Expenses that are not explicitly stated as reimbursable are considered not reimbursable. Also see Reimbursable Expenses.
Expenses to be charged to sponsored funds must also be allocable and allowable under the terms of the award. If you have questions about what is allowed on a sponsored account, contact Sponsored Financial Services.
The following expenses are Cornell unallowable and must not be submitted for reimbursement on a travel expense report. This list is not exhaustive. If you have questions, please contact the Cornell Concur Support team.
Air Travel Related
- Airline upgrades. See Premium Airfare.
- Carbon offset credits.
- Frequent-flyer miles or tickets purchased with these.
- Helicopter services for airport transfers.
- Lost or damaged luggage.
- Preferred boarding fees.
- Preferred security screening programs (e.g., TSA PreCheck®).
Ground or Other Transportation Related
- Bike or scooter rentals.
- Charter buses. See Charter Bus and Limousine Rentals.
- Gas or expenses incurred by another person (e.g., someone driving you to the airport).
- Limousines, black-car, or other private car services for groups of nine or more passengers, including the driver. See Charter Bus and Limousine Rentals.
- Loss, theft, or damage to personal vehicles.
- Parking or traffic violation tickets.
- Personal or rental car repairs, routine maintenance, locksmith charges, etc. (except as included in the IRS mileage reimbursement rates).
- Recreational vehicles (RV) or campground rentals.
- Rental vehicle upgrades: GPS, satellite radio, duplicate insurance, etc. See Car Rentals.
- Roadside assistance.
- Water sports equipment or watercraft rentals.
Insurances
For information on Cornell’s policies on insurance coverage while traveling, see the Risk Management and Insurance website.
- Non-compulsory health insurance coverage.
- Personal accident or property insurance.
- Personal vehicle insurance.
- Travel or baggage insurance.
- Trip cancellation insurance.
Personal Expenses
- Babysitting or childcare costs.
- Clothing, luggage, briefcases, or other personal items.
- Credit card delinquency fees, finance charges, or annual fees.
- Damage to personal property.
- Dues for airline/Cornell club or social club memberships.
- Entertainment for yourself (e.g., games or movies in your hotel room, movie theatre tickets, etc.).
- Family or companion travel expenses (unless approved by a dean, vice provost or vice president). See Pre-Trip Approvals.
- Grooming (i.e., hair or nail salons or barbers).
- Gifts/souvenirs or gifts in lieu of housing.
- Health club facilities, fitness rooms, gyms, spas, saunas, massages.
- House swapping or staying at a family’s, friend’s, or your personal home.
- Loss/theft of cash or personal property.
- Magazines, books, newspapers, or movies.
- Petcare or kennel fees.
