UW-wide travel and food purchasing restrictions, effective March 14, 2025
Travel and training
All non-essential travel must be cancelled at this time, regardless of funding source. We recognize, however, that certain travel may be critical to achieving key education or research milestones. In such cases, exception requests will require approval from both the department and the Dean’s Office. To facilitate this process, please see the travel approval process for appropriate forms to complete. When making travel plans using federal funding, purchasing fully refundable tickets is highly recommended, as the cost of an unused ticket is not allowable on federal awards. See refundable vs non-refundable airfare for more detail.
- Travel approval process
- Paying for your trip
- Refundable vs non-refundable airfare
- How to get there: transportation
- Foreign travel
- Lodging, meals, and incidentals
- Personal time
- Non-reimbursable examples
- Travel reimbursement procedure
- Guidelines for supporting documentation
- UW travel service resources
This guide is to assist department travelers through the travel process while adhering to the University of Washington and HCDE travel policies. Department staff are here to assist, but it is the traveler's responsibility to fully understand the rules and regulations. Failure to comply may result with non-reimbursable expenses, and incurring personal financial responsibility.
Travel approval process
Approval for travel is restricted to essential travel only, regardless of funding source. We recognize that travel may be critical to achieving key educational and research milestones, and HCDE’s process is to ensure the department complies with all travel funding policies. For example, when requesting the use of department funds, that requires approval from both the department and the COE Dean’s Office.
For all travel requests, please be prepared to provide details about the funding source(s), any backup funding source(s), expenses (including any past and future expenses), and a rationale/justification for how it meets research and/or education needs (ie. Business Purpose). Not all grant funded travel require Dean approval, however the form assists with communicating travel plans with the department.
- All travel requests (student, staff, faculty) on any funding source, please complete the HCDE Travel Exception Request form.
- After receiving HCDE/COE Dean approval, proceed to next steps based on your funding source:
- PhD student travel funds: fill out the HCDE PhD Student Conference Travel Request form.
- BS/MS student travel requests: please read through the HCDE BS & MS Student Travel Policy. Proceed to fill out the HCDE BS/MS Student Conference Fund Request form.
- Grant funded travel: please read through our Travel Resources page and work with your faculty/PI for documented approval prior to travel spending.
Note: the department aims to review submissions within 1-2 business days, and the Dean’s Office will conduct weekly reviews. Please allow 7-10 business days for a final response.
Paying for your trip
HCDE offers a few options for paying for travel expenses such as airfare, hotel accommodations, and registration before travel.
Department CTA - travel agency
We work with UW contracted travel agencies that can book airfare and hotel accommodations using the department CTA card on your behalf. Agencies do include a service fee ranging from $25-50.
- Email HCDEfiz@uw.edu with your travel approval(s) and budget information, then we will connect you with the current agency options.
- For any UW contracted Travel Agency assistance, it is required to contact the HCDE fiscal team first, for approval and visibility.
- If you are arranging travel for a group, locally (within 50 miles) or out-of-the-area, please use the HCDE Conference - Workshop Organizer to help communicate expenses with fiscal staff.
Conference and workshop registration
If you’d like assistance to use the departmental ProCard to pay for your conference, workshop, or membership registration fees, please contact HCDEfiz@uw.edu. Provide your budget/worktag info, approval(s) with business purpose, and event details along with the request.
Reimbursement: out-of-pocket purchase
Traveler pays for travel-related expenses and submits a request for reimbursement to HCDEfiz@uw.edu. Please review the Travel Reimbursement Guidelines for Supporting Documentation (below) prior to travel and before you submit your reimbursement. The Fiscal Team will assist in processing your reimbursement and reach out with any questions or next steps.
Per diem advance
This method is available on a case-by-case basis and for UW employees only. Please review the Travel Services - Travel Advance information and guidelines. Email the department administrator describing your circumstances and they will provide additional information.
