ConnexUC - UC's Online Booking Portal
Watch the video - Benefits of ConnexUC
A video is available that describes some of the Benefits of Using ConnexUC travel portal over other discount travel booking sites.
Am I required to use ConnexUC?
The requirement to book airfare through ConnexUC is not currently being enforced, while we gather feedback from campus. We'll update the FAQ as needed with any changes.
Yes, for airfare reservations booked after November 1, 2021 (not travel date, but actual booking date). If you are a UC Berkeley employee, you are also required to pay for the airfare using a Direct Bill ID. The UC Berkeley Accounts Payable and Travel Office can grant an exception in certain circumstances. We strongly recommend ConnexUC be used for hotel and car rentals, but because the direct bill option is not currently available for those expenses, it is not required.
Are ConnexUC rates competitive with those I can get from booking directly or shopping online?
Absolutely! ConnexUC travel agencies use the same Global Distribution Systems that commercial travel companies such as United, Delta, or Expedia use for scheduling and pricing options. ALL accredited airlines, schedules, and prices are offered through the ConnexUC travel agencies. Airfare prices booked through ConnexUC should be equal to or less expensive than those you will find elsewhere.
Can I request an exception from booking my airfare through ConnexUC?
The requirement to book airfare through ConnexUC is not currently being enforced, while we gather feedback from campus. We'll update the FAQ as needed with any changes.
We promise our business travelers that we will not disadvantage them with the requirement to book their business airfare through ConnexUC. As we work to continue to improve the program and listen to our business travelers, if you find a better airfare option (price or schedule/routing) that you are unable to find in ConnexUC, you can simply go ahead and book the reservation outside of ConnexUC. When submitting for reimbursement, please just make sure to upload a screen capture from ConnexUC of the search results found there and explain in the special circumstances section why that was a suboptimal choice. By providing that feedback that will allow us to continue to work with the Central Travel Office at UCOP to continue to improve the search results found in ConnexUC. Additionally, it is essential that if you book outside of ConnexUC that you register for the UC Trip Insurance program.
If I book my airline ticket through ConnexUC, will I still get all of my frequent flier/loyalty points as if I booked directly with the airline and will I still have access to upgrades and other benefits?
Absolutely, travelers at a minimum receive all of the same loyalty rewards/points from travel booked through ConnexUC as they would if booking directly with the airline. And, in some cases, we actually have special bonus rewards negotiated with some of the airlines. The next time you log into ConnexUC, click on "About" and then "Air" to see, by airline, the different discounts they offer exclusively to the UC and any additional perks/rewards they offer as well.
If I book my airline ticket through ConnexUC and if I need to make changes to the reservation or my flight is cancelled, can I work directly with the airline to make changes or rebook if that is my preference?
Airline tickets booked through ConnexUC have no restrictions on them, so if an employee prefers to work directly with the airline to make changes or rebook a cancelled flight they may do so. But, one of the many advantages of the program is that if you need agent assistance and don't have potentially hours to wait on hold for an airline representative, you also have access to live ConnexUC agents (fees may apply depending on the circumstance).
Can I use my personal credit card when making reservations through ConnexUC?
The requirement to book airfare through ConnexUC is not currently being enforced, while we gather feedback from campus. We'll update the FAQ as needed with any changes.
For airfare reservations booked after November 1, 2021 (not the travel date, but the actual booking date), if you are a UC Berkeley employee, you are required to pay for the airfare using a Direct Bill ID. But, because the direct bill option is not currently available for hotel and car rentals, you will still need to use a personal credit card when making reservations for those services through ConnexUC.
May I book Southwest “Wanna Get Away” fares through a ConnexUC travel agency?
Yes, both the UC Travel Center and BCD Travel have access to Southwest “Wanna Get Away” fares, as well as exclusive UC negotiated discounts with Southwest. Either agency can assist you with a Southwest reservation and accept a Direct Bill ID as payment.
How do I contact a ConnexUC travel agency?
Complete contact information is available by logging into ConnexUC. Be aware that reservations made via telephone are subject to higher transaction fees.
BCD Travel
Phone within US: 877-885-8632
Phone outside US: 818-238-4445, press #3
Email: Connexxus.TravelRequests@bcdtravel.com or UC.CustSvc@bcdtravel.com (for invoice requests)
UC Travel Center
Phone: 310-206-2639, press #2 or 800-235-UCLA (8252) (outside the US) or locate the after hours phone numbers listed at the bottom of your ticketed itinerary.
Email: travel@finance.ucla.edu (Email is not monitored during after hours, Fridays, Weekends and Holidays.)
