What is the purpose of travel authorizations in the context of DTS?

Travel authorizations in the context of the Defense Travel System (DTS) primarily serve the purpose of allowing travelers to reserve accommodations. When a travel authorization is created and approved, it provides official permission for a traveler to incur expenses related to their trip. This includes not only the ability to book flights but also to secure lodging and other necessary arrangements for their trip.

By having an approved travel authorization, travelers can confidently make reservations knowing that their travel is sanctioned and that they will be reimbursed for the expenses incurred during the official travel. This streamlines the travel process and ensures that all travel arrangements are compliant with military policy and procedures.

While financial tracking and management of personnel actions are important aspects of travel processing, they are not the primary purpose of travel authorizations. The approval of new travel agencies is unrelated to the function of travel authorizations, which focus specifically on individual travel plans and related expenses.