It seems that Marriotts are now enforcing the actual rules when it comes to allowing customers to use the Federal Government rate. 1996 2023 Marriott International, Inc. All rights reserved. Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. Employees of public school districts can take advantage of the government rate at some national hotel chains. *Taxes are not included in the rate. I was asked for evidence of official travel at the Anaheim Marriott when there was a conference at the convention center next door. First & last day of travel - amount received on the first and last day of travel and equals 75% of total M&IE. Most hotels offer discounted rates for government travelers, and the eligibility requirements vary a lot between chains. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. The rate plan appears to include breakfast for two. To qualify for the government rate across all states you must be a federal employee. I checked locations into FY 22 and rate rules on the Marriott website have not changed, They do state a traveler must be able to show either orders, federal travel card, standard government employee ID (with photo), or a CACI card with photo. This matches Hiltons approach. The discount at Hampton hotels is capped at 15%. Does the trip HAVE to be for work specifically or the discount simply a perk? We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. For proof, search Courtyard King Kamehamehas Kona Beach Hotel with gov rate and look at the rate requirements. We are an independent publisher. They have not reviewed, approved or endorsed what I have to say. Marriott Proprietary Information. Please note that a change in the length or dates of your reservation may result in a rate change. Required fields are marked *. It 110% didnt say this when I booked my trip a few months ago and the front desk manager tried gaslighting me and convincing me its always been that way. I'm One of the First Alaska 100Ks - So What Does That Mean? ", Per diem localities with county definitions shall include "all locations within, or entirely surrounded by, the corporate limits of the key city as well as the boundaries of the listed counties, including independent entities located within the boundaries of the key city and the listed counties (unless otherwise listed separately).". Proof of Canadian Government identification or work orders at check in is all that is required. How do you get this discount? Manage Settings IHG Hotels include Candlewood Suites, Crowne Plaza, Even Hotels, Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Staybridge Suites, and more. But at check-in, youll likely be required to provide proof of your membership or employment status to get the discount. You are referring to government rates that are negotiated and to use them you usually use a specific code. Absent of the term for business purposes, does a state government ID suffice? A hotel can generate incremental business with a discount for federal employees without undercutting the prices they charge to other customers. . For example, you might see: Theres nothing to prevent you from comparing prices across the different rate categories. Many, but not all, of the offers and clickable hyperlinks (such as a Next button) that appear on this site are from companies that compensate us. You May Like: What Is The Mortgage Stimulus Program For The Middle Class. All Rights Reserved, BonusTracker: Best credit card bonus offers, When to use miles or points vs. paying cash (using our points calculator with newly added features! Best Western and Marriott are two like that. How are they going to determine who is on official business? Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Normally, a state government employee wouldn't be expected to travel out of state for work. Showing a state issued employment ID should be enough. Error, The Per Diem API is not responding. The rate plan is currently valid for arrivals through June 30, 2021, but could be extended. Check out our list of free museums and other attractions throughout the country. Most major chains offer a special government employee rate at their hotels. For things you need on your trip, NEA Discount Marketplace can help you save on luggage, restaurant gift certificates, travel apparel and more when you shop at thousands of retailers. On the Search Criteria screen, tap within the ' Special Rates ' field [ Click here to view Image] Enter your Corporate Code in the field at the bottom and tap ' Apply ' [ Click here to view Image] Tap ' Find Hotels ' to proceed with the Reservation. Admittedly this is a major event, so regular rates are at least $100/per night higher. All Active-Duty Military Members are eligible for discounted Rates. Your email address will not be published. Maybe, but maybe they just look at me and think this guys got to be military with an excellent haircut like that. Museums from coast to coast offer free or discounted admission to school employees living in-state or in neighboring states. I am retired as well, but as much as I would love to have a discount or other bennie extended as a thank you for the service, I dont take the entitlement attitude that so