Meals and Entertainment Expenses

Per diem is a fixed daily amount payable in lieu of actual expenses for meals and incidental expenses.  A per diem is used to reimburse  employees for such expenses incurred when traveling overnight on University business.  Per diem is applicable for both domestic and foreign travel.  

The rate of per diem depends upon the city being visited.  The domestic rates are the Federal Meal and Incidental Expense rates as established by the GSA.  For travel outside of the United States, the per diem rates are  reported in the United States Department of State. Both domestic and foreign rates, by city, are available on the Internet at the following site: 

http://www.gsa.gov  click on Per Diem Rates

Per diem is for a full 24-hour day. For days of departure and return, the per diem rate will be prorated at ¾ of the full rate in the departing city.  In the case of travel between two cities on the same day, other than returning home, the rate used for the city in which the employee spends the night.
Incidental expenses include, but are not limited to, the following items:

Fees and tips for persons who provide services such as food servers and luggage handlers

Laundry, dry cleaning and pressing of clothes

Personal telephone calls and in-room entertainment

Cost of transportation between lodging or business and where meals are taken

Important Note: If you attend a conference where you are furnished meals, your per diem for that day should be reduced by the following percentages for the meals furnished:

Breakfast - 15%
Lunch -  29%
Dinner -  43%