Shorts Travel
Phone: 877-277-5754
Email: ucsupport@shortstravel.com
Southwest SWABIZ
Phone: 800-435-9792
Why can’t I log into ConnexUC?
Only UC Berkeley faculty and staff with an active appointment can access ConnexUC and Direct Bill.
If a UC Berkeley employee with an active appointment is not able to access ConnexUC and Direct Bill, please contact travel@berkeley.edu.
Individuals who are not UC Berkeley employees (i.e., contractors, consultants, temp agency employees, students) may not be given access to ConnexUC or Direct Bill.
All users must be an active UC Berkeley employee and have a valid CalNet ID.
Please allow 48 hours for the system to build a valid profile.
Travelers not eligible for access to ConnexUC and Direct Bill should coordinate with an eligible campus employee to make guest traveler arrangements on their behalf.
Please report access problems to travel@berkeley.edu.
I’m a frequent traveler. Is it possible to save my information to a profile to make the booking process more efficient?
Basic UC Berkeley directory information is sent to ConnexUC on a daily basis.
Go to ConnexUC and use the ConnexUC profile to edit your profile including:
- Emergency contacts
- Loyalty membership / frequent flyer numbers
- Authorized travel ‘arrangers’
- Passport/Visa information
If I want to travel with family members, how can I book airline tickets through ConnexUC such that our entire family is on the same reservation?
Unfortunately, at this time, there is no simple way for a business traveler to use ConnexUC to purchase airline tickets for themselves (using Direct Bill) and family members (using personal funds) on the same airfare reservation.
For UC Berkeley employees seeking reimbursement for their airfare when traveling with family members:
- Include a copy of the flight reservation showing travel with family members
- Check the box on the Special Circumstances page that the trip included personal days
- Include a statement in the explanation box that airfare was booked outside of ConnexUC due to traveling with family members
No additional approvals beyond what is customary to be reimbursed will be required.
I have a flight credit that is going to expire. Will I still be reimbursed for my flight if I book the ticket outside of ConnexUC using the credit to pay for my ticket after November 1st?
The requirement to book airfare through ConnexUC is not currently being enforced, while we gather feedback from campus. We'll update the FAQ as needed with any changes.
If the original ticket was bought outside of ConnexUC, of course we want you to be able to use the credit that you received so that those funds are not lost. When you seek reimbursement, just make clear in the explanation box on the special circumstances page of the reimbursement system that the credit was from a ticket bought prior to the November 1st requirement going into effect. You will be required to provide the receipt from when you bought the original ticket, just to show proof of payment, but that is nothing new.
If part of my business travel involves personal time, can I still use ConnexUC and Direct Bill to purchase the airline ticket?
The requirement to book airfare through ConnexUC is not currently being enforced, while we gather feedback from campus. We'll update the FAQ as needed with any changes.
If the personal time simply involves arriving earlier and/or staying longer at the destination at which the business travel occurred, then the requirement to use ConnexUC and Direct Bill still applies. If the traveler adds additional locations to the flight itinerary that are for personal purposes, then the airline ticket can not be purchased using Direct Bill.
ConnexUC can be used to purchase tickets for personal travel with travelers paying out of pocket and requesting reimbursement only for the business portion of the flight(s). Booking through ConnexUC automatically enrolls business travelers in the UC insurance program for the portion of their travel that is business. All UC Berkeley employees can use ConnexUC to book vacation travel by paying with a personal credit card.
How should I purchase my airline ticket if it is being paid for by an external source, for example, the sponsor of a conference at which I am presenting?
If an external party is paying directly for an airline ticket for a UC Berkeley employee, then it is acceptable to purchase the ticket outside of ConnexUC. If the travel is for UC business purposes, you may self-register for UC’s travel insurance coverage on the Risk Services Travel page.
Will I still be reimbursed if book air travel outside of ConnexUC and do not provide evidence that I reviewed ConnexUC flight options for comparison?
The requirement to book airfare through ConnexUC is not currently being enforced, while we gather feedback from campus. We'll update the FAQ as needed with any changes.
Airfare expenses booked outside of ConnexUC that do not include a screen capture from ConnexUC along with an explanation for why the ConnexUC search results were suboptimal will still be reimbursed as long as they meet all other policy requirements, but they will require additional approvals from a Dean/VC level approver.
Does the requirement to use ConnexUC apply to student or guest travelers?
The requirement to book airfare through ConnexUC is not currently being enforced, while we gather feedback from campus. We'll update the FAQ as needed with any changes.
Only UC Berkeley employees are required to book their airfare through ConnexUC using Direct Bill. For non-employees needing UC business travel, a UC Berkeley employee can book travel on their behalf through ConnexUC/Direct Bill using the “guest” option. This eliminates the need for the traveler to pay out-of-pocket and wait for reimbursement until after the completion of travel.
