WASHINGTON—These new rates, announced today by the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), are for non-standard areas (NSAs) of the continental United States, and are in effect October 1, 2011, through September 30, 2012.
The complete FY2012 rates can be viewed at the GSA per diem Website.
Highlights
• The standard continental United States (CONUS) per diem rate for lodging applies to destinations that are not listed as specific destinations remains at $77 per night.
• GSA noted that its data shows that the ADR for hotel rooms has not yet returned to its pre-2008 levels and that while some areas have increased, others have remained flat or fallen below FY2011 levels.
• Of the NSA rates that did change from FY2011, most rates did not increase or decrease more than $5.
Snapshot of Per Diem Increases
Charleston, SC - from $132 to $137
Chicago, IL - from $166 to $171 (early summer season)
Cincinnati, OH - from $115 to $118
Colorado Springs, CO - from $84 to $88
Las Vegas, NV - from $93 to $99
Los Angeles, CA - from $123 to $125
Mackinac Island, MI - $77 to $80 (CONUS rate; upcoming high season)
Miami, FL for the Miami-Dade area - from $151 to $152 (mid-season)
New York City (Manhattan), NY - from $269 to $295 (fall season)
GSA establishes federal per diem rates by using market data provided by Smith Travel Research in order to establish rates reflective of the market where those rates apply.
Objections and Modifications
Although federal per diem rates cannot formally be appealed by business representatives, GSA does have the ability to review and modify the rates.
AH&LA is advising members who believe their localities may be undervalued to look to these helpful suggestions.