[Claim for Maximum Daily Subsistence Rate]

Pursuant to a request for an advance decision, GAO determined whether a U.S. Information Agency employee may be reimbursed the maximum daily subsistence rate for actual expenses at two rest stop locations in the United States at the beginning and end of international air travel, or whether he is entitled only to the lower per diem rate at these two rest stop locations. Both rest stop locations were high-rate geographical areas, and the travel order authorized the rate applicable for those locations in the Federal Travel Regulations. When the employee submitted his voucher for reimbursement of his actual expenses at the rest stop locations, the certifying officer limited the expenses to the lower per diem rate. The Federal Travel Regulations require the lower per diem rate to be used when the high-rate geographical area is an en route or intermediate stopover point at which no official duty is performed. In addition, there was no indication of unusual circumstances at the rest stop points used by the employee that justified approval of actual expenses. Accordingly, GAO held that the employee may be reimbursed only the per diem rate.