If that's the case, then people "breaking" the rule are more likely the "rule" than the "exception."

I regularly travel on US Government business, and while I don't travel on US Gov't air fares, I travel with a large number of people who do. For the most part they are employees of contractors, under contract to various departments within the US military. It's been that way for at least 8 years, and continues as recently as March of this year. And we are talking a large number of different people over that time.

I'm not saying it's right or wrong, just that it happens a great deal. Come to think of it, I think I'm the only one who doesn't fly on US government airfares. That's because as a Canadian citizen and resident, most of my trips start in Canada, which would most likely really throw the US airlines for a loop, should I try for the govt fares.

But for hotels, I normally get the government rates without problem. Very often, particularly on the Hilton sites, the fare rules explicity state that contractors are eligible. Sometimes they state equally explicitly that contractors are not eligible, so they don't get my business. And when it's not clear I always call the hotel and ask directly.

Often the answer is yes, sure, no problem. Sometimes it's sorry, no. But in this case they almost always ask if I'd like to book a room at the corporate or other rate. I always answer "no thanks, I'll find a hotel that does offer govt rates to contractors." Unfortunately the person I'm speaking to is usually just a peon, and really couldn't care less.