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The Department is committed to reducing travel costs. One way to decrease travel expenses is to reduce the number of business days prior to travel that the tickets are issued. A large number of Department travelers are not canceling unused tickets prior to issuance or experience last minute changes after issuance. These events accounted for more than 15,000 inoperative airline tickets issued last year. As a result, travel funds are spent on administrative costs rather than on actual travel. For example:
Transaction fees are unnecessarily paid with each issued ticket
Restricted tickets remain unused
Some refundable tickets are not refunded (e.g. Southwest Airlines)
Airline tickets are currently issued five (5) business days in advance of travel. In an attempt to cut travel costs, effective July 31, 2004, tickets will be issued two (2) business days in advance. Travelers or travel planners may request earlier or later issuance, if preferred. Generally, travel plans tend to change closer to the date of travel, and instituting this initiative should result in fewer tickets issued. This change is expected to save the Department additional transaction fees costing $10.50 for reservations made via Trip Manager and over $24 for traditional travel agent service.
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