Has anyone used their IBA allowance to buy a first class ticket? Presuming you stayed within your allowance, did you get reimbursed?

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 25 Oct 2016 16:02:47 -0400

I am authorized $884 per person to buy IBA tickets. I will PCS from Dothan, AL to Honolulu, HI, however, I am visiting family out west and then shipping my car and flying out of San Diego, CA. Due to the shorter flight, I can get first class tickets for less than $884. I can't find applicable regulations and my finance office wasn't sure if DFAS would refund a first class ticket.

Update 26OCT2016: DFAS Travel got back to my question ticket with the following response.

"With regard to airfare re-imbursement, as long as your orders authorize IBA and you include the zero balance receipt as well as claim the airfare in block 18 of the DD1351-2 you should be eligible for reimbursement of the airfare. As we are not examiners, we would advise you to speak to your finance office for further guidance."

It sounds like I will need to query my destination travel office to see what they will approve.

Response by SPC Todd Hanson made Oct 25 at 2016 6:30 PM

SPC Todd Hanson — Tue, 25 Oct 2016 18:30:35 -0400

As long it is SATO tickets you should.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 26 at 2016 1:02 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 26 Oct 2016 01:02:35 -0400

Go for it anyways. Spoil yourself a bit

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 26 at 2016 8:18 AM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 26 Oct 2016 08:18:41 -0400

I don't think they will. Check your orders to see if you are allowed first class. I understand you are looking at the prices but if your orders or your Travel Coordinator says no first class, even if its cheaper, you gotta go with what you can be authorized.

Are you scheduling your flight through DTS (Defense Travel System)?

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 2 at 2017 8:52 AM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 02 Jan 2017 08:52:58 -0500

http://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/Docs/perdiem/JTR.pdf

Per the JTR link above, section 3505, C.:
C. No Cost Upgrades. Upgrades to business/first class at no cost to the Gov’t, do not require authorization/approval.

For example, between HNL and SEA, the YCA(unrestricted economy) city pair fare is $309 one-way. The corresponding First Class fare listed online is $771(this can vary), therefore, the traveler would be responsible for paying the difference of $462 out of their own pocket.

As for how to reflect the above scenario on your travel voucher, that would be a question for the examiner to answer.