What is the benefit to the business traveler to book airfare using ConnexUC and Direct Bill?
In addition to the airfare scheduling and pricing options provided through ConnexUC being equal to or better than most anything you might find on other travel booking sites, booking through ConnexUC and using Direct Bill provides many other significant benefits to our UC business travelers:
- Flexibility to make travel arrangements either online or with an agent by phone.
- Cancelled ConnexUC tickets result in a credit that can be used for a future flight, even if the ticket was non-refundable.
- Supports the Direct Bill process to charge airfare directly to the university so that our business travelers do not have to pay for their airline ticket(s) in advance and then wait until after the completion of travel to get reimbursed.
- Qualify for various airline benefits based on availability.
- Free preferred seats
- Upgrades to business or first-class seats
- Priority boarding and priority standby
- Automatic enrollment in Business and Travel Accident Insurance coverage at no cost for employees and students.
Where can I find the FAQ page in ConnexUC?
You can access the ConnexUC FAQ page once you've logged into ConnexUC. Please refer to these FAQs for additional guidance when making travel arrangements using ConnexUC.
Direct Bill - Charge Airfare Directly to UC
What information is needed to create a Direct Bill ID?
To create a Direct Bill ID, be prepared with:
- An active CalNet ID
- A complete profile listing in the campus directory, which must include your work email, phone number, and address
- The business purpose for the trip
- Traveler’s name as it will appear on the airline ticket matching to their government-issued ID
- Expected travel dates
- Travel destination(s)
- Complete chartstring(s) or speedtype(s) of where the cost of the airline ticket should be charged (ensure the travel complies with any funding restrictions)
Watch the video - How to Create a Direct Bill ID
The Creating a Direct Bill ID video is available that demonstrates how to use Direct Bill to charge the university for your business-related airfare.
How often can I use my DBID?
The DBID can only be used once to book airfare for a specific itinerary. When the expense is received from the travel agency, the DBID is matched to the funding chartstring and marked complete in the tracking system. If the DBID is re-used for a subsequent trip, funding may not be available and the manual reconciliation of unmatched DBIDs causes delays in the financial recording.
DBID is only to be used for airfare expenses at this time. If the trip includes a hotel or car rental, you will need a personal credit card or the corporate travel card to pay for those expenses.
How to view a previously issued Direct Bill ID:
To see previously issued DBIDs, log into the Direct Bill Travel system, select Departmental Functions > Manage Direct Bill IDs.
How to create a Direct Bill ID
Step-by-step instructions are available once you log in to the system.
What do you need to create a Direct Bill ID?
To create a Direct Bill ID, be prepared with:
- An active CalNet ID
- The business purpose for the trip
- A complete profile listing in the campus directory, which must include your work email, phone number and address
- Traveler’s name as it will appear on the airline ticket
- Expected travel dates
- Travel destination
- Complete chartstring(s) or speedtype(s) of where the cost of the airline ticket should be charged (ensure the travel complies with any funding restrictions)
Where is a DBID accepted?
The university’s two contracted travel agencies, BCD Travel and UC Travel Center can accept a Direct Bill ID to charge airfare to UC Berkeley. Both are full-service agencies with dedicated agents who can handle nearly all travel needs. You will be prompted to provide the DBID during the online booking process or when speaking with the travel agent. Contact and service fee information for the travel agencies is available through UC’s booking portal, ConnexUC.
Why create a Direct Bill?
Airfare is often purchased several months in advance of a trip. Using a DBID instead of a personal credit card to purchase airline tickets eliminates the need for travelers to pay out-of-pocket for the airfare and wait until the trip is concluded before receiving reimbursement.
What is a Direct Bill ID?
A Direct Bill ID (DBID) allows you to charge the purchase of business-related airfare directly to the university. The DBID is a unique code issued by the DBID system and associated with a particular trip. When making travel reservations using one of UC’s travel agencies, provide the DBID code so that your airfare costs are charged to your campus funding source chartstring.
Who can create a Direct Bill?
Access to the Direct Bill Travel site is limited to staff and faculty in selected job titles. Employees, students, or hosted guests who do not have access to the system but who have a need to travel on university business may work with their department to create a DBID on their behalf.
60 Calendar Day Submission Deadline for Travel and Entertainment Reimbursement Requests
When will the 60 day submission deadline be strictly enforced?
Travel with an end date of July 1, 2021 or later and Entertainment events with a date of July 1, 2021 or later will be subject to this requirement. So, travel with an end date of July 1 must be submitted on or before August 14th.
What about Travel with an end date prior to July 1, 2021 or an Entertainment event prior to July 1, 2021?
