Government Rate and Teachers
Sep 7, 2006, 4:21 am
#31
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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.
Sep 7, 2006, 6:59 am
#32
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Originally Posted by Renard
It appears we have our answer. Marriott is indeed generous by going above and beyond.
To me, it seems like the system could or should support both: (1) a rate loaded under the generic "GOV" rate that follows the above Marriott rules. Any public servant at any level of government, business or leisure. (2) Property-specific rates loaded under other codes (not GOV) for specific contractual purposes, with whatever restrictions the entity and property deem fit.
I'm guessing that the problem arises when someone books a regular GOV rate, per the above Marriott rules (e.g., leisure OK, city/county employee OK, etc.), and then finds that the property interprets that specific code in a more restrictive manner.
Sep 7, 2006, 7:03 am
#33
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Originally Posted by Marriott Internet Customer Care
Thank you for contacting Marriott. We appreciate the opportunity to provide you with information.
In order to be eligible for government discount rates, guests must be an active duty member of the military or current employee, of any level of local, county, state, or federal government within the United States. Supporting credentials will be required at the time that the guest checks in to the hotel. The rate is for use for business travel or pleasure (personal) travel.
While Government rates are available for hotels both in the U.S. as well as internationally, the availability of rooms offered at these rates will vary from location to location.
You may check the availability of the rooms offered at government discount rates using the Marriott.com website. For your convenience, the steps to guide you through the online reservation process are listed at the end of this email.
Please make sure to note the following terms and conditions:
- Government employees are limited to one (1) room per stay
- A limited number of rooms are available at the government rate
- Advance reservations are required
- Identification will be required at check-in
- The government rate cannot be used in conjunction with group travel or any other promotional offer
If we can be of further assistance, we invite you to reply to this email.
Thank you for choosing Marriott.
Regards,
Desiree Rutten
Marriott Internet Customer Care
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showt...icial+business
In order to be eligible for government discount rates, guests must be an active duty member of the military or current employee, of any level of local, county, state, or federal government within the United States. Supporting credentials will be required at the time that the guest checks in to the hotel. The rate is for use for business travel or pleasure (personal) travel.
While Government rates are available for hotels both in the U.S. as well as internationally, the availability of rooms offered at these rates will vary from location to location.
You may check the availability of the rooms offered at government discount rates using the Marriott.com website. For your convenience, the steps to guide you through the online reservation process are listed at the end of this email.
Please make sure to note the following terms and conditions:
- Government employees are limited to one (1) room per stay
- A limited number of rooms are available at the government rate
- Advance reservations are required
- Identification will be required at check-in
- The government rate cannot be used in conjunction with group travel or any other promotional offer
If we can be of further assistance, we invite you to reply to this email.
Thank you for choosing Marriott.
Regards,
Desiree Rutten
Marriott Internet Customer Care
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showt...icial+business
That long (and long ago!) experience with Marriott is why I am still so loyal to them today.
Bruce
Sep 7, 2006, 7:35 am
#34
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Originally Posted by bdschobel
When I worked for the Federal government during 1979-88, Marriott hotels were always my favorite chain (and the favorite of all my traveling coworkers) because (a) they really seemed to welcome government employees as a corporate policy, (b) government rates were almost always available or made available and (c) government employees were permitted to use government rates on their leisure travel. This was quite clear at the time. Many of us asked this question specifically and were always given the same answer. No ambiguity at all. Supposedly this came straight from the top, from the Marriott family itself.
That long (and long ago!) experience with Marriott is why I am still so loyal to them today.
Bruce
That long (and long ago!) experience with Marriott is why I am still so loyal to them today.
Bruce
Sep 7, 2006, 8:08 am
#35
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In the good old days, I could call a Marriott hotel (in advance of arrival) and ask that they change my rate to the government rate, and they almost always did. They would simply change the rate in their system. This was partly due to my status, but it was also a policy to accommodate government travelers. No other chain would do that. If the government rate was unavailable, it was just tough luck!
Bruce
Bruce
Sep 7, 2006, 8:22 am
#36
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To me, it seems that posters to this thread have differing opinions as to what constitutes "local" government.
As relayed by ohmark, customer care made it clear that government includes all levels of government (or maybe bureaucracy would be a better term
) in the US.
Local school district boards, in most states, are considered a governmental entity. They have the ability to levy taxes and create rules, regulations, and laws. In some states, the school districts are permitted to have their own police departments, under the control of the school board, which, IMO, further strengthens the argument that a school district and board is a governmental entity.
Public school employees should fall under the category of "local" government.
Most of the government rates I've seen are further restricted to federal/military in the rate rules, so in most cases it is a moot point anyway.
As relayed by ohmark, customer care made it clear that government includes all levels of government (or maybe bureaucracy would be a better term
) in the US.Local school district boards, in most states, are considered a governmental entity. They have the ability to levy taxes and create rules, regulations, and laws. In some states, the school districts are permitted to have their own police departments, under the control of the school board, which, IMO, further strengthens the argument that a school district and board is a governmental entity.
Public school employees should fall under the category of "local" government.
Most of the government rates I've seen are further restricted to federal/military in the rate rules, so in most cases it is a moot point anyway.
