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State Contracted Airfare June 1, 2008 through March 31, 2009
The Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
(CPA) has awarded state airfare contracts to
the following vendors to provide discounted
fares on 272 city-pairs effective June 1,
2008 through March 31, 2009:
When are we
required to purchase state contracted
airfare? State contracted airfare
must be purchased when state funds are used
to pay for the airfare. See
MAPP 04.02.01A for more
information on travel with state
appropriated funds:
Note: State travel rules do not
allow state contracted airfare to be
purchased for independent contractors.
Are there exceptions to the use of state
contracted airfare? If non-contract
airfare is purchased with state funds, the
department must provide one of the following
explanations on the
Travel Exemption
Certification Form and upload the form as a
backup document for the payment of airfare:
1. Non-contract airfare is lower than the
contracted airfare price.
2. Non-contract airfare is higher than the
contracted airfare price, however,
considering additional factors (i.e.,
additional lodging charges, traveler’s time,
etc.), the overall total cost to the state
is lower when using the non-contract
airfare.
3. Contract travel airfare is not
available during the time or at the location
necessary for the business travel.
4. Traveler's health, safety, physical
condition or disability requires
accommodations not available from contract
travel service contractors – approval from
the appropriate Vice President or designee
is required for the first class/business
airfare.
5. Traveler’s schedule has to be changed
during the travel and the use of contract
travel services becomes impractical or
unavailable.
6. Traveler is using a group program (i.e.,
conference package, etc.) wherein
reservations were made through a required
source to obtain a particular rate or
service.
Note: It is not necessary to request
approval from Accounts Payable for the above
exceptions. It is only necessary to document
the reason for the exception.
How do we book contract fares?
1. Call the airline toll free reservation
number** and indicate booking code “_CATX”
(capacity controlled Texas fare – limited
seating based on availability) or “YCATX”
(unrestricted Texas fare); or
3. Call NTS at 877-717-7768 and indicate
that you want to purchase state contracted
airfare.
How do we pay for the state contracted
airfare?
JPMC issued Local Department Travel Card,
Local Individual Travel Card, State
Department Travel Card, or Individual
Corporate Travel Card must be used to pay
for the state contracted airfare. Personal
credit cards may not be used to purchase
state contracted airfare.