Reimbursement for Travel with an end date prior to July 1, 2021 or Entertainment events with a date prior to July 1, 2021 will not be subject to tax withholding. However, sound business practice calls for reimbursement requests to be submitted timely.
Does the 60 day submission time frame apply to reimbursements that are not for Travel or Entertainment?
No.
Non-T&E reimbursements submitted through the “Other Expenses” reimbursement process are not subject to the 60 day submission requirement. However, sound business practice calls for reimbursement requests to be submitted timely.
If I submit my T&E request within 60 days, but it is rejected for revision resulting in it being resubmitted after 60 days, will it be subject to tax withholding?
Rejected reports that were originally submitted within the 60 day requirement will not be considered a policy violation.
Will my reimbursement request be paid if it is submitted after the 60 day deadline?
Yes, as long as your reimbursement request is approved by your designated approver, the reimbursement will be issued through normal payment channels. However, the payment will be reported to Payroll as imputed income and appropriate tax withholding will occur on a subsequent paycheck.
Does tax withholding only apply to employees? Does tax withholding also apply to guests and students?
Only employees with Travel or Entertainment reimbursements that are out of compliance with the 60 day submission deadline are subject to tax withholding on the reimbursement as imputed income. Imputed income does not apply to guests or students. However, sound business practice calls for reimbursement requests to be submitted timely.
Where can I find this policy?
For Travel policy (BFB-G-28), you will find it on page 39 in the “Reporting Period” section.
For Entertainment policy (BUS-79), you will find it on page 15 in the “Submission of Meal and Entertainment Expenses for Reimbursement” section.
What is the tax withholding rate?
22% federal and 6.6% state
How can I request an exemption to the 60 day submission deadline?
For Travel and Entertainment reports for employees that are submitted more than 60 days after the conclusion of the trip and/or event, the submitter of the report will be required to provide a justification for submitting late and enter any request they have for exemption at that time. Reports will not be able to be submitted past 60 days without entering this information. Requests for exemption will not be accepted via any other method. Accounts Payable will periodically review submitted justifications to determine whether it would be accepted in the event of an IRS audit, so the bar has been set very high and we expect that exemptions will be rare.
When will I see the withholding on my paycheck and how will it appear?
The taxable income will typically be reported on your paycheck within two months of the date that your reimbursement is paid out to you. If it is a large taxable amount, we will do our best to prorate the withholding amounts across two paychecks. You will be able to identify the imputed income from the earn code on your pay statement of FMV-fringe benefit-taxable.
Travel Reimbursement Request
How do I access the system?
- All employees can log into the system to enter an expense report for themselves
- Employees needing to enter expense reports for other employees, students or visitors will need the Travel Preparer role, which can be requested through SARA (https://sara.berkeley.edu)
- Link to the system (https://reimburse.berkeley.edu/login.asp)
How do I prepare expense reports for others?
See the how-to guide at https://travel.berkeley.edu/sites/default/files/travelpreparersjobaid.pdf
Meal Expenses: Tell me more about Actual vs Per Diem?
UC Policy allows for the use of per diems when traveling to international or off shore US (Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico, the Northern Mariana Islands, and possessions of the United States) destinations. Per diems are also permitted for domestic travel of 30 or more consecutive days. However, each department head has the authority to be more restrictive. Please check with your DFL to confirm that per diems are allowed within your respective school or department. https://cfo.berkeley.edu/divisional-finance-leaders#dfl
For domestic travel under 30 days, only actual expenses are reimbursed up to the policy limits, per diems are not allowable.
Tell me more about receipts
- Once receipts have been uploaded, you can confirm their availability by clicking on the “View Receipts/Documents” link
- The “Date Paper Work In” field only updates periodically throughout the day, but update is not immediate
- Only the Accounts Payable/Travel office can delete attachments. Send an email to travel@berkeley.edu with the TRV report number and the receipts that need to be removed
Where can I get help about chartstrings?
- A chartstring indicates the source of funds that will be paying for the trip expenses
- Chartstring information is entered on the Totals tab in the reimbursement system
- The instructional video on how to submit an expense report explains how to enter a chartstring (fast-forward to about the 5:40 mark)
- If you don’t know the chartstring for your trip, contact the finance/budget office for your school or department
Electronic versus paper-based signatures
Employee-Traveler – Direct Entry
By submitting the report online, the traveler will certify that the expenses are business-related, accurate and complete. Their CalNet authentication to log in to the system is their electronic signature. A wet signature is not needed.
