DTS Fundamentals: Navigating the Defense Travel System

The Defense Travel System handles nearly all official travel authorizations and reimbursements. I learned everything about navigating DTS through frustrating trial and error, but it doesn’t have to be that painful. Here’s what I wish I knew from day one.

Getting Started with DTS

Access to DTS requires a Common Access Card and appropriate permissions. Your organization’s DTS administrator provisions accounts and assigns routing lists that determine who approves your travel. Understanding your approval chain prevents delays.

The system looks dated but has gotten considerably better over the years. Browser compatibility still matters, so use recommended browsers to prevent mysterious errors. Keep CAC certificates and readers functioning properly to avoid the most common access issues.

Creating Authorizations

Travel authorizations begin with basic trip information including dates, locations, and purpose. The system calculates estimated per diem based on destination and duration. Adding transportation, rental cars, and other expenses builds the complete cost estimate.

Line of accounting codes must be entered correctly or selected from available options. These funding codes determine which budget pays for your travel. Using incorrect codes creates problems that surface during voucher processing.

Booking Through DTS

DTS integrates with commercial travel systems, allowing direct booking of flights, hotels, and rental cars. Government rates automatically apply to many bookings. Following the proper booking sequence ensures contracted rates and simplifies voucher documentation.

The system sometimes shows limited options compared to commercial sites. Policy restrictions and contracted vendor preferences affect displayed choices. Understanding why certain options appear or don’t helps navigate selection.

Routing and Approvals

Authorizations route through designated approvers before travel can occur. Track authorization status to see where in the approval chain your documents sit. Following up with stuck approvers requires tact but sometimes becomes necessary.

Emergency travel may allow proceeding before full authorization using verbal approval followed by system processing. Understand when this applies and document properly to protect against later complications.