Lodging In Kind (LIK); Handling problems with hotel managers?

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 15 May 2014 22:29:20 -0400

What type of problems have other Reserve and National Guard units had with Lodging In Kind (LIK)? We keep running in to problems of hotels not wanting to conduct business because of having to wait 14-20 days, after the rooms were used to be paid. Any suggestions on how to approach hotel managers about this?

Response by LTC Yinon Weiss made May 15 at 2014 11:06 PM

LTC Yinon Weiss — Thu, 15 May 2014 23:06:25 -0400

Just curious... how come you guys are not using government travel cards for your hotel travel? The hotel gets paid right away that way. How does Lodging In Kind work?

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Sep 12 at 2014 6:18 PM

CPT Aaron Kletzing — Fri, 12 Sep 2014 18:18:00 -0400

CPT Private RallyPoint Member -- can you get a GTC (Govt Travel Card) approved for use by your chain of command? I believe it's the first O-6 in your chain of command, though that may be off. Using a GTC here would be your best bet, plus if your unit has regular travel lodging needs it should not be that hard to get approved for one.

Response by MSG Danny Stanley made Jan 7 at 2015 1:11 PM

MSG Danny Stanley — Wed, 07 Jan 2015 13:11:05 -0500

I've never had any issues getting LIK at my reserve unit. As long as we fill out our request in a timely manner we get the room. However, I have had issues with the interpretation of the DOD Instruction that authorizes LIK. DOD Instruction 1225.9 dated December 17, 2001 states:

"It is DoD policy to provide Reserve component personnel who travel more than 50 miles from the member's residence to perform active duty or inactive duty training with billeting by confirming their reservations to the same extent as Active component members traveling under orders away from the permanent duty station."

If it is DOD policy to provide lodging for any service member who travels more than 50 miles, how are commands authorized to change the mileage radius? I live 130 miles from my unit. The 99th RRC policy is to provide lodging for one night for Soldiers outside 50 miles and two nights for Soldiers outside 150 miles. The DOD Instruction says 50 miles. It does not make any exception for varying mileage. It clearly states "more than 50 miles." I understand the policy that a unit commander may add to, but never take away from a regulation or policy. I understand that this means that if the fleece cap is authorized, but a commander does not like it, he can declare that none of his Soldiers will wear it. This policy is adding to the regulation. Increasing the mileage to become authorized LIK is not adding to a policy, it is taking away from a policy (or benefit).

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 13 at 2015 5:51 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 13 Nov 2015 17:51:45 -0500

CPT Morgan - The GPC holder should be in contact with the hotel before the BA weekend and fill out a one time authorization form which allows the hotel to charge the GPC one time only (thus avoiding setting up a DBA, Direct Bill Account, which should be avoided). Most hotels have this form or know what it is. It's similar to when a highschool travels and has to put students up in a hotel. This way, at the end of the BA weekend the hotel can immediately charge the GPC and get their money, and they don't keep the card info on file. It also helps the GPC holder as he can then reconcile his monthly statement in a timely manner with the BO (Billing Official).

Response by Leyla Nichols made Sep 27 at 2017 7:30 PM

Leyla Nichols — Wed, 27 Sep 2017 19:30:22 -0400

I'm a prime contractor for LIK and lodging contracts. I see you posted a while ago; I can be reached at [login to see]