Its not the Bennie or discount that matters and I dont see it as an entitlement. See More Information. Error, The Per Diem API is not responding. 3 Activity required per calendar year to achieve or maintain status. I am struggling to find a decent hotel near my meeting in LA within the GSA per diem. Now, it seems, they uniformly require the guest to be on official business when staying at this (frequently deeply discounted) rate. Employees of public school districts can take advantage of the government rate at some national hotel chains. Enjoy benefits such as a $50 annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit, 5x on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3x on dining and 2x on all other travel purchases, plus more. You might not save as much as the government employee rate, but there are other memberships that can get you a discounted hotel stay. These are military contractors who are typically are required to bill the Government no more than Per Diem for their travel. QQ2, we are I think talking about two different things. This means its possible for anyone to book the discounted government rate online. To confirm Government Rate eligibility, please check ' Rate Details ' for your desired Hotel at time of booking. Marriott isnt even an option for federal employees anymore for official business. However, just like cheap airline seats, once a hotel sells however many rooms they set aside for that rate, it will become unavailable. Rates for Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. VALID ID REQUIRED AT CHECK-IN. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. You May Like: What Is The Mortgage Stimulus Program For The Middle Class. For example, if your trip includes meals that are already paid for by the government (such as through a registration fee for a conference), you will need to deduct those meals from your voucher. View Full ProfileView Full Profile< font face=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif size=2> Originally posted by jetstreammm:I do regular reserve duty with the equivalent of the national guard in my country, and hence carry a permanent government/military ID card. Note that there is availability on this rate plan outside of the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, and Latin America (these are listed on the page). Present an official ID card or work orders when checking-in to the hotel after booking the Flexible Rate. Ive never had a hotel in 20+ years verify that I was traveling on official business (or even verify that I was indeed a government employee for that matter). You dont need the letter. I worked for a research institute that was part of a state university for several years and always used state government rates (most travel was out of state from my university). These include a free breakfast, free phone calls, and more. My guess is that too many people who werent entitled to this benefit used it in the past, and that hotels want to make more money. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Its not that people with no association to the military are trying to use that discounted rate. So, your actual offer terms from an advertiser may be different than the offer terms on this site. The lady at the counter asked me for my ID, I showed her and she said its only for active duty! Throughout the UK and Ireland, Marriott's UK Public Sector Programme delivers exceptional value, expertise and service to those looking for government rates. I travel approximately 80% for work. Member Rates do not apply to Groups of ten (10) or more Guest Rooms. All Active-Duty Military Members are eligible for discounted Rates. I just stayed at the Marriott Marquis in NYC, I had the same exact problem as another military retiree. We are all familiar with getting the military/ federal government rates at most hotels when traveling TDY. And the advertised offers may be subject to additional terms and conditions of the advertiser. Using Federal/Gov Discount Rates on Personal Travel. When I go on official trips, I have to book my hotel through the agencys intranet site. The rate the OP is talking about, the Hilton Alternate Government Rate, is one of these general offers. Please review the specific policies and terms and travel guidance at the hotel being reserved. Google should help you find it. Instead, considerjoining AARPor other associations to book discounted hotel stays. This page may include: credit card ads that we may be paid for (advertiser listing); and general information about credit card products (editorial content). You would think that the hotels would know those rules and match the Per Diem rate, but maybe they think they could get a few more bucks from contractors. And at the payment page, it says Ill be required to provide ID when I check-in to the hotel. I dont know of any other hotel chain that does not provide a generic military discounted rate. Note that in many cases you must complete an online request form well in advance of your visit and provide specified identification. The Government Employee Price at a Sample Starwood Hotel Is ~$100 Cheaper Than Other Rates. Ill share how the government hotel rate compares to a regular room rate. If I am eligible, why would that be wrong?To OP, if you are a government employee, go ahead and ask for the discount. I will not be using