IRS Increases Standard Mileage Rate to $0.76/Mile, Effective July 1, 2026
The IRS has announced a mid-year increase to the standard mileage rate, raising it from $0.725 to $0.76 per mile for business use, effective July 1, 2026, This is a rare off-cycle adjustment. The IRS typically sets this rate once a year, but rising fuel prices prompted the mid-year revision. What this means for VCU […]
Now Available: Auto-Populated Dates in Emburse Expense
The Auto-Populated Dates enhancement is now available in Emburse Expense. When creating a new expense report, enter your overall travel dates in the Expense Report Header. Emburse will automatically carry those dates over to the applicable expense tiles, including: The auto-populated dates remain editable, allowing you to adjust an individual expense when it does not […]
Important Reminder: Matching Your Travel Profile to Your ID
When booking your next flight, please take a moment to ensure the name on your ticket exactly matches your government-issued ID. If your middle name or initial(s) appears on your ID, it should be included on your ticket as well. Even a minor name mismatch can cause the TSA system to flag your ticket, risking […]
Travel Advisory: India Now Requires Mandatory Air Suvidha 2.0 Health Declaration for International Arrivals
In an ever-changing world where global health dynamics shift rapidly, travelers need to be aware of news that may impact study abroad programs, academic research travel and institutional travel compliance. Recently, the Government of India has reinstated its Air Suvidha health self declaration system – now updated as Air Suvidha 2.0 – for all international […]
United Airlines Checked Bag Fee Increase (Domestic and International)
United Airlines has increased its checked baggage fees by $10 for tickets purchased on or after April 3, 2026. The fee increase applies to all domestic flights, short flights to Latin America, or flights from the US to Canada, Caribbean and Mexico. For most passengers, the first checked bag is now $50 when paid at […]
What You Need to Know About 12- and 15-Passenger Van Rentals
Planning a group trip for a department outing, club event, or research project often means using a 12- or 15-passenger van. Because these vehicles handle differently than standard cars, both university policies and rental vendor rules must be followed. Here’s a simplified guide to help you stay compliant and safe: 1. Driver Qualifications (University Requirements) […]
How to Combine Business and Personal Travel at VCU
When you’re traveling on behalf of Virginia Commonwealth University, there’s a bit of planning required to keep your finances and the University’s separate. Mixed-purpose travel, often called “blended travel” refers to trips that combine business responsibilities with personal leisure time, requiring careful allocation and separation of personal and business expenses. Here is your quick guide […]
Amtrak launching express bus service between Metro Richmond and D.C.
New express bus service connecting Richmond and Washington, D.C. began on March 7. The buses are designed to supplement rail travel while construction continues on the Long Bridge Project, a major infrastructure initiative aimed at expanding passenger rail capacity between Virginia and the nation’s capital. Amtrak will offer round-trip, nonstop bus service between Richmond’s Staples Mill […]
Travel Tip: Tips and Gratuities Are Already Included
When traveling on behalf of VCU, it’s important to keep in mind that the university follows federal Meals & Incidental Expenses (M&IE) per diem guidelines. What does that mean for you? Your daily per diem already includes a set amount to cover incidental expenses—like tips and gratuities. Because of this, these costs should not be […]
CTP Lightning Update: Improved Design, Same Reliable Tools
On March 16, 2026, the Collegiate Travel Planners (CTP) online booking tool, Lightning, got a fresh new look. The updated design uses lighter, brighter colors to make the platform easier to read and navigate. While the appearance has changed, everything else remains the same. All features and functions are still in their usual places, so […]
