Feds Pump Up Alaska Hotel Reimbursements for Travelers
Published Date: 12/31/2025
Notice
Summary
Starting January 1, 2026, government travelers heading to Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and U.S. possessions will see updated daily meal and lodging reimbursement rates. Alaska got the biggest changes, with several places getting higher lodging rates to better match real costs. If you think a rate isn’t fair, you can ask for a review to get it fixed.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Per diem rates updated for U.S. territories
Starting January 1, 2026, the Department of Defense published revised daily meal and lodging reimbursement (per diem) rates for official Government travel to Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and U.S. possessions in Civilian Personnel Per Diem Bulletin Number 330. The bulletin lists specific lodging and M&IE (meals and incidental expenses) amounts for each locality that Government travelers will use for reimbursement.
Alaska lodging rates increased
The Calendar Year 2025 lodging and meal rate review for Alaska produced lodging rate increases for multiple Alaska localities, effective January 1, 2026. For example, Anchorage has a seasonal lodging rate of $329 (04/01–09/30) with M&IE $148 for a total of $477, and an off-season lodging rate of $239 (10/01–03/31) with M&IE $148 for a total of $387.
You can request a per diem rate review
If you believe a listed lodging, meal, or incidental allowance rate for a locality is insufficient, you may request a rate review. The notice directs travelers to the Defense Travel Management Office's Per Diem Rate Review FAQ page for information on how to request a review.
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