Travel
Collegiate Travel Planners (CTP), the university’s designated travel partner, provides negotiated rates on airfare, hotels, rental cars, and more for university business travel. U-M and CTP discounts will be automatically applied when booking business travel with CTP, either through the online travel booking tool or via agent assistance.
Additional benefits of booking business travel with CTP:
- Fully supported business travel
- 24/7 assistance to travelers through agents and the travel portal
- Easily apply unused tickets and e-credits to new bookings or reallocate them to alternate travelers within the university
- Book for up to 9 guests and/or employees at the same time through the U-M new online booking tool
- A dedicated team of agents who specialize in booking group travel for groups of 6 or more
For training materials, access the Travel and Expense TDx Knowledgebase.
Tip: For easy access to the CTP Portal and Lightning booking tool, favorite the “Travel Booking: Collegiate Travel Planners (CTP)” tile in Wolverine Access.
Announcements
Flight Changes Now Available
You can now make changes to flight itineraries in Lightning by clicking on the airplane option at the bottom of your Booking Summary 
National Car Rental/Enterprise Rent-A-Car website and contract
Effective September 1, 2023, the Big Ten Academic Alliance (BTAA) contract with National Car Rental and Enterprise Rent-A-Car changed. Read more.
Upcoming Events
Virtual sessions for U-M travel booking questions
CTP and U-M representatives will be available to answer your questions.
- October 5, 1 – 2 p.m. – Office hours Q & A
- October 26, 1 – 2 p.m. – U-M travel booking refresher training
- November 9, 2 – 3 p.m. – Office hours Q & A
- November 28, 10 – 11 a.m. – U-M travel booking refresher training
- December 12, 10 – 11 a.m. – Office hours Q & A
Zoom link – https://umich.zoom.us/j/97125318710
Passcode: 949288
Travel Supplier Showcase—Save the date!
The U-M Travel Program Team will host the first annual Travel Supplier Showcase, featuring representatives from a variety of UM-preferred travel suppliers. Check out the U-M Travel Supplier Showcase webpage for more details. We hope to see you there!
Tuesday, October 24, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Travel Policy
The Travel and Business Hosting Expense Policy is published in SPG 507.10-1. For a summary of allowable expenses, refer to the Summary of Allowable and Unallowable Expenses.
Airfare
The university will pay for the cost of standard coach airfare. Travelers should always select the lowest price airfare within the bounds of the most logical schedule. For full U-M guidelines and limitations, please see SPG 507.10-1.
The university has negotiated discounted rates with multiple airlines. There are several perks available when booking using these contracts. Visit the airlines’ supplier pages to learn more about perks, including how to upgrade to preferred seating.
Lodging
Car Rental
It is strongly recommended that employees use the university’s preferred car rental suppliers, National Car Rental and Enterprise Rent-A-Car. This ensures that appropriate insurance is included and discounted university rates are applied.
Risk Management advises that travelers decline all collision insurance for vehicle rentals originating in the U.S. as the university self-insures for commercial rental vehicle loss/damage. When traveling outside the U.S. it is recommended that travelers accept collision insurance. See the Risk Management website for more information on insurance coverage.
Personal Car Mileage or Car Rental?
Use the Trip Optimizer tool to receive a cost estimate for claiming mileage reimbursement vs. renting a car.
International Travel
The International Travel Policy (which includes U.S. territories) is published in SPG 601.31.
NOTE: Booking international travel through the university’s designated travel partner does not automatically register your international U-M Related Travel in the U-M Travel Registry. You must register your international travel separately.
Travel Meals/Per Diem
U-M adheres to U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) per diem policy for employee travel meals and incidental expenses. The per diem rates are set by the GSA for travel to domestic CONUS (continental US) and foreign/OCONUS destinations (foreign and non-continental US). Travelers are allowed 75 percent of the per diem amount on the first and last days of travel. University employees on business travel should pay for their own individual meals and incidentals out of pocket while traveling. Per diem can be claimed via a Concur expense report after their trip and is calculated based on the travel destination. Receipts are not required. For full U-M guidelines, please see SPG 507.10-1
(Looking for the Hosting policy? See Expense Reporting.)
Non-employee Travel
Whenever possible, business travel for non-employees (students/guests) should be paid for with a university PCard and should be arranged using the university’s designated travel partner.
Non-employee travel meals are reimbursable for the actual cost incurred provided the rate does not exceed current maximums ($30 breakfast, $30 lunch, $70 dinner). In lieu of reimbursing actuals, units may also pay non-employees at a set rate, provided that the rate does not exceed the GSA per diem rate. See Expense Reporting to learn more about processing these payments.
Forms
Fly America Act Exception Form
This form must be completed whenever non-U.S. flag air carrier service is used and intended to be charged to a federal project/grant. The completed form must be submitted with the expense report.
This form must be completed to start a group travel booking for a group of 6 or more travelers. Read more about the Group Travel booking process.
FAQ
Travel Resources
U-M Benefits Office - International Travel
Information for employees and students to prepare for international travel, including health insurance.
Global Michigan
Resources for employees and students planning international travel.
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
Featuring details about travel advisories, carry-on guidelines, prohibited items, etc.
US General Services Administration (GSA)
Provides per diem rates specific to major cities (both domestic and foreign).
U-M Travel Registry
Register your international travel.