Airline Change Fee Prior to Travel

[sidl...@umn.edu]

A PI changed the return flight from Wednesday morning to Tuesday evening. Is the $200 change fee allowable on the sponsored project? I can't find anything that says it isn't.

[Sarah]

Hi Kathy,

The PI needs a business reason and should demonstrate the total  effect of change (ie, fee was $200, but saved $X on hotel and $X on per diem).  Please see the traveling FAQs section listed below.

SAS 

http://policy.umn.edu/finance/travel-faq:  Traveling on University Business FAQ

21.  May I charge a cancellation fee or a flight change fee to a sponsored account?

Any time a University account pays for a flight change fee, sponsored or non-sponsored, there should be a valid business reason. If the charge is on a sponsored account, there should be a valid business reason and evidence of savings presented if the change results in leaving early. These savings could be hotel charges as well as savings on per diems. If there is no savings greater than or equal to the fee then the traveler should seek sponsor's approval and submit documentation with the travel reimbursement.