Per Diem Rates for Military & Government Travel

If you have traveled on official government duty, you have probably received per diem. Per diem is the daily allotted pay the DoD gives members while they are traveling on official duty assignments. The funds are to be used to cover your lodging, food, and incidental expenses, such as laundry and basic needs. When most people refer to per diem, they break it out to the two primary expenses, their Lodging, and their Meals and Incidental Expenses (M&IE).

How are Per Diem Rates Determined?

Per Diem rates are given for specific locations. The rates range from $178 per day in the CONtinental US (CONUS) to over $1,000 per day in OCONUS (Outside CONUS) locations. Again, the total rate is split between your lodging and your Meals and Incidental Expenses.

Rates for these locations are determined by three organizations: The General Services Administration (GSA), The Department of State (DoS), and The Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO).

Proportional Meal Rates

You may find that you are eligible to eat government-provided meals on some of your trips. This will result in a Proportional Meal Rate. The proportional meal rate for your location is based on the locality meal rate and the GOVAT meal rate (GMR).

The Proportional Meal Rate is determined by:

• adding your locality meal rate with the GMR of $17.60, dividing by 2, then rounding up to the nearest dollar. Then you add the Incidental Expense rate.
• Example: The CONUS Meal & Incidental Rate is $68 ($63 for meals and $5 for incidentals). Add $63 to $17.60, which gives us $80.60. Divide by 2 to get $40.30. Round that up to $41. Then add the $5 incidental expense, for a total of $46.

The Proportional Meal Rate is given when:

• Lodging in government facilities and the government provides at least one meal (but not all 3 meals).
• Lodging in government facilities with government meals on your orders, but the mess wasn’t available for all meals.
• You receive one or two meals that are paid for by the Government (for example, as part of a conference registration fee).
• You aren’t entitled to per diem but must purchase a meal (your actual expenses are compared to the Proportional Meal Rate and you will be reimbursed the lesser of the two).

Per diem is granted in addition to Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS) for those who are eligible for BAS.

Current Per Diem Rates

Each agency involved in setting per diem rates provides different tools and resources to help travelers understand what they’re eligible for. The GSA handles rates within the continental U.S. (CONUS), the Department of State publishes international (OCONUS) rates, and the Defense Travel Management Office offers calculators and policy guidance based on your travel details.

These rates typically include separate amounts for lodging, meals, and incidental expenses. They can vary significantly depending on the time of year and the cost of living in the area you’re visiting.

Per diem often works alongside COLA (Cost of Living Adjustments), which helps offset higher living expenses in certain locations, especially for longer assignments or permanent changes of station (PCS).

Updates to Per Diem Policy

The Department of Defense recently updated the per diem rates for military members on Temporary Duty Assignments (TDY).

Here are some updates you need to be aware of:

Lodging

If lodging can not be obtained at the set per diem rate travelers can submit a request for approving a higher rate. Your approving official (AO) can submit an actual expense allowance (AEA) request.

Flat Rate Per Diem Terminated

This rate was previously offered for long-term travel. Details can be found at DTMO’s FAQ page.

ATM fees, baggage expenses, transportation tips, & laundry/dry cleaning no longer reimbursable. These items were previously allowed expenses on your travel voucher and would be reimbursed. These are now included under incidental expenses and cannot be reimbursed on your travel voucher.

However, items like hotel and in-flight Wi-Fi are reimbursable if deemed necessary to the work being performed.

Other items of note:

• When staying in government lodging, travelers will be reimbursed for the actual lodging costs.
• Travelers may choose to stay in furnished apartments or similar lodging for long-term stays if the rates are comparable or less than commercial hotel rates.

Per Diem Rates FAQs

How often are per diem rates updated?
Rates are reviewed and updated monthly, typically becoming effective on the first of each month. This ensures they reflect local cost-of-living changes and currency fluctuations, especially for overseas travel.

Do exchange rates affect per diem abroad?
Yes. OCONUS per diem rates are adjusted regularly to account for changes in foreign exchange rates, helping maintain parity with real-world travel costs.

What if there’s no per diem rate for my destination?
Use the rate listed as “Other” for that country. If the destination sees frequent travel, agencies can work with the State Department to establish a location-specific rate.

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Ryan Guina is The Military Wallet's founder. He is a writer, small business owner, and entrepreneur. He served over six years on active duty in the USAF and is a current member of the Tennessee Air...

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