Government Rate Question
Apr 8, 10, 3:20 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: DCA
Programs: AA Executive Platinum
Posts: 2,085
Government Rate Question
I have a quick question about booking a Government Rate at a Hyatt (and I appologize if this question has been asked before).
Does Hyatt actually request a government ID upon checkin if one has reserved a government rate? I am a federal employee, but I won't be traveling for government business. I was planning on leaving my ID at home.
Thanks in advance!
Does Hyatt actually request a government ID upon checkin if one has reserved a government rate? I am a federal employee, but I won't be traveling for government business. I was planning on leaving my ID at home.
Thanks in advance!
Apr 8, 10, 3:29 pm
#2
Moderator: GLBT Travelers & Hyatt Gold Passport
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: CVG
Posts: 15,299
I have a quick question about booking a Government Rate at a Hyatt (and I appologize if this question has been asked before).
Does Hyatt actually request a government ID upon checkin if one has reserved a government rate? I am a federal employee, but I won't be traveling for government business. I was planning on leaving my ID at home.
Thanks in advance!
Does Hyatt actually request a government ID upon checkin if one has reserved a government rate? I am a federal employee, but I won't be traveling for government business. I was planning on leaving my ID at home.
Thanks in advance!
Apr 8, 10, 3:42 pm
#3
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Central Texas
Programs: Many, slipping beneath the horizon
Posts: 9,859
In those hotels where the "Government Rate" is less (not always true) than the normal spread of rack, regular, and special package rates offered, acting under the theory that the b*stards wouldn't rent rooms for that price unless they wanted to rent rooms, I have, since 1961, carried and used my Active Duty Military, then Military Reserve, now Retired Reserve ID at all times and in all places. Not only does it help get "Gubmint Rates" (when worth getting, it allows me entry into saloons in the far flung, world-wide US defense establishment (and some "furrin ossifers' watering holes" and messes also).
I don't recall in the almost half-century ever being challenged as to the privilege to do so, but have been asked to present the ID on numerous occasions.
I don't recall in the almost half-century ever being challenged as to the privilege to do so, but have been asked to present the ID on numerous occasions.
Apr 8, 10, 3:44 pm
#4
Used to be " vincentppetty "
Join Date: Sep 2006
Programs: DL Platinum/1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott Titanium; Loews Platinum; GHA/Omni Platinum; Hilton Gold
Posts: 553
take the ID with you...
They WILL ask -- so why not just carry the ID?
You don't have to be traveling on gov't business to get the rate, so take your ID and enjoy the discount
You don't have to be traveling on gov't business to get the rate, so take your ID and enjoy the discount
Apr 8, 10, 6:15 pm
#5
Join Date: May 2009
Location: SAT
Programs: Marriott Titanium, Hilton and Wyndham Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Delta Plat, United Silver, Hertz PC
Posts: 654
I am not sure about Hyatt, but I know at Marriott, the GSA CC is honored as a govt id, even if the room is not charged to it.
Apr 8, 10, 7:56 pm
#6
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I would not be so quick to make such a broad statement. Some properties permit government employees to take advantage of government rates while on personal travel; others do not. Marriott is the only chain I know of to generally permit use of government rate for leisure travel unless a particular property opts out.
Originally Posted by vincentppetty
They WILL ask -- so why not just carry the ID?
You don't have to be traveling on gov't business to get the rate, so take your ID and enjoy the discount
You don't have to be traveling on gov't business to get the rate, so take your ID and enjoy the discount
Last edited by guv1976; Apr 8, 10 at 7:58 pm
Apr 8, 10, 8:42 pm
#7
Join Date: May 2009
Location: SAT
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I would not be so quick to make such a broad statement. Some properties permit government employees to take advantage of government rates while on personal travel; others do not. Marriott is the only chain I know of to generally permit use of government rate for leisure travel unless a particular property opts out.
I would not be so quick to make such a broad statement. Some properties permit government employees to take advantage of government rates while on personal travel; others do not. Marriott is the only chain I know of to generally permit use of government rate for leisure travel unless a particular property opts out.
Doesn't say anything about official travel. However, since there is no blanket statement on the web site, I am not sure if they all are that way, but I have yet to run into one that wasn't.
