GSA likely will soon announce the per diem rates for federal travelers to be effective for the fiscal year starting October 1; the last several years the announcement has come in August.The annual announcement is closely watched byfederal travelers, who often complain that they end up paying costs out of their own pockets. The announcement commonly raises lodging rates by a few dollars at many destinations—although there have been decreases at times—and also commonly makes changes in some dates of seasonal rates, for destinations whose rates vary. It also sets the "meals and incidental expenses" reimbursement rates for non-lodging costs. Last year’s announcement was an exception, leaving fiscal 2013 rates unchanged from the prior year. The main reason for that freeze—pressure to hold down on travel, conference and similar expenses due partly to scandals at agencies including GSA itself—remains very much in place.
