News Archive

Be aware that defense travel policies may have changed since the publication of older articles. Refer to the Joint Travel Regulations for the most up-to-date policy guidelines.

General | April 2, 2024

Highlights of GovTravels 2024

Event attendees examined a wide range of issues impacting the Government’s multi-billion-dollar commercial travel enterprise through stakeholder meetings, briefings, and networking. See the highlights.
General | March 13, 2024

Rental Car Agreement #5 Effective April 1, 2024

The U.S. Government Rental Car Agreement #5 goes into effect April 1, 2024, incorporating new cost savings provisions.
General | March 7, 2024

Top Performers Recognized for Excellence in Practice Awards at GovTravel...

Excellence in Practice Award winners were recognized at GovTravels 2024. Congratulations to the recipients who successfully addressed travel issues with professional skill, creativity, and resourcefulness...
General | Feb. 23, 2024

Sustainable Defense Travel – Travel Green on your next Official Trip

To support the goals in President Biden’s Executive Order 14057 of December 8, 2021, Catalyzing Clean Energy Industries and Jobs through Federal Sustainability, the White House has issued instructions that direct Federal agencies to prioritize the
General | Jan. 29, 2024

GovTravels 2024 – There’s still time to register!

The 2024 GovTravels Symposium will be held Monday, February 26 through Wednesday, February 28, 2024, at the Hilton Mark Center in Alexandria, Virginia.
General | Jan. 24, 2024

Save on Lodging Taxes in Exempt Locations

In some states and U.S. territories (e.g. Puerto Rico), federal travelers on official business are exempt from paying certain lodging taxes when using a DoD Government Travel Charge Card (GTCC).
General | Jan. 11, 2024

Avoid Improper DTS Payments by Checking Receipts

Double check that you've provided proper/valid receipts before submitting your travel voucher. A receipt is always required for lodging, regardless of the amount, and is required for all other individual expenses of $75.00 or more.
General | Jan. 2, 2024

DoD Preferred 2024 Expansion

The DoD Preferred Commercial Lodging program has expanded to include San Diego, CA and Colorado Springs, CO. There are now 86 sites and more than 400 commercial hotels participating for the 2024 calendar year.
General | Dec. 18, 2023

Early-Bird Rates for GovTravels 2024

Register for GovTravels 2024 now and save up to $100! Early bird discounts are available through Wednesday, January 17, 2024.
General | Dec. 13, 2023

Help Us Improve Your Travel Experience

The Defense Travel Enterprise Customer Satisfaction Survey anonymously collects traveler feedback on an array of DoD commercial travel programs. Your responses provide valuable insight into how we can improve travel programs and services.
General | Nov. 7, 2023

Hotels Offering More Breakfast Options for Travelers

Hotels are offering a variety of different breakfast options, from healthy and fresh prepackaged “to-go” meals to hot buffets, new menus, and table service. Some are keeping fast and easy options such as using QR codes and self-service kiosks that
General | Oct. 31, 2023

Dispatch Has a New Look

The Defense Travel Management Office is pleased to announce an updated format for the Defense Travel Dispatch, the newsletter that has provided you defense travel news for the last 18 years. The Dispatch is now an online news digest of articles
General | Oct. 25, 2023

Join Hotel Loyalty Programs

Multiple hotel partners report that they are not getting traveler contact information in DTS reservations and are cancelling hotel reservations if a travel card is not activated when the booking is made. When hotels have your loyalty/rewards
General | Oct. 23, 2023

Follow DTMO on LinkedIn

The Defense Travel Management Office has joined the LinkedIn community! Follow our page for travel policy updates, information on DTMO program initiatives, guidance on travel assistance and support resources, and more.
General | Oct. 1, 2023

Updated Per Diem Names in DTS

Nine per diem installation names change effective October 1, 2023 – failure to update travel documents may result in incorrect reimbursement.
APC Toolkit | Sept. 27, 2023

Impact of the Potential Government Shutdown on Official Travel

Travelers should take direction from their commands. In the event of a United States Government shutdown, the Defense Travel Management Office will be impacted.
APC Toolkit | Sept. 1, 2023

Introducing Mobile Wallet Capability for GTCC

DoD travel cardholders now have the ability to add their Government Travel Charge Card (GTCC) to their smartphone Mobile Wallet to make purchases at contactless terminals. You may add your Travel Card to multiple devices, both personal and government
Newsletter | July 28, 2023

