{"id":53834,"date":"2019-11-01T09:00:55","date_gmt":"2019-11-01T09:00:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/uncategorized\/2019\/11\/01\/heres-where-military-official-lodging-rates-are-increasing-again\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T10:36:19","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T10:36:19","slug":"heres-where-military-official-lodging-rates-are-increasing-again","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/pay-benefits\/2019\/11\/01\/heres-where-military-official-lodging-rates-are-increasing-again\/","title":{"rendered":"Here\u2019s where military official lodging rates are increasing \u2014 again"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Some service members are seeing rates increase \u2014 more than doubling in some cases \u2014 at official lodging<\/a>, as the services adjust to having to operate the facilities without extra taxpayer dollars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Those going on official travel to Air Force bases are seeing rate increases as of Nov. 1. The Air Force has also moved away from a single rate for all room types, to a tiered rate structure, with a range of rates. Thus, the rate will vary by installation. But those staying in visiting airman quarters, for example, are seeing an increase from $55 a night to anywhere between $68 to $129.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The singular rate \u201cis no longer feasible to cover all costs of lodging while remaining within per diem rates at all locations,\u201d according to Air Force spokeswoman Capt. Carrie Volpe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Generally, for all branches of service, the rates will still be within per diem rates for that location. The Air Force, Army and Navy increased their room rates within the last year in anticipation of the requirement that they must stop using extra taxpayer dollars<\/a> to pay to operate their lodging facilities used for official travel \u2014 for temporary duty as well as permanent change of station moves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A November, 2018 DoD memorandum put the services on notice that as of Oct. 1, 2019, they had to stop using extra taxpayer dollars for anything related to the lodging facilities \u2014 whether it\u2019s maintenance, other operation support requirements, repair or construction. These lodging facilities will rely on money generated by their nightly room fees to sustain their lodging operations and meet DoD standards for adequate lodging.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This applies only to TDY and PCS lodging and operations worldwide, and doesn\u2019t apply to morale, welfare, and recreation (MWR) recreational lodging, or military treatment facility lodging, to include Fisher Houses, and lodging facilities that are privatized or operating under an enhanced use lease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The official lodging will in effect continue to receive taxpayer dollars in the form of troops\u2019 room charges, because troops receive per diem from their units for the rooms based on the actual cost of the room. So in essence, these increases will cost units, not individual troops, more. Official travelers receive per diem, which is an allowance for travel expenses such as lodging and meals, with rates set based on location. DoD requires official TDY travelers to stay in DoD lodging facilities when performing any part of their TDY mission at a DoD installation. Rooms are often available on a space-available basis to other travelers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Again, if a location has a lower per diem rate, the lodging rate will be within per diem levels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here’s how the room rates are affected:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

AIR FORCE<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n