Is Air BnB authorized?

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 11 Oct 2015 13:13:01 -0400

Does anybody know if you can book air BnB rooms for lodging and its authorized on the government travel card? The rooms are way cheaper and usually provide breakfast and kept you under the max rate so you don't have to pay out of pocket. They also provide receipts. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 11 at 2015 1:27 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 11 Oct 2015 13:27:27 -0400

Sir, I believe that only lodging arranged through DTS is authorized. I bet you will find the best answer through your local DTS administrator

Response by Maj Walter Kilar made Oct 11 at 2015 3:07 PM

Maj Walter Kilar — Sun, 11 Oct 2015 15:07:42 -0400

If you are traveling on official business through DTS, the JFTR makes it next to impossible to book a room via BnB. However, there are tricks to the trade. The catch-all would be to get "variations authorized" on your DTS orders. The easiest way to get a DTS AO to approve this would be to take leave in conjunction and fill out a constructive travel worksheet (CTW). You could also go with dependents and get them added to the orders, or just talk to the AO to travel with dependents and get variations authorized.

For a standard TDY for you alone to a base with lodging available, the JFTR will make it next to impossible to get a BnB. (Years ago, we got away with this a lot more, but in recent times it is entirely dependent upon how lazy or crafty your AO happens to be).

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 11 at 2015 4:25 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 11 Oct 2015 16:25:27 -0400

There no law in Joint Federal Travel Regulations saying you can't, but most brigades don't have the policies or internal controls to pay sources outside DTS even if it is cheaper. From an audit risk standpoint, you could pay yourself or related party from travel dollars. And, there is the risk of not getting accurate receipts.

My solution would be to have an AO maintain a data file of authorized AirBNBs, written policies on using AirBnB , written statement acknowledging you can't spend more than your estimated AirBnB rate, and mandatory GTC uses. But that's all harder. It's the governments money so just use it or lose it.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 21 at 2016 5:09 PM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 21 Dec 2016 17:09:42 -0500

I just used it and there was one draw back. Normally when you stay at a hotel the reciept itemizes at least 2 forms of taxes, resort fees and convenience fees not withstanding. Airbnb lists a cleaning fee, and service fee. On my DTS voucher I added these fees but they were rejected by Admin. Even with these fees I saved the government money. I am currently searching for some documentation about how to get these fees accepted.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 21 at 2016 5:26 PM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 21 Dec 2016 17:26:35 -0500

I just submitted the following to 'AskDFAS'....

Recently I went on short fused AT orders. I had a CNA but lodging was sparsely available out in town. I used http://www.airbnb.com to reserve accomodations that were much lower than the gov per diem rate. Looking through my voucher in DTS it appears that the cost for lodging has been approved however their are two fee's that airbnb adds on that have been rejected.

Airbnb provides a zero balance reciept; however, they do not list state or room tax. Instead they list a 'service' and 'cleaning' fee. Even with these fees added the cost to the government was substantially lower than it would have been if other commercial lodging would have been aquired.

My question is thus: Is there any documentation or current policy in regards to utilization of airbnb which directs DTS officials as to what are legal charges? I have done alot of reading thus far and haven't come accross anything specifically addressing this topic. Thank you!

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Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 3 at 2017 2:09 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 03 Mar 2017 14:09:33 -0500

ALCON,
AIRBnB is not authorized lodging IAW the Joint Travel Regulation for two reasons.
Reason #1 Lodging must be obtained through the Defense Travel System(DTS) reservation system if lodging is available.
Reason #2 DOD has deemed that AIRBnB is not "Commercial" lodging because the company itself has no culpability for the properties which means DOD cannot go after AIRBnB for reimbursement if anything happens(fire, theft, personal injury) at one of the lodging properties.

Therefore, it is not legal for reimbursement through DTS or any other means.
DO NOT STAY AT AIRBNB.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 11 at 2023 5:19 AM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 11 Aug 2023 05:19:54 -0400

The people in the comments saying you can’t rent an Airbnb type property are flat wrong. The JTR is not restrictive on “commercial properties” and you’re not required to book through DTS. If you don’t want to stay on base, you just get the on-base lodging amount and go stay wherever you want.

The problem is the receipt. Airbnb does not give you a DoD compatible receipt. The receipt needs to be itemized by day, no service fees, no cleaning fees etc.

In conclusion: renting from a third party is 100% allowed, but that third party must be familiar with the DoD receipt requirements if you want to get fully reimbursed for your stay.

Cheers,
Ryan