Government rate at Swan and Dolphin?

[BoilerGirl91]

Do you have to be on "government" business or can you use it for personal travel?

 

[LoveKermit]

I get the teacher rate without being there for teacher things, so I don't know why not.

It's just a little incentive program they have for government workers. You do have to show proof--ID, paystub, etc., but they won't ask if it's business or pleasure (except to make sure you don't belong at a convention).

 

[pixeydust]

No, you definately do not - it's just a perk! They do offer nice discounts for government workers, try the web code, but you may get a better rate if you call directly!

 

[anlashokna]

I would say no. But just check to make sure all they require at check in is your ID, usually when you run the specification for the rate it will tell you what is required at checkin. Sometimes a hotel can request whatever form that shows you are on business but the vast majority of the time they just need to see your government or military ID and that's my bet for this hotel without looking.

 

[hobbes4444]

I snagged a govt rate for the Dolphin several years ago, and they asked to see my govt id, but did not request an official govt travel authorization. Got a nice upgrade as well to a corner king room with a partial view of Epcot. They tried to charge me additional for the upgrade at checkout, but after some discussions with the manager, they backed off.

I take advantage of fed govt rates for leisure travel whenever I can (even in Mexico - got an amazing concierge level suite in Cabo for 1/2 price). I've only come across 1 hotel that would honor the govt rate only if on official govt business (a beachfront hotel in Oxnard, CA).

 

[TDC Nala]

It likely depends on the policy of the government you work for, or perhaps on your agency. My agency permits using government hotel discounts for leisure trip purposes. I can tell you Starwood does not require that you be on official business to use the rates. You must show a government ID upon check-in but they do not require that you show travel orders.

 

[abw]

Does anyone know if a university employee ID (faculty) counts as a government ID?

 

[TDC Nala]

possibly only if it is a state university.

 

[happymommy]

Does anyone know if a university employee ID (faculty) counts as a government ID?

I think that falls under "teacher"?

I know when my husband was active duty, some rates wer "TLA" which definitely required orders. The regular "gov't" rate should apply to any military members, active or reserve, or DOD, but I'd check with the individual hotel.

 

[justcantwait]

Does anyone know if state govt applies? Would love to know what all my options are before I book anything, and since I'm a state government employee, I was hoping to qualify for that too. TIA

Kathy

 

[SGB13]

I was also interested if the discount was for state government employees or just federal. Looking for any discount we can get!

 

[Buzz's Buddy]

Does anyone know if state govt applies? Would love to know what all my options are before I book anything, and since I'm a state government employee, I was hoping to qualify for that too. TIA

Kathy

Yes, state govt applies too. I am employed by the State of NJ and have receieved the discount on mulitiple trips. Just make sure you have your govt ID. I was asked to show it on each trip.

 

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

I have had to travel a lot for the government, and have stayed in all sorts of hotel chains.

A lot of them will honor the government rate (federal, state, municiple) for employees on non-offical business. SOME WILL NOT!

It is best to call and check so there are no suprises.

When staying for non-offical purposes, they will not honor the tax exempt certificates. (some places don't honor them even for offical travel. makes it hard when submitting a travel voucher)

Strangely enough, sometimes the AAA rate is cheaper that the government rate, because the hotels know exactly what the government published per diem rates are for hotels and the M&IE rate it the area.