Hotel Government Rates

[kiddo76]

If it is unclear, just ask the hotel if the rate is a leisure rate. DH is a DoD Civialian employee and in my experience some discounts are for official travel only or they may have different rates for leisure vs official.

Most of the time when DH is on official travel he only has to show his employee ID and not his travel orders. So while theoretically he could get away with getting the official business rate while on leisure travel, it's his job, reputation and his security clearance that he's putting on the line if he chooses to skirt the rules. Just not worth it, IMO.

 

[smiths02]

If it is unclear, just ask the hotel if the rate is a leisure rate. DH is a DoD Civialian employee and in my experience some discounts are for official travel only or they may have different rates for leisure vs official.

Most of the time when DH is on official travel he only has to show his employee ID and not his travel orders. So while theoretically he could get away with getting the official business rate while on leisure travel, it's his job, reputation and his security clearance that he's putting on the line if he chooses to skirt the rules. Just not worth it, IMO.

I would say this, just ask. Also, I don't know what your position is, but my DH works for law enforcement and is a federal government employee. There are policies about accepting discounts in general because for law enforcement, because a discount could be construed as a bribe. In other words, you need to see if your work has any policies about this.

 

[billlaurie]

Not sure about state, but Federal Govt workers can book a maximum of one room for leisure, as stated on the Fedrooms site for the rooms available to book via that site. The Fedroom rate is not always the best, as someone already stated. I've seen better rates on Priceline.

 

[amcnj]

Another thing you might run into is that hotels might apply state rates only for travel within the state. In other words, you must be a state employee of the state in which the hotel sits.

 

[bcla]

Not sure about state, but Federal Govt workers can book a maximum of one room for leisure, as stated on the Fedrooms site for the rooms available to book via that site. The Fedroom rate is not always the best, as someone already stated. I've seen better rates on Priceline.

I got curious about that for a nearby Marriott property. It said that the rates were based on state or federal per diem limits, and I got pretty much the same terms. And my interpretation is that "travel orders" on letterhead really only refers to that as a form of government employee/contractor identification.

I suppose it might be an actual discount if it's high demand period. The "everyday" rate I found was lower than the state employee rate. The AAA (didn't say CAA like some hotel chains) rate was even lower.

I remember once I went on a trip where a friend helped book a 5-star hotel overseas at about a $50/night rate including a breakfast every morning. That was amazing. I understand that it was some sort of educational discount, but the hotel didn't seem to care.

 

[kaytieeldr]

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.

In other words, the rack rate (that everyone thinks is ridiculous but which Disney Guests pay to get the dining plan free ).

 

[Cindy's Mom]

This is how it was explained to me when I did the vouchering for my department a few years back, I'm on my 30th year with the State. Hotels offers the state rate to state employees on or off official travel status because it builds loyalty for the 35,000 state employees in Illinois. I've been using the state rate for as long as I can remember. I only do state and if state if NOT offered I will not take the 'government" rate because I don't work for the G.

And unless the "rate details" specifically say in Florida for example "rate good only for Florida state employees" its good for any and all states.

 

[sam_gordon]

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

Absolutely not in this case.

Step number 1 is to check with your superior or human resources (or look in an employee manual) to see if this is allowed. Even if Marriott allows it, that doesn't mean your office does. AND if it gets back to the office, you could face disciplinary issues.

IF your office allows you to use the discount for leisure travel, then step #2 would be to call the hotel chain and ask for clarification on the policy. Otherwise, you could show up and the desk clerk says "let's see your travel documents" and you say "I don't have any". Then they hit you with the walk up rate.

 

[RamblingMad]

Absolutely not in this case.

Step number 1 is to check with your superior or human resources (or look in an employee manual) to see if this is allowed. Even if Marriott allows it, that doesn't mean your office does. AND if it gets back to the office, you could face disciplinary issues.

IF your office allows you to use the discount for leisure travel, then step #2 would be to call the hotel chain and ask for clarification on the policy. Otherwise, you could show up and the desk clerk says "let's see your travel documents" and you say "I don't have any". Then they hit you with the walk up rate.

I’ve never seen. It’s always been ID, or they take your word for it. And how is this magically going to get back to anyone? You’re putting it on your credit card, not a government issued one. Hotel computer systems aren’t this smart. And why would your boss even care if you’re a good employee?

 

[sam_gordon]

I’ve never seen. It’s always been ID, or they take your word for it. And how is this magically going to get back to anyone? You’re putting it on your credit card, not a government issued one. Hotel computer systems aren’t this smart. And why would your boss even care if you’re a good employee?

