Per Diem For PCS Travel

Rates for PCS travel, known as MALT (Monetary Allowance in Lieu of Transportation), are different (lower) than TDY travel. This is because TDY travel rates are specifically designed to reimburse the member for traveling on official duty, and MALT rates were never intended to reimburse the transportation costs for driving a car; they are based on commercial fares and are a payment instead of providing the member with Government procured transportation. The MALT/PCS mileage rates do not reflect the price of gasoline. TDY mileage rates on the other hand, are based on the costs to operate a vehicle (gasoline, insurance, etc.) and are intended to reimburse the expense of using a POC for the official government travel.

 

The rate per car depends on the number of passengers in the car for which the Government is providing reimbursement. Here is a quick reference table:

 

One passenger -- $0.15 per mile

Two passengers -- $0.17 per mile

Three passengers -- $0.19 per mile

Four or more Passengers -- $0.20 per mile

 

Remember, the rate is per car, not per person. So, for example, if a military member and his/her spouse traveled to a new duty station in one car, the reimbursement rate would be $0.17 per mile (total) for both of them. However, if they traveled in separate cars, the reimbursement would be $0.15 cents per mile for each car (assuming there were no additional dependents in either car). If the military member traveled in one car, and his/her spouse and child traveled in another car, the member would be reimbursed at the rate of $0.15 per mile for the car he/she is driving, and $0.17 per mile for the car that his/her dependents were traveling in.

 

In addition to the mileage rates, military personnel and their dependents receive a per diem for each day of travel. Generally, 1 day of travel time is allowed for each 350 miles of official distance of ordered travel. If the excess is 51 miles or more after dividing the total number of miles by 350, one additional day of travel time is allowed. When the total official distance is 400 miles or less, 1 day's travel time is allowed.

 

For travel by POC, per diem for the member is a flat $91 per day of travel. Per diem for the member when travel is by commercial means is computed under lodgings plus at the rate for the new permanent duty station, or the rate for the delay point if the member stops overnight. Per diem for the dependents is 3/4 of the member’s applicable rate for each dependent 12 years old or older and 1/2 of the member’s rate for each dependent under 12 years.

 

The legal authority for POC Travel is 37 USC 404(d)

 

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