Temporary Lodging Expense (TLE)

Start Here If You Are New to TLE

Temporary Lodging Expense reimburses Marines for commercial lodging costs during a CONUS PCS while waiting for permanent housing. Up to 14 days total. Used at the OLD PDS (before HHG pickup) or the NEW PDS (before moving into permanent housing) or split between both. Reimbursable rate is per the locality lodging cap plus a fixed M&IE-style allowance. With-dependent and without-dependent rates. Receipts required for lodging. The OCONUS equivalent is TLA (covered on the BAH page).

This page walks you through TLE from your seat as a General Marine. By the end you will know.

• TLE is for CONUS PCS lodging during the move
• The 14-day total cap (extendable in specific circumstances)
• Use at old PDS, new PDS, or split
• With-dependent and without-dependent rates
• The locality lodging cap framework
• Receipts requirement
• TLA (OCONUS equivalent) cross-reference

Every fact on this page comes from JTR Chapter 5 paragraph 050601, Title 37 U.S.C.Title 37 U.S.C., and the DTMO TLE rate table.

What TLE Is

Per JTR Chapter 5 paragraph 050601, TLE partially reimburses a Marine for commercial lodging and meal expenses incurred during a CONUS PCS when the Marine and dependents occupy temporary lodging.

TLE bridges the gap between leaving permanent housing at the old PDS and moving into permanent housing at the new PDS. Commercial hotels, extended-stay properties, and similar lodging qualify.

TLE Eligibility

TLE is authorized for CONUS PCS scenarios. The Marine must.

• Be on a PCS to or from a CONUS PDS.
• Occupy commercial lodging during the move.
• Submit receipts for lodging expenses.

TLE Is NOT Authorized For

• OCONUS PCS lodging. The OCONUS equivalent is Temporary Lodging Allowance (TLA), covered on the BAH page.
• TDY lodging. The TDY framework covers temporary duty lodging.
• Indefinite extended periods. The 14-day cap is firm with rare extensions.

TLE Days (14-Day Total Cap)

A Marine may claim up to 14 days of TLE total per PCS. The 14 days are split as needed.

FORTHCOMING. 21-Day TLE Expansion (MARADMIN 573/24)

Per MARADMIN 573/24MARADMIN 573/24 (26 November 2024), the DoD is working with partners to adjust the TLE reimbursement from 14 days to 21 days for Service Members moving to a new PDS in the continental United States (CONUS).

The change.

• Increases CONUS TLE from 14 days to 21 days.
• Aims to make the moving process smoother and more manageable for Marines and their families.
• Implementation timeline is TBD as of the MARADMIN release.

The 14-day cap remains in effect until the JTR is updated. Verify the current cap status with the local PPSO or DTMO before planning TLE.

Common Use Patterns

• All 14 days at the new PDS while waiting for permanent housing.
• All 14 days at the old PDS after HHG pickup.
• Split (e.g., 4 days at old PDS, 10 days at new PDS).

Extension Beyond 14 Days

Per JTR Chapter 5 paragraph 050601, extensions beyond 14 days require Service Secretary approval. Common extension scenarios.

• Severe housing shortage at the new PDS.
• Unusual operational circumstances delaying permanent housing access.
• Documented exceptional circumstances.

The Marine submits the extension request through the chain of command to MMEA/MMOA.

TLE Rates

Per the DTMO TLE rate table.

Lodging Rate

Reimbursement covers the actual lodging cost up to the locality maximum lodging rate per the GSA per diem rate. The locality rate varies by location.

M&IE-Style Allowance

In addition to lodging, TLE includes a fixed allowance for meals and incidental expenses based on the locality M&IE rate.

With-Dependent vs. Without-Dependent

The TLE rate includes incremental amounts for dependents. The Marine claims TLE.

• 100 percent of the locality rate for the Marine.
• Additional percentage for each dependent (typically 75 percent for adults, 50 percent for children under 12).

The exact percentages depend on the JTR framework and DTMO rate calculation.

Verify Current Rates

The DTMO TLE rate table at https://www.travel.dod.mil/Allowances/Temporary-Lodging-Expense/ publishes current rates.

TLE Receipts Requirement

Marines must submit receipts for all TLE lodging claims. The receipts.

• Show the actual lodging cost.
• Show the dates of stay.
• Show the lodging name and address.

The M&IE-style portion of TLE is paid without itemized receipts (similar to per diem M&IE).

TLE Documentation

The Marine submits TLE through the Defense Travel System (DTS) on DD Form 1351-2DD Form 1351-2 (Travel Voucher) with the supporting receipts.

DTS Submission Steps

1. Marine arrives at new PDS or completes the TLE at the old PDS.
2. Marine logs into DTS and creates the travel voucher.
3. Attaches lodging receipts.
4. Identifies dependents covered by TLE.
5. Submits to the AO.
6. AO approves and routes to DFAS for payment.

TLA (OCONUS Equivalent)

For OCONUS PCS, the equivalent is Temporary Lodging Allowance (TLA). TLA is covered on the BAH page since it is administered through the BAH framework rather than the JTR PCS framework.

TLA differences from TLE.

• Applies to OCONUS PCS only.
• Generally longer duration (up to 60 days at OCONUS arrival).
• Tied to BAH and OCONUS allowance framework.
• Calculated based on local OCONUS lodging rates.

The BAH page covers TLA in detail.

Common Questions Marines Ask

I am PCSing from MCB Camp Lejeune to MCB Camp Pendleton. Will I get TLE?

Yes. CONUS-to-CONUS PCS qualifies for TLE. You may claim up to 14 days total at the old PDS, the new PDS, or split.

How many TLE days can I take at the new PDS?

Up to 14 days total. If you used 4 days at the old PDS, you have 10 days remaining for the new PDS.

I am PCSing OCONUS. Do I get TLE?

No. OCONUS PCS is covered by Temporary Lodging Allowance (TLA), not TLE. The BAH page covers TLA.

Can I extend TLE beyond 14 days?

Per JTR Chapter 5 paragraph 050601, extensions require Service Secretary approval. Submit the extension request through the chain of command to MMEA/MMOA with documentation of the extraordinary circumstances.

What lodging counts for TLE?

Commercial lodging including hotels, motels, extended-stay properties, and similar paid lodging. Staying with family or friends does not generate lodging cost and therefore no TLE lodging reimbursement (though the M&IE-style portion may still apply).

Where to Go for Help

Routing by Issue

• TLE rate verification. The DTMO TLE rate table at https://www.travel.dod.mil/Allowances/Temporary-Lodging-Expense/.
• TLE submission. Through DTS at the old or new PDS.
• TLE extension request. Through chain of command to MMEA/MMOA.
• TLA for OCONUS PCS. See the BAH page.
• DFAS Marine Corps Pay direct contact. Phone 1-888-332-7411 (DSN 312-571-9450 from overseas).

Where to Go Next on This Site

• PCS landing page lists all the PCS topics.
• PCS Orders and Overview covers the foundational PCS framework.
• Dislocation Allowance covers DLA.
• Per Diem covers PCS travel days per diem.
• BAH covers TLA (OCONUS equivalent of TLE).

Related Roles

• Leaders coach Marines on TLE planning to maximize the 14-day window.
• Admin at S-1 supports the DTS voucher submission and verifies TLE eligibility.
• Commanders endorse extension requests for extraordinary circumstances.

TLE covers commercial lodging during CONUS PCS up to 14 days. With-dependent and without-dependent rates per locality. Receipts required for lodging. M&IE-style allowance for meals. TLA covers OCONUS PCS lodging.