Per Diem for Fiscal 2027: Lodging Rises $3 to $113, Meals Stay at $68

Bottom line

Three dollars. That is the increase in the standard lodging allowance for official travel in the continental United States in fiscal 2027, from $110 to $113 a night, under GSA’s notice in today’s Federal Register ^{[1, 2]}. The meals and incidentals rate does not move, staying at $68 for a third straight year ^{[1, 3]}. If you travel on government business after October 1, your hotel ceiling rises slightly in most of the country, and your meal allowance does not.

What happened

The notice. GSA published FTR Bulletin 27-01 as a Federal Register notice on September 10 ^[1]. It applies to “travel performed on or after October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2027” ^[1]. The text is brief. It says that “after a rate freeze in FY 2026,” GSA will raise the standard lodging rate by $3 to $113, and that 295 non-standard areas will keep a maximum lodging allowance above the standard rate ^[1]. The meals and incidental expenses (M&IE) tiers remain $68 to $92, with the standard M&IE rate at $68 ^[1]. Combined, the standard daily rate is $181, up from $178 ^{[1, 2]}.

The location-by-location rates live on GSA’s per diem site, not in the notice ^[1]. GSA had already posted them; the American Hotel & Lodging Association issued a statement on them on September 4 ^[6]. FEDweek reported on September 8 that about 300 destinations carry their own lodging rates, some varying by season, and that Allentown, Pa., is moving into the standard category ^[5].

How we got here. For fiscal 2025, GSA raised standard lodging from $107 to $110 and revised the M&IE tiers for the first time since fiscal 2022, lifting them from $59-$79 to $68-$92 and the standard meal rate from $59 to $68 ^[3]. For fiscal 2026, it changed nothing. That notice added no new non-standard areas, held every existing locality’s lodging rate at fiscal 2025 levels and kept standard lodging at $110 ^[2]. FEDweek reported that some travelers found the frozen rates inadequate and covered the gap themselves ^[5].

How the lodging numbers are set is stated in the fiscal 2025 notice: GSA bases them on average daily rate, a common hotel industry measure, less five percent ^[3]. The hotel association described the same method, using trailing 12-month averages ^[6].

The rulebook changed in between. On December 8, 2025, GSA rewrote the entire Federal Travel Regulation, replacing its question-and-answer format with titled narrative sections and moving some provisions ^[4]. That is why this year’s notice points agencies to 41 CFR 301-70.202 for per diem rate reviews, where last year’s cited 301-11.26 ^{[1, 2]}. Readers who keep a printed FTR section list should note the new numbers. The fiscal 2027 notice also drops the sentence, present in the two prior notices, reminding agencies that actual expense reimbursement is available ^{[1, 2, 3]}. The authority itself is still in the regulation, now at section 301-11.17 ^[4].

The reaction. The hotel association welcomed the increase. Its president, Rosanna Maietta, said “fair, market-based federal per diem rates that reflect current operating costs are essential to sustaining hotels” and that per diem rates must “keep pace with increased costs” ^[6]. Whether $3 does that in a given city is a question the notice does not take up ^[1].

What it means for you

On a routine temporary duty trip. The arithmetic is modest. Under the regulation, the first and last days of a trip lasting 24 hours or more are paid at 75 percent of the M&IE rate, and full days at 100 percent ^[4]. Using the standard rates, a three-day, two-night trip comes to $226 for lodging and $170 for meals and incidentals, or $396, against $390 for the identical trip under fiscal 2026 rates ^{[1, 2, 4]}. The difference is the $6 in lodging. Lodging is reimbursed at actual cost up to the ceiling, not as a flat payment, so a cheaper room earns no more ^[4].

When the ceiling is too low. Employees may request actual expenses up to 300 percent of the per diem rate, and the regulation says “there is no authority to exceed this ceiling” ^[4]. Approval is “typically provided in advance and at the agency’s discretion” ^[4]. Ask before you book, not when you file the voucher. Actual expense claims require itemization, with receipts for lodging regardless of amount and for any individual meal over $75 ^[4]. If you or your colleagues return often to an expensive location, your agency’s senior travel official can ask GSA to review that location with cost data ^{[1, 4]}.

Hotel taxes. These sit outside the lodging rate. In CONUS they are reimbursed separately, limited to the taxes on reimbursable lodging costs ^[4].

Conferences and provided meals. The flat meal rate means a provided meal still reduces your claim by the deduction GSA lists for that M&IE tier ^[4]. Meals from a common carrier or a complimentary hotel breakfast are not deducted ^[4].

Relocating employees. En route travel between old and new duty stations within CONUS is paid at the standard CONUS rate, and so is a CONUS house-hunting trip ^[4]. For a move after October 1, the $113 lodging figure governs those nights ^{[1, 4]}. The mileage side of a move was covered in the August 11 memo on the 76-cent rate.

Agencies may pay less. The regulation lets an agency set a reduced rate when it knows in advance that costs will be lower, as when two employees share a room or a kitchen is available ^[4]. The lower rate must appear in the travel authorization before the trip, or the traveler must get enough notice to adjust ^[4].

Trips that straddle October 1. A trip that begins on September 29 is split: the new rates start with October travel ^[1], and the earlier nights are paid at fiscal 2026 rates ^[2].

Contractors. The notice addresses reimbursement of federal employees ^[1]. Contractor staff whose travel costs are tied to the federal rates by their contract terms should read those terms; the notice itself says nothing about them.

Questions you’re probably asking

What is the standard federal per diem rate for fiscal 2027?

$181 a day in most of the continental United States: $113 for lodging and $68 for meals and incidental expenses ^[1]. It covers travel performed from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027 ^[1].

Did the federal meals and incidentals rate go up for 2027?

No. The standard M&IE rate stays at $68 and the tiers remain $68 to $92, the levels GSA set for fiscal 2025 ^{[1, 3]}.

Does the new $113 lodging rate apply to a trip that starts in late September?

The notice applies the fiscal 2027 rates to travel performed on or after October 1, 2026 ^[1]. Nights before that date fall under the fiscal 2026 rates, which kept standard lodging at $110 ^[2].

What can I do if hotels near my temporary duty station cost more than the lodging rate?

The travel regulation lets employees request actual expenses up to 300 percent of the per diem rate, usually approved in advance at the agency’s discretion ^[4]. Separately, an agency can ask GSA to review a location whose rate is too low ^{[1, 4]}.

Are hotel taxes included in the federal lodging rate?

No. In the continental United States, lodging taxes are reimbursed as a separate miscellaneous expense, limited to the taxes on reimbursable lodging costs ^[4].

Does the standard rate apply when I drive to a new duty station on a PCS move?

Yes. The regulation sets per diem for en route relocation travel within CONUS at the standard rate, so the $113 lodging figure applies to those nights from October 1 ^{[1, 4]}.

What I’m watching

• October 1, 2026: the fiscal 2027 rates take effect for travel ^[1].
• September 30, 2027: the rates expire, and the next annual bulletin will show whether lodging keeps climbing after a one-year freeze ^{[1, 2]}.