Spent most of the day dealing with an Expense claim for a US trip (which has still to be successfully submitted) but picked up some top tips:
The Daily Subsistence rates are for lunch & dinner only. Breakfast should be on the hotac costs so don't get room only (which is standard across the US). The capped limit for B&B in the US is $160 in DC and NY but less in other cities. Advised to get CHBS or travel cell bookings in future (missing out on good company rates if visiting a contractor) as they will get B&B.
The rate (they still use the term rate despite being actuals) in the US for lunch and dinner is $52. Previously the $10 for breakfast could be used to up the daily figure but bfast should be in the room. This $52 is the top limit.
Previously you could claim £10 PIE regardless of spending it. You know can only spend PIE on a 3 min phonecall home, laundry and a newspaper. No exceptions. You do not need to keep receipts less than £5 but if audited you will have to write a letter stating it was for one of the three items. If it wasn't then its fraud. A coffee or a bottle of water should come out of the $52 'rate'. The MoD will be saving thousands alone on the PIE that it doesn't have to pay.
There is no place for hire car fuel so you have to put it in the Incidental Expenses drop down menu. This carries a £10 max limit and will incur a policy violation which means you will be audited.
If you make more than 4 claims a month you will be audited. This is an Army rule applied to all services because 'anyone making more than 4 claims a month must be a fraud.'
If you ring into the JPAC and they place a service call back to you to answer a query they have 24 hrs to get you an answer. However all they have to do is 'attempt' to call you back twice before the matter is deemed 'closed'. All to do with Performance Indicators.........
A total and utter crock