Entitlement to Per Diem

A decision was requested as to whether the per diem of a military member traveling on temporary duty could be computed by using the full cost of hotel accommodations. The accommodations were shared by a person who was not entitled to lodging at Government expense. The only travel expenses the Government is obligated to pay are those of the individual employee. However, if the cost of the hotel would have been the same if the employee had been alone, then the employee is entitled to reimbursement on the basis of the full room charge paid. If, as in most cases, the rates for single and double occupancy differ, the employee is entitled to reimbursement on the basis of the single occupancy rate rather than at one-half of the double occupancy rate, assuming he would have used the same accommodation had he or she not been accompanied. From the record submitted, it was not clear which of these factual situations applied. The certifying officer was instructed to determine the facts and then certify the appropriate allowable amount.