GSA adjusts per diem rates in six states

The General Services Administration has updated the per diem rates for regions in six states. The new seasonal rates are valid through the end of September.

The changes will apply to all government travel beginning March 17, according to a Federal Travel Regulation per diem bulletin published last week in the Federal Register.

Rates are adjusted periodically using updated information from the lodging industry, such as data on average daily room rates, as well as information on where agency employees stay when traveling in a particular metropolitan area.

For example, in Queens, N.Y., per diems are now on par with Manhattan, increasing from $194 to as much as $375, depending on the season. The St. Louis, Mo., region, which covers lodging in seven surrounding counties, received a modest increase, from $165 to $170.

The rate for Monterey, Calif., from March through September is $197, an increase of $8. Travelers heading to Mobile, Ala., will have $143 to spend, up from $109.

Other rate adjustments in effect from March through September are: Jefferson, Texas, at $130; and O'Fallon, Fairview Heights and Collinsville, Ill., at $170.

All rates are published on GSA's domestic per diem Web site.