reimbursement for leave change

V

village mom

10-Year Member
5-Year Member
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Oct 31, 2008
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I was wondering if anyone knew what you had to do to get reimbursed for a change in leave. My mid was on leave and was to report back to USNA on a certain date, but got a phone call a week before that stating that he had to be back 4 days early for a change in his summer block schedule. He never got any written orders; therefore, we didn't have proof for a change in his airline ticket. We ended up buying another ticket to get him back because we ran out of time and he was playing phone tag with the person in charge. Now, he thinks he can't get reimbursed. Any suggestions?
 
A few questions I have is which airline did this occur on? Who paid for the intial ticket you or the Navy?

I recommend that you first call the airline, ask them what they can do to reimburse you. Explain what happened. They may ask for a written statement from USNA, which your Mid can get.

I'm not sure if there's a travel agency on base like SATO, who arranges the flights for the summer training travel, but if there is maybe your Mid can go and talk with them and they may be able to call the airline and explain what happened as well.

Hope that helps
 
I don't think the Navy (or the Naval Academy) pays people to take leave even if one has to change their plans..
 
We were never reimbursed for any change of airline tickets due to training being changed. SATO takes care of USNA paid travel - leaving from and returning to Annapolis. SATO also takes care of changing the ticket that they purchased. Has the policy changed as for all of my sons training and internship travel he was never authorized for it to begin or end anywhere other than Annapolis, even when the return flight had a change of planes in our home town?

Getting the Mid home or back to Annapolis has always been the Mids (or parents responsibility) The airline that he typically flys - only one in town so to speak - bases waiving of change fees on the class of ticket, he has had some waived and some (dirt cheap tickets) not, even with leave papers in hand. With this airline mood of the gate agent is also key!
 
This is one reason that I strongly recommend using Southwest airlines, if you possibly can, for your Mid's travels. Even on Southwest's cheapest tickets, you can change travel dates up until the time of your flight without penalty. To be clear, you can't get a refund on their cheap flights, but you can change your flight, and your only added cost is the difference (if any) in the ticket price. You can make changes an unlimited number of times for up to one year from the original purchase date.

Note: Southwest flights do NOT show up when you're searching for tickets on sites like Expedia or Priceline
 
We ended up not using the same airline because we found a cheaper flight on another airline, so can't go back to the airline. Our mid have to go back to USNA, but just earlier than his original flight and we couldn't get the "orders" or anything from USNA to verify this. I guess this time, it's just our loss. I've told our mid to find out what the correct procedure is so that we know next time it happens what to do. I'm learning you have to be very flexible with USNA and purchase refundable tickets! Thanks for the info
 
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