Travel Procedures Updated for Concur

All procedures related to UMD travel are outlined in each topic area.

Category
Allowable Expense
Procedure
Baggage Fees
Yes
Allowable to support business travel, receipt must be provided for expense reporting.
Booking Air Travel
 
Campus departments are required to use Concur Travel or Collegiate Travel Planners to book all air and rail tickets (ex: Amtrak for out of State travel) regardless of use of Tcard or personal credit card
Early bird seating
Conditional
Early bird seat selection that incurs an additional cost requires Department Head approval.
First class Airfare
No
The purchase of first class airfare is not allowed.
Fly America
N/A
All Federally funded travel must comply with the Fly America Act and the use of  U.S. flag air carriers which require that a United States flag carrier be used unless an exception applies.  Refer to Office of Research Administration for additional details .

 
Frequent Flyer Miles/Points
N/A
Frequent flyer miles may be accumulated in the traveler's name when using the Tcard.  Points accumulated during travel may be accumulated through the use of a personal credit card.  However, points and frequent flyer miles used in the course of business travel will not be reimbursed.
TSA Pre-check/Global entry membership
No
Not an allowable expense.  Fees for TSA pre-check and global entry membership will not be reimbursed and are not to be charged to a UMD Tcard.  These fees are considered a personal expense.
Use of vouchers, points, travel gift cards
No
The use of personal vouchers, airline points and/or coupons are not reimbursable to the traveler.  Business Travel is to be booked using either the Travel Card,  or via personal credit card for reimbursement.
Premium Seating
Yes, conditional

University travelers are expected to book the lowest, logical fare considering time and cost.

The purchase of premium seating (includes all types of premium seating including Comfort Class, Business Class, Coach Plus, etc) is allowable under the following circumstances, with departmental pre-approval:

  • When the traveler has provided medical documentation supporting the need for premium seating
  • When a single leg of the trip exceeds 5 hours of flight time OR when the scheduled flight time, including non-overnight stopovers and change of planes, is in excess of 14 hours.  The upgrade is allowable for the full round trip when a segment is >5 hours or schedule flight time is >14 hours
  • When a trip qualifies for premium seating based on flight time, premium seating is allowable for the full round trip
  • When the cost of an upgraded seat is less than the cost to book coach class

Travelers may sit in an upgraded section of the plane when there is no additional cost to the university.

Travelers are to consider the lowest cost options first.

Department approval of upgrade to premium seating is required and departments are to apply upgraded seating equitably.

All sponsored travel is required to comply with the rules/regulations of the sponsor which may vary from UMD's travel rules/policies

 

Category
Allowable Expense
Procedure
Alternative short term car rental services on campus (Zipcar rentals)
No
Alternative on campus car rentals (Zipcar) are exclusively for personal use and cannot be used for University business travel.  If on campus travel is regularly required, personal vehicles may be used or campus units can lease/rent a car through UMD Motor Transportation Services.
Car Rental in U.S. (Employees)-Insurance Coverage, Collision Damage Waiver (CDW/LDW)
No
Not an allowable expense.  The State of Maryland is self insured. When signing the rental agreement, the renter must include his/her name, University of Maryland, and State of Maryland.  Travelers are advised to utilize discount codes .

LOGIN to view discount codes.
Car Rental Outside the U.S.(Employees & non-employee business travelers)-Insurance Coverage, Collision Damage Waiver (CDW/LDW)
Yes

CDW/LDW is reimbursable for international rentals, outside the 50 United States.  Travelers are advised to use the available car rental contracts listed on the Travel Discounts page.

 

Car Rental in U.S. (Non-employee business travelers)-Insurance Coverage, Collision Damage Waiver (CDW/LDW)
Partial
Only CDW/LDW is reimbursable.
Fines/Violations
No
Not an allowable expense. Fines including, but not limited to, fines for traffic, toll, photo enforcement, and parking violations are the personal financial responsibility of the individual who incurred the violation. The driver is responsible for payment of the violation as well as any associated fees received from the issuing jurisdiction.
No receipt available
Yes, conditional
If any single taxi journey reimbursement is $75.00 or less and no receipt is available, the traveler must provide details in the "Comment Section" field of the "Expense Report." Details must include (for each taxi journey) the date, origin/destination, and cost per trip.
Parking Fees
Yes
Parking Fees and tolls are reimbursable when required for business travel. 
Personal vehicle use-mileage reimbursement
 
Mileage for use of personal vehicles is calculated at the current State of Maryland rate.
Personal vehicle use-mileage reimbursement
Yes
"Mileage is calculated from the traveler's official work location (or from their home) to their business destination, including airports, train stations, and lodging locations.  Personal vehicle use does not include commuter travel or work related travel on campus or in the adjoining communities where UMD has facilities (i.e., Severn Building, College Park City Hall, Discovery District, etc.)."
Ride Share Service (i.e., Uber and Lyft)
Yes
Ride share services such as Uber and Lyft may be used as an alternative to car rental, taxi, and shuttle services while traveling and may be charged to the Travel Card or be reimbursed. If using the Travel Card, the Travel card holder must register with the service for a business account using the Travel Card as a form of payment.  For travelers who do not have a Travel Card, they are to register with the service for a personal account and use a personal credit card as a form of payment and seek reimbursement after trip completion.
Toll Charges
Yes
Reimbursable for business-related travel.

