MilesBuzz! - Any Suggestions on Getting a Hotel @ Gov't Rate?

I'm hoping that someone could offer some tips or suggestions on getting a hotel at the government rate when the area is almost sold out. A co-worker is coming into the area on last minute's notice and needs a room at the gov't rate. However, there is a convention that is taking up 90% of the rooms resulting in the rates to skyrocket yet there are rooms still available. I've tried to contact several hotel managers to see if they could accommodate him as some of the rates are so astronomical for the area that the room would go unsold in all probability. The convention starts this Monday thus those attending would have booked with perhaps some rare exceptions. I haven't received a response back as of yet but if anyone has any ideas, I would appreciate it.

Thanks!

I've had similar problems traveling on official business in the past.

Typically, Once it becomes clear that I cannot get a room at the Gov't rate, I'll wait until the day prior to travel. At this point many managers will be willing to let the unsold rooms go at a discounted rate...maybe not the government rate, but at least something realistic.

My experience has been that they will not feel any pressure until "late in the game."

Another avenue for your coworker: Most government agencies recognize that government rates are not always available to travelers on official business. They usually have procedures in place to pay for higher rates due to lack of available government rates. Admittably, this can be a painful process, but worth the effort. if you go that route....make the reservation now to ensure a oom is available, then continue to look/egotiate for a government rate.

Yes, we can get authorized up to 150% of the per diem rate but even at that, it's far below what the rooms are going for. Last time this happened to me I was staying at the Marriott Marquis and was notified just 5 days prior to remain in Manhattan. During Christmas time you can imagine what the rates were, well I basically told the hotel manager I would be homeless http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif He agreed to a reduced rate which was very kind of him, I certainly lucked out!

Originally posted by Rosemarie:
if anyone has any ideas, I would appreciate it.

I have absolutely no idea how to do this; I have one friend who did, however . . . created a phony gov ID. Unethical? Yes. Would I do it? No. Altho' I'm quite sure my friend isn't the only person in the world who's done it.

I would no doubt continue on the personal request avenue that you've already been down; hopefully, you haven't exhausted all possibilities there . . . Good luck!



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Well, we have a contract to work part-time for the county govt., which is a branch of the state govt. here (KY). Occasionally we travel on their behalf. We hardly ever qualify for government rates, which many hotels define as "federal" govt. rates. We find AAA rates are the better bet for honesty. But sometimes "govt" rates with our county HUD ID are so much cheaper.... if the hotel accepts the county/state/federal hybrid ID, I say ok. It's really so ambiguous sometimes, who is to say?

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"Service" should be a noun, not a verb.

Check the www.gsa.gov (http://www.gsa.gov) site under Travel on Government Business, then Lodging. Some chains will give you the last room available at a gov't rate, while others only offer it only until the hotel reaches a certain occupancy factor. If your an elite level and can't get a web reservation at a gov't rate, then use the 800 number and have them call the hotel directly on your behalf; they don't really want to walk a high tier customer. Good luck.

If your friend is a gov't employee have him go through his gov't travel agency. They can search a number of hotels and have per diem rates at hand. Gov't travel agents have never let me down in finding me a place to stay. Additionally, hotels and airlines allot a certain amount of rooms at the gov't rate during the busy periods, such as conventions. I found that sometimes I can beat the gov't rate by searching on my own, making resv's and canceling the gov't made booking. As a gov't employee, I frequently do this to save my command travel budget and your tax dollars. If you find nothing within per diem and there is a reason for the exceptionally high rates, the gov't does allow for 100% reimbursment for lodging. Have him check with his gov't travel or finance and accounting center for details.

You must be talking about Federal Gov't because local gov't is so tight they squeak! Actually, many times the GOV rate is not the cheapest. Just go into the various websites and compare. You may be shocked! Some chains differentiate between official travel and leisure travel. I used to always ask for the GOV rate on the phone. Now with the websites I see ALL the rates and jump on the one that is easiest on my personal budget for leisure travel and my organizational budget for official travel.

Your friend could do us all a favor and either travel at an alternate date (conventions don't last more than a few days)or stay in a nearby locale with better availability and use a rental car. Just have them endorse the travel orders for a rental car authorized. And if they are in a department that is using the 'experimental' program of sharing cost savings, perhaps the friend could stay with you and share the rewards.

I have a friend that stays with me when he comes to Charlotte. He saves DOD money and with his 'reward' we usually end up at Morton's!

And don't make fake Federal ID's. It's a felony and Leavenworth is too far from MCI to guarantee any FT visitors!

[This message has been edited by spartacus (edited 05-13-2001).]

Try these web sites for ideas....
http://gov.oag.com/gsa/
http://www.fedtravel.com/gsa/Default.asp

Creating a fake ID is not something that would ever be considered, it's simply illegal. He does have a valid gov't ID so that isn't a problem. Often times when traveling we do find lower rates and take them of course but when its last minute it makes it difficult. I did check out GSA's site which was a big help, thanks http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif. His travel dates are set and can't be changed but I was able to get a rate just a few dollars over the per diem in a hotel 20 miles closer saving the cost of a rental car. However, I am still going to try the last minute tactic to see if we can get a bit closer to the site http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Thanks everyone for your ideas http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif