Business Class Travel Procedures

Based on the actions taken at the February 2005 IEEE Board of Directors meeting, and directive of the President and CEO, the revised policy is as follows:

For Volunteer travel reimbursed by IEEE, business class fares are permissible, if budgeted by the Organizational Unit in the current fiscal year of travel, and if the flying time is over eight consecutive hours for a single segment or over eight hours flying time where a layover is required. In all cases, individuals are encouraged to purchase upgradeable coach class fares and use miles to upgrade to business class. Permission to travel business class for medical reasons may be granted by the IEEE President.

Effective immediately, this policy will also be applied to IEEE Staff travel reimbursements as well as reimbursements for travel by IEEE Volunteers.

Please Note: This policy is NOT a business class travel authorization, consequently, Employees/Volunteers cannot use this policy to justify business class travel. All travel must be duly authorized; this policy only involves reimbursement for the cost of business class travel. Further, if Organizational Unit budget constraints obviate business class travel, then such travel cannot be authorized.

The lowest logical airfare should be used where possible in the form of non-refundable and advance purchase airfares. Lowest logical airfare is defined as the lowest fare among flights that arrive or depart within a specific time window around their requested arrival or departure times.

Alternate airports should be considered when the one-way saving is US$100.00 or greater.