 

Category
Allowable Expense
Procedure
Foreign Currency Charges
Yes
Foreign currency charges will be automatically converted in Concur when the invoices are added to the Expense Report.  There is no need to use a separate currency converter.
Passport/Visa
Conditional
When a passport/visa is required for official business purpose fees associated are an allowable expense.  If the travel is Federally funded the traveler or delegate must confirm whether it is an allowable expense by checking with the Office of Research Administration.
Vaccinations/Immunizations
Yes


Not allowable for payment with the Tcard.  May be reimbursed on an Expense Report after trip completion.  All travelers are advised to check with the UMD Health Center prior to obtaining vaccinations from another provider.

 

Category
Allowable Expense
Procedure
Alternative Lodging (i.e., AirBnB)
Yes
Alternative lodging such as AirBnB is allowed for reimbursement only.  Alternative lodging may not be booked using a UMD Tcard due to liability and risk issues.
Extended/Recurrent lodging needs for UMD business
Yes, conditional
Extended or recurrent travel may necessitate special requirements to be coordinated by the Approving Authority, University Controller, Travel and Card Services Administrator on a case by case basis. An example is a residential stay for which a lodging per diem may be established in the absence of traditional tariffs and receipts.
In-room movie, pay per view, additional cable charges
No
In-room movie, pay per view, and additional cable charges not included in the room rate will not be reimbursed. These are considered personal charges.
In-State lodging
Yes
All travel, including In-State travel with an overnight stay, requires pre-approval.
Lodging loyalty programs
 
Employees may participate in lodging loyalty programs, however UMD will not reimburse travelers for lodging stays using points, vouchers, gift cards, or other promotional payment methods
No Show charges
No
UMD will not reimburse "no show" charges.

 

Category
Allowable Expense
Procedure
Alcoholic Beverages
No
Alcoholic beverages are not allowed using the UMD Tcard and will not be reimbursed using UMD funds.
Per Diem Rates
Yes
"UMD uses the Federal Per Diem rates for domestic and international travel."
Per Diem Rates - Days of active travel
Yes
Per diems will be paid at a rate of 75% for 8 hours of active travel on the day of departure and return.  If active travel is less than 8 hours, a per diem may only be paid if the meal is within 2 hours of an expected meal time.
Room Service meals
Yes
If a traveler orders room service for a meal during travel status, the meal must be deducted from the room total and a per diem claimed to cover the cost.  If the cost of the room service meal exceeds the per diem and the room is paid via Tcard, the additional cost will be payroll deducted.  If the cost is to be reimbursed, the traveler may only be reimbursed at the per diem rate.

 

Category
Allowable Expense
Procedure
Meals, taxis, bus, shuttle, limo
Yes
Reasonable, not to exceed 18%, must be detailed on Travel Report.
Porter, hotel
Yes

Tips and gratuities for hotel personnel (porters, housekeeping) must be reasonable and detailed on the Travel Expense Statement.

Allowable up to $1 per bag.  Travelers with disabilities may tip up to $5 due to additional needs.

When Federal funds are being used, the department can allow up to $5.00/day for incidentals consistent with the GSA schedule for Meals and Incidental Expenses (M&IE).

 

Category
Allowable Expense
Procedure
Foreign Currency
N/A
When completing an expense report for charges that were in a foreign currency, the traveler is to calculate the daily exchange rate using the calculator in Concur.
No receipt available
N/A

"When no receipt is available for Tcard charges that are <$75, the traveler or delegate is to complete the No Receipt Provided Form.  Examples of charges this may apply to include

  • Hosting Students in a remote location where itemized receipt is not available (must include purpose of hosting and roster of attendees)
  • Tolls, parking, taxi, baggage fees



Note: Travelers are to make every effort to obtain a receipt.  This rule is for those rare instances when a receipt is not available.  This does not apply to lost receipts."

Submittal and Process
N/A
Travel reports are to be processed within thirty days return from the trip.  Travel reports processed after 90 days may be subject to taxation.

 

Category
Allowable Expense
Procedure
Trip Cancellation and Change Fees
Yes
Trip cancellation and change fees are allowable in emergency situations or for the convenience of the university.
Trip Cancellation Insurance
No
The Policy on University System Travel prohibits the use of institutional funds for the purchase of additional flight insurance.  If it is believed the trip may be canceled, or a change in travel plans may be required, travelers and delegates are to purchase a refundable ticket.  This covers trip cancellation and the department will receive a credit from the airline if a Travel card was used to book the flight.  In the case of personal credit card used to book the flight, the traveler will receive the credit negating the need to process a reimbursement for the airfare.

 

Category
Allowable Expense
Procedure
ATM Withdrawals on Tcard
Yes
ATM withdrawal is allowable and limited to $500.00 every seven days.  Department approval is required.  Detailed receipts are required to substantiate the full amount of the withdrawal.  (Note: All cash withdrawal transactions are 100% audited.)
Gift Cards, gift certificates, gift purchases
No
Gift card, gift certificates, and gifts of sentiment purchases are prohibited using UMD funds.
Laundry/Valet
Yes
Allowable with itemized receipt, when domestic travel exceeds 5 working days.  Note: International laundry is included in per diem allowance.
Membership fees
No
UMD will not pay any membership or booking fees for loyalty programs such as for lodging, frequent flyer or advantage programs
Registration and Conference Fees
Yes
An itemized receipt and and department head approval is required.  Registration for courses and certificate programs with college credits are not payable or reimbursable using this method, these are to be paid through the UMD Tuition Remission process.
Telephone, fax, internet access fees while in travel status
Yes
Allowable when used for university business, and while in an approved business travel status.