Resources: UW Travel Discounts, Travel Services - Receipts & Record Retention
Refundable vs. non-refundable airfare
Sponsored awards
When using federal or sponsored funding, refundable airfare is required by sponsoring agencies, and thus, unused non-refundable airfare may not be charged to a federal award in any circumstances. See the PAFC webpage for more information. However, we understand that this may exceed what is budgeted. If you decide to go with a non-refundable fare, understand it is a non-reimbursable expense on this funding if the trip is cancelled for any reason; or you or your faculty sponsor would be responsible for any associated costs or reimbursing the department.
Department funding
When using department funding, there two options:
- Book through a UW-approved travel agency – this ensures compliance with UW policy and allows use of the department CTA, but it does include a service fee (~$25-$50).
- Book independently and request reimbursement – this offers more flexibility (ie. non-refundable fares), but if the trip is cancelled, you or your faculty sponsor would be responsible for any associated costs or reimbursing the department.
Resources: Travel Services Change/Cancellation of Travel Plans and Travel Planning.
How to get there - transportation
It is not recommended to book package deals through a fare aggregator such as Expedia, Travelocity or Orbitz. Package deals may be taxed or not reimbursable due to non-compliance with receipt documentation. See Package Deal Policy.
Airfare
Alaska Airlines currently is the State Contract Air Carrier that provides a base level price with State Contract Rates. You must use a State Contract Carrier unless your flight meets one of the following exceptions:
- You find a cheaper flight.
- The contract airline does not have a flight that meets your needs.
- There are no seats available on a particular flight.
- There is no contract airfare to the particular destination.
You will likely find a cheaper flight with a non-State Contract Carrier, but it is critical that you consult the base level price before purchasing your ticket so you do not risk not getting reimbursed for the full amount of your ticket without meeting these exceptions.
Review travel update as of March 14, 2025 and resources from the Travel Services webpage on Airfare, including the Fly America Act, Personal Time that describes how to find a Comparison Airfare, and more.
Ground transportation
Trains
You can be reimbursed for the actual cost of your train ticket if one of the following conditions are met:
- Provide comparison airfare documentation and the train is cheaper
- Have prior approval from the budget PI, Administrator, or Grants Coordinator
- Have extenuating circumstances that do not permit you to travel via air
Please contact HCDEfiz@uw.edu for any questions or concerns prior to travel.
Car rental
Check out the Travel Services details for car rentals and UW contract agreements with Enterprise / National car rental companies. Car rentals are restricted to UW Business Only use and not authorized for any personal travel.
Important: Your name must appear as the primary driver on the rental car agreement without exceptions. Final rental agreement, post travel, including required details is necessary for reimbursement documentation.
Driving your own car
See the Travel Services website for details and current mileage rates. Find a link on the Travel forms webpage to record your trip using the mileage log template.
Car service
All car service (Uber, Lyft, Taxi, etc.) expenses require receipts and are not allowable under the $75 Supporting Documentation Waiver Policy. See Travel Services for information on policies.
Note: car service upgrades (e.g. Priority Pickup, Uber XL, etc) are reimbursable with admin approval. Car service upgrade requests should be made with the Car Service Upgrade Approval form.
Resources: Travel Services - Ground Transportation
Foreign Travel
All official international travel is required to be registered with the Office of Global Affairs (OGA) through the UW International Travel Registry before the expected departure date. Travelers to high-risk destinations have additional requirements pursuant to the section on Restrictions on Travel to High-Risk Destinations and Travel Warning Waivers.
- High-Risk Destination - Locations identified as high risk by the U.S. Department of State, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or other relevant authorities, including University International Travel Rules and Restrictions.
- Official International Travel - International travel that is funded, sponsored, administered, arranged, or approved by the University. This includes any international travel undertaken as a representative or otherwise under the auspices of the University, such as participation in research activities, conferences, meetings, or clinical rotations.
- Traveler - Any University faculty, staff, or academic personnel who participates in official international travel.
University policy states that failure to register official international travel in accordance with this policy may result in a traveler being ineligible for University funding, reimbursement, and other travel-related resources. In addition, failure to register may endanger the traveler’s health and safety while creating significant risk for the University and units involved with official international travel. Repeated noncompliance could subject the traveler to disciplinary action.
