[Request for Reconsideration of Air Force Member's Claim for Reimbursement of Lodging Expenses]

An Air Force member claimed reimbursement for forfeited room reservation fees for himself and other Air Force personnel, contending that: (1) he was unaware that the other members did not occupy the rooms; (2) he reserved the rooms as a public necessity on his commander's orders; and (3) service members were not required to use government quarters for temporary lodging of less than 24 hours. GAO held that the member was not entitled to reimbursement for the lodging expenses attributable to other crew members, since: (1) his travel orders required him to use government facilities; and (2) the public necessity exception to the voluntary creditor rule did not apply to the member's case because he lacked a compelling reason for reserving the unoccupied rooms. GAO also held that the member was entitled only to reimbursement for the expenses attributable to him and that the Air Force should collect the amount it erroneously authorized. Accordingly, the claim was denied.