Non-worker travel is generally subject to the same policies and procedures as worker travel. Exceptions are below. Non-workers do not have access to Travel and Hospitality Cards, however if an employee charges expenses for a non-worker on their own T&H Card, receipts are required.

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Documentation Exceptions

Non-worker travel expenditures usually require receipts, even if the expenditure is $75 or less. Expenditures that do not require receipts if $75 or less per transaction include, but are not limited to:

  • airport shuttles
  • airport taxes (foreign travel)
  • baggage fees
  • cab/taxi fares
  • exit fees (foreign travel)
  • faxes
  • gasoline (in the rare situation where gasoline is claimed instead of mileage, the amount claimed for gasoline must be less than what mileage would have been, and receipts will be required if the gasoline is greater than $75 per transaction.
  • gratuities (tips)
  • internet charges
  • meals for an individual
  • mileage (receipts are never required)
  • parking
  • service fees for online travel agencies
  • tolls

Per transaction vs. per reimbursement

Example: Two individual cab/taxi fares of $50 would be greater than $75 per reimbursement, but not greater than $75 per transaction. Therefore, receipts would not be required.

Other Exceptions

  • Non-workers were previously reimbursed on a Simple Disbursement Voucher, as they could not use the Employee Reimbursement System in AccessPlus. In Workday, however, both workers and non-workers can use the Expenses Module for reimbursement. Non-worker information will need to be provided to the Procurement and Expense Specialist (PES) in your respective service team.
  • If there is a contract, both the services and the reimbursed expenses must be paid on the contract. Services and reimbursed expenses must be paid at the same time if possible. All costs passed through to subrecipients must be paid through the subaward.
  • Students can be reimbursed via the Expenses Module, however they need to be manually entered as "External Committee Member," for payment by the PES as they are considered non-workers.
  • Non-workers always qualify for the maximum mileage rate.
  • International visitors may request a flat meal amount per day on arrival, based on the allowable in-state and out-of-state per diems. Please contact the Financial and Accounting Compliance Office for assistance.

Common Reimbursement Problems

  • To avoid delays in reimbursement, please make it clear to your non-worker that original receipts are required, rather than faxes, copies, PDFs, or pictures of receipts.
  • Non-workers may be used to claiming a per diem for meals for domestic travel. Iowa State University adopted per diem based on GSA effective August 1, 2020, but in-state (Iowa) rates are not based on GSA rates. Per diem for all Iowa travel is set at $35 meals plus $5 incidentals, and no longer requires the actual expenditures for each meal to be itemized.
  • Non-workers who purchase their own air tickets need to be made aware that first class and business class fares are not allowable.
  • Non-workers who purchase their own air tickets cannot be reimbursed until the trip has been completed, and will not be reimbursed if the trip is cancelled.
  • Non-workers who purchase their own air tickets on federal funds need to be made aware that they must comply with the Fly America Act, which usually requires using a U.S. flag air carrier.