the Marriott in the future unless they add military retirees to the policy. I would br careful begore making this assumption.. Some school districtsparticularly large urban onesinclude access to programs such as Plum Benefits, Recreation Connection, Perks at Work and Tickets at Work in their employee benefit packages. "Note: At most Marriott hotels the government rate is available to eligible guests regardless of whether they are traveling on business or pleasure.However, some hotels may only make the government per diem rate available to guests traveling on official business. View from the Wing is a project of Miles and Points Consulting, LLC. Per diem localities with county definitions shall include"all locations within, or entirely surrounded by, the corporate limits of the key city as well as the boundaries of the listed counties, including independent entities located within the boundaries of the key city and the listed counties (unless otherwise listed separately).". It is a general open offer to all government employees. Unrelated, but important for lots of Iceland-bound travellers: From July 27, GMT 00:00, travelers must present a negative COVID-19 test result when boarding a flight to Iceland, not older than 72 hours. PCR or antigen test are both accepted. Marriott | Marriott Bonvoy - Government Rate Rules-notification from hotel after cancellation deadline - Seeking opinions: Almost a year ago (3/17/19) booked 3 rooms with a government rate for a check-in date of 2/27/20 (tomorrow). Learn how your comment data is processed. Thats why I would NOTrecommend booking the government employee rate if youre not eligible. So you are telling me that a newly enlisted troop, who definitely deserves a discount, gets one but ,e with 27 years service does not. You can also search using the 'GOV' Corporate Rate Code or Government & Military Rate on our website [ Click here to view Image] or Mobile App [ Click here to view Image] I work for a state university in Texas, which means it's part of the state government. This means you can potentially get a cheap hotel stay by booking the government employee rate. This is bad news for a lot of federal government employees, who not only got great rates when traveling for work (saving the taxpayer money, the U.S. federal government is in many cases the single largest buyer of travel) but also as a perk for their time off too. Your email address will not be published. Verbally abusing a front desk agent for following government and company rules is just not nice. And we're proud of our content, opinions and analysis, and of our reader's comments. It saves them money, but some people take advantage of this, check in to hotels, expect $300 service for 80 or 90 bucks and then act an ass when they do not get their ay. 162 wrote: You can get the government rate as long as you show or give the front desk your business card. ^ This. Educators are eligible for government rates at various hotel chains: Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Hyatt, IHG, Marriott, Starwood and Wyndham Hotel Group Hotels. Pete_Coach wrote: Not to prolong the obvious but my point was that as a Government employee you are obliged to perform under the rules of the Canadian Government which states The negotiated rates are to be used only by the Identified Users while on official Government business travel authorized by Federal, Provincial or Territorial Governments and paid or reimbursed from public funds in accordance with Government Travel Policy.If Marriott choose to give you the equivalent rate to get your business, fine, but if you book requesting Government rates, you are working against the rules the Treasury Board has set out and you can be held responsible. Inquire at the register youll likely need to show your school ID. Govt rates are particularly good in high cost areas. They may it may not ask for ID. As to whether government employees can use it for leisure travel Hilton seems to have left that call up to the individual property. If so, would my university staff ID be sufficient? I have had mixed results doing this. Upon check in, showed my retired military ID and sorry active duty only. Museums from coast to coast offer free or discounted admission to school employees living in-state or in neighboring states. I felt completely embarrassed when I was checking in. Here is a list of hotels with military discounts that you might be staying at on your next vacation. Canadian Government Travelers: Most of our Canadian Best Western properties and many in the United States honor special Canadian Government discount hotel rates. That said, I would NOT recommend booking this way if youre not eligible. You May Like: Dental Implant Grants California, 2021 KnowYourGovernment.netContact us: [emailprotected], Booster interval reduced, NSW government to help small businesses | Coronavirus | 9 News Australia, Government Releases Guidelines For Converting Hotels To Hospitals Rates Start From 8 Thousand, Hotel occupancy rates up to about 90% as more use SingapoRediscovers Vouchers, How Can You Get Free Money From The Government, What Is The Mortgage Stimulus Program For The Middle Class, list of free museums and other attractions, What Is The Best Free Government Cell Phone. Subject to availability. As an employee of BAH and working with about 9 diff agencies I can say that