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To Fed Govt Employees
Just found this and thought any Fed worker who is not part of MR but may be staying at a Marriott prior to the end of the summer might be interested:
Marriott to Federal Employees: Come Stay (and Earn) with Us >>>>>>>>>>>>&g t;>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>&g t;>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>&g t;> In the wake of the above-mentioned policy change, travel suppliers will be scrambling to establish new (or deepen existing) loyalty-program relationships with government workers. Marriott is first out of the gate with an enrollment offer for federal employees, offering 2,500 bonus points when they enroll in the program and then stay with Marriott within 90 days. To qualify for the bonus, use promotion code GOVD when enrolling at http://marriottrewards.com/enroll or calling 1-800-858-0897 before May 31, 2002. |
That is interesting, because I just read:
"Government travelers cannot accept special promotional items that are not available to the general public. Promotional material must be obtained under the same terms as those offered to the general public and must be at no additional Government cost," according to implementing instructions from the Per Diem, Travel And Transportation Allowance Committee, a Department of Defense activity. |
I don't question a word you write, however Under this scenario, a gov't employee should not be able to accept a gov't rate at a hotel, airline, etc.. as none of these are offered to the gen'l public. So I find it hard to believe that Fed employees will receive any backlash from enrolling in this promo. I'll look in the JTR and see if there is anything that contradicts this statement, there must be something in there about gov't rates..
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by SGT Clair: That is interesting, because I just read: "Government travelers cannot accept special promotional items that are not available to the general public. Promotional material must be obtained under the same terms as those offered to the general public and must be at no additional Government cost," according to implementing instructions from the Per Diem, Travel And Transportation Allowance Committee, a Department of Defense activity. </font> |
In my experience, the gov't rate IS HIGHER than the rate most of us pay. It is a discount on the rack rate, but who pays the rack rate?
Also, remember there are two Gov't travel regulations: - Joint Federal Travel Regulations, Vol 1 (JFTR) This is used by the military members (like me) - Joint Travel Regulations, Volume 2 (JTR) This is used by DOD civilians (maybe others?) You can find copies at http://www.dtic.mil/perdiem/trvlregs.html These regulations have many differences. |
A discounted price (or rate) on a service is not the same as a "Special Promtional" item. The government negotiates discounted rates on everything they purchase. If you've ever worked in sales you'd know what the term "GSA contract" means.
What the rule quoted above refers to is the acceptance of special perks like free meals, gifts, etc. Accepting enrollment bonuses for a personal rewards account sounds like a gray area to me. I don't think it's fair because a venor (Marriott) shouldn't be able to offer a personal incentive like that to a government employee in order to encourage them to purchase their services. |
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by GeorgeBurdell: So I would take it that you don't think its fair for gov't contractor employees to enroll in bonus' at hotel chains, airlines, etc that induce them to stay there as well? how about targeted bonus' individuals receive from hotels and/or airlines? Again for federal contractors who's airline tix and/or hotel bills will evenutally be billed to the gov't either direct to a contract or via the indirect overhead pools? If you don't think this is fair either for the feds and/or contractors are you going to vote to appropriate money to the DCAA or GAO to audit all of these transactions to ensure that no promotions or incentives are being used on Govt contracts and are being paid for with taxpayer funds? Accepting enrollment bonuses for a personal rewards account sounds like a gray area to me. I don't think it's fair because a venor (Marriott) shouldn't be able to offer a personal incentive like that to a government employee in order to encourage them to purchase their services.[/B]</font> |
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by SGT Clair: In my experience, the gov't rate IS HIGHER than the rate most of us pay. It is a discount on the rack rate, but who pays the rack rate? Also, remember there are two Gov't travel regulations: - Joint Federal Travel Regulations, Vol 1 (JFTR) This is used by the military members (like me) - Joint Travel Regulations, Volume 2 (JTR) This is used by DOD civilians (maybe others?) You can find copies at http://www.dtic.mil/perdiem/trvlregs.html These regulations have many differences.</font> |
Anytime, I take a trip, I check all the rates available. I am eligible for the government rate but I have never used it on a personal trip because it has always been more expensive than the AAA rate or another special rate.
Most of my trips are on weekends, so that probably throws the curve off.... |
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by SGT Clair: Anytime, I take a trip, I check all the rates available. I am eligible for the government rate but I have never used it on a personal trip because it has always been more expensive than the AAA rate or another special rate. Most of my trips are on weekends, so that probably throws the curve off....</font> |
Alright Scotch, this really should be a new topic, but I want to do some comparisons.
For example: This weekend I am staying at the: Fremont Marriott Government Rate would be: @$100/night I cannot look up the exact amount because Marriott.com is down right now. AAA rate is: $62/night This is the usual price difference I see for a weekend. |
I have a reservation at the Marriott San Diego & Marina for 3/29-3/31 weekend at a federal government rate of $99/night for city view. (I just checked online and that rate is still available.) The best AAA rate for city view is $208/night. The best Marriott promotion rate is a leisure rate of $169 or $179 (incl. breakfast for two).
Last fall I stayed at the Marriott LAX for one Thurs. night at a federal government rate of $99 also. I remember the next lowest rate available was around $170. (That hotel room was certainly not worth a rate of more than $99.) I guess it just depends on the location. Lesson for those who qualify for federal government rates: Don't assume that the gov. rate will be the cheapest rate; check all available rates. [This message has been edited by Scotch (edited 02-09-2002).] |
Checked out the Marriott where I'm staying in Germany. Rates for this weekend (per night):
Government/military: 87 euro (no breakfast) Leisure Break Package: 72 euro with breakfast, 57 euro without. For what it's worth. |
On weekend rates, the govt rate may be higher as it does not discriminate by day of week, special event (there are special event per diems however) etc..
On weekdays when I'm in a city (not BF Egypt) , I still swear by the gov't rate 99.9 times out of a 100 to be the lowest rate |
Please see www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0102/010201tl.htm regarding the new benefit which was contained in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal 2002
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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by suzieq: Please see www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0102/010201tl.htm regarding the new benefit which was contained in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal 2002</font> |
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