Is there an exception to the use of city-pair Contract Carriers when traveling with a pet?
Applicable to Uniformed members and Civilian Employees Yes, When space on a scheduled contract flight (including a confirmed pet space (see NOTE)) is not available in time to accomplish the travel purpose, or contract service use would require the traveler to incur unnecessary overnight lodging costs (for the traveler) that would increase the total trip cost. If this situation exists, it must be certified on the travel order, travel voucher, or other document provided by the traveler or AO. NOTE: When pet shipment is the determining factor for non-use of the lower cost GSA Airline City-Pairs airfares, the traveler and not the Government is responsible for costs exceeding the least expensive unrestricted coach/economy airfare and travel routing. See DTR, Part I, Chapter 103, par. B.2.c (note) for the source of this NOTE.
