SUBJECT:  Travel and Entertainment - Rate Increases for Meals

Allowable amounts for travel and entertainment meal expenses are periodically adjusted using the annual average percent change in the Consumer Price Index - All Urban Consumers (CPI-U). The Office of the President has announced updates to the maximum allowable per person amounts for meals and incidental expenses for travel and for meals and light refreshments for entertainment. These increases are effective for travel events and entertainment that occur on and after September 1, 2001.

Travel

The maximum amounts authorized for daily meal and incidental expenses for short-term travel within the continental United States are now:
.
$26 for travel for 10-24 hours

$50 for travel over 24 hours but less than 30 days

These amounts represent a cap on reimbursement and travelers should be reminded that only actual amounts spent should be claimed. The flat amount of either $26 or $50 is not to be used as a per diem.

For more information: http://blink.ucsd.edu/go/meals

Entertainment

The following rates are the new per person maximums for entertainment:

$ 18 Breakfast
$ 30 Lunch
$ 45 Dinner
$ 12 Light Refreshments

For more information: http://blink.ucsd.edu/go/entmeals

You may direct comments and questions either to Travel@UCSD.edu or telephone 4-3734.

                                                Faye E. McCullough
                                                Manager
                                                Disbursements and Travel