If I replace "has always been" with "is" in arlflyer's response, I agree with it. I read the rate rules and stayed many times as a leisure traveler, but it has been some years since I found a government rate that did not say something like official travel only. I don't doubt PHLGovFlyer's assertion that Hilton properties could offer a government rate without requiring that the traveler be on official travel (and I continue to check), but in my experience, they don't anymore (to my great disappointment).