Employee-Traveler – Report Prepared by Someone Else
After entering all of the expenses and uploading the receipts to the system, the report preparer can use the link on the Confirm and Submit page to send an email to employee-traveler to announce that the report is ready for sign-off. The system-generated email instructs the employee-traveler to log in to the system, verify the accuracy of the travel report, and submit the report for approval. Their CalNet authentication to log in to the system is their electronic signature. A wet signature is not needed.
Travelers – Students, visitors, guests, or individuals who prefer not to use the system
Since electronic signature in the system is not an option, the expense report preparer will need to print or scan to pdf the report and provide it to the traveler for review and signature. This report page includes the certification language needed to process the report. Only reports that are ready to be finalized and submitted for approval should be signed. After the paper report is signed, it must be returned to the preparer who will upload it to the system and submit the online report for approval.
To obtain a signature page, the expense report preparer can navigate to:
1. The Confirm & Submit page and click the expense report link
2. The ‘View Report’ links on the Preparer Queue or Track Reports pages in the reimbursement system
Approvers – no exceptional expenses or second level of approval needed
The approval that occurs online in the Travel Reimbursement system is the only approval required by policy. However, each department head has the authority to be more restrictive. Please check with your DFL to confirm whether additional approvals are required within your school or department.
Approvers – exceptional expenses or second level of approval needed
The initial approver should use the ‘Save Note & Email Approver’ function within the reimbursement system to insert notes to reflect the action needed and to route the online report to a secondary approver. The ‘Save Note & Email Approver’ function is available by navigating to the Approver Queue and selecting the specific report ID number.
Entertainment Reimbursement
Campus Shared Services is available to support the processing of Entertainment reimbursements.
Use of the Entertainment menu in the reimbursement system for Direct Entry of Entertainment-related expenses is an available option. Check with your DFL to determine if your respective department should be using Entertainment for Direct Entry. Please note a redesign of the Entertainment system is under construction and online help resources have not been developed.
Why do I need a business purpose?
The IRS requires sufficient records to document that the expenses for which the university is paying are related to a legitimate activity from which the university will benefit. A good statement of business purpose for the trip will answer who, what, when, where and why. Just saying ‘research,’ ‘attend conference’ or ‘donor meeting’ is usually not sufficient. Travelers may also be asked to provide a business justification for particular expenses.
When are trip expense reports / reimbursement requests due?
Per UC policy, expense reports must be submitted within 45 days after the end of the trip. When a trip lasts more than 90 days, a quarterly report is required. Payments of reimbursement requests submitted after 45 days may be reported as taxable income or may not be paid at all, considering the circumstances and funding sources. A trip expense report must be submitted even if no reimbursement is due the traveler (i.e., when the only expense is direct billed airfare).
When do I need a receipt?
Receipts are required for registration fees, airfare, lodging, and car rental expenses regardless of the amount. Approvers will review the receipts to ensure that it was actually the traveler who paid for the expense and that non-business related charges (i.e., hotel spa services, child car seat rental, etc.) are not included. Receipts are also required for any expense of $75 or more. Auditors expect to see receipts to support the payment of a business expense; if a payment is not proven to be business related, it may be disallowed and, as a result, taxable. It is always in the traveler’s best interest to keep records of expenses incurred and reimbursed.
Is a credit card statement an acceptable receipt?
A valid receipt will show specifics about the purchase – what was purchased, when, where, the amount, and proof of payment. Generally, the person making the purchase possesses the receipt, which substantiates who should be reimbursed. For airfare, hotel and car rental, a detailed receipt is required, (duplicate receipts can usually be obtained from the merchant) though a credit card statement may be requested as evidence of who paid for the expense. A receipt is also needed for conference registration fees and when any single expense is more than $75. If a detailed receipt is not available for these types of expenses, but the traveler’s credit card statement documents the purchase, the traveler should provide a copy of the credit card statement as proof of payment along with a written explanation in lieu of a receipt citing what was purchased, when, where, and why a receipt cannot be provided.
Who can approve an exception?
Exceptions are rare and could introduce risks to other aspects of the travel program. Only individuals with the delegated authority may consider and grant exceptions.
Which states are banned from using California state funding sources?
For more information about this, please see Frequently Asked Questions Regarding AB 1887 Requirements
Travel and Entertainment Policy
Can I be reimbursed for extra fees charged by airlines?
It’s hard to keep up with all of the ancillary fees charged by airlines these days. In general, if the service obtained with the extra fee is considered ordinary and necessary to meet a business need, then paying the fee is permitted. A business justification should be noted on the expense report. Examples: Extra baggage for research supplies; seat assignment to ensure boarding; on-board internet for connectivity to work emails; change fees for a later flight because a meeting ran late.
I enjoy the amenities that come with a business-class or first-class seat. Will I be reimbursed if I purchase a higher-class ticket?
