Updates Air Travel effective 1/1/25

Air Travel

The Purchasing Department has preferred vendors with negotiated rates, and travelers are encouraged to use these vendors. Refer to the Purchasing Department website(http://finance.syr.edu/comptroller/purchasing ) for these vendor discounts. It is strongly encouraged that tickets be purchased at least 21 days in advance to reduce costs.

University travelers are expected to purchase the lowest fare ticket available that meets their travel needs, except in the following instances.

1. Upgrades are permitted if a medical justification has been documented and approved by the University’s Equal Opportunity, Inclusion and Resolution Services Office (available at 315.443.4018 or syr.edu). This upgrade must be approved in advance of booking to be reimbursed.

2. For flights with scheduled direct air distance between origin and destination of 2200 miles or more, upgrades to business class are permitted. (for example, a trip from Syracuse to California is more than 2200 air miles so whether the traveler goes direct or has a connection upgrades would be permitted). On those flights that meet this duration requirement and where business class is not offered by the airline, first class is permitted.

Dean Approval for Business Class - the request should be outlined in the Faculty Travel Authorization Form for every trip and the email from the Dean included with receipts.

Travel insurance and seat selection are allowable and should be justified in the business purpose or in the notes of the receipt.