many seem to have, including those here. Well just like each flight only has a certain number of seats available for 25,000 miles, hotels only set aside a certain number of rooms per night at the Government Rate. That particular option was not explained on the site I looked at. Banner advertising, in contrast, is paid for by advertisers (we do not directly control the banner advertising on this blog). This is bad news for a lot of federal government employees, who not only got great rates when traveling for work (saving the taxpayer money, the U.S. federal government is in many cases the single largest buyer of travel) but also as a perk for their time off too. Discover Dallas from our conveniently located Downtown Hotel. SeaWorld in Orlando is free for teachers in Florida with a teachers pass. I dont have any government ID, and normally I dont even have travel orders. You can also find IHG hotels at 39 military locations. Here are what the major chains list for their Military/ Govt rates for personal use: Dont Miss: Full Time Jobs In Warner Robins Ga. What is their military discount? Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. I want to know what is the crap about having a govt rate that is $100+ over the GSA per diem. Get 10% off any leisure stay for active duty/retired military personnel and their families through Hiltons Military Family Rate based on availability. Many, but not all, of the offers and clickable hyperlinks (such as a Apply Now button or Learn More button) that appear on this site are from companies that compensate us. 162 wrote: You can get the government rate as long as you show or give the front desk your business card. Experience the villa difference with home-like comforts and conveniences . Marriott removed that perk. Here is a list of hotels with military discounts that you might be staying at on your next vacation. More About Gary . Great Rates & Exclusive Offers Await. But weekend business generally has. Teachers in this community are guided by a code of etiquette that aims to keep all members safe and respected, and transactions smooth and successful. Ive never had a hotel in 20+ years verify that I was traveling on official business (or even verify that I was indeed a government employee for that matter). Your email address will not be published. Nobody should have any problems when a hotel chain decides to give discounts to govt. > > Never miss a military deal or discount! When did this change? Im so frustrated. In addition to discounts in select countries, its Worldwide Assistance provides help to students and faculty with lost passports, travel documents, legal problems and even emergency cash. @ Gary A certain IC has this assinine policy. However, just like cheap airline seats, once a hotel sells however many rooms they set aside for that rate, it will become unavailable. 2. Individual hotel cancellation policies in place at the time of reservation will apply. I am struggling to find a decent hotel near my meeting in LA within the GSA per diem. - Car Insurance FAQ, President Signs Bill Modernizing Security Standards, Marriott Cracks Down on Government Rate Users. HR for most agencies also do not print out travel authorization forms you just submit receipts so that is likely out. In the past I wasnt asked for proof very often, but it appears from the linked thread that hotels will be enforcing this. Not a member? Hilton has not published more specific rules for . Now every rate detail says only eligible to government employees on official business.. Many concessionaires that run gifts shops at national parks offer teacher discounts on purchases. First & last day of travel - amount received on the first and last day of travel and equals 75% of total M&IE. And you have to provide a valid ID at check-in. Make a reservation using any official Marriott reservation channel (Marriott.com, Marriott Bonvoy App, Customer Engagement Centers, or directly with a hotel). All hotel reservations have to be made through Concur reservation system and Marriott is not an option. And there are multiple ways to verify of someone is on official work or not. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Do I need a letter from the university stating official business as well? Plus, I prefer to use hotel points for free stays to avoid paying anything at all! Generally, Marriott says yes. QQ2, we are I think talking about two different things. This combined with changing the points needed/reclassification of hotels my 25k certificate barely covers the lowest class hotel I may rethink this. As a private sector employee Ive always resented that govt employees get discounted rates while traveling for leisure. The End Date of your trip can not occur before the Start Date. But some hotels dont ask for an ID when you check-in. Only points earned on qualifying nights . So they contractors try to slip one by and often do. Really sad to see the rules posted that it is for official travel only. Government Rates have important Qualifications, such as ID Requirements, that must be met to be eligible to book them. There have always been hotels that didnt participate, but all 15 I checked stated federal employee