Arthur M. Blank School
The Blank School engages Babson community members and leads research to create entrepreneurial leaders.
If you are familiar with Babson College's travel policies, please proceed to our travel portal. There is a wealth of useful information for people traveling to and from the college. Please read below to access current policies and forms.
View our Babson College Travel Policy (pdf)
All air travel, lodging, car rental, and rail reservations should be booked by the College’s authorized travel agencies:
Cleveland Circle Travel
1034 Great Plain Ave
Needham, MA 02492
Phone: 781-449-6860
Fax: 781-444-7764
Great International Travel
200 Highland Ave
Needham, MA 02494-3019
Phone: 617-559-3735-Rona
Phone: 617-559-3771-Don
Fax: 781-455-8611
Travel Portal (see above)
All domestic and above mentioned travel should be in economy class. Travelers may use business class in the following instances:
Travel policy does not differ by function on campus or level of management.
When traveling to Alaska, Hawaii and destinations outside of North America, business class airfare is allowed. Employees should notify the travel agencies at least 21 days prior to their departure date. Approvals: Employees should obtain prior authorization for all travel and entertainment expenses they will or may incur.
Rail travel should be at the lowest available fare offered. For travel in excess of 6 hours, first class is allowed.
Where possible, the use of public transportation is encouraged. Check with the hotel as to whether it operates a service to and from the airport. Discount shuttles and shared cabs are the desired mode before taking a single person cab.
Employees are encouraged to use similar types of public transportation services between Babson (or an employee's home) and Logan Airport. The College has an arrangement with Boston Coach (1-800-672-7676 - account #9081) and Charles River Transportation a.k.a. Airport Direct (1-800-444-1511) to provide employees transportation services (the cost includes all tolls and tips) -- the primary usage being to and from Logan Airport. Please provide your budget number when booking your travel reservation. If not using preferred vendors a comparable cost car service should be used. Limousines should not be used.
For local business travel, most employees use personal automobiles. Mileage is reimbursed at the rate of 58.5 cents per mile according to 2022 IRS regulations. In addition, parking and toll expenses are reimbursable (receipts required). To be reimbursed, travelers should provide the following on their expense report: Purpose of trip, Number of miles driven, Date & destination and receipts for tolls and parking. Citations of all descriptions and repairs are not reimbursable expenses. During a Babson business trip, the employee's primary insurance company is used for his/her protection and the protection of any other passengers. The College's insurance covers the deductible portion (up to a max of $500) of the traveler's collision coverage and bodily injury or property damage that exceeds the coverage limits of the traveler's insurance.
A Babson College Purchasing card should be used when renting a car. MasterCard will pay for covered damages on a basis for which you or any other authorized driver is legally responsible to the rental agency (see Staff Travel Policy above for details). The College provides coverage in the US during business trips for collision damage to the rental vehicle, personal accident insurance and excess liability insurance. Renters should purchase liability insurance coverage up to $250,000 if not already included in the rate (if purchased with a Babson College purchasing card, this coverage is not necessary). When renting a car in a foreign country, travelers should accept all insurance coverage.
When traveling out of the local area, it may be necessary to rent an automobile at the destination point. All automobile rentals should be arranged through the authorized travel agencies. Although subcompact or compact cars are usually least expensive, the travel agents will apprise employees of any special rates available. Babson has formal relationships with:
National Rentals
Local Rentals
Hotel reservations should be made through the preferred travel agencies or directly through the Travel Portal. When traveling to a conference, it is appropriate to stay at one of the hotels hosting the conference even if the rate is not the most economical available. Travelers are entitled to stay in a single room with a private bath. Upgrades to suites or executive floors are permissible if there is no additional cost. With prior approval, travelers may stay in a suite if required to conduct business (e.g. meetings, interviews, etc.). If a traveler stays at a private residence, than a gift to the host should be $75. A receipt is required for all gifts.
A copy of the actual hotel bill, with charges clearly identified, must be submitted. Babson will not reimburse for room service charges (beyond normal meal expenses) and other "extras"; i.e., movies are not a reimbursable item.
Below are the meal reimbursement amounts employees may receive on business travel.
Guidelines for meal reimbursement (prices listed are maximum single person totals with tip):
Business meals are defined as meals taken with students, colleagues or donors during which specific business discussions take place. Additional information is required when identifying business meals and entertainment on the travel expense report and on the Pcard Cost Allocation Reports. The IRS requires the name of all guests, titles or affiliations of guests and the business purpose.
Meals taken with other employees are reimbursed only in the following circumstances:
The use of liquor should be kept to a minimum. Gratuities should be between 10% - 20%.
Babson issues a Paetac telephone calling card upon request. Send request to Support@babson.edu. Please allow a 24 hour turn around time. This card is used as a travel convenience from any telephone worldwide. Personal telephone calls home are reimbursable up to 10 minutes per day. Calls regarding Babson business will be reimbursed, but must be marked as such (calls home are not considered business). An original copy of the bill is required for reimbursement. Air phone is allowed only if an emergency or critical business issue is involved.
Entertainment expenses include events when a business discussion takes place during, immediately before or immediately after the event.
Individuals who travel on College business (2 days or more) may request an advance for all airline fees, seminar costs, including hotel fees if known, and 75% of all other estimated costs related to travel. Requests for prepaid expenses should be made fifteen business days in advance at a minimum.
After returning from the travel, the individual should return all receipts to the Accounts Payable Office on a travel voucher form within fifteen days after returning to the campus. An unused cash advance should be returned immediately when a trip is canceled or postponed. Babson College encourages individuals to use their Babson issued Purchasing Credit Card to pay for travel.