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thedrifter
12-26-06, 07:18 PM
December 26, 2006
Corps: Be more frugal when booking DTS travel plans

By Kimberly Johnson
Staff writer

Marines need to be more cost-conscious when shopping around for travel options, according to a new Corps-wide guidance.

Leathernecks with orders may make travel arrangements using the Defense Travel System, which provides one-stop shopping for booking tickets, validating travel orders, submitting travel records and receiving near-immediate reimbursement for expenses. However, devil dogs should use the system to find the best travel deal, a Marine administrative message released last week urged.

“A recent Marine Corps inspector general report and other internal audits suggest users are selecting, and [authorizing officials] are approving, higher-cost airfare than would have historically been procured through traditional travel services,” MarAdmin 617/06 states.

“DTS capability is not intended to accommodate selections based purely on personal convenience of the traveler with no regard for costs,” it states. Authorizing officials are required to make sure all travel arrangements are the cheapest and consider factors such as parking and ticket price comparisons for cities with multiple airports.

To ensure the cheapest rates, the message suggests:

• Routing travel plans through traffic management offices for review prior to authorization;

• Booking travel on DTS with the “request assistance in booking flight” option, which would select routes that are historically cheaper;

• Instituting local rules that would ensure cheaper travel.

Ellie