I NEED the Government Rate!!!!

[elsporko]

My dad, a DHS worker, use to get the government rate back in the day but he also use to ask about it before making a reservation rather then demanding it while checking in or out. If the hotel didn't have a discount we just didn't stay there and usually he knew what hotels would give it to him and we would stay with them everytime we went to that city. Nowadays though that just doesn't fly.

[Bliss]

See it this way (btw I'm in govt for my country. Not a very high position but not bottom either).

I am not entirely sure how this is charged in the US but if a hotel chain has a govt rate it was negotiated after a public bid, and probably given to one of the low bidders, and the rate which must not be refreshed too often will carry:

* A prorated rate of the hotel, a middle step between lowest rate and highest rate depending on season, to make sure the hotel doesn't lose money wathever the time of use (in a fiscal year sense, loses during high season are offset by gains on a low one).

Plus

* The cost of centralizing paperwork to government agencies, processing payments invoicing and the whole paper trail for bulks of stays and charges into different agencies.

* Probably the cost and "danger" (unreal) of providing Net 30 or even Net 60 terms. In our case we can't pay without the invoice since we're a retention entity, the invoice is the last step in a process, that when overloaded or delayed can take up to three weeks from service to payment, and we're pretty fast at it in my entity.

[Greenday]

From what I can recall from my traveling for the government, we aren't supposed to get government rates if the travel isn't for work. Military discounts are allowed, but that's the hotel's call. Also, some places don't allow us to get military discounts unless you are active service. I was told military discounts apply to all soldiers and civilian employees for the military, but I don't press the issue if I'm not given one.

If it's work related, I can understand why they are anal about getting the government rate. The people in charge of travel for my office are really particular about everything. Everything must be the government rate. Gotta get the cheapest flights, taxis, etc. And if we overspend our limit...we are stuck with the bill.

[PepperElf]

to be honest... if they REALLY want a better "government" rate, they should check out the local military bases and see if there's any availability there.

Back when I was in the Navy... the local base Navy Lodge was about 40-50 a night. I'd estimate it at 2-3 stars tops, but for that price tag... hey who cares?

And if you really want to go cheap, see if there are any rooms available in the barracks. It'll depend on the base but I've seen prices range from 10 - 30 a night.

Back when I was in Dam Neck... oh the pay-for barracks rooms... those were pretty sweet. I'd say 3 stars tops. The rooms were clean and it was VERY quiet (E5 and above only), and they were right next to a beach... so you could go over the dune-bridge and just relax and watch the water without anyone bothering you. Oh... and for about $30 a night.

The only drawback is that people with orders will come first and the rooms are NOT guaranteed. And of course to even get to the rooms you have to have a government-issued ID card, and have your car registered to be on base.

[alogram]

I once had a woman tell me she NEEDED the government rate.

Because she was a teacher and that meant she took a vow of poverty.

[Nohbody]

I once had a woman tell me she NEEDED the government rate.

Because she was a teacher and that meant she took a vow of poverty.

The response that comes to my mind: "Separation of church and state. You fail at the First Amendment."

Y'know, VoP being a religious thing and all.

(My opinions on interpretations of the whole "separation of church an state" thing are clear into fratching territory, so I won't go there. It's one of my political pet peeves, though I won't say in which way.)