If you have TDY (temporary service there) travel orders, you have the option of making it a quiet experience or a difficult time. From the moment you arrive at the airport to the speed at which your out-of-pocket expenses are reimbursed upon your return, a handful of tips can easily tip the scale in your direction. Why not avoid a lot of frustration? Consider applying all the tips below and you will enjoy your TDY. You will become a travel specialist quickly!
Tips and information
A. Make a number of several similar expenses by adding precisely.
Look at all the different taxes on a hotel room receipt. Add them up and make that number: “Hotel tax”, for example. Make it easy for the person reviewing your voucher to pay.
B. Doing everyone’s job to make your way easier.
Don’t wait for DTS to contact you. After submitting, check your coupon progress and resolve any issues quickly. Be a “Nice Squeaky Wheel”. You can call anyone repeatedly on any topic, as long as you’re nice. You’ll catch more bees with honey than vinegar, and you’ll earn a reputation as a military travel professional.
C. Join all travel clubs and get all travel benefit cards.
Current rules allow service members to keep miles and points. It does not determine how you will travel; the government does. Because you will have so many cards, get something to carry all those cards in an organized way. If you start out organized, you’ll find that points and miles add up. You’ll enjoy that free flight or vacation in the future because it started out being organized.
D. Keep your things neat in your hotel room.
It’s easier to see if someone has been through it while you were gone. It’s also easier to “drag the bag” when you leave a room because you’re less likely to leave something behind. Military travel professionals don’t find themselves desperately calling the hotel from the airport to see if the maid found a clock in the room.
E. Do not leave your coupon there for five days upon your return.
Complete your TDY by submitting your voucher as soon as you return. You will appreciate getting your money back as soon as possible.
F. Scan your receipts.
If you fax them, they may not be readable. Double check all your expenses. Do your best to make it clear and easy to process your coupon. Professional processing of your voucher will be appreciated.
Before leaving for the airport in TDY:
1. Make sure your orders are finalized.
You will also need a voice command (VOCO). Take off without it and you may not get your money back for some expenses. Yes, you are serving your country, but that shouldn’t mean taking money out of your pocket to do so.
2. Make a TDY envelope for each trip.
Maintain an envelope with the related Operations Order (OPORD). This envelope should also contain your itinerary, orders, and receipts. Your life will be much easier if you keep all your travel documents in an envelope.
3. Does your travel card work?
Just before your travel date, buy a gum or drink from a store and use it. Why be ashamed of your trip? Make sure it works before you go on a military trip.
4. Advance package.
Check your OPORD. Have everything? If you are going to a school, check online to see if you can get the packing list for that school. You may not be able to get what you need where you are going; be prepared.
5. Print your boarding pass ahead of time.
This only saves you one less potential problem. Why not put it in your pocket before arriving at the airport? Be a prepared military traveler and perhaps wear something military like military rings to indicate your rank or profession.
6. Get to the airport two hours early, period.
Only bring something to read if you have extra time. The security process and the potential for security issues means you’ll want time to keep your sanity in case something goes wrong.
Develop early travel habits that will help you throughout your career. You will enjoy TDY if you do. You will live with less stress and more rest. Turn the above tips into habits and you will be a military travel pro. Have a good trip!