Dec 22, 2014, 6:22 am
Last edit by: beltway
I'm a US federal/state government employee. Does Starwood permit me to use a government rate to book a room for purely personal/leisure travel?
Yes. As stated by Starwood Lurker in post 19,
Even if Starwood says it's OK, won't I risk being accused of misusing my government position/ID?
Federal ethics rules expressly allow use of government hotel rates for personal travel, provided that
State and local employees should confirm whether or not their jurisdiction has similar policies.
Yes. As stated by Starwood Lurker in post 19,
the Government rate can be booked for leisure travel as long as the guest of record is able to meet the identification requirements and there are no other restrictions [in the detailed rate description available on the booking page].
In other words, unless a property specifically forbids it in their GO rate advisory, you can assume that the rate can be used for leisure travel.
In other words, unless a property specifically forbids it in their GO rate advisory, you can assume that the rate can be used for leisure travel.
Federal ethics rules expressly allow use of government hotel rates for personal travel, provided that
- the hotel is not a "prohibited source," and
- the employee does not "misrepresent the purpose of the travel, i.e., say that he or she is on business, in order to get rates that are not available for personal travel."
State and local employees should confirm whether or not their jurisdiction has similar policies.
Govt/Military rates for Official travel only or also for leisure?
Nov 4, 2011, 4:03 am
#16
Join Date: May 1998
Location: australia
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But to get back on topic - OP be careful what you wish for.Complaining that some confusion is created by some hotels having a more liberal interpretation than Starwood Corporate and wanting consistency is more likely to result in consistently rigid application of the policy than consistently liberal
Nov 4, 2011, 5:07 am
#17
Suspended
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Except that there's nothing improper about using a government employee hotel rate for personal travel, except in the (IME very rare) circumstance where the rate, as in the case noted above, expressly bars personal use. Absent the latter -- which would involve a fraud on the hotel and misuse of one's official government ID if the hotel were to insist on display of same -- the OIG wouldn't have anything to pin on you.
In other words, if the t&c are silent on whether the rate is available to government employees on non-government travel, using one's govt. ID or otherwise asserting that one is a govt. employee in order to obtain a financial advantage not available to the general public would be violative and could lead to a variety of forms of discipline, including by the Office of Govt. Ethics.
Nov 4, 2011, 10:15 am
#18
Company Representative - Starwood
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My original post came out a little harsh, so I reworded it. Sorry.
How is a guest to know whether the rate will be honored? I totally acknowledge the right of your company to set these rules, but as a frequent guest at your hotels, I would appreciate greater clarity at the time of booking a reservation.
As a side note, military personnel, unlike civil service employees, are "on duty" 24/7, even during non-duty hours. How does that affect the need to present "orders"?
You are a good guy, William, and I don't mean any of this in a personal way. It is just frustrating not knowing what my hotel rate will be until check-in. Assuming the highest rate and being gratified if it turns out to be less is NOT an acceptable alternative to pricing clarity.
Regards,
MNSooner
How is a guest to know whether the rate will be honored? I totally acknowledge the right of your company to set these rules, but as a frequent guest at your hotels, I would appreciate greater clarity at the time of booking a reservation.
As a side note, military personnel, unlike civil service employees, are "on duty" 24/7, even during non-duty hours. How does that affect the need to present "orders"?
You are a good guy, William, and I don't mean any of this in a personal way. It is just frustrating not knowing what my hotel rate will be until check-in. Assuming the highest rate and being gratified if it turns out to be less is NOT an acceptable alternative to pricing clarity.
Regards,
MNSooner
Otherwise, there have been some thoughts expressed overnight that make a lot of sense to me and I've told you what the official policy is, so it is no longer an unknown condition. It would then be up to you to decide to follow it or take your chances at check-in.
Best regards,
William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
[email protected]
Dec 7, 2011, 3:00 pm
#19
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The hotels in Waikiki make it pretty clear that the government rate is not for leisure travel.
. It isn't quite official business so I have been reluctant to use the rates in Honolulu.
GOVERNMENT RATE-ID REQUIRED Not valid for Government Contracted vendors. Offered only to US Federal Government employees traveling onofficial government business. US Federal Government IDrequired upon check-in. One room maximum per employee. Notvalid for US government contractors. Work orders may berequired to qualify for rate.. Identification required.
At most other hotels it is not so clear though. All of my leisure trips have a component of research for my job though since any visit to a retail establishment is work related . It isn't quite official business so I have been reluctant to use the rates in Honolulu.They advise that the Government rate can be booked for leisure travel as long as the guest of record is able to meet the identification requirements and there are no other restrictions as noted in the advisory Sensfan provides above.
