You cannot use your LTA when...

In All you need to know about LTA, we explained the basics of Leave Travel Allowance in detail -- what it is and what you need to be aware of.

However, people often fail to realise that the journey you make is as crucial. You must take the shortest route to your destination to be eligible for LTA.

Sure, you can combine different places, but make sure you opt for the shortest route.

Let's take a few examples.

Delhi to Mumbai

Let's say Anil is going from Delhi to Mumbai on a holiday. He books a return ticket either by flight or a train from Delhi to Mumbai.

Delhi -- Mumbai: LTA covered
Mumbai -- Delhi: LTA covered

Anil also decides to make a long awaited trip to Agra on the way. He is still traveling from Delhi to Mumbai, but via Agra, Jhansi and Itarsi.

Delhi -- Agra: LTA covered
Agra -- Mumbai: LTA not covered
Mumbai -- Delhi: LTA covered

Let's say, Anil decides he wants to go to Rajasthan instead of Agra and adds Jaipur, Jodhpur and Mount Abu to his travel plans. He also decides to drop in at Ahmedabad to visit a friend before going on to Mumbai. 

Delhi -- Rajasthan: LTA covered
Rajasthan -- Ahmedabad: LTA covered
Ahmedabad -- Mumbai: LTA covered
Mumbai -- Delhi: LTA covered

If Anil was traveling from Delhi to Mumbai, it would be 1,542 km via Agra, Jhansi and Itarsi. But, if he went via Rajasthan, he would not suffer because it would be a shorter route via Rajasthan. It would be just 1,375 km from Delhi to Jaipur with a detour to Jodhpur, a trip to Mount Abu and even a trip to Ahmedabad before reaching Mumbai.

So, even if you combine different places when making your trip, ensure you take the shortest route to get there.

Mumbai to Thiruvananthapuram

Let's say Smita is going from Mumbai to Kerala.

If she books a return ticket either by flight or a train from Mumbai to Thiruvananthapuram, her journey will be covered.

Mumbai -- Thiruvananthapuram: LTA covered
Thiruvananthapuram -- Mumbai: LTA covered

But, if she goes from Mumbai to Thiruvananthapuram via Madurai, then she will not be covered as it is a longer route.

Mumbai -- Madurai: LTA covered
Madurai -- Thiruvananthapuram: LTA not covered
Thiruvananthapuram -- Mumbai: LTA covered

Mumbai to New Delhi

Let's say Smita has planned a long journey from Mumbai-Kerala-Delhi-Mumbai.

If she takes direct connections, it will be no problem.

Mumbai -- Kerala: LTA covered
Kerala -- Delhi: LTA covered
Delhi -- Mumbai: LTA covered

Let's say that she does a longer route and also visits Hyderabad.

Mumbai -- Thiruvananthapuram: LTA covered
Thiruvananthapuram -- Hyderabad: LTA not covered
Hyderabad -- Delhi: LTA not covered
Delhi -- Mumbai: LTA covered

But if, when returning from Delhi to Mumbai, she travels via Ujjain, she will lose out.

Delhi -- Ujjain: LTA covered
Ujjain -- Mumbai: LTA not covered

Her destination from Thiruvananthapuram is Delhi and then Mumbai. But, by taking the longer route to reach New Delhi via Hyderabad, she will lose the LTA on the stretch between Thiruvananthapuram and New Delhi.

But, had she gone from Thiruvananthapuram to Hyderabad and back to Mumbai, she would have been eligible for LTA.

Lesson to be learnt

When claiming LTA, you can combine different places when making your trip. All you need to do is ensure you take the shortest route to get there. Else, you may not get your LTA.

Note: This list is not exhaustive. It is just an indication to tell you how to plan your trip to get the most out of your LTA.

Meenakshi Subramaniam is a former IRS officer residing in Kolkata.