Many Per Diem Rates Rise

Federal employees traveling to numerous destinations will see slight increases in their per diem rate reimbursements effective October 1, under revised rates published by the General Services Administration and covering the upcoming fiscal year. GSA raised the range of “meals and incidental expenses”-the so-called M&IE portion-for cities with specified per diem rates from a range of $30-$50 to a range of $35-$51. There are now 17 localities with rates-counting both the lodging and M&IE components-exceeding $200 a day. Meanwhile, the “standard” rate that applies outside areas with specific per diem rates is going up by $1 to $86; the $55 lodgings component is unchanged while the M&IE component is rising from $30 to $31.