In keeping with UC’s policy to travel by the most reasonable and economical means, purchasing a business-class or first-class seat instead of coach/economy is usually not permitted. If you choose to purchase a higher-class seat, you should document the price for coach-class and expect to pay for the upgrade using personal funds. Policy does allow for some special circumstances that must be explained for reimbursement. Exceptions will require additional justification and approval.
- Note: With the increasingly complex classification of fare levels by airlines, it may difficult to determine what tickets are higher-class. As a general rule, if the airline labels the seat class with any variation of ‘coach’ or ‘economy’ (i.e., Premium Economy; Economy Plus) it will be permitted for reimbursement.
Can I rent an intermediate size car? Economy size is too small.
Yes. University policy permits renting up to an intermediate size car. If a bigger vehicle can be reserved for the same price or you receive a free upgrade, provide that explanation in your reimbursement request. If circumstances require a larger vehicle, provide the business purpose. Example: I rented a full size car to accommodate seating and luggage for myself and three colleagues, Prof. Jones, Prof. Lee, and Director Smith.
Can I use a shuttle service to the airport?
The general rule is that travelers should use the most reasonable method of transportation given the circumstances. Consider the cost of a shuttle service when compared to alternatives, such as taking a taxi or ride-share or driving a personal car and parking. Public transportation (i.e., BART, bus) may or may not be a reasonable option when factoring the cost against convenience or travel time. Determining the most reasonable method of transportation is up to the traveler and the approver. If costs appear excessive or extravagant, the reimbursement request must include the business-related justification.
I am attending a two-day conference in San Francisco. Can I be reimbursed for a hotel room to save commuting from my home in Berkeley? I will spend the evening hours networking with colleagues.
While it may save time, UC policy is to reimburse only when the location is more than 40 miles from the traveler’s home or place of work, whichever is closer, unless the overnight stay is required by the employer (i.e., an event coordinator must be onsite for late night and early morning set-up).
Can I book a bundled travel package?
Often these ‘deals’ appear to be a cost savings. However, the documentation and receipts typically do not itemize what is included in the purchase price, so the ‘receipts’ are insufficient per IRS rules for substantiating the business-related nature of what is being paid for. Unless the traveler confirms with the package provider that an itemized receipt for all included expenses (airfare, hotel, car rental, etc.) will be provided, it is best to avoid purchasing a package. Insufficient documentation could result in denial of reimbursement.
I’m going to be on travel status less than 24 hours. Which expenses are eligible for reimbursement?
Generally, transportation costs to and from the event will be paid. This includes airfare, rental car, personal car mileage, tolls, and parking. Meals are not reimbursed unless there is a need for an overnight stay. Example: You take the 9:00am flight from Oakland to Orange County for an early afternoon meeting. You plan to return that same day, but all flights are canceled. You catch the first flight out of Orange County the next morning, returning home at 7:00am. Your trip was less than 24 hours, but because of the overnight stay, meals may be reimbursed.
Can I use emerging market services like Uber, Lyft, AirBnB?
There is no policy prohibiting the use of alternative providers. The traveler is expected to give full consideration to the costs of these services as compared to more traditional providers. If the costs are out of line with ordinary and customary comparables, the traveler may be expected to provide a business justification or be reimbursed based on the lower cost alternative.
I prefer to drive rather than fly. Will I be reimbursed for the mileage?
If most people would drive the distance, then you may claim mileage with no further explanation. However, if most people would fly and you are choosing to drive for personal reasons (i.e., sightseeing, stopping off to visit friends, taking family along, etc.), you should expect to be reimbursed the lesser of mileage based on the most direct route or an amount equal to the cost of flying coach/economy with advance booking. If you are driving for business reasons (i.e., transporting large boxes of research equipment), then provide a written statement explaining the circumstances. The basic expectation is that you will get to your business destination using the most economical and reasonable method.
Can I be reimbursed for extra fees charged by hotels?
The university will reimburse you for mandatory fees assessed by hotels, such as a resort fee or charge for valet parking. An explanation that the fee was not discretionary should be included on the expense report.
