In my experience, the gov't rate IS HIGHER than the rate most of us pay. It is a discount on the rack rate, but who pays the rack rate?

Also, remember there are two Gov't travel regulations:

- Joint Federal Travel Regulations, Vol 1 (JFTR)
This is used by the military members (like me)

- Joint Travel Regulations, Volume 2 (JTR)
This is used by DOD civilians (maybe others?)

You can find copies at
http://www.dtic.mil/perdiem/trvlregs.html

These regulations have many differences.