Ban on the Use of Commercial Travel Agents by Government Travelers

The National Security and International Affairs Division (NSIAD) has been monitoring General Services Administration (GSA) and the Department of Defense (DOD) test programs to develop data on the feasibility of using commercial travel agents for official travel. This practice has long been prohibited. The test data have demonstrated that the use of travel agents is feasible and offers a suitable option for making official travel arrangements. Federal agencies and their employees have almost unanimously approved the services of the test travel agents. Agents have demonstrated that they can comply with the Government's travel regulations and viewed the regulations as similar to those of their other corporate clients. The use of agents has not proved to be disruptive or an administrative burden. In many cases the workloads of client federal agencies have decreased. Even though agents are receiving commissions, there has been no noticeable change in the level or types of airline fares available to the Government. Finally, the audit trail is the same as it was before the use of agents. Accordingly, NSIAD found no valid reason not to lift the prohibition on the use of travel agents permanently.