The Coast Guard is changing how we book travel and process expenses. Starting in the Spring of 2027, you will use GO.gov for all your official TDY travel needs. While the launch is still a way out, all hands should visit the Pay and Personnel Center PPC Travel Page and click the "GO.gov Information and User Guides" tab to get familiar with the new system. You can also watch a short promotional video about GO.gov.
Why the Change?
In 2021, the General Services Administration (GSA) mandated that federal agencies adopt GO.gov. This move consolidates the government onto a single, modern travel platform. By making this switch, the federal government expects to save over $2 billion. For the Coast Guard, it means leaving behind a fragmented legacy system in favor of a commercial-grade, mobile-friendly platform.
Below are the key differences between the two systems.
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Feature
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E2 Solutions (Current)
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GO.gov (New System)
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System Integration & Management
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Booking & Expense
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Often uses separate providers or siloed modules for booking versus expense
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Fully consolidated platform where booking and expenses live together
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Travel Agents (TMC)
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Currently uses CWTSato as our Travel Management Company
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Will switch to a new, centrally procured TMC at the time of go-live
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User Experience & Technology
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Interface
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Legacy web-based interface; can be complex for occasional users
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Intuitive, commercial-grade interface designed to reduce task completion time
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Mobile Access
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Limited mobile functionality for complex tasks
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Native mobile-first interface for booking and expense management on the go
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Card Integration
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Standard charge card integration
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Deep integration with government travel charge cards for automated expense reconciliation
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Operational Efficiency
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Modern Features
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Standard legacy features
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Incorporates AI-enabled tools to streamline auditing and reduce manual data entry
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Understanding Fees
Travel fees are changing, but your out-of-pocket cost remains zero. Under GO.gov, the Coast Guard will pay two types of administrative fees: Booking Fees (when you reserve your travel) and a Standard Access Fee (when your expense report is approved).
It is important to remember that these are mission-funded costs. While you will see them listed on your travel authorization or expense report, the Coast Guard covers them as part of your official travel expenses.
For every approved expense report (the new term for a "travel voucher"), GSA will charge a Standard Access Fee of $29.50. This fee replaces the old $16.50 voucher fee and helps recover the costs of building and operating the GO.gov platform.
Fee Comparison Table (Estimated)
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Fee Type
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E2 Solutions (Current)
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GO.gov (New System)
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Change Summary
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Self-Service Booking (Air/Rail)
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~$9.58
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~$18.80
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Increase: Roughly double the current cost to book yourself online
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Full-Service Booking (Air/Rail)
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~$40.48
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~$41.18
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Neutral: Minimal change for full-service agent support
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Self-Service Hotel/Car Only
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~$7.44
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~$7.47
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Neutral: Virtually identical cost for self-service lodging/rental
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Service Access Fee (Per Report)
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~$16.50
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$29.50
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Increase: This replaces the "Voucher Fee" to cover system operations
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A Note for Command Budgets
Because the new Standard Access Fee ($29.50) is higher than the legacy voucher fee ($16.50) and the online booking fee has also increased, units will see a higher administrative cost per trip. To protect your unit’s funds, it is more important than ever to use Self-Service Booking. Reserving your own travel online remains the most cost-effective way to execute the mission, costing the Coast Guard significantly less than using a full-service travel agent.
Although the full transition is still many months away, taking time now to understand GO.gov will ensure you and your unit are ready for a seamless rollout in 2027. This upgrade is a major step forward in modernizing our administrative tools to better serve the workforce. By embracing this mobile-friendly platform and continuing to use self-service booking, you will streamline your own TDY experience while keeping critical funds exactly where they belong – supporting your unit's mission.
Questions?
Official ALCOAST 187/26: New Travel System Implementation – Go.gov has been released with further details. If you have immediate questions, contact Miguel A. Beltre at (202) 257-4339 or miguel.a.beltre@uscg.mil.
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