Expenses Necessary To Obtain Reduced Travel Fare

A Department of Defense employee, completing a temporary assignment at Fort Meade, Maryland, delayed his Government-paid return trip to California for 1 day in order to take advantage of the airline's vacation rate, resulting in a savings of $85. Because of his delayed departure, the employee claimed an additional 1 day's per diem and extension of his authorized car rental, totaling $52, amounting to a net savings of $33. Additional per diem costs are reimbursable in this case because there was a net savings to the Government and because the employee acted prudently; therefore, per diem for 1 day was authorized. Car rentals are only permitted during the performance of official duties, which was not the case in this instance, and the employee cannot be reimbursed for this expense. However, transportation expenses connected with returning the rental car, obtaining meals, and reaching the airport, may be reimbursed to the employee at the rate at which local transportation could be obtained.