TLE vs. TLA: Which Lodging Money You're Owed on a PCS
Temporary lodging during a move has two different programs with similar names, and which one you rate depends entirely on whether your move is stateside or overseas. Here is the difference and how many days you get.
The bottom line up front
- 1.TLE is for CONUS moves; TLA is the overseas equivalent. Which you rate depends on whether your move is stateside or overseas.
- 2.TLE covers up to 21 days for a CONUS PCS (up from 14), or 60 days in documented housing-shortage areas.
- 3.On a CONUS-to-OCONUS move, you get 7 days of TLE on the stateside end, then TLA overseas.
- 4.Both reimburse actual lodging and meal costs against a daily ceiling, not a flat amount, so keep every receipt.
When you PCS, there is a stretch where your household goods are in transit and you are living out of a suitcase in a hotel or temporary lodging. The military helps pay for that, but it does it through two different programs with confusingly similar names: TLE and TLA. People mix them up constantly, and the difference is simple once you see it. It comes down to one thing: is your move stateside or overseas?
TLE: the stateside one
Temporary Lodging Expense (TLE) covers temporary lodging and meals for a CONUS move, meaning a move within the continental United States. As of late 2024 the cap went up to 21 days for a CONUS PCS (it used to be 14), used in any combination at your old and new duty stations. Members at locations with a documented housing shortage can rate up to 60 days. For a move from CONUS to overseas, the CONUS side of that move is capped at 7 days of TLE.
TLE reimburses your actual lodging cost up to a daily ceiling tied to the locality, plus a meal component, so you keep your receipts and you do not pocket a flat amount. The TLE Calculator works out your days and dollars.
TLA: the overseas one
Temporary Lodging Allowance (TLA) is the overseas equivalent. It covers temporary lodging and meals while you are arriving at or departing from an OCONUS duty station and you do not yet have (or no longer have) permanent quarters. TLA runs on the local overseas cost of living and is paid in increments, and it can stretch much longer than TLE because finding permanent housing overseas takes longer. The TLA Calculator estimates it.
Which one you rate
| Your move | You rate | Rough length |
|---|---|---|
| CONUS to CONUS | TLE | Up to 21 days (60 in housing-short areas) |
| CONUS to OCONUS | TLE (CONUS side) + TLA (OCONUS side) | 7 days TLE, then TLA overseas |
| OCONUS to OCONUS | TLA | Varies, often weeks |
| OCONUS to CONUS | TLA (departure) + TLE (arrival) | TLA overseas, then up to 21 days TLE |
Keep your lodging receipts either way
Both programs reimburse actual costs against a ceiling, not a flat rate, so every receipt matters. Book lodging that stays under the daily cap for your locality, keep every receipt, and file promptly. The difference between organized and disorganized here is real money over a three-week stay.
The bottom line
TLE is the stateside program (up to 21 days for a CONUS move, 7 on the CONUS side of an overseas move). TLA is the overseas program and can run much longer. A move that crosses the line, like CONUS to OCONUS, uses both: TLE on the stateside end and TLA on the overseas end. Keep your receipts for either one, because both reimburse actual costs.
Estimate your days and dollars with the TLE Calculator and the TLA Calculator, and fit it into your full move with the PCS timeline.
Sources
- Joint Travel Regulations (JTR), par. 0506: Temporary Lodging Expense (TLE)
- Joint Travel Regulations (JTR): Temporary Lodging Allowance (TLA), OCONUS
- PDTATAC MAP 66-24(R): TLE 21-day update (effective Nov 2024)
Figures reflect 2026 rates and regulations. This guide is general information, not personalized financial or tax advice. Always verify with your finance office or a tax professional before making a decision. How we research and source: our methodology.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
- What is the difference between TLE and TLA?
- TLE (Temporary Lodging Expense) covers temporary lodging and meals for a move within the continental U.S. (CONUS), capped at 21 days for a CONUS PCS. TLA (Temporary Lodging Allowance) is the overseas equivalent, covering temporary lodging while arriving at or departing from an OCONUS duty station, and it can run much longer. A move that crosses between CONUS and overseas uses both.
- How many days of TLE do I get?
- Up to 21 days for a CONUS-to-CONUS PCS (increased from 14 in late 2024), used in any combination at your old and new stations. Members at locations with a documented housing shortage can rate up to 60 days. On a CONUS-to-OCONUS move, the CONUS side is capped at 7 days.
- Is TLE reimbursed or a flat rate?
- Reimbursed. TLE pays your actual lodging cost up to a daily ceiling tied to the locality, plus a meal component, so you keep your receipts rather than pocketing a flat amount. TLA works the same way overseas. Keep every lodging receipt and file promptly.
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Run your own numbers
REF: Military Toolkit Guides, effective 2026
Official 2026 DoD, DFAS, DTMO, IRS, and VA sources. See each guide’s Sources list
Results are estimates. Always verify with your finance office.