[Decision Concerning Request for Reconsideration of Army Member's Disallowed Claim for Travel Expenses]

An Army member appealed the denial of his claim for reimbursement for air transportation expenses he incurred while on emergency leave, contending that: (1) he used commercial transportation because the Army erroneously told him that he was not entitled to transportation at the government's expense; (2) GAO unjustifiably denied the claim on the ground that the government was not liable for the erroneous information; and (3) he would not have incurred the expenses if the Army had properly informed him of his entitlement to air transportation. GAO held that the member was not entitled to reimbursement of additional travel expenses, since regulations did not allow reimbursement greater than the cost of government-procured commercial air fare. Accordingly, the claim was denied.