes during your travel itinerary you will need to agree to fund this portion of the travel cost either through personal funds or via alternate University sponsorship. In either case, the International Finance Travel Analyst will calculate the cost of the side-trip and will provide you with the cost of the side trip.

Once you agree to pay or have secured University funding for this additional travel cost you will need to send this authorization along with your payment to the International Finance Travel Analyst.

Please note that any itinerary that includes a requested side-trip will not be booked until the University has confirmation of financial responsibility for the requested side-trip cost.

Insurance coverage confirmation:

retain for your reference purposes

If you are an employee of CMU you may be eligible to receive additional insurance coverage through the University. If this is the case, appropriate Human Resources staff members will send you a confirmation of coverage prior to your travel departure date.

Traveler summary report:

retain this report for your records

Once all travel arrangements and accommodations have been confirmed, the International Finance Travel Analyst will prepare a report which summarizes all areas of the travel itinerary to include sponsor information, emergency contacts, travel purpose, legs of travel, etc.

This report should be used as a quick reference tool if you need basic information regarding your travel arrangements.

• Travelers must request all itineraries via International Finance,
• All itineraries will be booked using the “most direct and economical flight” options available,
• The “Normal” route from Pittsburgh to Doha routes through Washington’s Dulles airport via Qatar Airways,
• “Most direct” flights will be determined based upon the individual traveler’s home city,
• All international flights to Qatar will use either Qatar Airways or British Airways; their partner carriers will be used for domestic flight legs,
• Ticket upgrades will be paid by the traveler,
• Excess baggage fees will normally be covered for reimbursement if excess baggage allowance is not exceeded,
• Frequent flyer miles accrue to the traveler,
• Travelers may accept itinerary “bumps” as long as it does not impact University business or generate additional travel expenses,
• Costs associated with in-flight meals are generally reimbursable; see “Meals”.

• Travelers must request hotel accommodations via International Finance,
• Traveler's accommodations will be booked using the University's preferred / contracted facilities,
• Conference lodging can be used as an alternative to preferred suppliers as long as charges are reasonable,
• Extended travel to a single destination will be evaluated for use of available University housing,
• Family lodging expenses are generally the responsibility of the traveler,
• Reasonable phone, internet, and other technical service charges will be reimbursed,
• Movies, mini-bar, and other non-essential personal incidental charges will be the traveler's responsibility,
• Hotel rewards points accrue to the traveler.

• The reimbursable mileage rate used is based upon the IRS rate in effect during the travel itinerary dates,
• Travelers should use the University’s preferred suppliers for rental vehicles,
• Mileage to and from the airport is reimbursable,
• Travelers abroad may use public transportation, shuttles, etc. when available and reasonable,
• Alternate forms of travel are reimbursable in lieu of airfare (rail, rental vehicles, bus, etc.),
• Parking, tolls, ferries, etc. are reimbursable business expenses in addition to mileage,
• Fuel costs are considered to be reimbursed within the mileage rate,
• Traffic citations will not be reimbursed.

• Travelers must choose a “Per Diem” or “Actual Expense” rate of reimbursement,
• The reimbursement method chosen will be used during the entire travel itinerary,
• If “Per Diem” is selected:

- Meals provided to travelers by others must be deducted from the daily per diem rate,

- Business meals purchased by the traveler for others can be submitted for potential reimbursement,

- Travelers must use the appropriate “Per Diem” rate tables based upon their travel location,

• If “Actual Expense” is selected:

- Travelers must submit actual meal receipts,

- Travelers must use sound judgment,

• Alcohol expenses will not be reimbursed,
• Family member’s meals will not be reimbursed.

Side-trips:

• A side-trip is defined as an itinerary requested by the traveler that does not utilize the “most direct and most economical” travel fare route,
• The amount approved by an additional sponsor or owed by the traveler is determined by comparing the cost of the “Normal” route with the cost of the requested route,
• Identical ticket fare (refundable/non-refundable) and seating classes (business/economy) will be used for each itinerary (normal route and requested route) for cost comparison purposes,
• Travelers are expected to pay for the calculated side-trip cost prior to travel departure.

HR topics / Insurance Coverage:

• The University’s HR department will assist travelers with their benefit, insurance, and other HR related inquiries,
• Specific medical tests and clearance are required prior to traveling abroad,
• The University generally provides insurance coverage to employees who travel for business purposes,
• The CMU benefits workbooks are a good reference to explain benefit options.

Relocation:

• Possible tax implications related to international travel assignments should be addressed with the traveler’s personal financial / tax advisor and /or the University’s designated tax advisory service,
• Excess baggage fees may be reimbursable but should be discussed with the traveler’s manager

Other:

• Visa paperwork processing will be coordinated by International Finance,
• The cost and coordination of transporting pet(s) will be the responsibility of the individual traveler,
• The traveler will be responsible for the cost of non-University sponsored/coordinated excursions,
• Travelers should contact the University’s Security group if they have concerns regarding travel risk,
• Tartan cards and University P-cards cannot be used to pay for travel expenses, and
• Lost, stolen, or misplaced personal and University items will be the responsibility of the traveler