Travel authorizations are documents that Government travelers complete to itemize travel expenses and obligate funds. This document serves as the official travel orders and is approved by the authorizing official.
By using an electronic travel system, (ETS), authorizations are completely automated. The automation process allows you to set up the itinerary, make the reservations, add the expenses, select the line of accounting and sign the authorization to start routing to the appropriate approving officials. You can book the airline or train reservation, book a rental car, and select your hotel all while completing your travel orders.
It’s important to include any expense you may incur, while in official travel status, on the travel authorization and to estimate the cost of these expenses to be sure the money is in the budget. You can obligate the funds to one or multiple fund sources and allocate the amounts by different means, such as by dates, by expense items, or by percentages.
When you have completed your authorization, you should review it carefully to make sure you didn’t forget something and then sign the authorization electronically to start the routing process. The document will automatically route to the Travel Management Center (TMC) to book your reservations. When the document completes the routing and is approved, the TMC will go back and ticket your reservations.
If, at any time before you travel, your plans change from what is documented on your authorization, you can go in to the ETS and edit or cancel your document.
Government travelers should have an approved authorization before traveling on official Government business.
By: Crystal Horner
Disclaimer: The contents of this message are mine personally and do not reflect any position of the Government or my agency.