Group Travel Policy
Group Travel Policy
Group Travel Policy
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Group refers to the Aditya Birla Group in this document. This policy is meant exclusively for the perusal of, and
strictly for circulation within, the Aditya Birla Group businesses. Please note that sharing of policy information,
other than with employees of the Aditya Birla Group without written consent from Group Human Resources,
would be construed as a breach of the Group’s Code of Conduct.
Table of Contents
2 Applicability 5
2. Applicability
i. The policy is applicable to all businesses based in India for domestic and international
travel. Businesses not based in India can either adopt this policy or follow their business
specific policies.
ii. The policy guidelines on domestic travel (i.e. travel within India) shall be applicable to
all management cadre employees at Job Band 9 and above.
iii. The policy guidelines on international travel will be applicable to all management cadre
employees at Job Band 11 & above.
iv. ABMC Directors and Business Heads will be governed by “ABMCPL/GHR/2010-56:
Group Travel Policy for ABMC Directors and Business Heads”.
Please note that the travel provisions are subject to the required budget being available.
Business Heads have the authority to reduce all or any of the provisions, in the event of a
budget cut.
Mode of travel
Job Band
Air Travel Railways Local Conveyance
Exec A up to JB 2 Business Class
Economy / Premium
JB 3
Economy Class 1 AC Hired car
Economy / Premium
JB 4 and JB 5
Economy Class
Economy / Premium
JB 6 and JB 7 1 AC / 2 AC / 3 AC Cab
Economy Class
JB 8 and JB 9 Economy Class 2 AC / 3 AC Cab
Local Conveyance
i. Employees are encouraged to use cabs for local conveyance, especially in metro and city
locations. Hired cars should be used only if needed for four hours or more on a specific
day. Booking of hired cars must be done through the ABG Travel Services Portal.
ii. Car hired for airport pick up should not be continued for local transport in home city.
Bookings must be made citing exact nature of requirement.
iii. Women employees across all Job Bands have the option to choose hired cars for local
travel, if required, when on outstation travel.
4.2 Stay
The Group maintains Guest houses in many frequently travelled locations for the comfort of
its employees. The Guest house facilities can be availed by the employees via the ABG Travel
Services Portal.
The order of preference for stay arrangements, while on business trip should be:
i. Company Guest house (Refer Policy ABMCPL/ADMIN/02/12)
ii. Designated Hotels- Group Corporate Tie Ups through ABG Travel Services Portal
iii. Other hotels
If the employee is staying in a hotel, the indicative entitlements are mentioned in Table 2
below. Stay expenses will be reimbursed on actuals.
*Type of Hotels: Examples of hotels are indicative & categorization may change based on
location.
i. 5 star Business Hotels: E.g.: ITC Hotels, Taj Vivanta, Le Meridien, Westin, Sheraton, W
Hotels, St. Regis
ii. Mid-range 4 star/3 star Business Hotels: E.g.: Taj Gateway properties, Four Points by
Sheraton, Aloft Hotels
iii. 3 star Budget Hotels or equivalent: E.g.: Ginger, Choice, ibis
**Category I cities: Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Gurgaon, Noida, Hyderabad, Pune, Kolkata, and
Mumbai
#Indicative rates are provided to take into account more expensive locations/peak seasons. In
such situations, the indicative rates mentioned above can be enhanced up to maximum 20%
Points to be noted
i. For employees at Job Band 6 and below- In case two or more employees are travelling
together for conferences, seminars, etc., they are encouraged to avail double occupancy.
ii. For employees at Job Band 7 and above- Employees can avail conference and convention
hotels as per their entitlement in case they are unable to avail business Hotels.
iii. If required, Women employees can choose to avail a hotel (as per entitlement) even in a
city with a Company Guest house.
iv. If required, Women employees can choose to avail a hotel up to 20% higher than the
indicative entitlement.
4.3 Meals
Meal expenses, while travelling for official purposes, are reimbursable at actual cost. Meal costs
should be reasonable and employees should exercise prudence and fiscal responsibility at all
times. Actual meal expenses not supported by bills can be reimbursed subject to a maximum
limit of INR 500 per day.
Laundry Expenses
Laundry expenses are reimbursed for travel duration greater than three days.
Personal Expenses
The following expenses are non-reimbursable and must be settled by the employee directly
(The list is indicative)
i. Pay movies / TV
ii. Massages / Beauty and health treatments
iii. Alcoholic beverages and cigarettes
iv. Annual fees for loyalty schemes of hotel / airlines, etc.
v. Fines for violation of laws
Official Entertainment
All official entertainment, including bar tabs, with clients, partners and business associates
will be paid at actuals, subject to required bills being submitted along with the travel
statement. Such expenses will need a special approval from the Manager/Function Head.
