Originally Posted by
MD/DC Flyer
The point is that the Government only re-reimburse GSA set rates should not be a surprise. The Government also do not impose where (or with which hotel chain) you must stay. This is a well known fact if you are a contractor for the Government.
Many hotels will extend the Government rate to a Government Contractor. If they will not it is the contractor decision whether to seek hotel that does, or pay the difference.
Some hotels/chains also offer government contractor rates, which seem to imply different inventory from that for government employee.
There can also be special rates for state governments with widely varying rules even within the same chain/brand and the same state. In particular, some of these specify only the state where the hotel is located and some require travel orders in principle.