Students traveling on their own to a conference or to participate in any other non-curricular, UW-related activity, are required to register with Travel Registration & Insurance Purchase (TRIP) per the UW Student International Travel Policy. These trips typically last less than a month, since they have no academic or curricular output.
Employees (faculty, staff, other academic personnel) on official UW travel abroad are required by UW policy to register their travel. Personal travel does not and should not be registered; it is not eligible for UW Global insurance.
Resources: UW Policy Directory - Official International Travel, International Travel Rules & Restriction Policy.
Lodging, meals, and incidentals
Lodging
Please see Travel Services Per Diem information to determine the total amount allowable for your lodging reimbursement. Search the city/county/country based on your conference or workshop location, and if domestic or international. The webpage has helpful tips such as how taxes and fees apply, and for lodging exceptions with the 150% rule.
Notes:
- Splitting lodging costs is a common occurrence, however please note that the reimbursement must go to the traveler who actually paid for the expense. The payee will be reimbursed from each funding source for all travelers, rather than paying your shared amount directly to the payee and requesting a reimbursement yourself. See claimant.
- The department does not allow for use of the CTA to purchase AirBNB lodging. Payment to book your reservation must be made out-of-pocket and reimbursed through a Travel Reimbursement request.
Resources: Travel Services - Additional Lodging Guidance.
Meals
Please review Travel Services information on meals and policies, such as how to determine your travel status with start/end dates and times, provided meals, meals paid for others. Search your travel location based on city/county/country to determine the daily or meal amount allowed for Per Diem.
Incidentals - miscellaneous expenses
Travel Services has a list of Miscellaneous Expenses listing some travel expenses that you might incur during your trip such as baggage fees, tips for car service, gas, etc.
Personal time
Please see Travel Services information and eligibility requirements for Personal Time during your travels. Please contact HCDEfiz@uw.edu for any questions or concerns prior to booking your travel.
Non-reimbursable expenses
Please see Travel Services list of non-reimbursable expense examples and guidelines (ie. points, rewards, credits such as Uber Cash, and airline miles are non-reimbursable).
Travel reimbursement procedure
Send an email to HCDEfiz@uw.edu for your reimbursement for expenses you incurred. Every request for reimbursement must include the following:
- Proof of funding and purpose of travel
- HCDE Dean Travel Exception (if applies)
- Budget worktag/number and funding approval from PI, Dept Administrator, or Award Letter (e.g., DEI Mini Grant Award Letter).
- Itemized receipts with all pertinent information (translated if foreign). In the table below, review what is required to ensure that you have the appropriate supporting documentation based on the travel expenditure.
- Vendor name
- Description of purchase
- Amount paid
- Date paid
- Proof of payment
Guidelines for supporting documentation
Expense Type | Description | Action Required |
---|---|---|
Event Registration Fees | Conferences, Workshops, Competitions, Etc. |
|
Airfare | Allowable: Main Cabin Fare without additional costs related to upgrades and/or personal preferences. Upgrades are non-reimbursable except with prior approval. |
Itemized flight receipt example |
Ground Transportation | Ferry, taxi, rideshares (Uber and Lyft), Train, Bus, Rental car, and Gas from a personal vehicle. |
|
Lodging (also see Shared Lodging) | Hotel Accommodations, Airbnb/VRBO, Booking.com, etc. |
|
Shared Lodging | Shared Airbnb, Hotel, etc. |
|
Meals (Own) | *Travelers should pay and claim their own meals unless there is a UW business need. This will reduce administrative burden. |
|
Meals Paid for Others | *Travelers should pay and claim their own meals unless there is a UW business need. This will reduce administrative burden. |
|
Lost / Misplaced Receipts | Paid over the phone, lost physical receipt, no receipt was provided. |
|
Changes / Cancellation | See list of allowable reasons for reimbursement. No exceptions. |
|
Upgrades | Airfare (e.g., Business Class) Rental Car (e.g., Sedan, SUV, van) Uber/Lyft (e.g., Priority Pickup, Uber XL/Black) |
|