Frequent Flyers will be tracked separately by the ABG Travel Services Portal.
Conveyance expenses incurred are reimbursable at actual cost. The conveyance costs should
be reasonable and employees are expected to exercise prudence and fiscal responsibility at
all times.
Employees may avail the most appropriate means of local conveyance in the city of travel.
Employees may consider self-driven cars which are available in most countries as a mode of
travel. However, employees must possess an international driving license and follow the legal
rules & regulations of the country of travel.
5.2 Stay
The Group maintains Guest houses in many frequently travelled locations for the comfort of
its employees. The Guest house facilities can be availed by the employees via the ABG Travel
Services Portal.
The order of preference for stay arrangements, while on business trip should be:
i. Company Guest house (Refer Policy ABMCPL/ADMIN/02/12)
ii. Designated Hotels- Group Corporate Tie Ups through ABG Travel Services Portal
iii. Other hotels
There could be instances when an employee has to stay in the same city/ location for a
continuous period of more than fourteen days. In such a situation, it is recommended that the
employee looks for “studio apartment” which is much more economical and comfortable.
If the employee is staying in a hotel, the indicative entitlements are mentioned in Table 4
below. Stay expenses will be reimbursed on actuals.
*Types of Hotels: Examples of hotels are indicative & categorization may change based on
location
i. 5 star: Business Hotels: E.g.: Hyatt, JW Mariott, Le Meridien, Westin, Sheraton, W Hotels,
St. Regis
ii. 4 star/3 star: Business Hotels E.g.: Courtyard Marriott, Four Points by Sheraton, Aloft
Hotels, Element hotels
iii. 3 star: Budget Hotels or equivalent: E.g. ibis, Tulip Inn
#Indicative rates are provided to take into account more expensive locations/peak seasons.
In such situations, the indicative rates mentioned above can be enhanced up to maximum
20%
Points to be noted
i. For employees at Job Band 6 and below- In case two or more employees are travelling
together for conferences, seminars, etc., they are encouraged to avail double occupancy.
ii. For employees at Job Band 7 and above- Employees can avail conference and convention
hotels as per their entitlement in case they are unable to avail business Hotels.
iii. If required, Women employees can choose to avail a hotel (as per entitlement) even in a
city with a Company Guest house.
iv. If required, Women employees can choose to avail a hotel up to 20% higher than the
indicative entitlement.
5.3 Meals
Meal expenses, while travelling for official purposes, are reimbursable at actual cost. Meal
costs should be reasonable and employees should exercise prudence and fiscal responsibility
at all times. Actual meal expenses not supported by bills can be reimbursed subject to a
maximum limit of USD 20 per day.
Laundry Expenses
Laundry expenses are reimbursed for travel duration greater than three days.
Personal Expenses
The following expenses are non-reimbursable and must be settled by the employee directly
(The list is indicative)
i. Pay movies / TV
ii. Massages / Beauty and health treatments
iii. Alcoholic beverages and cigarettes
iv. Annual fees for loyalty schemes of hotel / airlines etc.
v. Fines for violation of laws
Official Entertainment
All official entertainment, including bar tabs, with clients, partners and business associates
will be paid at actuals, subject to required bills being submitted along with the travel
statement. Such expenses will need a special approval from the Manager/Function Head.
Frequent Travellers will be tracked separately by the ABG Travel Services Portal.
Enclosed:
Annexure A-Travel guidelines
Annexure B- Domestic Travel Expense Statement
Annexure C- International Travel Expense Statement
Annexure D- ABG Travel Services Portal- Domestic / International Booking Process Flow
1. General Guidelines
i. Businesses should evaluate environment friendly and cost effective means of travel and
communication, e.g. video conferencing, web meetings, etc.
ii. Travel must be consistent with the need of the business. Prior approval for all travel
plans in consultation with reporting manager with duly explained reason for travel is
necessary for travel bookings on the ABG Travel Services Portal.
iii. Managers at Job Band 3 and above will be the approving authority for sanctioning
international travel. In case an employee does not report to a manager at Job Band 3 or
above, the approval in such case will roll up to a manager at Job Band 3 or above.
iv. Travel entitlements for Advisors/ Retainers/ Consultants shall be governed by their
contractual terms. Any change shall require the approval of the Business CHRO.
v. The policy terms are applicable for travel up to one month.
vi. This policy shall be reviewed in October 2020.
