Small Business Travel

Learn about the federal requirement for using a small business travel agency when traveling on behalf of the University.

Federal Requirement

Travel funded by federally contracted agreements exceeding $900,000, or by an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) grant of any amount, is to be booked through a small business travel agency to support federal compliance requirements.

Small Business Travel Resources

Travel Management Support for UC San Diego 

UC San Diego partners with trusted, local small business travel agencies to support our research and business travel needs while advancing our commitment to small business engagement.

Kahala Travel and Balboa Travel are both locally based agencies with deep experience supporting the UC San Diego travel community. Their familiarity with university travel requirements ensures a seamless and compliant booking experience.

Our partnership with these agencies supports small business development while providing travelers, especially those utilizing federally contracted agreements exceeding $900,000 or EPA grant funding* full access to UC San Diego’s managed travel program.

Benefits of Booking Through Our Partner Agencies

• Access to University-Negotiated Rates
  Take advantage of contract pricing with preferred airlines, hotels, and car rental providers.
• Built-In Travel Protections
  Eligible bookings include automatic insurance coverage aligned with university policy.
• Expert Travel Management Support
  Both agencies bring years of experience managing complex business travel, allowing travelers to stay focused on their work—not logistics.

Why This Matters

By working with Kahala Travel and Balboa Travel, UC San Diego not only ensures a high-quality travel experience but also reinforces its commitment to supporting local small businesses as part of its broader economic impact goals.

*Airfare that does not meet the small business requirement should be booked via  Concur.ucsd.edu. For booking guidance, visit  Concur Travel on Blink.