[Reconsideration of Claim for Lodging Expenses]

A Department of Commerce employee requested reconsideration of a decision denying his claim for lodging expenses. GAO had held that applicable regulations required that an employee using a privately owned vehicle instead of a common carrier could be reimbursed at the mileage rate plus per diem expenses for the actual travel, limited to the total cost of common carrier transportation and per diem expenses. In his request for reconsideration, the claimant contended that constructive cost of lodging should be used. GAO held that the claimant was only entitled to actual lodging expenses once he was in the temporary duty area. Accordingly, the original decision was affirmed.