Government Rates?

[Daver6]

So if the rate is flexible, what happens if you turn up and they say your government ID is no good? Worst case you pay a higher rate. I'd just see what else is available in town and the Hilton can lose business. I mean seriously, if they are so vague in answering a question about it, what do they expect?

 

[boomy]

It depends on the hotel but is usually at or around the AAA rate and fully flexible.

The biggest advantage is there is no need to pay until the stay. So I can book expecting to stay, but no penalty if cancelled.

I thought Gov rates are better then AAA. Usually the pre-payed rates (when available) are 10-15% cheaper then AAA flexi rates. Is that also the case with Gov rates?
All these years I was never asked to show my AAA card in Australia. In fact the only time I was ever asked to show it was in Hawaii. Looks like a similar policy applies to Gov ID.

 

[Princess Fiona]

I thought Gov rates are better then AAA. Usually the pre-payed rates (when available) are 10-15% cheaper then AAA flexi rates. Is that also the case with Gov rates?
All these years I was never asked to show my AAA card in Australia. In fact the only time I was ever asked to show it was in Hawaii. Looks like a similar policy applies to Gov ID.

Mostly but not always cheaper than AAA IME. My last three bookings the AAA rate has been cheaper.

Last two stays in PER, asked for AAA card.

 

[boomy]

Last two stays in PER, asked for AAA card.

Good to know, I'm in PER tomorrow. Must double check the card is in my wallet

 

[esquire]

Ditto - have been asked for AAA or Gov ID at Hilton Perth, Brisbane, Darwin and Gold Coast - but not every time.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Mostly but not always cheaper than AAA IME. My last three bookings the AAA rate has been cheaper.

Last two stays in PER, asked for AAA card.

Agree and it depends on the hotel. HSP hotel is nearly always best on gov't. Yet H-BNE used to be always better on AAA. I have come to expect the gov't rate to be similar to the AP rate, but that is far from always the case.

 

[Flashback]

....huge..

Not IME!

Mostly but not always cheaper than AAA IME. My last three bookings the AAA rate has been cheaper.

Last two stays in PER, asked for AAA card.

I've always found the AAA rates to not be that great. The only time I have used AAA so far was for Hilton Narita and a very last minute (booked 12 hours before) stay at Hilton London Kensington Olympia - where obviously the choice was full flex or AAA (also full flex), so AAA was always going to be cheaper.

 

[grubbidok]

When I rang HTOP I was told that a University I D (not student) card does not count as Govt. Lucky I have another Federal Govt I D.

Interesting, I also work at a (public) university and have used the government rate without an issue (HH email is my uni email). Have discussed this being my business in town at check-in and no-one's batted an eyelid. I've only been asked for my ID once - at Hilton Toronto - and my uni staff ID was accepted.

It's interesting as we are told that university staff are eligible for government rates (where they are offered) by our uni travel officers. Much of the work interfaces with government (consulting for departments etc) so perhaps they let this slide?

 

[blackcat20]

Interesting, I also work at a (public) university and have used the government rate without an issue (HH email is my uni email). Have discussed this being my business in town at check-in and no-one's batted an eyelid. I've only been asked for my ID once - at Hilton Toronto - and my uni staff ID was accepted.

It's interesting as we are told that university staff are eligible for government rates (where they are offered) by our uni travel officers. Much of the work interfaces with government (consulting for departments etc) so perhaps they let this slide?

Interesting...I finally managed to locate my uni staff card by haven't been game to try it.

 

[Jaryd]

Interesting, I also work at a (public) university and have used the government rate without an issue (HH email is my uni email). Have discussed this being my business in town at check-in and no-one's batted an eyelid. I've only been asked for my ID once - at Hilton Toronto - and my uni staff ID was accepted.

It's interesting as we are told that university staff are eligible for government rates (where they are offered) by our uni travel officers. Much of the work interfaces with government (consulting for departments etc) so perhaps they let this slide?

I work for a fed govt business enterprise (ie not a department) and I just show my drivers license. Never been asked for my work id... Which I hardly ever carry to be honest.

 

[Buzzard]

Interesting...I finally managed to locate my uni staff card by haven't been game to try it.

So far I have never been asked for my ID so I'd give it a go if I were you. Should they choose not to accept it you could always ask for and show your AAA card. I do always take my Govt ID just in case. Seems confusing if a Uni card is a Govt card and might depend on who is checking you in?

