What does a GSA per diem estimate cover for training travel?

Question

When I look up GSA per diem for a training trip, what costs are included in the estimate and what still needs a separate line on the travel request?

Accepted Answer

A typical GSA-based estimate covers lodging up to the nightly maximum for the destination (some cities vary by season) and meals and incidental expenses (M&IE). On federal-style travel, the first and last travel days often use 75% of the daily M&IE rate.

It does not include course registration or tuition (see the event page), airfare, mileage, rental cars, tolls, parking, or most lodging taxes and fees — those are usually separate. Local attendance with no overnight stay generally earns no lodging per diem.

Alaska, Hawaii, and U.S. territories are outside CONUS (OCONUS); those rates are set by DoD or the State Department, not the GSA tables APT’s calculator uses.

Open the calculator: https://americanpolicetraining.com/travel/per-diem
Find training events: https://americanpolicetraining.com/events

These figures are for planning. GSA CONUS rates are a common ceiling for lodging and meals; your agency’s travel policy controls what you are reimbursed. Confirm with your training or fiscal office before booking.