Originally Posted by Big Mo
It's true that certain properties choose to restrict the GOV rate to certain entities and/or to official business. That is their right, but it's not the general rule.
This is plain wrong. The entire point of the Govt rate program is for official travel. Marriott, Hilton, Starwood and other chains have this as their policy. That front desk or hotel staff do always enforce it is the problem. Why should a GS15 who makes $140,000 or more get a discounted room for leisure travel when some who makes only $40,000 does not?
When someone who is not on official travel steals a Govt rate room, it sometimes means that someone who is on official travel cannot get a room at the per-diem rate. In many agencies that means that the traveller on official business must pay the difference.