I am going on a trip for business purposes, but would like to include some personal time while I’m there. What are the guidelines for combining business and personal travel?
a) It is expected that university travelers can judge when they are on business and when they are on personal time and that they will claim expenses in an honest and ethical manner.
b) When booking flights, document the cost of airfare as if you were just going for business and the cost for the extended time. You should claim reimbursement for the lesser of the two.
c) If any personal time is included, you may not charge the airfare to the university using a Direct Bill ID. You must purchase the tickets using personal funds and request reimbursement, if applicable.
d) If traveling within the U.S. and the purpose of the trip is business, but you take a side trip for pleasure, you may not be reimbursed for any expenses related to the side trip or the extended stay. If the trip is primarily personal (for example, you’re on vacation) but you attend to business while at the location, you can claim any expenses related to the business, but you cannot be reimbursed for transportation to the location.
e) When traveling internationally, a trip must meet one of the following tests in order to be defined as entirely business:
a. The traveler did not have control over arranging the trip
b. Vacation was not a major consideration
c. Travel was outside the U.S. seven consecutive days or less
d. If more than seven days, less than 25% time was spent on personal activities.
f. If the trip is ‘primarily personal,’ airfare/transportation will not be reimbursed. Only expenses for days when business was conducted will be paid.
f) If family members are traveling with you, document and claim the cost for car rental, lodging, and meals as if you were traveling alone. The university will not pay for any incremental costs associated with personal traveling companions. (Note: Different rules apply for moving/relocation)
g) Airport parking will be paid only for business-related days.
h) If taking a side trip for personal activities, document and claim the costs for the direct route related to the business purpose of the trip.
Where can I see the IRS guidelines and the University of California policy?
IRS Publication 463, Travel, Entertainment, Gift and Car Expenses
University of California Policy G-28, Travel Regulations
I work from home but need to come to campus for meetings. Can I be reimbursed for mileage expense driving to and from campus, parking, and, if needed, an overnight hotel if I need to be back at campus again the next morning?
Unfortunately no, those are not reimbursable expenses.
By definition, regardless of where you live, the office location is considered your work location, so travel to that location is considered a commute expense and the IRS would consider reimbursement of that as taxable income. Policy prohibits the reimbursement of expenses that are considered taxable income by the IRS. You can find references to this in UC Travel Policy G28.
One reference is on page 5 pasted below:
"The University’s travel reimbursement procedures contained in this Bulletin are designed to conform to the “accountable plan” rules published by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Therefore, University reimbursement of an employee’s travel expenses shall not result in additional taxable income to the employee. Travel expenses considered by the IRS to be taxable income to the traveler are not reimbursable except for the following:"
The expenses we are discussing here are not on the list of exceptions.
Another reference is on page 13, section d:
Expenses for travel between the traveler's residence and headquarters (commuting expense) shall not be allowed.
Another reference is on page 23, section E.1.a:
For hotel expenses it states that "Regardless of the length of time for business travel, the traveler must be at least forty miles from the headquarter location or home, whichever is closer, to be reimbursed for an overnight stay."
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Travel Cancellation/Reimbursement Emergency Policy
The following FAQs apply to travel cancellation and reimbursement issues resulting from the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). These FAQs are in effect until further notice and are subject to change as the situation develops. Before seeking reimbursement from the University, please make all efforts to obtain a full refund from the vendor.
Will UC’s Travel Insurance Program cover lost costs/penalties?
- You may be able to recoup some of your costs for international trip cancellations.
- If the airline or travel provider refused to issue a refund or a travel credit or charges a penalty for changes for travel to international destinations, travelers should submit their claim through the UC Travel Insurance Program.
- You can submit a claim for airfare, hotel, cancellation fees, or conference registration for up to $2,000 for international trips (domestic trips are not covered). Once a claim is submitted, a determination will be made by the UC Insurance Carrier, Chubb, regarding what is covered. Please note that it is the insurance company and not UC Berkeley that determines if a claim is accepted or not.
- Download and complete the claim form (PDF) that is available on the UCOP website.
- The Policyholder is the University of California.
- Group Policy Number:
- Faculty/Staff - ADD N04223810
- Student - ADD N04223822
- Education Abroad Program (EAP) - ADD N04834823
- The program name is the title of the event for which you were traveling (ex. Study Abroad 2020 or International Research Conference, etc.).
- The group leader is the name of the person running the program (if applicable).
- Submit your completed form to Chubb:
- Fax: (302) 476-7857
- Email: diane.basa@chubb.com
- Mail: Chubb USA PO Box 5124 Scranton, PA 18505-0556
- As part of your claim, please provide the following:
- Proof of enrollment in travel coverage/registration of their trips
- Proof from the airlines that the tickets were non-refundable
- Provide the Itinerary and the cost of the tickets
- Proof from the hotels that accommodations were nonrefundable, cancellations fees, or could be cancelled with no penalties
- Documentation that you requested a refund and/or travel credit and denial from the service provider.
- Whether you were traveling to one of the countries included in the CDC Travel Health Notice Warning Level 3, OR
- A detailed explanation of how the business activity was actually impacted or resulted in an effective cancellation as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19). For example, you were traveling for a symposium to a currently unaffected region, and the organizer cancels the event because the key speakers from affected regions were unable to attend.
