Hotel Government Rates

[MGMmjl]

I am a state government employee, so I usually check government rates when I am traveling somewhere. A lot of times, the government rates are the same or higher than some other rates offered. However, for an upcoming trip, I noticed that the government rates offer a substantial discount.

My question is: Is it acceptable to use the government rate for leisure travel and not official government travel?

For a Marriott hotel, the following is stated for the state government rate:

• Non-Commissionable Rate
• State Government Per Diem rate
• - Available to State Government (govt) employees only.
• - Limit of two rooms per night.
• - Must show valid state government identification (ID) at
• check-in.
• - Valid ID consists of:
• - State issued ID (picture or no picture)
• - Travel Orders on original State letterhead
• - If no valid ID, rate will be increased to the best available
• rate.
• - Govt Contractors, including Contractors working on state govt
• Cost Reimbursable Contract, are not eligible for the state
• govt rate.

For that hotel, it sounds like you can stay using the government rate even if you aren't on official government business.

However, for a Hampton (Hilton) hotel, the following is stated for the government rate:

ID-travel orders required at check-in.

So it sounds like it may differ by hotels as to who can use the government rate? For Marriott, the way it reads, it sounds like you could use it for Leisure or Business travel? But for Hilton, only for official travel?

I guess for me, it is sort of an ethical dilemma. The Marriott hotel is a Renaissance hotel that has a huge discount with the state government rate. The standard rate is $181/night, and the state government rate is $67/night! It is right to use that discount for leisure travel?

Looking forward to hearing people's opinions!

EDIT: After rereading Marriott's policy, it sounds like the valid ID is a state issued ID and travel orders. So maybe a no-go with them as well.

 

[RamblingMad]

I’d use it.

 

[JaxDad]

First, I respect your ethics. It seems to be a fading attribute nowadays.

Second, I don't see the distinction between the hotel policies you listed. They both apparently require travel orders.

Third, I would advise what I often do when specific hotel questions arise on this forum. Call the hotel and ask them. If they say it is okay to use the government rate for leisure travel, get the persons name and thank them for their support.

 

[Kennywood]

Human Resources often handle benefits. I'd suggest checking with them to see if it's allowable. You wouldn't want to get into trouble, simply to save a few dollars.

In this case, I'd say that it's better to ask permission than forgiveness.

 

[focusondisney]

• Non-Commissionable Rate
• State Government Per Diem rate
• - Available to State Government (govt) employees only.
• - Limit of two rooms per night.
• - Must show valid state government identification (ID) at
• check-in.
• - Travel Orders on original State letterhead
• - If no valid ID, rate will be increased to the best available
• rate.
• - Govt Contractors, including Contractors working on state govt
• Cost Reimbursable Contract, are not eligible for the state
• govt rate.

It is right in your post: travel orders on state letterhead. So sounds like it is only valid for official government travel to me.

 

[fly girl]

I believe it is a no-go, as one of the bullets (you later noticed) says official travel orders on letterhead.

But it never hurts to call the hotel directly (not the 800 number) and ask if they have government leisure rates. Even if they don't, they may give you a better rate than rack room rate you can find online.

 

[SirDuff]

Governments are generally only for official government travel. However, as others have said, it doesn't hurt to ask.

 

[focusondisney]

Also wondering how this is listed. Does it say “government rate” or “public employee rate”? My interpretation would be a government rate would be for official travel..... the discount is given when a government entity is paying. A public employee rate would be for government employees on leisure travel.

 

[disneychrista]

I would be very surprised if they allow the government rate for personal use.

 

[RamblingMad]

Better to ask for forgiveness than permission. I’ve known government employees to use their IDs to get discounts. No big deal.

 

[siren0119]

The hotels aren't responsible to know what you as an employee are allowed to do - they are responsible for verifying whatever criteria the company/entity that is getting the discount has set out.

You need to go to your department head/HR/whichever department manages the travel rules and ask them. As PP mentioned, you could get in some hot water for using a discount when you shouldn't.

My company's travel policy includes a provision that we ARE allowed to use our company discount for personal travel, with some restrictions. we cannot use the company discount for airline tickets, only hotel and car rentals. And we cannot use the company travel portal to book personal travel, we have to call the hotels directly and give them our company code.

 

[MGMmjl]

Honestly, I don't think I would feel comfortable using the government rate unless it was official government travel. I know some of my coworkers talk about using the government rate when they travel somewhere for leisure, and usually the front desk clerk doesn't even ask for an ID even when I'm on official travel. But I don't think I would feel right if I used the discount for leisure travel (unless it was specifically stated that it could be used for that).

 

[hertamaniac]

In a day and age where tax payer/public spending is under more scrutiny, the question I would ask myself is would I be willing to risk the consequences for saving $ if improperly used? Nope...not me.

 

[OrangeBirdGirl]

We often use government (military) rate for personal use. I have always seen the Marriott and Hiton chains have distinction between a rate with "traveling on orders" or just needing a government ID. Usually the rate for traveling on orders is higher as they know the government will pay that higher rate. The other rate when they just ask for an ID at check in we see as no different then getting a AAA or Senior discount.

But in your situation as the disclaimer states I would not use it. They have the ability to ask for your official travel docs and since you can't produce that they have the ability to charge you the going rate. Depending on how high of demand the hotel is at that time you might be looking at a rate double what you were expecting to pay.

 

[tstein12]

I've traveled numerous times on government-related business. I've never had a hotel ask me for travel orders, only my government issued ID. This includes all Marriott, Hilton, and other major hotel chains. If you decide to book the government rate, you should be okay.

 

[DLgal]

It is right in your post: travel orders on state letterhead. So sounds like it is only valid for official government travel to me.

No, it is ONE of the examples of a valid ID. You don't have to show all that stuff. If you have a Government Employee photo ID, that's all you have to show.

 

[DLgal]

My husband is military. We always check the Gov't/Military rate for leisure travel and use it if it's cheaper. Sometimes it stipulates "State Government" OR "Federal government" and sometimes military is included and sometimes not. Whenever military is included, it says you just need to show either military ID or a copy of travel orders. We have never shown travel orders. Have used the Govt/Military discount dozens and dozens of times. There is no regulation by the DoD, at least that prohibits using these rates for leisure travel. State Governments may have different regulations.

 

[DLgal]

In a day and age where tax payer/public spending is under more scrutiny, the question I would ask myself is would I be willing to risk the consequences for saving $ if improperly used? Nope...not me.

But this is being paid for privately. Its not like he's charging it to his govt travel credit card and submitting a travel claim for personal travel. THAT is against the law.

 

[billlaurie]

Some of the Marriott chain will explicitly state that it is for business use only, example Courtyard Cocoa Beach. Unless it states that, I think you are fine. It is just a discount, just like any other (i.e., AAA). The government isn't paying anything if you aren't there on business.

 

[NYCgrrl]

First, I'll start by saying that the published rate (one generally found on a form within a frame of the room) is a "dream" most hoteliers would like to get nightly but rarely do, LOL. Second, a government rate tends not to be that "special" in comparison to discounts such as AAA. Just check some third party providers (Priceline, Expedia, etc) for a good idea of what a hotel is actually charging for a room in a specific time frame.

Now as to the ethics of asking for a state rate on a leisure trip, I wouldn't possibly jeopardise my employment by doing it but everyone has to make that call for themselves.

Interesting article that tells the possible future of hotel rate pricing as well as airlines':

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/27/business/cheap-airfare.html