Travel resources
The rules, rates and official links your travelers and approvers need most, in one place.
Last reviewed September 30, 2026. Rules and fees change. Always confirm with the official source linked below before you travel, or ask us.
Key numbers right now
| What | Current rule or rate |
|---|---|
| Flying without REAL ID or other accepted ID | $45 TSA ConfirmID fee, covers 10 days of travel, since February 1, 2026. Details |
| UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) | Required for U.S. citizens. £20 since April 8, 2026. Valid two years or until the passport expires. Details |
| EU Entry/Exit System (EES) | Fully operational since April 10, 2026. Photo and fingerprints at first entry. No application, no fee. Details |
| EU ETIAS | Not in operation. No confirmed start date as of this review. |
| Federal standard lodging per diem (FY 2027) | $113 per night from October 1, 2026. 295 areas have higher rates. Details |
| Federal standard meals & incidentals (FY 2027) | $68 per day standard; $68 to $92 depending on location |
| IRS business mileage rate (2026) | 72.5 cents per mile January 1 to June 30; 76 cents per mile from July 1, 2026 |
Before you fly
Domestic travel essentials for every traveler.
- TSA: Accepted IDs at the checkpointThe full list, including passport cards and trusted traveler cards.
- TSA ConfirmIDThe $45 option for travelers without an accepted ID. Pay before the airport.
- TSA PreCheckExpedited screening for domestic flights.
- CBP Trusted Traveler ProgramsGlobal Entry and other programs for frequent international travelers.
- FAA National Airspace StatusLive airport delays and ground stops.
- U.S. DOT: Air travel consumer rightsRefunds, delays, cancellations and complaints.
Traveling abroad
Check these for every international trip, for every traveler. Entry rules depend on citizenship, not just destination.
- U.S. passportsApply, renew and check current processing times.
- State Department travel advisoriesCurrent advisory levels by country.
- Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)Register trips so the nearest embassy can reach travelers in an emergency.
- CDC travelers' healthDestination health notices and vaccine guidance.
- EU Entry/Exit SystemOfficial information on Europe's new border registration.
- EU ETIAS (official site)The only official source for ETIAS news. Avoid look-alike sites.
- UK Electronic Travel AuthorisationApply on gov.uk or through the official UK ETA app.
Budgets & reimbursement
The federal numbers many public agencies, universities and districts build their own limits on. Your organization's policy always governs.
- GSA per diem rates (U.S.)Lodging and meal rates by city and county. FY 2027 rates apply from October 1, 2026.
- State Department foreign per diem ratesRates for international destinations.
- IRS standard mileage ratesBusiness mileage for personal vehicles.
For travel arrangers: a pre-trip checklist
Copy this into your own process. It covers the details that most often cause problems.
- Traveler's name on the booking matches their ID exactly
- Traveler has a REAL ID or another accepted ID
- Trip is approved, with a PO, grant or budget code if needed
- Hotel is within the lodging limit, or the exception is approved
- For international trips: passport valid long enough, with blank pages
- Visas or electronic authorizations completed for each country
- Traveler has the itinerary and the number to call if plans change
- Any unused airline credits for this traveler have been applied
What we keep on file for each traveler
When you book through us, we set up a traveler profile once so nobody has to repeat themselves:
- Legal name as it appears on ID
- Seat, meal and hotel preferences
- Airline, hotel and car loyalty numbers
- Known Traveler Number or Global Entry number
- Passport expiration date for international trips
- Emergency contact
We collect sensitive details, like passport numbers, over the phone or through a secure method, never through a web form.
Keep up with changes
We write about new rules and rates as they happen. Read the blog or follow us on LinkedIn.
Traveling for fun, too?
Vacations, honeymoons, cruises and family trips are handled by our sister company, Global Escapes. Same office, same care.
Ready to hand off your business travel?
Tell us how your organization travels. We'll show you what changes on day one.