Learn About Meal Per Diem

Meal and Incidental Expenses (M&IE) Per Diem is paid for overnight business travel and is payable to the traveler without receipts.

Meal and Incidental Per Diem

The applicable CONUS and OCONUS M&IE per diem is payable to the traveler without itemization of expense or receipts and must correspond to the location of overnight lodging. https://www.gsa.gov/travel/plan-book/per-diem-rates

Reimbursement for actual expenses incurred during overnight travel for these expense categories is not permitted above the M&IE per diem.

The incidental allowance is to cover typical gratuity associated with travel. Reimbursement of these expenses as separate items is not permitted when claiming per diem.

Miscellaneous Expenses

Miscellaneous expenses that are not covered by the Incidental fees and are reimbursable include fax, telephone, copy charges, and other business related expenses. Receipts are required for any expense $75.00 or more.

M&IE Proration and Reductions

On a travel departure or return day, 75% of the M&IE is reimbursed. For trips involving multiple travel destinations, base the reduction on the per diem in effect for where the night was spent as follows:

  • Departure Day: Where the traveler spends the night.
  • Return Day: Where the traveler spent the night before returning home.

When meals are provided, the applicable meal per diem (breakfast, lunch, dinner) must be reduced by the amount shown for the applicable meal on the Government CONUS AND OCONUS travel charts

When meals are provided at no cost in conjunction with travel events on a travel departure or return day, the full day’s per diem rate is reduced by the full amount of the appropriate meals, followed by prorating the balance by 75%.

For More Information

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For help, please submit an IT Support Service ticket
VCU IT Self Service > Enter IT Portal > Submit a Request > Procurement Services
Under Procurement Services, select Travel and Reimbursement

Edit | Last updated: 09/20/2017