How to Choose the Right Lodging for Your TDY Assignment
Selecting appropriate lodging during TDY involves balancing regulations, convenience, and personal preferences. Making smart choices here can significantly impact your comfort and finances throughout your assignment.
Government Quarters First
The Joint Travel Regulations establish a hierarchy for lodging selection. On-base government quarters come first when available and adequate. Before booking commercial lodging, you must check government quarters availability and obtain a non-availability statement if they cannot accommodate you.
Some travelers avoid government quarters due to perceived lower quality, but many installations have modernized their temporary lodging facilities. Staying on base often provides convenience benefits like proximity to your work location and access to base amenities.
Commercial Lodging Selection
When commercial lodging is authorized, use the Defense Travel System to find properties within per diem rates. DTS shows hotels with negotiated government rates that typically include amenities like breakfast, parking, and internet that might cost extra elsewhere.
Consider location carefully. A hotel closer to your TDY location may cost more but saves on rental car mileage and commute time. Factor in these practical considerations alongside the nightly rate when making your decision.
Extended Stay Options
For TDY assignments lasting longer than a week, extended stay hotels often provide better value. These properties typically include kitchenettes, allowing you to prepare some meals and stretch your M&IE allowance further. They also offer weekly rates that can reduce your lodging costs.
Documentation Requirements
Keep your lodging receipts showing the daily rate, taxes, and dates of stay. If you exceed the per diem lodging rate, you will need to justify the additional expense or pay the difference yourself. Some locations qualify for actual expense allowance when per diem rates are insufficient, but this requires advance authorization.
Review your travel orders before booking. Some assignments specify particular hotels or require staying at specific locations for coordination purposes. Following these requirements ensures smooth reimbursement and compliance with your authorization.
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