Government Rate Checker
Pick who you are and the chain — see whether its published policy covers you, how to book the rate, and what ID the front desk asks for.
How this tool works
Every verdict this checker gives is read from the hotel chain's own published policy — its government-rate landing page, the rate terms in its booking engine, or its help pages — never from blogs or forums, which is where wrong and expired codes come from. Each chain's row records the source URL and the date we checked it.
- Yes — the chain's own terms name your group as eligible.
- Varies — the chain's terms are conditional (e.g. official travel only, or property discretion).
- Not published — the chain doesn't say. That is a real answer: it means the front desk decides, and you should not rely on the rate without asking.
- No — the chain's terms exclude your group, or it publishes no such rate at all.
Two honest limits. First, a government rate is each chain's voluntary commercial rate — GSA's own FAQ notes hotels are not required to honor federal per diem, and individual properties control availability, so a "Yes" here is the chain's policy, not a guarantee of a room at that price. Second, chains change these programs without notice; every page shows its check date, and if you spot something stale we want to know.
Government & military rate policies in our database (14 chains)
| Chain | Gov rate | Military rate | Published code | Leisure OK? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marriott | Yes | None published | None published | Varies |
| Hilton | Yes | Military Family Rate | None published | Varies |
| Hyatt | Yes | MILVET military discount | None published | Not published |
| IHG | Yes | Military Appreciation rate | None published | Varies |
| Wyndham | Yes | Wyndham military rate | None published | No |
| Choice Hotels | Yes | Military/Veterans (Leisure) rate | None published | No |
| Best Western | Yes | None published | None published | Varies |
| Sonesta | Yes | Military and Veterans Appreciation Rate | GOVCH | Not published |
| Omni | Yes | None published | None published | Not published |
| Motel 6 / Studio 6 | None published | Motel 6 Military Discount | — | — |
| Red Roof | Yes | WeSalute member discount | VP#606730 (official) / VP#606732 (leisure) | Yes |
| Drury Hotels | Yes | Military & First Responder Rate | None published | Not published |
| Extended Stay America | Yes | None published | None published | Varies |
| Loews Hotels | None published | None published | — | — |
FAQ
Is there one universal government rate code that works everywhere?
No. Each chain runs its own program — most don't use a typed code at all, but a rate preference you select in their booking engine. Where a chain publishes an actual code or URL parameter, our chain page shows it; where it doesn't, we say so rather than inventing one.
Do I need to be on official travel to book a government rate?
Depends on the chain. Some restrict the rate to official business, others extend it to leisure stays for eligible travelers. The checker applies each chain's published rule to the trip type you pick.
What ID will the hotel ask for?
Typically a valid government-issued employee or military ID at check-in — CAC or DoD ID for military, agency PIV or employee ID for civilians. Each chain page records what that chain says it requires; where it says nothing, assume the desk can ask.
Can government contractors use these rates?
Not through GSA's programs — GSA is explicit its rates are for federal travelers. A few chains extend their own government rate to contractors; most exclude them or don't say. Pick 'Government contractor' in the checker to see each chain's actual position.
Is the government rate always the cheapest rate?
No — it's typically pegged near GSA per diem ($110 standard for FY2026), which in cheap markets can be above an advance-purchase deal and in expensive markets far below rack rate. It usually carries flexible terms; compare before assuming.
Does booking the rate guarantee I qualify?
No. Booking engines let anyone select the rate; eligibility is enforced at check-in, where the hotel can ask for ID and re-price the stay at the going rate if you don't qualify.