Defense Travel Dispatch Summer 2023

Inside: Pet Transportation Reimbursement During Relocation Travel | Managing Installation Name Changes in DTS | Only YOU Can Prevent GTCC Delinquencies | Mobile Wallet Capability for GTCC Transactions | Summer Travel Tips
General | June 21, 2023

DoD Approves Pet Expenses Reimbursement Due to PCS

The Department of Defense has approved a new policy to cover pet travel expenses, like pet transportation or quarantine fees, incurred by Service members during a Permanent Change of Station (PCS).
APC Toolkit | June 20, 2023

Reducing Travel Card Delinquencies: APCs, Supervisors, and AOs

This article provides instructions for Government Travel Charge Card (GTCC) Agency Program Coordinators (APCs), cardholder supervisors, and Approving Officials (AOs) in reducing travel card payment delinquencies.
APC Toolkit | June 20, 2023

Reducing Travel Card Delinquencies: Cardholders

This article provides instructions for Government Travel Charge Card (GTCC) cardholders in reducing travel card payment delinquencies.
General | June 9, 2023

Traveler Health & Safety

Explore helpful resources for a safe and healthy travel experience.
General | May 25, 2023

DoD Ending MyTravel Program

The Department will officially conclude MyTravel operations on September 13, 2023. All future DoD travel will be booked through the Defense Travel System (DTS).
Newsletter | May 4, 2023

Spring 2023

Inside: DoD Travel Volume & Impact on TMCs - Update | DoD Excellence in Practice Award Recipients | Help Reduce GTCC Delinquencies/Charge-Offs in your Command | Travel Allowances to Access Non-Covered Reproductive Health Care | DoD Travelers Benefit
General | May 2, 2023

New Process for Overseas COLA Adjustments

Based on the new legislation, the Department will implement OCOLA decreases greater than two index points (based on data), in 50% increments this year, effective May 15 and November 15.
General | April 14, 2023

DoD to Change the Name of Nine Army Installations by 2024

The Department of Defense Naming Commission has renamed nine Army installations.
General | April 12, 2023

DoD Preferred Now in the Washington, DC Area

The DoD Preferred Commercial Lodging program has expanded to 80 sites with 420 commercial hotels for the 2023 calendar year.
General | April 10, 2023

Coronavirus-related Travel Information

The latest updates on foreign and domestic travel restrictions, including DoD-issued memoranda, steps to take before official travel begins, and information on how to change DoD travel reservations.
General | March 16, 2023

Top Performers Recognized for Excellence in Practice at GovTravels 2023

Congratulations to the top performers from across the Department who have excelled in travel program management within their organizations. Awards were given on February 28, 2023...
Newsletter | Feb. 21, 2023

Winter 2023

Inside: Registration Open for GovTravels 2023 | MyTravel: Updated Authority and New Travel Capabilities | What to do About Lost Luggage | DoD Preferred Commercial Lodging in 2023 | TSA REAL ID Update
General | Feb. 16, 2023

UTD for MAP 86-22(R) Travel for Non-Covered Reproductive Health Care Ser...

As part of the Secretary of Defense’s initiative on "Ensuring Access to Reproductive Health Care," the Secretary directed travel and transportation allowances be established for Service members and their dependents to facilitate official travel to
General | Feb. 15, 2023

Video Spotlight on the U.S. Government Rental Car Program

U.S. Government Rental Car Program Manger Nicole McGuire discusses the benefits of her Program in our latest Defense Travel Spotlight series video. She explains how travelers qualify for the program and reserve a vehicle, and more.
General | Feb. 6, 2023

TSA PreCheck Is Available For NAF

TSA PreCheck is free to DoD civilians and Service members including Reservists, National Guardsmen, the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), and now Non-Appropriated Fund (NAF) employees...
General | Dec. 6, 2022

DHS Extends REAL ID Enforcement Deadline to May 7, 2025

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced its intent to extend the REAL ID full enforcement date by 24 months, from May 3, 2023 to May 7, 2025.
Newsletter | Dec. 2, 2022

Fall 2022

Inside: The Secretary of Defense’s “Taking Care of our People” Initiative | Ways to Avoid Improper Payments | Information on GovTravels 2023 | Airline Benefits for Military Travelers | Holiday Travel Tips if Traveling by Air | Updated MyTravel
General | Oct. 3, 2022

DoD Authorizes an Increase to 2022 PCS Related Allowances

As part of Secretary Austin’s Taking Care of People initiative and to ease costs that can strain budgets and cause financial uncertainty during Permanent Change of Station (PCS) moves, the Department of Defense (DoD) has authorized changes to two PCS
General | Sept. 22, 2022

DoD Authorizes an Automatic Increase to 2022 BAH Rates for Certain Locat...

