AHLA Releases Top 5 Requirements to Travel Safely

The American Hotel and Lodging Association (AHLA) developed the Safe Stay Initiative earlier this year, introducing a comprehensive set of enhanced industry-wide hotel cleaning standards to ensure greater transparency and confidence throughout the hotel experience for travelers across all properties.

As a part of the Safe Stay program, the AHLA released the Safe Stay Guest Checklist late this summer for travelers to use as a guide on how to travel safely while also creating a standardized safety experience nationwide. 

Read on for a full outline of the new checklist. 

New Emphasis on Technology in COVID-19 Era

Contactless service has become a necessity for hotels to better serve guests and provide as clean and safe of an environment as possible for those traveling.

In light of these new priorities, technology has surfaced as a key focus for FedRooms partner hotel brands in 2020. Read on for details about a few of these innovative new products.

The Standard Per Diem Rate Remains the Same for 2021

Travel looks a bit different this year with new protocols to prioritize health and safety. While many travel norms are evolving with the times, the federal per diem rate will remain the same for fiscal year 2021.

The standard per diem will again be $151, including $96 for lodging and $55 for meals and incidental expenses. Find current rates in the continental United States ("CONUS Rates") on the GSA website by searching with city and state (or ZIP code), or by clicking on the map.

Updated FedRooms Traveler Webinar Dates and CLP Credits

We are excited to announce that travelers can now earn CLP credits for attending a FedRooms 101 webinar for travelers! Please join us for our next WebEx webinar presentation, an Introduction to the FedRooms Lodging Program for Government Travelers and Travel Arrangers.

Upcoming Dates: Thursday, October 22^nd at 9:00am Eastern/8:00am Central/7:00am Mountain/6:00am Pacific

Thursday, November 19^th at 6:00pm Eastern/5:00pm Central/4:00pm Mountain/3:00pm Pacific

Thursday, December 10^th at 12:00 noon Eastern/11:00am Central/10:00am Mountain/9:00am Pacific

FedRooms.com Booking Tool Enhancement

We are excited to announce an enhancement for the FedRooms.com booking tool, available as a market research tool and secondary booking option.

When looking at a property rate on fedrooms.com, travelers previously saw the FedRooms rate negotiated, which is the highest rate that the property can load and must be at or below per diem.

Lots of Loyalty Love: Best Western and Choice Hotels

Best Western

Best Western Hotels & Resorts offers a global network of hotels in nearly 100 countries and territories worldwide. In reaction to the COVID-19 pandemic, the brand launched the “We Care Clean” program with industry-leading cleaning standards to ensure a safe and healthy stay for all guests. The program focuses on five key areas including the front desk and lobby, guest rooms and housekeeping, temporary breakfast offerings, public amenities, hotel employees and staff requirements. Join Best Western Rewards today to earn points on your next stay rest easy knowing you will be in responsible hands.

Choice Hotels

Health and safety is always a top priority at Choice Hotels. The Choice Commitment to Clean program, launched this year, reflects these values and new approach to infection prevention through a close partnership with EcoLab. Travelers may experience a growing variety of new and improved cleanliness protocols, products and communications at Choice-branded hotels over the coming weeks. These new protocols will help keep travelers safe while on the road. Be sure sign up for the Choice Privileges loyalty program to earn points on your next stay!