there is no way to tell the diff between contractor/FTE from just an ID. MAKE USE OF A FREE NIGHT HOTEL PROMOTION. I'm wondering the same thing. It seems that Marriotts are now enforcing the actual rules when it comes to allowing customers to use the Federal Government rate. Whether youre planning a large conference or an intimate executive meeting we have a comprehensive day delegate package available across the UK and Ireland to meet your needs. Military personnel and civilian military personnel including veterans and American Legion members. Make a reservation using any official Marriott reservation channel (Marriott.com, Marriott Bonvoy App, Customer Engagement Centers, or directly with a hotel). So they contractors try to slip one by and often do. Even open to Canadian government employees (like me). Continue with Recommended Cookies. 50+ Marriott Government Rate Hotels. That particular option was not explained on the site I looked at. Member Rates are valid for Marriott Bonvoy members only; to join, visit www.MarriottBonvoy.com. Co-founder of frequent flyer community InsideFlyer.com, emcee of the Freddie Awards, and named one of the "World's Top Travel Experts" by Conde' Nast Traveler (2010-Present) Gary has been a guest on most major news media, profiled in several top print publications, and published broadly on the topic of consumer loyalty. Government rates are generally rates negotiated by the General Services Administration for the benefit of employees of US government agencies wihen traveiling on government business. Ive found these rates are only a few dollars cheaper or the same as the member rate. When it doesnt work is when the front desk attendant is inexperienced and incompetent and does not understand that university employees work for the state. For example, you might see: Theres nothing to prevent you from comparing prices across the different rate categories. Your email address will not be published. This column lists the amount federal employees receive for the first and last calendar day of travel. What?? Soldiers/sailors/marines blindly follow orders and dont deserve any special benefit or recognition. Step 3: Enter Your Booking Info. Plus, I prefer to use hotel points for free stays to avoid paying anything at all! In one example, I found agovernment rate thats45% cheaper than the price for loyalty members. Marriott Eliminates Discount For Federal Government Employees. 1 Points may not be available at all international locations. More About Gary . Once you hit the homepage, click the 'Find and reserve' link at the top. When did this change? Rates were often close to the other options, so Marriott got my business. Please refer to the Office of Government Ethics or reach out to your ethics department. Teachers in this community are guided by a code of etiquette that aims to keep all members safe and respected, and transactions smooth and successful. Even open to Canadian government employees (like me). This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in Canada. Why does this affect you? So at some point recently Marriott changed the government rate details. We offer an impressive range of hotels, with sought-after locations from Aberdeen to Portsmouth, where the most specific of needs for bedrooms and . But as recently it is for official travel only, not personal travel anymore. This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. But some hotels dont ask for an ID when you check-in. Sounds like Ill be showing my ID from now on, at least at Marriotts. Did you know that most of the major chains will also give you those rates when you are on vacation with your family? Getting discounts on paid hotel stays is sweet. Or look for the AAA / CAA hotel rates to see if you can save. How do you get this discount? La Quinta Inn & Suites Government rates are available to active duty/retired military personnel, federal and state government employees, cost reimbursable contractors, and employees of foreign governments. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Valid identification may be required at check-in to qualify for government rates. Normally, a state government employee wouldn't be expected to travel out of state for work. Member Rate may not be combined with other . Instead, I write primarily about cards which earn airline miles, hotel points, and some cash back (or have points that can be converted into the same). How are they going to determine who is on official business? In any case, theres no reason to offer deep discount inventory to stimulate extra room sales to government workers taking a weekend getaway, since hotels are in many cases filling these rooms at much higher prices. As a public sector employee, enjoy your weekends with up to 25% off our Bed and Breakfast rates throughout the UK and Ireland. Folks say some hotels dont ask for your ID, which means its possible for anyone to book a government rate. Many do not qualify state university employees as state government employees. Say it tight in That said, I wouldnot be comfortable booking this way. In fact, you might be able to book any of the discounted rates, even if you dont qualify. Well just like each flight only has a certain number of seats available for 25,000 miles, hotels only set aside a certain number of rooms per night at the Government Rate. You can access this