As part of Secretary Austin’s commitment to take care of our people, and to ensure our Service members and families are able to secure affordable basic needs (including housing), the Department of Defense (DoD) has authorized temporary increases to
DoD Travel Systems | Aug. 18, 2022

Fiscal Year Crossover Guidance

Fiscal year crossover information for Travel Managers and Defense Travel Administrators.
Newsletter | July 21, 2022

Spring/Summer 2022

Inside: Navigating Travel Disruptions | MyTravel or DTS? Which System to Use | Ten TSA Summer Travel Tips | Strategic Dining- Welcome to DoD Dine Smart Traveler Rewards | State Sales Tax Exemptions for Lodging | Mid-Year Adjustment to Mileage
General | May 10, 2022

Enroll today in DoD Dine Smart Traveler Rewards

DoD Dine Smart Traveler Rewards let's you earn rewards while on official travel. Just enroll, dine at participating restaurants, and pay with your Government Travel Charge Card. You'll earn points for every dollar. Redeem the points for gift cards!
Newsletter | Nov. 22, 2021

Fall 2021

Inside: The Journey to MyTravel | Prevent Travel Card Declines: Set a PIN Before You Travel | Registration Now Open for 2022 GovTravels | Use Your Travel Card for Meals – Stay Policy Compliant + Earn Rewards | Motorcoach Driver Shortage Delays DoD
General | July 14, 2021

GSA Announces FY22 City Pair Program Contract Awards

On July 13, 2021, GSA announced the award of the Fiscal Year 2022 City Pair Program (CPP) contracts which were awarded to 8 airlines - United, American, Southwest, JetBlue, Delta, Hawaiian, Alaska, and Silver Airways in 12,626 markets, covering 91.7%
Newsletter | June 21, 2021

Summer 2021

Inside: Rapidly Changing COVID-19 Travel Environment | What Can You Expect During Your Next Hotel Stay? | What’s New with Defense Travel Modernization | Rental Car Shortage Felt by Defense Travelers | Mark Your Calendars for GovTravels 2022 | Dining
Newsletter | March 22, 2021

Spring 2021

Inside: GovTravels Symposium Goes Virtual! | Excellence In Practice Award Winners Celebrated At GovTravels 2021 | Learn What’s New With The Integrated Lodging Program | Travel Managers In Action | Take A Peek At Our New Look | Know Before You Go:
Newsletter | Nov. 23, 2020

Fall 2020

Inside: Performance Based Management: Our Method, Our Success, Our Vision | The Impact of the Pandemic on the Travel Industry | Better Performance Tracking and a Compliance Tool Recode on the Horizon | Lights, Camera, Action! | Travelers are Helping
Newsletter | June 22, 2020

Summer 2020

Inside: Smart Dining. It Just Makes Sense | The Work Doesn’t Stop | It’s Here: New Look For TraX | Update On Defense Travel Modernization Prototype | Practice DTS Simulations Using EWTS | We Want To Hear From You! | Check Out Our New JTR Webpage |
DoD Travel Systems | April 17, 2020

DTS/EWTS Software Update FY20: Expense Release

Note: Information and dates provided below are subject to change without notice. Information will be updated as necessary.I. GENERAL SOFTWARE UPDATE INFORMATION I. FUNCTIONALITY RESOLVED/INCLUDED WITH RELEASE EWTS Release Date: April 13, 2020 DTS
Newsletter | March 23, 2020

Spring 2020

Inside: Know Before You Go, Travel Precautions and Guidance | What You Missed At GovTravels | Defense Travel Modernization: The Future Traveler Experience is Now | Our Excellence in Practice (EiP) Award Winners | Travel Managers in Action |
Newsletter | Nov. 18, 2019

Fall 2019

Inside: DoD Preferred Lodging Means Duty of Care for Travelers | Save the Date for GovTravels 2020 | Get To Know the Team Behind the DTM | “Military Bus” Will Be The DoD Bus Program
Newsletter | March 25, 2019

Spring 2019

Inside: Modernized Travel System Update | Recap of GovTravels 2019 | DTS Goes Mobile | DoD DineSmart: How You Can Make an Impact | 2019 Excellence in Practice (EiP) Award Winners | Beware Admin Fees From Cashless Tolls | Travel Managers In Action