Sep 7, 2006, 10:11 am
#37
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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.
You (and others) were simply wrong. Get over it.
Sep 7, 2006, 8:53 pm
#38
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deleted post
Last edited by Renard; Sep 7, 2006 at 10:00 pm
Sep 8, 2006, 4:16 pm
#39
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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.
http://www.usoge.gov/pages/advisory_...985/85x13.html
Not long ago, the New York State Ethics Commission issued a similar opinion for New York State government employees who may wish to take advantage of government rates for leisure travel. Here's the link:
http://www.dos.state.ny.us/ethc/opinions/05-01.htm
May 6, 2019, 10:21 am
#40
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JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa is offering a special Teacher Appreciation Rate from $149 per night, valid for June and August dates. Book online by using promotion code ZTC or by calling 210 276 2500. JWSanAntonio.com
Valid ID Required at Check In. Rate is available to active school employees with valid ID. This includes and is not limited to principals, counselors, school nurses, support staff, maintenance team, corporate office employees, etc. If valid ID is not present at check-in, rate will be adjusted to best available rate. Limited to 2 rooms per teacher, per night. Rates starting at $149 valid in June and August 2019 only. Blackout Dates Apply. Rate is based on availability. Offer cannot be combined with any other offer or discount. Offer is not applicable to group or convention attendees. Taxes, gratuities, and resort fees are separate charges above the room rate.
Valid ID Required at Check In. Rate is available to active school employees with valid ID. This includes and is not limited to principals, counselors, school nurses, support staff, maintenance team, corporate office employees, etc. If valid ID is not present at check-in, rate will be adjusted to best available rate. Limited to 2 rooms per teacher, per night. Rates starting at $149 valid in June and August 2019 only. Blackout Dates Apply. Rate is based on availability. Offer cannot be combined with any other offer or discount. Offer is not applicable to group or convention attendees. Taxes, gratuities, and resort fees are separate charges above the room rate.
May 6, 2019, 11:46 am
#41
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Mixed results on government rates. I work for a large county government with a fair amount of travel. When I book the government rate, I am generally asked for some form of ID when checking in, which is fine. However, a preferred property that I used to frequent has now started to enforce the government rate for only Federal government or US military with active travel orders (I assume when you travel for the Feds, there is some sort of itinerary that authorizes the travel). In other words, state and local government employees are not allowed to utilize the rate. I am not sure if this is unique to this property or it is a trend.
Last edited by lamphs; May 7, 2019 at 1:54 pm
May 7, 2019, 12:30 pm
#42
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A friend of mine works for a property & mentioned that some gov't employees are using the gov't rate for leisure travel. Fair enough if it's not prohibited. But he said they're seeing people book the gov't rate for multiple rooms (think in town for a softball tournament or a festival or a wedding, for example) under gov't rate & only 1 person has gov't ID. OTOH the MAR system let them book that many rooms; OTOH it's obvious it's not for gov't travel. They've been honoring it since the MAR system let them book it, but the property isn't happy because there are times when the room rates are significantly higher during those timeframes & so they're losing revenue when it's obvious the rooms are not all occupied by gov't employees but the rooms were booked by a gov't employee at the reduced rate.
Cheers.
Cheers.
May 7, 2019, 1:22 pm
#43
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Generally speaking, a federal traveler is required to use his/her travel card for all official travel purposes. Also - travels are usually booked with a government contracted TA, rather than direct booking.
In some cases, things don't always work as they should. In that case, certain paperwork will be generated.
These are the things that a hotel may want to see when a federal traveler use the government rate.
May 7, 2019, 1:56 pm
#44
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Not exactly, but still true.
Generally speaking, a federal traveler is required to use his/her travel card for all official travel purposes. Also - travels are usually booked with a government contracted TA, rather than direct booking.
In some cases, things don't always work as they should. In that case, certain paperwork will be generated.
These are the things that a hotel may want to see when a federal traveler use the government rate.
Generally speaking, a federal traveler is required to use his/her travel card for all official travel purposes. Also - travels are usually booked with a government contracted TA, rather than direct booking.
In some cases, things don't always work as they should. In that case, certain paperwork will be generated.
These are the things that a hotel may want to see when a federal traveler use the government rate.
May 7, 2019, 2:05 pm
#45
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There is no such thing as "the government rate." Rather there is a government rate as defined by the property. The rate terms should say "federal" when they mean "federal" and will say something such as "any government agency" or will specifically say "federal, state, county, or local" when they mean that, If it is hard to figure out from the rate definition, call the property.
Many properties also limit the number of rooms available at their form of a government rate and that rate is set within the allowable reimbursement for the locality. When people book rooms for a voleyball tournament, they are harming somebody who will either have to stay elsewhere or shell out some money of their own. That is why you will sometimes see people here react positively to FD clerks who enforce the rules.
Many properties also limit the number of rooms available at their form of a government rate and that rate is set within the allowable reimbursement for the locality. When people book rooms for a voleyball tournament, they are harming somebody who will either have to stay elsewhere or shell out some money of their own. That is why you will sometimes see people here react positively to FD clerks who enforce the rules.