For those interested, the California contract airfares may be found at:

http://www.ofa.dgs.ca.gov/Travel+Programs/AirFare.htm

It is very difficult for State employees to travel out-of-state. Typically, such travel requires two approvals--one about a year in advance, and another one several months in advance of the specific trip. So the most heavily-used airfares are intra-CA.

The Southwest state government fares aren't that great a discount under walk-up fares, and *still* do not allow standby on earlier flights without buying up to full-fare. Of course, they are fully refundable. I know (well, unofficially) staff will shop around for cheaper non-refundable fares if they are fairly certain there won't be a change in their reason for travel. There is a strong incentive for them not to do this, because if there is a change, then the employee has to eat the non-refundable fare.

Also in California, there is a statewide hotel rate of $84/night for most travel. In the past few years, this was increased to $140/night in three San Francisco Bay Area counties, and $110/night in San Diego (and maybe LA, I forget...). For my agency's staff, travel is reimbursed with a given per diem of $40/day ($34/day for all meals, plus $6 for any incidental expenses), plus hotel. Most staff who travel wind up with unreimbursed out-of-pocket expenses for meals, tips, etc.

-Hayden