[Claim for Check Cashing Costs]

The Chief of the Bonneville Power Administration's Travel Branch requested a decision as to whether the fees incurred by employees for cashing travel advance checks in the United States may be paid. Federal Travel Regulations specifically allow exchange fees for cashing Government checks issued for expenses incurred for travel in foreign countries; no allowance exists for check cashing costs incurred incident to travel within the United States. Accordingly, the check cashing costs incurred incident to the employees' temporary duty travel within the United States may not be certified for payment.