I've asked a similar question before but our institution is struggling with this issue. Our travel office requires actuals for meals while traveling and generally does not allow cash per diem. As a private institution, we are not obligated to follow GSA rates. However, we have been advised by auditors that our travel policy needs to set limits on what would be considered reasonable. As an institution, our travel office does not want to do this for everyone (have a flat policy of limits for all employees). In such a case, would it be permissible to allow GSA rate cash per diems only on federal awards, while still requiring actuals on non-federal dollars (with no rate limit)? I'm concerned with the consistency principle here, but it would be for the purpose of being more compliant with meal allowances.