If you want to take the chance, go ahead. And your boss may not have a choice in the matter. You never know what might get back to the home office and not through "normal" means. Could just be word of mouth from someone who saw you.

 

[kiddo76]

I’ve never seen. It’s always been ID, or they take your word for it. And how is this magically going to get back to anyone? You’re putting it on your credit card, not a government issued one. Hotel computer systems aren’t this smart. And why would your boss even care if you’re a good employee?

A good boss would care if their employee is misrepresenting themselves as being on official government business when they are on leisure travel. Especially when security clearances are involved. Sure, it's unlikely anyone would find out, but it is still unethical.

 

[bcla]

A good boss would care if their employee is misrepresenting themselves as being on official government business when they are on leisure travel. Especially when security clearances are involved. Sure, it's unlikely anyone would find out, but it is still unethical.

What Marriott is posting isn’t a negotiated rate. It’s a courtesy rate matching government per diem lodging allowances. In my case I found the California state employee rate was higher than regular and the federal employee rate was even higher.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

My husband recently became a Federal Government employee and has traveled for work twice so far. He was told that he is not allowed to make his own travel arrangements for work trips. He has to fill out a form that explains the reason for the trip, the dates and his preferred airport. The form has to be approved by his direct manager. Then he sends it to the travel department and they make the arrangements. I wasn't aware that anyone except the government could actually book that rate. I would never think of trying it for leisure travel. I always book the AAA rate.

 

[kiddo76]

What Marriott is posting isn’t a negotiated rate. It’s a courtesy rate matching government per diem lodging allowances. In my case I found the California state employee rate was higher than regular and the federal employee rate was even higher.

Correct. The issue is whether Marriott's (or any other hotel) government rate can be used for leisure travel. If the hotel say yes, you are free to use that rate. If they say no, it's for official business travel only, then you are misrepresenting yourself if you check in with a government employee ID to get the government rate while on leisure travel.

 

[kiddo76]

My husband recently became a Federal Government employee and has traveled for work twice so far. He was told that he is not allowed to make his own travel arrangements for work trips. He has to fill out a form that explains the reason for the trip, the dates and his preferred airport. The form has to be approved by his direct manager. Then he sends it to the travel department and they make the arrangements. I wasn't aware that anyone except the government could actually book that rate. I would never think of trying it for leisure travel. I always book the AAA rate.

It really depends on why, where, and how long they are traveling. DH has a work issued credit card that he can use to make his own arrangements, provided the charges meet certain guidelines. Other times arrangements are made through the travel department. When he or his employees are on longer term travel, they sometimes make their own housing arrangements and get paid a per diem. I'm sure there is some rhyme or reason to what method is used when, but after him working for the DoD for 20 years, I haven't figured it out yet.

 

[sonnyjane]

Oh oops! Lol. I really didn’t know that’s what a government rate was for! I thought it was a discount... like AAA lol! We used DH’s for a stay at a Hyatt in Kauai a few years ago - it was about $200 less PER NIGHT than their rack rate. All we needed was to show his ID... I never thought anything of it!

ETA: Whew, looks like for Hyatt at least, they don't care if it's official business:
"Hyatt values those who serve in the U.S. government and military. In recognition of these individuals, Hyatt offers a Government rate to:

• All government employees (federal, state, county, local, provincial governments)
• Military personnel
• International government and military personnel
• State funded higher education universities and health care facilities
• Defense or Cost Reimbursable Contractors (CRCs)

Select "Government" from the Special Rates dropdown on the booking window. These special rates are available at Hyatt Hotels & Resorts in the United States. Government or military identification is required at time of check-in."

 

[Praying Colonel]

I use the Government rate whenever it's the best rate and if they don't say it's for official travel only.

 

[disneychrista]

Choice Hotels says this when I checked State Government Rate Government travelers can save when traveling on official business. Which is what I figured. It did not specify this for Federal & Military.

The hotel I checked was $90 for State but $117 for Federal, $123 for for regular.

 

[Deb]

Hotel Mgr here. Admittedly not with Marriott, but the way I read what you copied/pasted, you would be fine as long as you have government ID, I read it as Identification OR travel orders. It would say official business otherwise.

 

[low-key]

I had this similar question many times, I would end up just calling the Hotel and let them know what I am and asked what I get , asked what I should bring, they all put me down for cheaper rate and never asked a question when I checked in