ID as a requirement, but none said you need an OFFICIAL ID (or, as stated above, CACI card) AND orders AND a travel card. Mini swaps are also available for those traveling spontaneously, or vacationing nearby or for shorter duration. And AARP members enjoy late checkout until 2:00 pm, when available. Now, it seems, they uniformly require the guest to be on official business when staying at this (frequently deeply discounted) rate. The military is a form of welfare. Because if youre unable to provide the appropriate ID at check-in, you can end up paying a lot more for your stay. The terms & conditions for booking a government rate usually stateyou must be a a state or federal government employee or active military. Marriott will make any future determination in regard to extension of the rate as the current situation continues to unfold. Its up to the individual hotels. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Present an official ID card or work orders when checking-in to the hotel after booking the Flexible Rate. You may check the availability of the rooms offered at government discount rates using the Marriott.com website. View Full ProfileView Full Profile< font face=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif size=2> Originally posted by jetstreammm:I do regular reserve duty with the equivalent of the national guard in my country, and hence carry a permanent government/military ID card. Your email address will not be published. From a business perspective a federal leisure rate can make a lot of sense. ', U.S. Airlines Sell Schedules They Don't Really Plan To Operate, And Then Refuse Refunds, These American Airlines Status Members Will No Longer Speak To Dedicated Elite Phone Agents, Middle Seat Passenger Eats Full Slab Of Ribs, Skin-On Fries And Half An Ear Of Corn, Thursday Was A Tough Day For Southwest Airlines Labor Relations As Pilots And Cabin Crew Protest. Federal travel must be on an official travel card. And the risks of booking this way if youre not a government employee. Active-Duty Members of the Military are eligible, based on availability. Instead, considerjoining AARPor other associations to book discounted hotel stays. Marriott Bonvoy members save more with our lowest member rates, earn and redeem points, enjoy free Wi-Fi and mobile check-in rates all the time. 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. A thread on Flyertalk caught my eye the other day and I thought you may be interested. Technically the state rate is for whatever state you're in, so like Illinois state rate is for Illinois state employees. If youre unsure if you qualify for a government employee rate, Id recommend contacting the hotel to confirm. And at the payment page, it says Ill be required to provide ID when I check-in to the hotel. The Government Employee Price at a Sample Starwood Hotel Is ~$100 Cheaper Than Other Rates. Comments made in response to posts are not provided or commissioned nor have they been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any bank. It allowed me to book! According to Viki Reath, spokeswoman for the U.S. General Services Administration, thats easy: It is strictly a business decision of the lodging establishment as to whether or not they will extend the government per diem rate to employees traveling on personal business., Getting a firm answer on actual hotel policies was a bit trickier one reservations agent at the Sheraton Manhattan told us it was against the law to book government rates for personal time. It is right to use that discount for leisure travel? Members of Marriott Bonvoy will receive an exclusive, preferred rate (Marriott Bonvoy Member Rate) on this promotion when they book rooms at participating hotels in the United States and Canada via direct Marriott booking channel such as Marriott.com, worldwide telephone reservation center, mobile app or directly at a hotel. 1 Points may not be available at all international locations. RATE VALID FOR LEISURE STAYS ONLY. So, I got a job with a company that has their best corporate rate. @ Franz Christian Gone are the days of putting official travel on personal cards to get the points. Generally it's travel for government purposes. My University ID was not sufficient. Please refer to the Office of Government Ethics or reach out to your ethics department. Rates for foreign countries are set by the State Department. Serving in the military or being married to someone who does means you probably qualify for a military discount at certain hotels. Looking forward to hearing people's opinions! Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Were providing an environment that aligns with expert protocols. It is a general open offer to all government employees. Step 2: Start Your Reservation. Sometime in the past couple of months Marriott changed the rules for stays on government rates. Each advertiser is responsible for the accuracy and availability of its ad offer details, but we attempt to verify those offer details. (And I am a state government employee). And we're proud of our content, opinions and analysis, and of our reader's comments. Offer does not apply to groups of 10 or more rooms. It saves them money, but some people take advantage of this, check in to hotels, expect $300 service for 80 or 90 bucks and then act an ass when they do not get their ay. Refer to Section 301-11.18 of the Federal Travel Regulation for specific guidance on deducting these amounts from your per diem reimbursement claims for meals furnished to you by the government. Our guide to calculating their value, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, I prefer to use hotel points for free stays, Four Points by Sheraton Los Angeles Westside, saves 10% off her AT&T wireless bill each month, Best Hilton credit cards: Improved weekend night certificates, earning rates and more. Member Rate must be booked by the Member staying at the Participating Property when making a Reservation. More than just a home swap site for teachers all over the world, Teacher Tourist offers additional useful services, including hosting, guide, and home and pet sitting. As a public sector employee, enjoy your weekends with up to 25% off our Bed and Breakfast rates throughout the UK and Ireland. Contact our Government Representative at 623-780-6842. Nobody ever Checks. In one example, I found agovernment rate thats45% cheaper than the price for loyalty members. That being said, I think the front desk very rarely confirms government ID for qualifying rate. The Residence Inn Cypress Los Alamitos is honored to welcome government and military travelers. The potential savings is not worth the risk! That said, I wouldnot be comfortable booking this way. Save On Winter Travel. Plus, itll likely be too late to cancel your stay without paying a penalty. These include a free breakfast, free phone calls, and more. Explore destinations below. Editorial Note: We're the Million Mile Secrets team. It would be great of Marriott clarified this. Here's a comprehensive look at the Marriott Bonvoy bonus point and rate opportunities you can use in March 2023. Remember Marriott has released its latest 20% off Escapes for stays at select countries in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Make the most of your travel with our free and daily newsletter with the latest hotel and airline news and promotions. Specialties: Enjoy an effortless stay at Courtyard by Marriott Jonesboro. Book your next destination today. I'm a federal government employee. I too prefer to patronize them rather than Marriott and will continue to do so unless they change their policy. If you find a lower rate for the same hotel, same room type, and same reservation dates on a non-Marriott website or non-Marriott Bonvoy app ("Comparison . Take Advantage Of Early Bird Discounts. Its not like they fight for freedom at home and defend actual borders at home. And most hotels have a limited number of rooms available at a special rate for . Co-founder of frequent flyer community InsideFlyer.com, emcee of the Freddie Awards, and named one of the "World's Top Travel Experts" by Conde' Nast Traveler (2010-Present) Gary has been a guest on most major news media, profiled in several top print publications, and published broadly on the topic of consumer loyalty. Why not military too? Why was there no notice for trips already booked? 3. The first and last calendar day of travel is calculated at 75 percent. But at check-in, youll likely be required to provide proof of your membership or employment status to get the discount. Verbally abusing a front desk agent for following government and company rules is just not nice. Limited number of rooms are available for this promotion. NOT VALID FOR OFFICAL GOVERNMENT OR MILITARY TRAVEL. Its a good idea for anyone wishing to book the GOV rate to click on the rate details. Partnering with national brands, it allows members to save when buying must-have items such as textbooks and laptops, and makes discounts available on hotels and car rentals. Plus, an AARP membership can save you money in other ways. The owner of this site is not an investment advisor, financial planner, nor legal or tax professional and articles here are of an opinion and general nature and should not be relied upon for individual circumstances. EXCLUSIVE SAVINGS ON OUR BEST AVAILABLE RATES FOR ACTIVE DUTY, VETERANS AND RETIRED MILITARY SERVICE MEMBERS, SPOUSES AND FAMILY MEMBERS IN THE US OR CANADIAN MILITARY. Active-duty military members are eligible for discounted rates when they are available. In my experience, hotels that require you to be on official business to get the government rate rarely verify it. To determine what county a city is located in, visit the Marriott Proprietary Information. State government discount seems to be offered more in California. . That being said, I think the front desk very rarely confirms government ID for qualifying rate. The price went from $490 for 3 nights to trying to charge me over $1000. Rates for foreign countries are set by the State Department. Sounds like Ill be showing my ID from now on, at least at Marriotts. I get asked most of the time for my creds when checking in. Use this table to find the following information for federal employee travel: M&IE Total - the full daily amount received for a single calendar day of travel when that day is