I filled out the online form to request the funds. I bought my ticket. I flew here. I got approval. In the approval email, they say:
It really would have helped to have this information printed in big letters at the top of the request form. According to this list, my ticket is not with a US-flag carrier. #!@($^#. It's been one of those days. Now what do I do?Use of U.S.-flag air carriers by international travel allowance recipientsis required by the International Air Transportation Fair CompetitivePractices Act of 1974 known as the "Fly America Act." The conditions thatpertain to the use of U.S.-flag air carriers are found in GC-1*, GrantGeneral Conditions (07/02).
If you have an NSF or NIH grant, must you always fly US-flag carriers?
6 comments:
Yep-- I ran into this when flying to Asia last year on NSF $. The Fly America Act thing means that you have to use certain US carriers if you're flying with what are technically US tax dollars.
Bummer!
You do have to use US carriers unless there aren't any, or your US carrier books you on a partner, or the US carriers get you there too late/too early/via too many legs - there are specific time requirements for those exemptions, though. Generally at the very least you have to get across the ocean on a US carrier.
Yes, big pain, and also yes, they really should put that on the funds request form for NSF Fellows! You guys are more likely to be worrying about this stuff for the first time, after all.
Thanks gigirose and Liberal Arts Lady. I bought my ticket with a US codeshare partner, so maybe I can swing it, but my ticket is definitely from a non-US partner. If I had known about this in advance I *easily* could have purchased the same ticket with the US airline. So frustrating.
what Liberal Arts Lady said. You must use a US carrier whenever possible. Going to East Africa, that generally is only possible on the first leg (US to Europe or wherever). I use a travel agent (not university one, they stink) and he deals with it for me.
I use a great travel agent who really could have made it work I'm sure, if I'd only known. :-(
given how expensive these flights are (to my E African country, a one way is over $1000 right now, am glad to be leaving during low season!), can you change your flight back and use it for that? or other expenses besides the ticket itself?
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