Government rate [General Discussion Thread]
Feb 14, 2019, 3:31 pm
#466
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Seattle, WA USA/Punta del Este, UY
Programs: AS 75K, AA EXP, Hilton Gold
Posts: 919
Government/military rates
Are retired military or government workers are entitled to these rates?
Feb 14, 2019, 4:32 pm
#467
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: COS
Programs: UA Gold/1.5MM (several years running now!), Marriott LTTE, Hertz Prez
Posts: 1,899
So long as you have some sort of ID, you should be good to go. Marriott is apparently pretty liberal with their Gov rates in that you do not necessarily have to be on official business to use the rate (so I learned here a year or two or three back). But do expect to be challenged for a government ID of some sort upwards of 50% of the time.
Feb 14, 2019, 4:55 pm
#468
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
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Posts: 50,262
It depends on the property. The definition of "government" or "military" differs. Federal, state, local. non-US?
If you look at the rate definition, it will tell you whether you qualify.
If you look at the rate definition, it will tell you whether you qualify.
Feb 14, 2019, 5:19 pm
#469
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2002
Programs: UALifetimePremierGold, Marriott LifetimeTitanium
Posts: 71,107
It varies by property. If you can show the ID,, even if retired, the average FDC will be ok w/ it.
But from what I can tell, the gov't rate is the one that 90% of the time you're going to be asked for ID. So don't book if it you can't show some type of ID.
BTW - I think we have a long thread on gov't rates, but can't find it.
Cheers.
But from what I can tell, the gov't rate is the one that 90% of the time you're going to be asked for ID. So don't book if it you can't show some type of ID.
BTW - I think we have a long thread on gov't rates, but can't find it.
Cheers.
Feb 14, 2019, 5:40 pm
#470
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: SLC/HEL/Anywhere with a Beach
Programs: Marriott Ambassador; AA EXP 3MM; AS MVP, Hilton Gold, CH-47/UH-60/C-23/C-130 VET
Posts: 5,234
Also, for several years, Marriott had a policy that hotels advertising the government rate needed to use the official per diem rate. SPG's policy was that hotels could use whatever rate they wanted, which was often higher than the per diem rate.
Marriott is now following the SPG policy so hotels are free to call anything a government rate. So, if you're on official government travel, you'll need to be careful as you may not be fully reimbursed.
Marriott is now following the SPG policy so hotels are free to call anything a government rate. So, if you're on official government travel, you'll need to be careful as you may not be fully reimbursed.
Feb 14, 2019, 6:29 pm
#471
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: DAY
Programs: Rapid Rewards, Skymiles, Hilton HHonors, SPG/Marriott Rewards
Posts: 4,943
It varies by property. If you can show the ID,, even if retired, the average FDC will be ok w/ it.
But from what I can tell, the gov't rate is the one that 90% of the time you're going to be asked for ID. So don't book if it you can't show some type of ID.
BTW - I think we have a long thread on gov't rates, but can't find it.
Cheers.
But from what I can tell, the gov't rate is the one that 90% of the time you're going to be asked for ID. So don't book if it you can't show some type of ID.
BTW - I think we have a long thread on gov't rates, but can't find it.
Cheers.
Feb 14, 2019, 10:12 pm
#472
Join Date: May 2006
Location: SAN
Programs: Lots of faux metal
Posts: 6,420
Government employee? Yes.
Retired military? Usually no. Check the hotel.
Government contractor? Usually no.
GOV rate is supposed to be used for work, but some allow for leisure. Some hotels have a specific active duty military discount leisure rate that can include retirees with ID.
As far as ID, I usually only get carded when on official travel and request tax exemption or at a leisure destination with a large discount.
Retired military? Usually no. Check the hotel.
Government contractor? Usually no.
GOV rate is supposed to be used for work, but some allow for leisure. Some hotels have a specific active duty military discount leisure rate that can include retirees with ID.
As far as ID, I usually only get carded when on official travel and request tax exemption or at a leisure destination with a large discount.
Feb 14, 2019, 11:40 pm
#473
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Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Parts Unknown
Posts: 10,052
Hotels will either want to see a copy of your orders or CAC card.
Feb 15, 2019, 8:11 am
#475
Join Date: Aug 2011
Programs: Hilton Honors Diamond, IHG Spire, Marriott Titanium, Wyndham Diamond, Caesar's Diamond
Posts: 536
So long as you have some sort of ID, you should be good to go. Marriott is apparently pretty liberal with their Gov rates in that you do not necessarily have to be on official business to use the rate (so I learned here a year or two or three back). But do expect to be challenged for a government ID of some sort upwards of 50% of the time.
Feb 15, 2019, 8:13 am
#476
Join Date: Aug 2011
Programs: Hilton Honors Diamond, IHG Spire, Marriott Titanium, Wyndham Diamond, Caesar's Diamond
Posts: 536
Feb 15, 2019, 8:26 am
#477
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Midwest USA
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Posts: 1,969
I was asked for my ID most of the times I booked the Gov't rate at a property in Asia (China, KL, Singapore and Thailand, specifically)
Domestically and in Europe, rarely.
Domestically and in Europe, rarely.
Feb 15, 2019, 10:19 am
#478
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Feb 15, 2019, 10:42 am
#479
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Mesilla, NM
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Posts: 2,714
All USG agencies use CAC. I have seen them at DOC, DOC, NIH and many other agencies. 1st C stands for Common.
Feb 15, 2019, 10:43 am
#480
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Chicago, IL
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold, Airline Nobody
Posts: 64
Employees of non DoD agencies are issued PIV cards which are similar but not identical to the CAC cards issued by DoD.