offer on Marriotts websitehere. Property was not great so maybe that has some bearing. Discounts for government rate hotels at individual Marriott properties are subject to availability. They did so by booking online using agovernment employee rate. And AARP members enjoy late checkout until 2:00 pm, when available. This rate is not part of a GSA agreement unless your organization has made it so. It was ID OR orders. After six years as a platinum rewards member, made a reservation at the Marriott Marquis in NYC at the military rate. As a private sector employee Ive always resented that govt employees get discounted rates while traveling for leisure. And the risks of booking this way if youre not a government employee. On this basis, would I be eligible for government employee rates when booking with Starwood worldwide, and if so, do these rates earn points and status?< /font> View Full ProfileView Full ProfileView Full ProfileView Full ProfileView Full Profile< font face=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif size=2> Originally posted by Ken hAAmer:I think the operative phrase is Cost recoverable contractor. If youre expenses are billed directly to the government, which ever one, then you probably fall into that group. You arent allowed to call and make your own reservation. Credit card is required to reserve your room. I am retired as well, but as much as I would love to have a discount or other bennie extended as a thank you for the service, I dont take the entitlement attitude that so many seem to have, including those here. And if the hotel is full, the nightlyrate can be much higher than what youd expect. I checked the cost of a night at theFour Points by Sheraton Los Angeles Westside. See More Information. Editorial Note: The opinions, analyses, and evaluations here are mine and not provided by any bank including (but not limited to) American Express, Chase, Citibank, US Bank, Barclays or any other company. Specialties: Enjoy an effortless stay at Courtyard by Marriott Jonesboro. It is not the responsibility of any advertiser to ensure that questions are answered. 2 No downgrades to tier levels through March 31, 2024 (applies to Elite members who reached their current elite tier level in 2022). A Million Mile Secrets reader recentlywrote to tellme they saved ~50% off apaid hotel stay. ), Presidential & Congressional Commissions, Boards or Small Agencies, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility, Applies for all locations without specified rates. More About Gary . I have to admit that I am very rarely asked to show ID to provide that I am military when staying at a hotel booked under the Government Rate which clearly specifies that you need to show a valid ID. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. I checked the cost of a night at the Four Points by Sheraton Los Angeles Westside. ', U.S. Airlines Sell Schedules They Don't Really Plan To Operate, And Then Refuse Refunds, These American Airlines Status Members Will No Longer Speak To Dedicated Elite Phone Agents, Middle Seat Passenger Eats Full Slab Of Ribs, Skin-On Fries And Half An Ear Of Corn, Thursday Was A Tough Day For Southwest Airlines Labor Relations As Pilots And Cabin Crew Protest. Previously you just had to show your federal ID (yeah I know there were also rates that were official duty only). Actually if you check the fine print for gov rates most are for gov employees traveling on business or leisure. Also they can be reported to their agency for misbehavior or unruly conduct. Press J to jump to the feed. Signing up for credit cards through partner links earns us a commission. I too prefer to patronize them rather than Marriott and will continue to do so unless they change their policy. HR for most agencies also do not print out travel authorization forms you just submit receipts so that is likely out. Meals . tataynik wrote: Not to prolong the obvious, get off your high horse and maybe you will be able to read pleasure. your butt is recalled right off that so called retiree list. Used to stay at SPG all the time as a State Govt employee. For example, you might see: Theres nothing to prevent you from comparing prices across the different rate categories. Also Check: Government Jobs Redstone Arsenal. But i always get the discount. ", Per diem localities with county definitions shall include "all locations within, or entirely surrounded by, the corporate limits of the key city as well as the boundaries of the listed counties, including independent entities located within the boundaries of the key city and the listed counties (unless otherwise listed separately).". When I checked in to a hotel this past Thursday they told me that I have to be there on official business. Our free daily newsletter sends you the latest information on hotel and airline programs. Great Rates & Exclusive Offers Await. Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2024. In other words, in leisure markets, leisure stays are back and beyond 2019 levels. Hyatt values those who actively serve in the U.S. government and military. There are various responses when we ask for documents. Just be truthful and tell them you are on vacation, like I told them I will be going on a cruise on my first response to your original post. It is right to use that discount for leisure travel? Meaning they they pay upfront cost on travel expenses and have to be reimbursed. Territories and Possessions (set by DoD), Rates in Foreign Countries (Set by State Dept. Taking advantage of a benefit youre not entitled to is pretty low. Why not military too? Other restrictions apply. Marriott may not know it, but gone are the days that federal agencies cut travel orders. That being said, I think the front desk very rarely confirms government ID for qualifying rate. Hilton has relaunched its Public Sector Leisure Offer for stays in the UK, Ireland, and Continental Europe. First & last day of travel - amount received on the first and last day of travel and equals 75% of total M&IE. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Will it go back? When planning a family vacation, finding a discount on a hotel can save you a little bit of money. As I mentioned above some of these specifically state in their terms they are for government and leisure travel. The price went from $490 for 3 nights to trying to charge me over $1000. You will have to show an GSA credit card and/or your actual authorized travel from E2/Concur. You can book it online, but youre expected to present your government ID at check-in. Whether its a souvenir T-shirt for yourself or a book or map for your classroom, you might be able to knock up to 15% off the price tag. My question is how do they know if you're on official business or not if all I'm showing is . Generally it's travel for government purposes. For more information, please see How we make money. Limited number of rooms are available for this promotion. The other 20% or less is for leisure travel often I have chosen Marriott in the past rather than other brands. However hotels are filling up in the U.S. You might look at comparable occupancy statistics and say that the hotel business still hasnt fully recovered to 2019 levels, and thats true. Rates are per room, per night and based on availability at the time of reservations. Rate is not applicable to groups of ten rooms or more. Why was there no notice for trips already booked? Thats why I would NOT recommend booking the government employee rate if youre not eligible. Other restrictions, including blackout dates, may apply. The potential savings is not worth the risk! If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. I don't include all US credit card offers available on this site. That is their call. Rates for Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. But in 12 years on the job traveling to at least a dozen states, I've never had a hotel even mention that when showing them a California employee ID, so I wouldn't worry at all about that. It will be interesting to see if other hotel chains follow. If military we allow retired or active to book. We may have to stay near LAX to find a room. For proof, search Courtyard King Kamehamehas Kona Beach Hotel with gov rate and look at the rate requirements. Soldiers get paid handsomely with signing bonuses, college tuition with stipend, and pensions if they make a career out of it. A lock ( We outline how to book into a Ritz-Carlton hotel with a discount in more detail below: Get Free Benefits With A Luxury Travel Agent. M&IE Total = Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner + Incidentals. RIP to another great SPG benefit that Marriott has killed. Its simply nice that the sacrifices of the service member and families are appreciated in some small way. Marriott Military Discount. One could easily just write up a letter on letterhead. Save On Winter Travel. < /font> View Full ProfileView Full Profile< font face=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif size=2> Originally posted by chexfan:So if I am working at a govt client, and my expenses are being re-billed to my govt client, I could use the govt rate?< /font>, Read Also: What Is The Best Free Government Cell Phone. Thanks guys. These rates will have their own specific rules. If were able to offer the government rate, the truth of the matter is that we dont care whether people are on business or leisure travel.. They get paid with tax dollars to do what is often unhelpful to the public. When you click on that hyperlink or button, you may be directed to the credit card issuers website where you can review the terms and conditions for your selected offer. Nor is that what Im seeing when I check various hotels with dates through the end of the year. For example, Illinois K-12 teachers can get free admission to Chicagos Field Museum of Natural History. The owner of this site is not an investment advisor, financial planner, nor legal or tax professional and articles here are of an opinion and general nature and should not be relied upon for individual circumstances. To answer your question, yes, you get points/enc on a GOV rate. This rate offer is good for arrival dates through June 30, 2021. If youre unsure if you qualify for a government employee rate, Id recommend contacting the hotel to confirm. Military personnel. READ MORE:Marriott Bonvoy Rate & Bonus Points And Miles Promotions. Maybe, but maybe they just look at me and think this guys got to be military with an excellent haircut like that. Dont Miss: Government Grants Dental Work. Copyright 2023 Marriott International , Inc. All Rights Reserved. We are an independent publisher. 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