9/29/22

To: Campus Community
Fr: Annette Gonzales, A/P Travel Manager
Re: Increase in Meal Rates for Business Travel and Entertainment

The maximum per person amounts for the reimbursement of travel and entertainment meal expenses have been revised effective July 1, 2022. The changes are summarized below. View the Increase in Meal Rates for Business Travel and Entertainment letter of September 8, 2022 for more information.

Travel Meals

Business and Finance Bulletin G-28, Travel Regulations (Travel Policy) defines the Meal and Incidental Expenses (M&IE) Reimbursement Cap as the maximum amount authorized for the daily meal and incidental expenses established by the University. This is for all business travel of less than 30 days in the continental United States, which includes the 48 contiguous states and the District of Columbia. The maximum M&IE rate for the Fiscal Year 2022-2023 is $79.00 and is based on the highest per diem rate available for all UC locations as published by US General Services Administration for Fiscal 2023.

Entertainment Meals

The maximum meal rates for entertainment and business meeting meals have been increased in response to soaring food prices. The new rates are as follows:

Breakfast:  $31
Lunch:  $54
Dinner:  $94

As a reminder, these amounts include the cost of food and beverages, labor, sales tax, service, and delivery charges except for the donor and recruitment related events hosted by the President and Chancellors. The cost of room rental, room set-up fees, media rental, and decorations, etc., are not included in the per-person costs. Business and Finance Bulletin BUS-79, Expenditures for Entertainment, Business Meetings, and Other Occasions, will be revised to include this information.

The revised meal rates for travel and entertainment are effective for expenses incurred for the Fiscal Year 2022-23. The rates will be reviewed annually.

For questions about this or other reimbursement topics, please use our ServiceNow for Payment Services portal.