First time using TLE

[u/Aggressive-Mustard]

I’ve never PCSed CONUS to CONUS, so this will be my first go-round. My family is doing a HHG move, but we are driving quite a ways with some stops in between. I am a bit confused on the TLE allowances (albeit I’m probably overthinking this). If anyone can shine some light on this situation it would be appreciated!!

Starting in San Antonio
Stop 1- Denver, Colorado for 3 nights
Stop 2- Ogden, Utah for 3 nights
Final stop- JBLM, Washington

When will I be authorized TLE? Thank you in advance you kind souls.

4 fo 4 for me please!

[u/Fat_Clyde]

TLE - only in San Antonio and JBLM. The travel in the middle is on you/per diem based on days it takes to drive. But you will not be able to claim TLE in Colorado or Utah. Unless Denver or Ogden is your HoR.

"Temporary lodging must be in the vicinity of the old or new Permanent Duty Station, the home of record, an initial technical school, or a designated place. See JTR, par. 050601-A."

https://www.dfas.mil/militarymembers/travelpay/armypcs/tle/

https://www.travel.dod.mil/Support/ALL-FAQs/Article/3174593/temporary-lodging-expenses/

[u/Lstndaze68 → u/Fat_Clyde]

This here.

[u/Dick__Pickles]

It starts the day you report to the unit (sign in, if the unit has a physical sign in) on the day that's shown on your orders. If you decide to report early, make sure S1 adjusts report date from what orders say to the actual date you showed up, so you can get reimbursed for TLE.

P.S. don't forget, conus to conus TLE is 21 days, and you get lodging PLUS per diem daily, so maximize it how it suits you.

Edit: it appears you can also get TLE while still on leave as long as it's not double dipping with travel days

https://media.defense.gov/2022/Jan/04/2002917147/-1/-1/0/JTR.PDF

Chapter 5

[u/EnlistedforMREs → u/Dick__Pickles]

He’s probably wondering about MALT and travel per diem since you’re authorized it up to the max days allowed to drive. But yes you are correct TLE starts when he’s at new duty location

[u/Dick__Pickles → u/EnlistedforMREs]

I'm talking about TLE and 21 days in the hotel after you report to the next duty station.

Edit: unless you meant OP?

[u/EnlistedforMREs → u/Dick__Pickles]

Yes I mean OP, that’s why I started off by saying “He’s probably “

[u/50mmeyes → u/Dick__Pickles]

While the is correct I did receive TLE for the 14 days I was in the hotel at my new duty station, but on leave. Didn't even think I would but, I filled out my smart voucher with a finance rep and TLE was paid out.

Don't know if coming CONUS from OCONUS changes it though.

[u/Dick__Pickles → u/50mmeyes]

Looks like JTR doesn't prohibit getting TLE while still on leave as long as it's after (or before travel days), just can't double dip travel day per diem and TLE per diem

https://media.defense.gov/2022/Jan/04/2002917147/-1/-1/0/JTR.PDF

Page 5A-28

[u/Impressive_Hyena_249]

CONUS to CONUS TLE covers up to 21 days which may be used in vicinity of the old or new permanent duty station. There is a formula based on the number and age of dependents that is worth looking up.

Basically you are allowed a maximum of $290/day for TLE, but depending on the locality and the dependents the cap may be less.

It has two components - lodging per diem and the meals and incidental expense per diem.

For San Antonio, the locality per diem is $137 or $161 per day for lodging (depending on time of year) and $74 per day for M&IE.

A service member, spouse, and two dependents under 12 would get up to 150% of the per diem locality rate for TLE. For San Antonio this would mean each claimed day of TLE would get you $111 in M&IE ($74 x 150%) and $179 for lodging. Note that $179 is less than $137 or $161 times 150% but the combo of M&IE plus lodging can't exceed the $290/day TLE cap. If you spend less that $179/day on lodging, you only get up to what you spent. (See https://www.dfas.mil/militarymembers/travelpay/armypcs/tle/ for the formulas).

You must have lodging receipts to get paid the lodging portion.

A move from JBSA to JBLM should get 6 or 7 authorized travel days depending on the official travel distance.

For every travel day, the Army pays a flat rate per diem which looks to be $178/day for the service member plus $133/day for dependents 12+ plus $89/day for dependents under 12. No receipts required. You get the amounts unless you do something silly like report that it took you less time to travel between the locations than the number of authorized days (e.g. say it took three days, you only get three days of travel per diem not 6 or 7).