FWIW, with my gov travel, I don't have any "orders", other than what is on GovTrip, to be able to show anyway. If they wanted to force "official travel only" they could do like government contract fares with the airlines and require payment by a GSA CC. You can get in big trouble by using that card for personal travel.
Apr 9, 10, 5:44 pm
#11
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Los Angeles,CA,USA
Programs: UA MM, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 929
I used to carry orders, but that was mainly to Florida where the hotels would take it so I wouldn't get charged tax.
If I need orders now, I print out something or have it faxed. I have only been asked for orders like once in the past few years.
As for govt i.d., I get asked more often, so just take it.
As for Hyatt honoring that rate on leisure travel, that has never been an issue (though there are often lower rates). A couple of years back I read a government ethics opinion (can't find the page right now) that stated that personal travel on government rates was not considered an inappropriate acceptance of a gratuity, because it is offered to all government employees, and there is no expectation or anticipation of reciprocal benefit. Or something like that.
[I can't find the federal opinion, but here's an excerpt from Connecticut:
If I need orders now, I print out something or have it faxed. I have only been asked for orders like once in the past few years.
As for govt i.d., I get asked more often, so just take it.
As for Hyatt honoring that rate on leisure travel, that has never been an issue (though there are often lower rates). A couple of years back I read a government ethics opinion (can't find the page right now) that stated that personal travel on government rates was not considered an inappropriate acceptance of a gratuity, because it is offered to all government employees, and there is no expectation or anticipation of reciprocal benefit. Or something like that.
[I can't find the federal opinion, but here's an excerpt from Connecticut:
Finally, while not critical to our conclusion, it is important to note that ethics agencies throughout the nation, including New York, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Texas, and the federal government have considered these kinds of discounts and have all allowed public officials and state employees to utilize the discounts. The common thread among the opinions is the general availability of the discounts to government employees – such availability indicates that the discount-giver is not seeking to influence a particular public official or state employee.
CONCLUSION
The Code of Ethics does not prohibit public officials and state employees from receiving a government employee discount from a non-restricted donor valued at more than $100 while on personal time, even if such discount is not offered to the general public or other large group on an equal basis. The discount in question must be equally available and advertised to all government employees, regardless of rank, agency, or position with the state. If the discount meets the above requirements, public officials and state employees may accept it.
CONCLUSION
The Code of Ethics does not prohibit public officials and state employees from receiving a government employee discount from a non-restricted donor valued at more than $100 while on personal time, even if such discount is not offered to the general public or other large group on an equal basis. The discount in question must be equally available and advertised to all government employees, regardless of rank, agency, or position with the state. If the discount meets the above requirements, public officials and state employees may accept it.
Apr 10, 10, 12:50 am
#12
Join Date: Apr 2005
Programs: Hyatt Diamond; United 1P; Marriott Silver; Hilton-Silver
Posts: 99
This topic was covered during our ethics training. Essentially, you can use the government rate on leisure travel but cannot misrepresent that you are on government travel if asked. I've encountered a few occasions (peak season San Diego marriott hotels) in which the hotel terms and conditions stated that the rate is not available for government leisure travel. That doesn't occur often, though. At most hyatts, I have been asked for an ID or they just use the government credit card as ID.
Apr 11, 10, 9:57 pm
#13
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,295
More to the point, I have had trouble finding properties that have a particularly compelling government rate. I have a valid Government ID, but I tend to find a better rate with AAA (legitimate member, even though they rarely ever check that either).
If anyone has suggestions of properties where the govt rate is significantly better than other rates--please share or send PM!
If anyone has suggestions of properties where the govt rate is significantly better than other rates--please share or send PM!
Apr 12, 10, 8:41 am
#14
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,582
while I have never been asked for a AAA ID, they will frequently ask for your Govt ID. Sometimes they don't...
but if you have a govt rate booked, and no ID, and if you are asked for an ID and cant show one, then you risk not only loosing the rate, but having to shell out the (what could be a much higher) hyatt rate for that day.
Bottom line: If you have a GOVT ID, bring it. If you don't, don't book the rate.
but if you have a govt rate booked, and no ID, and if you are asked for an ID and cant show one, then you risk not only loosing the rate, but having to shell out the (what could be a much higher) hyatt rate for that day.
Bottom line: If you have a GOVT ID, bring it. If you don't, don't book the rate.
Last edited by bmw303; Apr 12, 10 at 7:40 pm
