Originally Posted by mazzer
The questionaires and information that the GSA sends out to the major hotel chains when determining per-diem lodging allowances for various locations clearly state that the purpose of the governement rate is for travellers on official Govt. travel only. This is GSA policy.
I think you are probably wrong. You cite no specific government regulation or rule to back up your position. The closest analogous rule I can find has to do with the federal government's official "Fedrooms" program which mandates that participating hotels provide rooms to government travelers on official business at no higher than the local federal per diem. However, GSA also explicitly states as follows:
"Contractors to the federal government and military, retired civilian and retired military employees, and current civilian and military employees on personal leave are only eligible for FedRooms rates if the participating hotel approves. FedRooms hotels are allowed to make a case-by-case decision on whether or not to offer FedRooms rates and rooms to the above group of travelers."
http://www.gsa.gov/Portal/gsa/ep/con...e=GSA_OVERVIEW
Hence, by clear analogy, any Marriott property that wants to offer government rates to government employees traveling for leisure is entitled to do just that. From my posting above, Marriott has stated that it is Marriott's policy to allow the government rate for government employees on official or leisure travel.