 

[Buzzard]

Booking some future stays today, Govt rate is $90/night below standard rate (330/240)

 

[mattm199]

I'm employed by a public Hospital, but my business card has the State Government title and logo, so after reading this thread have looked at the Gov rates, and agree that there is often quite a difference from other rates.
I've used them at the Brisbane Hilton, and not asked for ID, though I am a regular guest there.
I see that Sydney seems to not have Gov rates available on the dates I've been looking at for upcoming stays, so guess they must be well booked with "full fare" customers!

 

[JessicaTam]

I'm employed by a public Hospital, but my business card has the State Government time and logo, so after reading this thread have looked at the Gov rates, and agree that there is often quite a difference from other rates.
I've used them at the Brisbane Hilton, and not asked for ID, though I am a regular guest there.
I see that Sydney seems to not have Gov rates available on the dates I've been looking at for upcoming stays, so guess they must be well booked with "full fare" customers!

I think there are a limited number of beds available for government rate - a bit like fare buckets.

 

[Danger]

I think there are a limited number of beds available for government rate - a bit like fare buckets.

- a bit like public hospitals!

 

[mattm199]

- a bit like public hospitals!

I read that and got a bit of a headspin, with different worlds colliding! Hospital beds and hotel beds don't belong in the same sentence, in my book!

Now all we need is a wait list guarantee, and a promise to outsource to another private (hotel) provider!

 

[turtlemichael]

I've noticed a change in wording on the government rate for bookings I have in Australia. I've noticed it now applies at least to Cairns, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide. A booking I have at the Conrad Hong Kong now has similar wording.


"FOR OFFICIAL GOVERNMENT TRAVEL ONLY OFFICIAL ID-ORDERS REQUIRED AT CHECK-IN. NOT APPLICALBLE FOR GROUPS-LIMIT 2 ROOMS"


Previously the description only mentioned the requirement of government ID. Apart from the spelling mistake and the fact it is grammatically weird, it does seem to indicate a tightening up. On the face of it it would appear to exclude leisure travel. I am also unsure whether many government employees travel with "orders" in addition to ID.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Hospital beds and hotel beds don't belong in the same sentence

I'll say! 5* hotel beds are affordable!

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I've noticed a change in wording on the government rate for bookings I have in Australia. I've noticed it now applies at least to Cairns, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide. A booking I have at the Conrad Hong Kong now has similar wording.


"FOR OFFICIAL GOVERNMENT TRAVEL ONLY OFFICIAL ID-ORDERS REQUIRED AT CHECK-IN. NOT APPLICALBLE FOR GROUPS-LIMIT 2 ROOMS"


Previously the description only mentioned the requirement of government ID. Apart from the spelling mistake and the fact it is grammatically weird, it does seem to indicate a tightening up. On the face of it it would appear to exclude leisure travel. I am also unsure whether many government employees travel with "orders" in addition to ID.

I guess I'll soon find out. They have always accepted Gov't contractors as well. As a Gov't contractor (sometimes), I never have an "official order" but I do have 3 forms of "official ID" which is the first point in that sentence. The bit about "OFFICIAL ID-ORDERS REQUIRED" suggests to me that it's an either/or situation. As for official Gov't travel, how would they know? I'm often at H-CNS on Gov't business and often on private business. Be a big call for them to question which is which however if that was the game they wanted to play, then there's plenty of cheaper accommodation if they refuse the Gov't rate on ID proof alone.

EDIT: I'm also ex-defence force and I do note they have a defence force (active and retired) rate as well. I've never looked at that, but it may be an option as well......Straitman?? Tried it?

 

[turtlemichael]

I've noticed a change in wording on the government rate for bookings I have in Australia. I've noticed it now applies at least to Cairns, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide. A booking I have at the Conrad Hong Kong now has similar wording.


"FOR OFFICIAL GOVERNMENT TRAVEL ONLY OFFICIAL ID-ORDERS REQUIRED AT CHECK-IN. NOT APPLICALBLE FOR GROUPS-LIMIT 2 ROOMS"


Previously the description only mentioned the requirement of government ID. Apart from the spelling mistake and the fact it is grammatically weird, it does seem to indicate a tightening up. On the face of it it would appear to exclude leisure travel. I am also unsure whether many government employees travel with "orders" in addition to ID.

I'm now getting the impression that this change extends well beyond my examples of Australia and Hong Kong. Does it mean anything? I guess we'll find out.