[Claim for Lodging Expenses]

The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) requested a decision as to whether an individual traveling on a Department of Defense invitational order may be paid expenses for lodging at his daughter's home while on temporary duty. The claimant, who was not a government employee, stated that earlier decisions prohibiting the reimbursement of lodging expenses at the home of a relative were not applicable, because he paid for staying at his daughter's home, and the government saved money because he did not stay in a hotel. Defense travel regulations state that, if an employee stays with relatives while on temporary duty, no cost of lodging may be allowed, regardless of whether lodging is paid to the relatives. GAO concurred with the applicability of this regulation to the current situation and stated that payment to a relative is considered a gratuity and is unrelated to the additional cost of an employee's lodging expenses. Accordingly, the claimant may not be reimbursed for the lodging expenses.