Meal Allowance
Meals and Incidentals Expense for Travel After January 1, 2016
Meal and incidentals expenses (M & IE) include all charges for meals, taxes, meal tips, associated fees, and hotel tips (baggage, porters, housekeeping, etc.). Reimbursement will be based on quarter-day increments while in travel status. Travelers are entitled to the quarter they depart as well as the quarter they return. The quarters of each day are noted below:
| Quarter | Time |
|---|---|
| Quarter 1 | 12:00 a.m. – 5:59 a.m. |
| Quarter 2 | 6:00 a.m. – 11:59 a.m. |
| Quarter 3 | 12:00 p.m. – 5:59 p.m. |
| Quarter 4 | 6:00 p.m. – 11:59 p.m. |
For travel within the United States, US territories, and US possessions, the Federal CONUS (Contiguous United States) and OCONUS (Outside Contiguous States) rates are used for determining allowable M & IE limits. For international locations, the US Department of State (DOS) is the source for allowable M & IE limits.
| Travel Type | Travel Location | Website | Rates to Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| CONUS | Contiguous U.S. | Per Diem Rates | Rates published Oct. 1 |
| CONUS | Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. Territories/Possessions | Per Diem Rates Query | Rates published Oct. 1 -- for travel occurring between Oct. 1 and March 31 of each year. Rates published April 1 -- for travel occurring between April 1 and Sept. 30 of each year. |
| International | Other than Contiguous U.S., Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. Territories/Possessions | Office of Allowances | Rates published Oct. 1 -- for travel occurring between Oct. 1 and March 31 of each year. Rates published April 1 -- for travel occurring between April 1 and Sept. 30 of each year. |