Each hotel chain is different. I am a teacher and can usually get a "government rate" at Choice Hotels (Quality/Comfort/Clarion/Sleep Inn) and Holiday Inn. Other chains (Hampton Inn/Doubletree) offer only a federal government rate (last time I checked). I have used a govt. discount many times, both as a teacher and when I worked for the Dept. of Defense. I have only been asked to show ID once, and I showed either a check stub or my insurance card.