I have worked on a number of Govt contracts and we are definitely not allowed to use the Govt rates for Airfares and to be honest with long term notice many of the flights are much more expensive than I can buy on my own.........

Short notice COST is a different story....

however several airlines have allowed me to "USE" my govt contractor ID to justify a lower rate.

Southwest did this for me just two weeks ago. UA has done it for one of my co-workers a number of times in the last 4 months. AA use to do it all the time but as is standard with their behavior in general lately they have become very inflexible on all matters associated with travel.

PS I did not get a GOVT rate as I do not have a government P-Card to use with it, but they found a way to book me into a lower rate which was all I needed at the time.

------------------
Oracle Implementations .... Will Travel....

[This message has been edited by TxLobo (edited Nov 14, 2003).]

The various government agencies each have their own official travel agent.

GSA city pair carriers and contract fares:
http://apps.fss.gsa.gov/citypairs/search/

These are only for official travel.
Joint Travel Regulations:
http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/w..._03.html#301-1

When combining official and personal travel, the latter segments must not be at contract rates. Misuse of government contract fares is grounds for discipline, and the abuser will be held liable to pay the difference.

As stated in other posts above, hotel rates are mostly done on a courtesy or marketing basis, not negotiated by the General Services Administration.

Anyone aware of misuse of government contract rates or other travel malfeasance by either employee or contractor can report it to the office of the Inspector General for the affected department:

http://www.ignet.gov

I wouldn't even THINK about using USG fares for personal travel -- the risks of getting caught are simply too great, and you can often match or beat the govt. fares with enough research. I DO know of someone who misused the USG fares, and suffice to say that they are no longer employed (and have ZERO chance of being re-employed) by Uncle Sam...

------------------
Has YOUR airline won an award lately?