What documentation do I need to provide to get reimbursed?
- All travel receipts (e.g., airfare invoices, hotel folios, conference registration fee charges etc.)
- Documentation of attempts to obtain refunds
- For travel credit reimbursements, please attest in the expense report: “I will not use the travel credits for personal travel. In the event that I use it for personal travel, I will reimburse the University for the cost of the ticket less any cancellation fees.”
What costs will be reimbursed if I need to cancel a trip due to the coronavirus?
- First, make all efforts to get full refunds for all of your costs.
- If you are unable to get a refund, document the steps you took to obtain a refund.
- You may request reimbursement for your unreimbursed travel expenses. These costs may include:
- Airline cancellation fees/penalties
- For international trips, please first attempt to get reimbursed through our travel insurance program. (See FAQ - Will UC’s Travel Insurance Program cover lost costs/penalties?). If you don't get reimbursed through our insurance program, please submit through the Travel reimbursement system and provide documentation of the denial. Domestic trips are not covered under UC’s travel insurance program.
- Cost of airfare if you receive a credit towards future travel
- If possible, please wait until after the future trip to submit your reimbursement request.
- If you have a financial need or are unsure if you are going to travel on business before the credit expires, you can submit for reimbursement immediately.
- Hotel or other lodging charges/cancellation fees
- Conference registration fees
- Other ordinary and necessary business expenses that have not been refunded
- For individuals who are not UC Berkeley faculty or staff, these reimbursement requests will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
- Airline cancellation fees/penalties
Is UC Berkeley Travel currently reviewing expense reports submitted through the Travel reimbursement system?
Yes.
The Travel department is working remotely, fully operational, and reviewing expense reports where applicable.
What should I do if I need to cancel my trip and I booked outside of Connexxus?
- Contact the airline/agency and cancel your ticket prior to initial date of departure.
- Request a full refund without penalty (due to the coronavirus).
- If they will not provide a full refund without penalty, then request a refund (with the penalty) or request a credit towards future travel.
- Whether the traveler selects a refund with penalty or credit towards future travel may depend on a number of factors specific to each situation. For instance, if the traveler expects to travel on business prior to the expiration of the credit, and the airline is not charging a change fee for travel credits, it may be beneficial to request a travel credit.
- Please also make sure to cancel all hotel, car rental, and any other reservations.
What should I do if I need to cancel my trip and I booked my travel through Connexxus?
- If you booked using Connexxus, the UC System’s online booking tool, you can cancel online in Connexxus with the Connexxus agency where you made the booking, or you can contact the agency by phone.
- The agency will attempt to get a refund or future travel credit.
- If you receive a future travel credit through Connexxus, you will only be able to use this credit by booking through Connexxus using the same agency that the original reservation was made. Travelers should be aware that travel credits must not be used for personal purposes. If it is used for personal purposes, the traveler must reimburse the University for the cost of the ticket.
- Please note there will be a time limit to use credits.
- Please also make sure to cancel all hotel, car rental, and any other reservations.
- Will I be able to get a full refund for tickets that are generally not refundable?
- The Connexxus agencies and UCOP’s Central Travel Office have reached out to the airlines to try to get blanket refunds for UC related travel. So far, airlines have not been receptive to providing refunds. They have generally provided credit towards future travel. We will continue to push this issue with the airlines and will attempt to get refunds for individual travelers, if possible. Some refunds have been given, but these are determined by the airlines on a case-by-case basis.
- Will there be cancellation/change fees?
- Most of the major airlines have agreed to waive cancellation/reissuance fees.
- If the traveler will not be able to use a future credit, can we change the name of the traveler?
- In most cases, the major airlines are allowing a name change for domestic tickets (not international). There is a name change fee associated with this which varies by airline.
- Please note this a fluid situation, so these airline policies may change in the future.
Can I travel?
- All UC Berkeley nonessential international and domestic travel is suspended until further notice. Personal international and domestic travel is strongly discouraged.
- Anyone arriving from CDC Level 3 countries must self-quarantine for 14 days from the time they left that country. If you decide to travel, be aware that other countries could change travel restrictions without notice, flights may be canceled, or new re-entry restrictions could be imposed when returning to the United States.
- Currently, most states do not have restrictions on domestic travel, but you should be aware of preventative measures if you travel.
- Hawaii, Alaska, and Florida have various forms of a self-quarantine for those that travel to these states. Other states may follow.
- For up to date travel information regarding COVID-19, the following sites are most informative:
- UCB COVID-19 information page
- UC Office of the President travel directives (PDF)
- U.S. State Department travel advisories
- CDC information for travelers