Clarification bulletin – CAFRD 3.3.05 Travel by Commercial Airline

Dated 26 April 2021

Issue:

The current wording of subparagraph (1)(a) of CAFRD 3.3.05 (Travel by Commercial Airline) has resulted in some members interpreting it to mean that they are entitled to request an “unrestricted economy airfare” – the most expensive economy airfare – for their particular air travel when less expensive economy airfares are available and practical. This is not the intent of the policy. As per CAFRD 1.1.03 (Purpose), the relocation of a member and their dependants should be done at the most reasonable cost.

Clarification:

In accordance with CAFRD 2.1.01 (Authority – DCBA), the following clarification is provided for subparagraph (1)(a) of CAFRD 3.3.05 (Travel by Commercial Airline):

• The standard for air travel is the lowest available economy class airfare that provides advance seat selection.
• If not included in the airfare cost, advance seat selection, mandatory airport improvement fees and mandatory departure taxes are reimbursable from the same spending account that the traveller’s airfare is funded from.

In accordance with CAFRD 2.1.01 (Authority – DCBA), this clarification bulletin is policy direction that conveys the intent of the specific CAFRD provision as confirmed by the Treasury Board Secretariat. A clarification amendment to CAFRD 3.3.05 will follow in due course.