5. Code of Conduct
i. The policy is designed to function on the principle of trust. Any breach shall be
considered as a violation of the Group’s code of conduct.
ii. Personal Usage Declaration: It is expected that the employees clearly identify all services
which they are booking for personal requirements, at the time of making the booking.
This will ensure it is handled appropriately for payment purposes.
6. Air Travel
i. For travel within India, employees are expected to choose a flight with the lowest fare,
within +/- 1 hour of the preferred departure time, for date of travel.
ii. For international travel, employees are expected to choose a flight with the lowest fare,
within +/- 6 hours of the preferred departure time, for date of travel.
8. Passport
Employees are expected to have valid passport with minimum 6 months validity at all times.
Expenses on passport and its renewal are the responsibility of the employee and shall not be
reimbursed.
9. Visa
i. Employee must apply for the correct type of visa for travel- Business or Work, based on
the purpose of travel & the country/s for which travel is intended. Please note that
travelling on a wrong visa category can have repercussions on the organization and the
individual traveller. It is suggested that employees apply for long term business visa
wherever possible. This will reduce logistic challenges related to travel.
ii. The company will bear cost of visa and other incidental charges including Airport tax,
Exit tax or any other taxes relating to the visit.
Employees shall adhere to the airline’s baggage allowance limits. However, in case the
employee is required to carry any official documents/assets, the excess baggage charges
would be reimbursed subject to approval by the manager, basis the merits of the case.
13. Itinerary Changes and Cancellations
Efforts should be made to minimize itinerary changes as these can result in costly
cancellation penalties/change fees. It is expected that all cancellations/ modifications of
booked services are done within the permitted cancellation/ modification timelines to avoid
‘No Show’ costs.
Stay entitlements mentioned under clause 4.2 & 5.2 shall include the Wi-Fi charges.
18. Payments
While Travel Advance may be taken, it is recommended that all payments are made using
credit card (domestic / international) or through preloaded forex card (international).
Employees from countries outside India, including Indian Expatriates, travelling to India for
business purposes shall be governed by the Aditya Birla Group – Domestic Travel Policy for
India for the purposes of stay, travel etc in India.
When an employee desires to stay at a location through the weekend (instead of returning
home for the weekend and traveling back to the location), they should prepare a cost analysis
of the week-end stay-over (incremental stay charges, conveyance and meal expenses vs.
avoided travel costs). It is left to the employee’s manager to evaluate these requests based on
cost saving and business needs.
Advance taken in a particular foreign currency shall be settled in the same currency. In case
the advance is settled in the local currency of the country of origin, the exchange rate used
should be the same as the rate at which the currency was bought from the travel agent. The
Travel expense statement shall be signed off by the same approving authority, who had
sanctioned the travel plans prior to travel.
Paid by Paid by
Company Employee
S. No. Nature of expenses
INR INR
Mode of Travel
A i. Air Fare (Encl: Invoice & Boarding pass)
ii. Rail Fare (Encl: Train ticket)
B Local Conveyance (Encl: Bills/ receipts)
Meal Expenses:
D i. Expenses supported by bills/ receipts
ii. Expenses not supported by bills/ receipts
E Miscellaneous expenses
Paid by Paid by
S. Rate of
Nature of expenses Company Employee
No conversion
US $ US $
A Air Fare (Encl: Invoice & Boarding pass)
B Local Conveyance (Encl: Bills/ receipts)
Stay expenses: Please indicate type of stay availed
Company Guest House
C Hotel (Rack rate = )
(Type of Hotel= ___________)
(Encl: Bills/Receipts)
Meal Expenses:
D Expenses supported by bills/ receipts
Expenses not supported by bills/ receipts
Miscellaneous Expenses
i. Telephone
E ii. General
iii.
iv. Other expenses not supported by bills/ receipts
Expenses requiring special approval:
i. Official Entertainment (Encl: approved
F vouchers / bills / receipts)
ii. Any other expense not covered above
Reimbursable Expenses:
i. Travel Insurance Premium (Encl Supporting)
G
ii. Airport Tax (Encl Supporting)
iii. Visa Charges (Encl Supporting)
Total expenses to be approved
Balance payable to / by the organization
Signature of employee__________ Approved by__________________
Date of submission: Name:
Note: New Hires should contact Business HR / Admin to get access to the ABG Travel Services Portal.
Once the access confirmation is received, employee can follow the above process
End of document