Federal employees traveling to any of eight locations around the country can stay in nicer hotels, following boosts in per diem rates that took effect Monday.
The General Services Administration announced the higher per diem rates in the July 19 Federal Register. Lodging rates were raised in Orange County, San Diego and San Luis Obispo, Calif.; Chicago; Belle Mead, N.J.; Durham and Research Triangle Park, N.C.; Ogden, Utah; and Loudoun County, Va.
Travelers staying in Orange County got a $20 dollar-a-day lodging boost, from $75 to $95. Orange County now shares a per diem rate with Los Angeles.
Chicago got a $5 lodging rate bump, San Diego a $7 hike, and Loudoun County, Va., a $27 boost.
Durham and Research Triangle Park now share an $85 lodging rate, while Davis and Weber counties in Utah share a $69 lodging rate.
Belle Mead, N.J., did not have a per diem rate previously. Its lodging rate is now $129.
In San Luis Obispo, Calif., the per diem rate has been set seasonally. From June 1 to Sept. 30, the lodging rate is $79. From Oct. 1 to May 31, the lodging rate is $69.
The per diem rates have been updated in GovExec.com's Per Diem Guide.