Per Diem Method for Travel Reimbursement

The daily rate specified in the Federal Travel Regulations (FTR) for the locality is the amount paid instead of reimbursing actual costs of meals and incidental expenses for trips more than 12 hours in duration. The Travel Office will supply the rate for any given locality, or this information may be accessed on the web at:
U.S. General Services Administration

The per diem rate is based on the per diem locality of the traveler at the end of the day, i.e. 12:00 midnight. On the day of return the per diem rate applicable to the preceding day will be applied. Day of departure and return are computed using three-quarters of a day per diem allowance. For trips over 12 hours but not including an overnight stay, per diem is computed using three-quarters of the rate allowed for the locality visited.

For attendance at a conference, the per diem rate is reduced for the value of the meals provided in the cost of the conference. If an optional or separate banquet or meal fee is charged, this fee will normally not be reimbursed. If meals are included in the registration fee and the traveler choose 'not to eat it' - the per diem rate is still reduced. When some/all of a traveler's meals are provided by either the hotel or registration fees, the per diem rate is reduced as follows:

M & IE	$31	$35	$39	$43	$47	$51
Breakfast	$6	$7	$8	$9	$9	$10
Lunch	$6	$7	$8	$9	$11	$12
Dinner	$16	$18	$20	$22	$24	$26
Incidentals	$3	$3	$3	$3	$3	$3

When vacation or personal days are taken in conjunction with a business trip, the day of departure and return are considered business days. The total amount of non-business days should be deducted from the total number of days to calculate the amount of per diem allowed.

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