Federal government and military personnel on official temporary duty travel orders are generally authorized per diem for meals and lodging expenses. The first travel allowance for Meals and Incidentals is reimbursed at a flat rate based on the geographic location. Per Diem Lodging Rates are reimbursed up to a maximum allowable rate based on what the traveler spends. TDY lodging rates vary by geographic location and can change throughout the year based on local hotel rates which can increase or decrease in popular travel and vacation destinations. A per diem rate search by city or zip code can be used to calculate the total authorized per diem allowance for government travel. Many sites offer a Per Diem Rate Calculator to determine the allowable travel rates, and official reimbursement amounts are available through the GSA per diem website.GSA Federal Per Diem Rates 2011-2012
The 2011 government per diem rate decrease affected nearly every travel location. A majority of cities saw a drop in per diem lodging rates, which is unfortunate for both military and government personnel as well as the lodging providers who have already experienced lower occupancy rates from a poor economy and struggling vacation and travel market. Because of the 2011 per diem rate decrease, many lodging providers have been forced to cutback on some of their complimentary services offered to government and military travelers which at many hotels included free breakfast, complimentary newspapers, and free Internet. Let's hope that 2012 Per Diem Rates increase for the benefit of both government travelers and the travel and hospitality industry.
Temporary Duty (TDY) & Permanent Change of Station (PCS) Entitlements
Per diem lodging rates are paid to government and military personnel on a TDY (Temporary Duty) assignment. Permanent Change of Station (PCS) assignments are for long term relocation lasting several years and authorize a basic allowance for housing based on Military BAH Rates for the assignment location.
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