TRAVEL TALK SPRING 2007
Welcome to the first issue of Travel Talk, an e-newsletter designed for UMass Business Travelers.
Future issues will be emailed automatically to UMass travel cardholders and will deliver practical advice to manage your travel and to keep you informed about changes in the travel industry and UMass travel procedures. To comment, submit questions or suggestions, or to unsubscribe, contact us at travel@admin.umass.edu
Travel
Services Website
Online Corporate Card Account Information
Airport Parking Discounts
UMass Meal Per Diem Allowances
New Mileage Rate for 2007
Meet & Greet Services
Business Expense Payments
Auto Insurance Coverage
Revised Cardholder Agreement
Travel Tips
Travel Services Website
Accessing information about the Corporate Travel Card Program and UMass travel agencies has never been so easy!
Check out the Travel Services website at www.umass.edu/travel. It provides information about the corporate travel card program including an online application, AccessOnline account information self registration instructions, UMass mileage rates, links to UMass travel agencies, airport parking discounts, MHEC rental car discounts, UMass and international per diem rates, passports, visas, travel warnings, and other travel-related topics.
Online Corporate Card Account Information
AccessOnline is a web-based account management tool that provides real-time access to your VISA account information including transaction activity, billing statements, payments, and account status. Click on AccessOnline Self-Registration Instructions.
Airport Parking Discounts
Massachusetts Higher Education Consortium (MHEC) has established a contract which provides discounted pricing at Bradley International Airport and preferred airport parking centers nationwide. Many locations also feature guaranteed parking by providing a free online reservation feature. These airport parking discounts may be used for leisure as well as business travel. Click on Airport Parking Discounts.
Travel Meal Per Diem Allowances Increased
Effective July 1, 2006 the meal per diem allowance was increased as follows:
For travel to Boston, New York City, Washington D.C., San Francisco, Baltimore, Chicago, Philadelphia, and Seattle, the per diem rate is now $50 per day for meals.
For travel to all other cities, the per diem rate is $40 per day.
The per diem allowance will not be granted to travelers who are provided meals as part of their official university business. The value of any meals provided while on travel status should be subtracted from the daily meal per diem rate based on the following schedule: Meal Provided
Amount to subtract $50 cities
Amount to subtract $40 cities
Breakfast
$9.50
$7.50
Lunch
$15.50
$12.50
Dinner
$25.00
$20.00
Questions may be referred to the Travel Unit of the Controller's Office, tel. (413) 545-0806.
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New Mileage Rate for 2007!
Effective January 1, 2007 the mileage reimbursement rate for the use of personal cars on university business has increased to 48.5 cents per mile.
Meet and Greet Services
UMass Amherst now provides Meet and Greet ground transportation services to and from the Amherst campus. Main destinations include Bradley International Airport, UMass offices in Shrewsbury, and the Springfield Amtrak station, but coverage can be provided throughout New England. UMass Transit provides courteous and professionally trained drivers operating luxury sedans and vans identified with the UMass seal. Additional services such as meeting guests inside the terminal are available. This is an excellent way to greet and transport special university guests such as candidates for faculty/staff positions. Meet and Greet is provided on a fee-for-service basis at competitive rates, and payments are by University recharge. Reservations can be made in advance by contacting:
UMass Field Trip Services
University Bus Garage
Phone: (413) 545-2498
Fax: (413) 545-1930
Email: transit@admin.umass.edu
Click on Meet and Greet.
Business Expense Payments
Generally, business expenses such as copying, faxing, overnight mail, and internet access fees should not be charged on VISA travel cards. These are normally charged on department ProCards. However, if you are on travel status, these services may be purchased using VISA travel cards. Professional membership dues and fees may now be charged to VISA travel cards.
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Auto Insurance Coverage
The type of insurance you need depends on which type of vehicle you will be driving, method of payment, and whether or not you are traveling outside of Massachusetts. Many university travelers driving a rental car outside Massachusetts are at risk because they have not purchased liability insurance in addition to physical damage insurance. Physical damage insurance is provided at no additional cost when your rental car has been paid with a UMass VISA corporate travel card. If you are traveling outside of Massachusetts, it is recommended that you also purchase liability insurance. For more information regarding which type of insurance you need for your particular situation, please refer to the Auto Insurance Coverage for Rented, State-Owned, and Leased Vehicles document on the Travel Services website.
Revised Card Holder Agreement
UMass VISA corporate travel cards are issued to faculty and staff as the payment vehicle for approved travel and business expenses. As a reminder, personal expenses may not be charged to UMass VISA corporate travel cards. Card holder accounts are audited for compliance. Use of the corporate travel card infers agreement with the policies stated in the New Card Holder Agreement. Please review this agreement as it has been updated.
Travel Tips
1. Use a travel expense envelope to store your travel receipts and to complete your expense report. You may obtain these special envelopes from your travel preparer or by contacting Print Services, at (413) 577-9500.
2. Use a UMass Quest Calling Card to avoid hotel charges for long distance calls. The Qwest Calling Card can be used from any phone in the United States to call anywhere in the country and to over 225 countries worldwide. For more information, visit Telecom Services or call (413) 545-5737. Check the QWEST website for special instructions regarding calls placed from international locations.
3.
As of January 23, 2007, passports are now required for all U.S. citizens traveling via air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, Bermuda, and all points in the Caribbean, excluding U.S. possessions, e.g., the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.
4.
As early as January 1, 2008, passports may be required for all U.S. citizens traveling via air, land, and sea (including ferry) between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, Bermuda, and all points in the Caribbean. For more information, check out the new passport requirements at the U.S. Department of State website: http://travel.state.gov.
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