Tampa Corporate Housing - MacDill Inn Information

The Joint Federal Travel Regulations (JFTR) provide the rules for Military travelers. The JFTR is published by the Per-Diem, Travel and Transportation Allowance Committee (PDTATAC) office of the Office of the Secretry of Defense (OSD). As such it is "above" the Defense Finance Accounting Service (DFAS) and all service level or base level regulations, instructions, procedures, or policies. If there is a conflict between DFAS or a base or service level policy and the JFTR, The JFTR wins.

In the past, there have been some bad interpretations of the JFTR out there and we are providing this page as a reference to provide the facts. These facts are all referenced to the JFTR or a message from the PDTATAC.

FACT: If there are no on-base accommodations, the military traveler may secure their own off-base housing/billeting arrangements, limited only to the locality per-diem rate for reimbursement. (REF: JFTR T4040, and HQ USAF Services message "LODGING REIMBURSEMENT UNIFORMED MEMBERS" DTG 221800Z DEC 06)

FACT: The reimbursement rate for a military member who resides off base cannot be reduced to the on-base rate, if there are no on-base quarters available. (REF: JFTR T4040, and HQ USAF Services message "LODGING REIMBURSEMENT UNIFORMED MEMBERS" DTG 221800Z DEC 06)

FACT: A military member may provide proof of non-availability in a number of ways. They may obtain a statement of non-availability or a non-availability stamp on their orders. They may also simply self-certify that quarters were not available when they tried to make reservations or when they tried to check in. They must provide the name and number of the person they spoke to with their certification if they choose this method. (REF: JFTR U1045C, and HQ USAF Services message "LODGING REIMBURSEMENT UNIFORMED MEMBERS" DTG 221800Z DEC 06)

FACT: Quarters that are arranged by the lodging office through a Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) or Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) are NOT contract quarters, and you are NOT obliged to reside there if you do not wish to. (REF: JFTR APX A, and HQ USAF Services message "LODGING REIMBURSEMENT UNIFORMED MEMBERS" DTG 221800Z DEC 06)

FACT: DFAS cannot refuse to pay your travel claim, even if they don't understand the guidance. (REF: JFTR U1055)

FACT: A military member is only required to check for quarters availability only once per TDY period. (REF: JFTR U1045C)

The references for the above facts are JFTR paragraphs U1045, T4040, U1055, and HQ USAF Services message "LODGING REIMBURSEMENTUNIFORMED MEMBERS" DTG 221800Z DEC 06)