In other words, unless a property specifically forbids it in their GO rate advisory, you can assume that the rate can be used for leisure travel.
Best regards,
William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
[email protected]
Dec 7, 2011, 4:06 pm
#20
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Thanks William for the update on your discussions.
FWIW, the Government of Canada's Accomodation Guide for federal government employees 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."
Nevertheless, I can't see what the policy objective is of this, and like I stated in an earlier post, there isn't a way to enforce this in any case. The most important point here, imo, is that properties welcome the room revenues. When they feel that the government rate group is impacting their financial results too severely, they block room availability using that rate class.
FWIW, the Government of Canada's Accomodation Guide for federal government employees 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."
Nevertheless, I can't see what the policy objective is of this, and like I stated in an earlier post, there isn't a way to enforce this in any case. The most important point here, imo, is that properties welcome the room revenues. When they feel that the government rate group is impacting their financial results too severely, they block room availability using that rate class.
Dec 12, 2011, 7:24 am
#21
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When we travel for leisure I will look to see if there is a "military/government rate" online. Then to cover myself I always call the hotel direct and inquire to make sure that we can get the rate on leisure travel.
We got burned years ago with Marriott. We were military on a road trip and called the MR line to book a room. I asked for "military rate" and they booked us a hotel that refused to honor the rate when we checked in and wanted double for the room. The hotel even spoke to the reps at Marriott and stated that it was "official business only" regardless of what they showed on their screen.
It was a mess since we were traveling with a small sleeping baby. The reps were apologetic over the phone and were shocked that the hotel was turning us away. They said the hotel needed to update the information online so that this didn't happen in the future....
It seemed from that point on we could never find a Marriott that allowed their rate to be used for leisure travel for military. It was a great disappointment to us after being with them for many years and having this benefit.
But then we were on a move to San Antonio and I made a call to the Westin and asked about a "military rate". The staff there was wonderful and said "of course we offer a discount to military!! That was our first taste of SPG...and it has now become our favorite... both for leisure and business! They don't offer it everywhere but I always make sure ahead of time that I ask if it for "leisure". That way I do not feel like I am taking advantage of something.
We got burned years ago with Marriott. We were military on a road trip and called the MR line to book a room. I asked for "military rate" and they booked us a hotel that refused to honor the rate when we checked in and wanted double for the room. The hotel even spoke to the reps at Marriott and stated that it was "official business only" regardless of what they showed on their screen.
It was a mess since we were traveling with a small sleeping baby. The reps were apologetic over the phone and were shocked that the hotel was turning us away. They said the hotel needed to update the information online so that this didn't happen in the future....
It seemed from that point on we could never find a Marriott that allowed their rate to be used for leisure travel for military. It was a great disappointment to us after being with them for many years and having this benefit.
But then we were on a move to San Antonio and I made a call to the Westin and asked about a "military rate". The staff there was wonderful and said "of course we offer a discount to military!! That was our first taste of SPG...and it has now become our favorite... both for leisure and business! They don't offer it everywhere but I always make sure ahead of time that I ask if it for "leisure". That way I do not feel like I am taking advantage of something.
Dec 12, 2011, 8:23 am
#22
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Not that it matters to most, but I think a better question is not what SPG's policy is on the matter, but rather what is the government's policy...
If I recall, there are very specific statutes that bar federal employees from receiving improper benefits, and there are those that might consider discounted hotel rooms for leisure travel to be "improper". Isn't it great how we treat our civil servants?
If I recall, there are very specific statutes that bar federal employees from receiving improper benefits, and there are those that might consider discounted hotel rooms for leisure travel to be "improper". Isn't it great how we treat our civil servants?
Dec 12, 2011, 11:14 am
#23
Join Date: Feb 2003
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Not that it matters to most, but I think a better question is not what SPG's policy is on the matter, but rather what is the government's policy...
If I recall, there are very specific statutes that bar federal employees from receiving improper benefits, and there are those that might consider discounted hotel rooms for leisure travel to be "improper".
If I recall, there are very specific statutes that bar federal employees from receiving improper benefits, and there are those that might consider discounted hotel rooms for leisure travel to be "improper".
This exclusion [from the definition of a potentially prohibited "gift"] is intended to cover "commercial discounts that are offered to all Federal employees on the same terms." OGE Informal Advisory Letter 92 x 26, at p. 111 (emphasis added). For example, under this exclusion employees may accept discounts on automobile rentals or hotel rates that are offered to all Government employees.
