[Foundation-l] Travel Policy

[Sue Gardner]

Ilario, if people want to work outside the designated travel agency, 
they should just talk to the office about it. I'm sure, for example, 
someone could get a blanket exemption if they had a good track record of 
finding cheap flights for themselves and were willing to do the work.

The purpose of working with a designated travel agency is that -in 
theory- you get the benefit of their experience and better deals. If 
you're suggesting that it doesn't always work out that way, well yeah, I 
can't entirely disagree.

Ilario Valdelli wrote:
> Another consideration:
> 
> # All travel arrangements (air, rail, vehicle rental and lodging),
> including all changes and cancellations of travel arrangements, must
> be made through WMF's designated travel service provider, except with
> advance approval from the Executive Director or Chair of the Board of
> Trustees.
> # The lowest available airfares shall be sought when making bookings.
> All travelers are expected to use economy class.
> 
> It's not good.
> 
> The point 1 and the point 2 are in contrast. If a member has found the
> lowest available airfares but he has not used the designated airlines
> travel provider and not asked the EC approval, what happens?
> 
> Some airlines companies works with a load factory. If you found a good
> price but you must ask to the EC probably you could wait also one or
> two days (if the EC for example is out from internet connection). If
> you receive an OK after two day probably the cost will not the same.
> 
> I don't know what are the travel service providers and who are. With
> experience I could say that I have organized a trip for a board
> members with a very small costs but using the national airline
> companies (and not low cost companies) searching through different
> channels.