The 2010 Lodging Guide Program
(Check regularly for new additions to the program)

The Department of General Services and American Express, provider of the American Express Travel Charge Card, have joined together to present this program for the government business travelers of the State of California. Changes to business traveler room rate allowances is the decision of the Department of Personnel Administration and the 21 bargaining units representing employees of the State of California.  For updates on contract negotiations link to Department of Personnel Administration website.

Each lodging property participating in this program has committed to offering Last Room Availability of standard type rooms or Subject to Availability of standard type rooms Monday - Sunday at the $84 ($110 in Los Angeles and San Diego Counties and $140 in the 4 counties of the San Francisco Bay Area - San Francisco, Alameda, San Mateo, Santa Clara) per diem rate or less.  It is possible hotels can be sold out during city wide conventions, holidays, or special city events. Please plan your travel, if possible, as soon as your dates are set to avoid these unpredictable sold out situations.

As this on-line guide evolves, we hope it to be an invaluable resource for state, local and university employees on travel status, providing single-source information on:

• Location of quality hotels throughout all regions of the state where the Travel Charge Card is welcomed.
• ADA (American Disability Act) enhancements
• Special rates and complimentary upgrades offered to government employees.
• Weekly rates
• Monthly rates
• Meeting facilities available.
• FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Act) approval.
• Interior or Exterior room access.
• Enclosed parking facilities.
• Room cancellation policies.
• Distance from nearest airport.
• Transient Occupancy Tax rates and exemption status
• Other helpful travel information web sites and tips on safety.

When you use this directory to select lodging establishments and pay with the Card, you will enjoy an extra measure of value and convenience, and help our state agencies realize significant cost savings.  In addition, reconciliation of travel expenses is greatly simplified when you travel with the Travel Charge Card, since billing documentation provided by American Express is approved by the IRS.

The information contained in this on-line directory has been provided by the participating lodging properties.  Every effort has been made to guarantee its accuracy but neither the authors or publishers can accept responsibility for any errors or omissions in this directory nor for the failure of any property to honor the rate of services described herein.

American Express and the State of California act only as the facilitator in soliciting participation of services for state government employees on travel.  American Express makes no representations or warranties, express or implied, with respect to the Hotel properties' location, safety code compliance including but not limited to, fire and building code, or maintenance of liability insurance.

We sincerely hope that you will utilize this directory and the Travel Charge Card as essential tools for making business travel throughout California pleasant and efficient.