Regarding the practice of hotels giving a Federal employee the Government rate for his or her room when the employee is on personal travel, the employee may accept the Government rate, subject to the following limitations:
(1) the employee should not accept the Government rate if the hotel is one of the prohibited sources set forth in section 735.202 of 5 C.F.R. (This does not prohibit an employee from accepting the Government rate if the employee's only involvement with the hotel occurs in the course of arranging his or her own business travel accommodations.); and
(2) the employee may not misrepresent the purpose of the travel, i.e., say that he or she is on business, in order to get rates that are not available for personal travel.
(1) the employee should not accept the Government rate if the hotel is one of the prohibited sources set forth in section 735.202 of 5 C.F.R. (This does not prohibit an employee from accepting the Government rate if the employee's only involvement with the hotel occurs in the course of arranging his or her own business travel accommodations.); and
(2) the employee may not misrepresent the purpose of the travel, i.e., say that he or she is on business, in order to get rates that are not available for personal travel.
Dec 12, 2011, 12:21 pm
#24
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I think there is this discussion because sometimes Government Rates are cheaper than the Best Available Rate or any other rate. People should stop getting upset if government workers sometimes gets lower rates. I think there would be similar outrage if government workers keep booking more expensive government rates even if cheaper rates are available.
Morals are moderately different from one place to another depends on country and culture. Using your corporate rate/government rate for non-offiical business is one of those very personal choice. I consider it the same moral standing as using your personal relations with the manager of the hotel to get a lower rate for your work travel or co-worker's stay than you otherwise would get under normal conditions or using your personal AAA/CAA status to get a cheaper rate for work-related travel.
In this age, I don't think there is 100% vacation. People sometimes read their work email or even have an urge to respond to them during vacation (this is still work related). So if the lines between work and vacation starts to blur, using your corporate rate for personal use or using your personal rate for corporate use is also getting blured.
Morals are moderately different from one place to another depends on country and culture. Using your corporate rate/government rate for non-offiical business is one of those very personal choice. I consider it the same moral standing as using your personal relations with the manager of the hotel to get a lower rate for your work travel or co-worker's stay than you otherwise would get under normal conditions or using your personal AAA/CAA status to get a cheaper rate for work-related travel.
In this age, I don't think there is 100% vacation. People sometimes read their work email or even have an urge to respond to them during vacation (this is still work related). So if the lines between work and vacation starts to blur, using your corporate rate for personal use or using your personal rate for corporate use is also getting blured.
Dec 12, 2011, 5:29 pm
#25
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Whether you are on offical govt business or not .... the most anyone ever has asked me is to show my govt employee ID card.
The problem for me is that I work for the State of California. I have booked govt rates when my legitimate work-related travel requires me to travel to another state. Upon check-in, several times I have been told the hotel only offers a state govt rate to the employees of the state in which the hotel is located. I've challenged that ... and it's always been honored.
The only place I wanted to make a reservation but did not was the Charlotte (Airport) Sheraton....but did not stay there....because the web site indicated they extended the state rate only to NC State Govt employees.
The problem for me is that I work for the State of California. I have booked govt rates when my legitimate work-related travel requires me to travel to another state. Upon check-in, several times I have been told the hotel only offers a state govt rate to the employees of the state in which the hotel is located. I've challenged that ... and it's always been honored.
The only place I wanted to make a reservation but did not was the Charlotte (Airport) Sheraton....but did not stay there....because the web site indicated they extended the state rate only to NC State Govt employees.
Dec 13, 2011, 2:21 pm
#26
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Be careful of what you ask for. When I was a federal employee I would sometimes find the government rate was not the cheapest. That rate is set based on GSA studies of the surrounding lodging rates. Some hotels frequently have rates that are cheaper, i.e. AAA, Special deals and seasonal discounts. No matter if was personal or official travel, I would always check two or three sources and take the best deal.
Dec 13, 2011, 3:27 pm
#27
Join Date: May 2007
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Thanks for the update William.
Jan 16, 2012, 7:57 am
#28
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On a different note, is the government rate applicable to government employees of other countries? Or is this limited to US employees only? What about stays outside the US?
Jan 16, 2012, 8:49 am
#29
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I think that's a very good question. From my experience, front desk rarely asks for ID. If they do, I've got mine at the ready. Having said that, SOME properties actually specifiy between Government of Canada or Government of Quebec employees. Similarly, I've seen several California properties with different rates - one for US Government employees and another for State of California employees...I usually book the lowest and if they ask for ID, I'll show them what I have. The most plausible "worst case", is they charge me the higher government rate applicable. Unfortunately it's quite confusing because there is a lack of consistency in how they price and disclose the rates. I had conflicting information from Mariott's reservation desk so I take this all with a grain of salt...
Jan 18, 2012, 9:48 am
#30
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There are Government rates for U.S. government travelers in our hotels in foreign countries.
Best regards,
William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
[email protected]