Getting Started - What to Do and Learn Ahead of Time

1. Apply for a government travel charge card. (See Part Two for instructions on how to apply for a government travel charge card.)
2. Read and become familiar with your agency travel policy and procedures. Ask your supervisor where to get copies.
3. Find out what receipts you will need to keep to be reimbursed.
4. Become familiar with federal travel policy:
• Federal Travel Regulation (FTR) - for civilian employees (41 CFR., Chapters 301-304), visit http://www.gsa.gov/ftr
• Joint Federal Travel Regulations (JFTR), Volume 1 - for military employees, visit https://secureapp2.hqda.pentagon.mil/perdiem/trvlregs.html
• Joint Travel Regulations (JTR), Volume 2 - for DoD civilian employees, visit https://secureapp2.hqda.pentagon.mil/perdiem/trvlregs.html
• Foreign Affairs Manual, Volume 6, Chapter 100 (6 FAM 100) - for members of the Foreign Service, U.S. Department of State
5. Find out if your agency issues government phone cards to travelers and how to obtain one.