Gov. rate and ID question regards hotels

[Anonymous]

This is crazy-it would never even occur to me, honestly, to try and use a government rate for personal travel (but you can probably find cheaper on third party booking sites to begin with?). Even on personal travel, I would never assume the benefit extended to my spouse or family if I wasn't there in person to check in.

What kind of "government-issued ID" do you have that is not an actual ID badge or CAC? Clearly the problem is that it doesn't fit their requirements. Hence, you should call and verify beforehand. It seems like you've been been getting away with something you shouldn't have been and now you're angry about it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. DS didn't just show up. I always call ahead before making the reservation and ask about the rate and their age policy. It has never been an issue and I am very honest about the reason for travel, and so far it was always fine with all hotels, apart from this one. Hence my question.

I'm glad you were finally caught. It's dishonest to have your son traveling on the government rate when he's not a government employee. It's the same as having him stay under the AARP rate. You're obviously NOT as honest as you think you are or you don't understand the difference between your DH and your DS.

Bottom line - the government rate is for government employees. Not relatives of government employees!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. DS didn't just show up. I always call ahead before making the reservation and ask about the rate and their age policy. It has never been an issue and I am very honest about the reason for travel, and so far it was always fine with all hotels, apart from this one. Hence my question.

The fact they never raised it as an issue doesn't mean they can't raise it now. It is TOTALLY up to the hotel chain/specific hotel management.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. DS didn't just show up. I always call ahead before making the reservation and ask about the rate and their age policy. It has never been an issue and I am very honest about the reason for travel, and so far it was always fine with all hotels, apart from this one. Hence my question.

I'm glad you were finally caught. It's dishonest to have your son traveling on the government rate when he's not a government employee. It's the same as having him stay under the AARP rate. You're obviously NOT as honest as you think you are or you don't understand the difference between your DH

and your DS.

Bottom line - the government rate is for government employees. Not relatives of government employees!

You sounds like a profoundly nasty and unhappy person. How can I be caught when I always tell the hotel why we are traveling when booking, always with hotel direct over the phone? I've told many times, we are coming for a sporting event, or for fun and they always say, yes I can use my Gov Id, even without DH.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. DS didn't just show up. I always call ahead before making the reservation and ask about the rate and their age policy. It has never been an issue and I am very honest about the reason for travel, and so far it was always fine with all hotels, apart from this one. Hence my question.

I'm glad you were finally caught. It's dishonest to have your son traveling on the government rate when he's not a government employee. It's the same as having him stay under the AARP rate. You're obviously NOT as honest as you think you are or you don't understand the difference between your DH

and your DS.

Bottom line - the government rate is for government employees. Not relatives of government employees!

You sounds like a profoundly nasty and unhappy person. How can I be caught when I always tell the hotel why we are traveling when booking, always with hotel direct over the phone? I've told many times, we are coming for a sporting event, or for fun and they always say, yes I can use my Gov Id, even without DH.

Are you a government employee or are you not? If you're not a government employee you can't use the government rate. End of story.

A government issued ID is a drivers license. It does not mean you're eligible for the gov rate. A government issued ID is required for all rates! Technically any hotel can and most likely will ask to see your ID when you check into a hotel.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. DS didn't just show up. I always call ahead before making the reservation and ask about the rate and their age policy. It has never been an issue and I am very honest about the reason for travel, and so far it was always fine with all hotels, apart from this one. Hence my question.

I'm glad you were finally caught. It's dishonest to have your son traveling on the government rate when he's not a government employee. It's the same as having him stay under the AARP rate. You're obviously NOT as honest as you think you are or you don't understand the difference between your DH

and your DS.

Bottom line - the government rate is for government employees. Not relatives of government employees!

You sounds like a profoundly nasty and unhappy person. How can I be caught when I always tell the hotel why we are traveling when booking, always with hotel direct over the phone? I've told many times, we are coming for a sporting event, or for fun and they always say, yes I can use my Gov Id, even without DH.

You can be caught for checking into a hotel under the government rate when you're not a government employee. It's fraudulent. Would you check in and try to use the senior rate when you're 20 years old?!

[Anonymous]

I am wondering if OP thinks her drivers license as a govt ID.

[Anonymous]

Government-issued ID does not mean you are traveling at the behest of the federal government, which is what entitles you to a government rate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The rule is that you need to be traveling for business.

This isn't exactly true. It's up to the interpretation of each hotel. Many will let it go, even when online it says military orders are required, and some don't even post that requirement to begin with. We're always prepared to pay rack rate when we see the military orders statement, though. I doubt I would have tried it at all had I been in your situation.

[Anonymous]

I assumed OP was talking about some sort of military ID cards for families of servicemen, not a simple driver's license.

[Anonymous]

OP there is a blurred line between Government Rate and Leisure Government Rate. Some chains don't recognize a difference and will give the gov rate whether you're there for business or leisure. Others have a very specific policy set for each type - but again, it depends on each individual hotel how they will honor/interpret it. Ignore the haters telling you you're taking advantage - as long as you are up front and prepared to pay full price if necessary, you're doing nothing wrong.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP there is a blurred line between Government Rate and Leisure Government Rate. Some chains don't recognize a difference and will give the gov rate whether you're there for business or leisure. Others have a very specific policy set for each type - but again, it depends on each individual hotel how they will honor/interpret it. Ignore the haters telling you you're taking advantage - as long as you are up front and prepared to pay full price if necessary, you're doing nothing wrong.

You missed what's going on. op isn't a government employee. Nor is her so. However, they are reserving and staying on the government rate. Her son was finally caught. He's 18 and does not work for the federal government but was trying to stay on the government rate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Government-issued ID does not mean you are traveling at the behest of the federal government, which is what entitles you to a government rate.

She must be really dumb if she thinks this! If this were the case then anyone would be eligible for the government rate as long as they have a drivers license.

Also if OP thinks she's on the straight and narrow why is she calling hotels asking if it's okay? She must know she's doing something wrong.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP there is a blurred line between Government Rate and Leisure Government Rate. Some chains don't recognize a difference and will give the gov rate whether you're there for business or leisure. Others have a very specific policy set for each type - but again, it depends on each individual hotel how they will honor/interpret it. Ignore the haters telling you you're taking advantage - as long as you are up front and prepared to pay full price if necessary, you're doing nothing wrong.

No. It is wrong for a non government employee to stay on the government rate at a hotel. Her son is absolutely taking advantage.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a government issued ID, so do my kids. My DH works for federal government. I have traveled many times by myself, or with kids, without DH and got the rate without any issues. So, has my DS. I was told today that DS can't get the government rate, nor can I, that only DH can get it in person. In the past, I got the rate even when my travel wasn't on travel orders, but for personal travel. Does anybody know what the rules are? And are they just trying not to give DS, who just turned 18, a room? I am confused. This is the same chain, Marriot, that we have used many times in the past. In the past even Hyatt gave him the rate without asking for his gov ID, when DS was traveling with a coach. If anybody knows exact rules, please let me know. Thanks.

This is correct. Only government employees can get the government rate.