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Subsistence Rates

MEALS & INCIDENTAL EXPENSES (M&IE)

A. GENERAL DEFINITION

  1. Expenses incurred for meals (including tips) and incidental expenses while on travel status.
  2. A business trip begins when the traveler leaves their residence or headquarters, whichever occurs last, and ends when the traveler returns to their residence or headquarters, whichever occurs first.  Expenses must be incurred 25 miles or more from where the business trip begins and ends to qualify for reimbursement.
  3. Expenses reimbursed must be ordinary and necessary to accomplish the business purpose of the trip.
  4. Incidentals include fees and tips given to porters, baggage carriers, bellhops, and hotel maids.
  5. Incidental expenses do not include expenses for laundry, cleaning and pressing of clothing, lodging taxes, or the costs of telegrams or telephone calls.

B. MEAL AND INCIDENTAL REIMBURSEMENT

A chart summarizing the applicable reimbursement methods and the maximum rates authorized for lodging, meal, and incidental expenses incurred while on travel status is located in the CSU Travel Procedures and Regulations.  Refer to the chart in Appendix C, page 46.