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Make Travel Arrangements
For travel from the United States, the American Express Company (Room 1243, Department of State; and Room E1113, National Foreign Affairs Training Center) is under exclusive contract as the State Department’s Federal Travel Management Center (TMC) to provide travel services. Office hours are 7:00 am - 6:00 pm weekdays (Main State), Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 7:45 am - 4:30 pm (NFATC fall/winter schedule: October 1 - April 12), and on a daily basis from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm (NFATC spring/summer schedule: April 13 - September 30). All travel from the Washington metropolitan area should be arranged through their offices, to meet legal requirements. (800-752-2320 or 202-647-8497) Travel from other points in the U.S. may be arranged through American Express within the Department by calling their 800-752-2320 number or directly from carriers. Questions about specific travel regulations can be directed to the Transportation Division (ask for Travel Regulations section. (800-424-2947 or 202-647-4140) When departing from a post abroad, you should consult your GSO to determine whether your post has entered into a contract for provision of travel services; if so, you should use the post’s contract travel agency to make your arrangements.
Read It's Your Move carefully in order to
understand your authorized itinerary and responsibilities. You are responsible for the
correct performance of official travel, and for the payment of any charges incurred
because you failed to comply with governing regulations, regardless of who may have
assisted you in making travel arrangements.
If shipping a pet, request information on layovers and pet care facilities, and make reservations for your animal(s). Seek specific information on restrictions about transporting pets to your assigned post. Ask the airlines about the possibility of taking your pet as excess baggage, at your own expense, on your ticket. The US Government does not pay for transportation of pets, but such costs may be claimed as itemized deductions under moving expenses on your income tax.