Travel FAQ

The T&H Card can be used for airfare, conference registration, hotels, taxis/Lyft, meals, luggage fees, and any other travel related expenses. To see what items are allowed on a T&H Card please review the  Which card should I use? page or the  Travel and Hospitality Card page.

Our contracted travel agencies have online booking sites, as well as email addresses for reaching a booking agent. Online bookings and agent bookings can be paid using your T&H Card. The contract pages for each supplier contain information on how to do business with that supplier.

You may also purchase tickets directly through an airline's website using your T&H Card.  Please note that using any 3rd party vendor ex: Expedia, Kayak, Travelocity, Priceline, etc. is not allowable on a T&H Card.

Iowa State University has multiple contracts for travel-related services.  Each contract page also contains information on how to do business with the supplier.  These contracts can also be found, along with all of the other contracts available for Iowa State Employees to use, on the Contracts by Supplier and Contracts by Commmodity pages of this website.

Iowa State provides a robust international health and safety insurance to travelers on Iowa State University sponsored trips. This program offers no-deductible coverage for medical care related to accidents or illnesses while abroad, emergency evacuation, quarantine coverage, and more. For details on the program, you can visit the Office of Risk Management. To enroll in the program, travelers should complete an International Travel Registration which will provide the insurance documents and other helpful resources.

Yes!  Click any hotel name in red below to go to their contracts page.  This is where you can not only view rates, but also how to do business with that supplier.

Iowa State University has a master agreement with the Gateway Hotel and Conference Center for hotel rooms for guests, event spaces and rooms, food and beverage, and audio-visual requirements for conferences and events hosted by Iowa State.  The Gateway Hotel and Conference Center has verified its Human Trafficking Prevention Certification and is compliant with the Iowa Law.

Iowa State University also has a local negotiated rate for guest rooms with Courtyard by Marriott, Hilton Garden Inn, TownPlace Suites Ames.  All of the listed hotels have verified their their Human Trafficking Prevention Certification and are compliant with the Iowa Law.

Iowa State University has a contract with Airbnb for Work, available to all faculty and staff. It's set up so employees have another lodging option while traveling for ISU business. Airbnb for Work has properties at the top of search lists that have working spaces and are top hosts. 
If securing lodging within the State of Iowa, all providers must be verified through the Iowa Office to Combat Human Trafficking Website.

See the Airbnb for Work contract page for information on doing business with this supplier.

Both services are available to all faculty and staff.  The Lyft contract can be used for business or personal travel. The Uber for Business contract can be used to create a business profile. 

See the Lyft or Uber for Business contract pages for information on doing business with these suppliers.

International travel is more complicated and presents unique challenges. All Iowa State University-sponsored international travel must be registered on the International Travel Registry prior to departure. This process coordinates valuable resources and information for travelers. For additional items to consider, visit our Travel page and the Office of Risk Management.

When traveling outside of the United States for business purposes using an Iowa State University paid cellular phone through Verizon, you can easily switch to a global plan for the duration of your trip. (The plan includes 400 voice minutes and unlimited texting and data for most countries around the world for about $17/month, more than our standard domestic unlimited plan).  Verizon hotspots/jetpack/mifis and any US Cellular devices do not have international plans available.

If you are familiar with the Verizon portal, you may be able to do this on your own by changing your plan to 4G Nationwide GlobalEmail & Data SharePlan – 400 under the Individual Plan selections.  If not, please email your request and your wireless number to isucellphones@iastate.edu, and we can assist you in switching to the Global Plan.  When you return from your trip, you should switch your plan back to a domestic plan by accessing the portal or emailing isucellphones@iastate.edu.

Additional information on international phone use while traveling abroad can be found on Verizon's How to Use Your Phone Internationally webpage.

Some departments and colleges have laptop loaner programs that provide clean and secure laptops for travel (especially out of the country). Procurement Services also can provide loaner laptops for international travel when needed. Contact Procurement Services at 4-4860 or procurement@iastate.edu for more information.

Mileage can be claimed on your expense report along with your T&H Card transactions. Travel expenses that cannot be put on your card can be paid with personal funds or personal cards and added to your expense report when you return from travel.

Controller's Department has a comprehensive list of Allowable Travel Expenses.