Who qualifies for Government Rate at S/D?

[Kramer]

Anyone know who exactly qualifies for the government rate at the Swan or Dolphin?

Is it just federal employees or state and local government also?

 

[swilphil]

My husband is a state employee and he qualifies. I also think local govt. employees also qualify. We had to show a pay stub or govt. ID when we stayed there.

 

[TDC Nala]

Yes, federal, state and local government employees. Bring an ID.

 

[Fantasty]

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fiw edu80 ni jdfkdfjuv b-its hard to type with paws

 

[shellybaxter]

I guess I'm naive. I always thought the government rate was only for when you travel for business. I mean why would government employees get a better rate for personal business? Isn't that against some sort of "no favors" rule? My husband and I are both government employees and I never thought about using the gov. rate for vacation. Not judging those who do, just confused about what the rate is intended for.

 

[Steamboat Girlie]

I guess I'm naive. I always thought the government rate was only for when you travel for business. I mean why would government employees get a better rate for personal business? Isn't that against some sort of "no favors" rule? My husband and I are both government employees and I never thought about using the gov. rate for vacation. Not judging those who do, just confused about what the rate is intended for.

S/D has this rate for nurses, teachers and government employees. You do not have to be on official govt. business. I used to work for Homeland Security before my son was born, and we stayed at the Swan. It was a great rate, and a great hotel.

 

[whacked]

I guess I'm naive. I always thought the government rate was only for when you travel for business. I mean why would government employees get a better rate for personal business? Isn't that against some sort of "no favors" rule? My husband and I are both government employees and I never thought about using the gov. rate for vacation. Not judging those who do, just confused about what the rate is intended for.

The rate is specifically to "reward" those in Government service, teachers, nurses, firefighters, police, etc, who's job is nominally to serve the public.

It is specifically designed for personal, not business travel.

 

[Kramer]

I guess I'm naive. I always thought the government rate was only for when you travel for business. I mean why would government employees get a better rate for personal business? Isn't that against some sort of "no favors" rule? My husband and I are both government employees and I never thought about using the gov. rate for vacation. Not judging those who do, just confused about what the rate is intended for.

Why are you assuming that I'm not traveling for business?

 

[QueenOfCelts]

I just called and spoke with Emily at the Swan and Dolphin ressie line and she says that anyone who works for local/city, state or federal government is eligible for the discounted and rate and it doesn't matter if the trip is for business or pleasure.

 

[Pooh1219]

I guess I'm naive. I always thought the government rate was only for when you travel for business. I mean why would government employees get a better rate for personal business? Isn't that against some sort of "no favors" rule? My husband and I are both government employees and I never thought about using the gov. rate for vacation. Not judging those who do, just confused about what the rate is intended for.

I'm a state employee for the past two years, and I willingly took a huge pay cut in order to reap the benefits that come with state employment. One of them is government rates at various hotels. I will gladly accept this perk and not blink an eye about doing so. There have been rates for all kinds of occupations all over the place, and this one happens to be for government employees. Thank you, Disney, for affording us that benefit. The government rate is an inducement for government workers to patronize their facility.

 

[QueenOfCelts]

I guess I'm naive. I always thought the government rate was only for when you travel for business. I mean why would government employees get a better rate for personal business? Isn't that against some sort of "no favors" rule? My husband and I are both government employees and I never thought about using the gov. rate for vacation. Not judging those who do, just confused about what the rate is intended for.

No need to be confused at all. You assumed wrong when you thought the discounted rates for were business travel only. It's a shame you haven't been taking advantage of them even if for no other reason than donating the saved amount to a worthy charity.

 

[paladin]

Rules on government rate usage do vary by hotel. Some (though not the Swan/Dolphin) require that you be on official business to use the rate; others require only that you be a government employee (and/or, in some cases, a contractor).

 

[QueenOfCelts]

Rules on government rate usage do vary by hotel. Some (though not the Swan/Dolphin) require that you be on official business to use the rate; others require only that you be a government employee (and/or, in some cases, a contractor).

Yes, but this thread is about the Swan and Dolphin. Atleast that was the impression I got from the OP.

 

[TDC Nala]

Thank you, Disney, for affording us that benefit.

Don't thank Disney. They give no such benefit (there are some for the armed forces). Thank Starwood Properties, which owns the Swan and Dolphin.

My agency approves using this sort of offered rate for leisure travel and does not consider it an ethics violation.

 

[susancl]

As a CPA, I serve the public! Maybe?

 

[lark]

There are two issues. The first is what are the hotel's rules. The second is what your particular employer allows.

Not all government employees are permitted to take advantage of discounted personal travel rates. But many are.

When in doubt, check with your employer.

 

[QueenOfCelts]

As a CPA, I serve the public! Maybe?

LOL....Nice try.

 

[QueenOfCelts]

There are two issues. The first is what are the hotel's rules. The second is what your particular employer allows.

Not all government employees are permitted to take advantage of discounted personal travel rates. But many are.

When in doubt, check with your employer.

Excellent point. I would have never thought of that issue.

 

[TammyJ]

And always remember to check for other deals. When I ask about the military/government rate, I almost always find there is a better deal!

Sometimes I ask for their best rate and after they quote it I then ask about a military discount (many places will run a standard percentage off for military). Asking in this order sometimes gets me a double deal. If I ask for the military discount first, I may not get the same deal.

 

[shades]

And always remember to check for other deals. When I ask about the military/government rate, I almost always find there is a better deal!

Sometimes I ask for their best rate and after they quote it I then ask about a military discount (many places will run a standard percentage off for military). Asking in this order sometimes gets me a double deal. If I ask for the military discount first, I may not get the same deal.

I've found this to be true, as well. To clarify the "government rate" issue; there are different government rates. One is for "official" travel and it is a government contract rate and it is based on the govt per diem schedule. Hotels are aware of how much the government will pay for lodging and they base their rates on this amount - usually the highest rate the government will pay for a hotel room in that location. The other government rate is a "liesure" government rate for government employees on pleasure/unofficial non-reimbursable travel. Finally, there is the "military" rate for active/reserve/retired military.

Normally, when you call a hotel and ask for a government rate, they will ask if you are "traveling on orders" or if "this is official travel," etc. This is to assign the appropriate rate.

Always, always, always - ask for a quote on the various rates you are entitled to if you are on unofficial AND official travel/vacation. I've found (after 20+ years of military/govt travel), the hotel, airline, rental car, etc., will always have a better deal going on than the military rate. Sometimes, you can even save the governement some money by doing this when you paying out of pocket expenses and filing for reimbursement.