8-14-20 FY21 Federal Per Diem Rate Impacts in Maryland

Today the GSA released FY2021 per diem rates.  Leading up to this release MHLA joined federal advocacy efforts pushing for per diem to reflect pre-COVID-19 rates and we are pleased to report a win for the industry on this front!  See below for additional information from the American Hotel & Lodging Association.

While FY21 CONUS rates remain unchanged, the year over year change in rates for non-standard areas varies throughout the state.  Click the following link to see the change in each non-standard area throughout Maryland.

Contact Amy Rohrer, MHLA President & CEO, with any questions related to Maryland per diem rates.

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A message from Chip Rogers, President & CEO
American Hotel & Lodging Association

Dear AHLA Member,
In a significant shift and thanks to AHLA’s advocacy, today, the General Services Administration (GSA) released the FY2021 per diem rates for government travel in the Continental United States (CONUS) which reflect pre-COVID-19 rates. The move to hold per diem rates is a big victory for the hospitality industry.

The FY2021 CONUS per diem rate is $151:

• $96 lodging
• $55 meals

This is the same as FY20 and there are 319 Non-Standard Areas (NSAs) that have per diem rates higher than the standard CONUS rate as compared to 322 NSAs in FY20.
The AHLA actively engaged with the GSA, and sounded the alarm about the negative impacts the COVID-19 pandemic has had on hotel occupancy, rates and government travel and the further impact the pandemic would have on FY21 per diem rates. Our team also worked with a bipartisan group of Congressional leaders to send multiple letters to the GSA and supported the introduction of legislation that would freeze FY21 and FY22 rates at FY20 levels. We want to specifically thank Congressmen Crist (D-FL) and Posey (R-FL) for their leadership on this issue.

Because of our efforts, in partnership with our Partner State Associations and the efforts from you, our members, GSA has adjusted the FY21 data window for rate setting by one month (i.e. March 2019 through February 2020 in lieu of the standard April 2019 through March 2020) to not negatively depress FY21 rates due to COVID-19.
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Government travel is incredibly important to the hotel industry, supporting tens of thousands of jobs, and billions in travel spending that benefits communities across the country. Government per diem rates are also often used as a guide by other businesses and organizations in setting their own travel standards. It is critical that GSA established reasonable rates for FY21 that adjust for the devastating impact of the pandemic, especially at a time when our industry is fighting for survival.
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Thank you for your continued support.
Chip Rogers




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​Click here to see a summary of 2020 vs. 2021 per diem rates in Maryland.

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