neither the first nor last day of travel. Motel 6 and Studio 6 offer 10% off at 1,400+ locations. Im not sure about every other chain, but I copied Hilton military rate details. I don't include all US credit card offers available on this site. How do I get the best deal at the Ritz-Carlton? Territories and Possessions (set by DoD), Rates in Foreign Countries (Set by State Dept. So, your actual offer terms from an advertiser may be different than the offer terms on this site. Credit card is required to reserve your room. Say it tight in If your school district doesnt provide this benefit, some educational credit unions do, so check your credit unions membership details. Menu. Gary Leff is one of the foremost experts in the field of miles, points, and frequent business travel -- a topic he has covered since 2002. Dont Miss: Government Grants Dental Work. I felt completely embarrassed when I was checking in. Marriott isnt even an option for federal employees anymore for official business. There are other military type options that are self explanatory. I'm wondering the same thing. IHG is state specific in that you must be a state employee from the state in which the IHG is located to receive the discount. Cancellation policies in place at the time of reservation is made will apply. Deals include discounted prices for theme parks, ski resorts, all-inclusive resorts and other travel destinations. Our free daily newsletter sends you the latest information on hotel and airline programs. This subreddit is independent, unofficial and community based, it is not controlled by Marriott. Or look for the AAA / CAA hotel rates to see if you can save. tataynik wrote: Not to prolong the obvious, get off your high horse and maybe you will be able to read pleasure. Its supposed to work and 98/100 times it does. An official website of the U.S. General Services Administration. This rate offer is good for arrival dates through June 30, 2021. Step 3: Enter Your Booking Info. by Gary Leff on July 25, 2021. There are a number of excellent increased sign-up bonuses on hotel cards right now. In other words, in leisure markets, leisure stays are back and beyond 2019 levels. However, hotel chains usually have a separate rate for Federal Government contractors which is sometimes higher than Per Diem. Best Western Hotels & Resorts throughout North America give 10% off or more off the Flexible Rate. Later, another employee told me it recently changed. Whether its a souvenir T-shirt for yourself or a book or map for your classroom, you might be able to knock up to 15% off the price tag. Ive found these rates are only a few dollars cheaper or the same as the member rate. Press J to jump to the feed. This plan has now been extended for stays through June 30, 2021. This rate is available for active and retired US Federal Government employees, State, City, County and Local government employees, active or retired Military personnel and members of foreign Governments with valid ID traveling for business. Rates for Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. That said, I would NOT recommend booking this way if youre not eligible. At Hiltonhotels, the AARP rate is up to 5% less than the best available rate. How do you get this discount? These havent been reviewed, approved or endorsed by any of the airlines, hotels, or credit card issuers which we often write about. She squared me away, and I thanked her. Did you know that most of the major chains will also give you those rates when you are on vacation with your family? Pete_Coach wrote: Not to prolong the obvious but my point was that as a Government employee you are obliged to perform under the rules of the Canadian Government which states The negotiated rates are to be used only by the Identified Users while on official Government business travel authorized by Federal, Provincial or Territorial Governments and paid or reimbursed from public funds in accordance with Government Travel Policy.If Marriott choose to give you the equivalent rate to get your business, fine, but if you book requesting Government rates, you are working against the rules the Treasury Board has set out and you can be held responsible. Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Ultimate Rewards. Some will say they are on personal business and understand that we will have to adjust the rate. What?? Of course federal workers who have even minimal travel are typically issued a federal travel card. Using Federal/Gov Discount Rates on Personal Travel. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. It's not that people with no association to the military are trying to use that discounted [] Other chains offer similar perks. Please try again later. Hilton has relaunched its Public Sector Leisure Offer for stays in the UK, Ireland, and Continental Europe. The potential savings isnot worth the risk! Co-founder of frequent flyer community InsideFlyer.com, emcee of the Freddie Awards, and named one of the "World's Top Travel Experts" by Conde' Nast Traveler (2010-Present) Gary has been a guest on most major news media, profiled in several top print publications, and published broadly on the topic of consumer loyalty.