An actual hotel price is different from a lodging ceiling

If the applicable lodging limit is $113 and your eligible room costs $90, the ordinary lodging estimate is $90. The unused $23 does not become meal money. If the room costs $140, an ordinary capped estimate remains $113; it does not approve the extra $27.

Actual-expense authorizations and other agency exceptions exist, but the calculator does not assume one. Check the authorization before committing to a booking above the normal ceiling.

Leaving the field blank asks for a budget at the maximum applicable room rate for each night. Entering a dollar amount applies the lesser of that amount and each night’s ceiling. Entering zero records no lodging expense, which is useful when lodging is supplied without charge.

The default amount applies to nights without a separate price. Open the per-night section to enter the itemized hotel quote. Each entered price is compared with that night’s ceiling, so a cheaper night does not offset an over-limit night. A blank night uses the default price, or the ceiling estimate when no default is entered. Zero means no room expense.

Our total excludes lodging taxes and other trip expenses. It also cannot decide whether a room upgrade, fee, cancellation or alternative location is authorized. Keep the itemized room documentation and applicable approval alongside the exported calculation.

The daily table distinguishes a quoted price from a ceiling estimate. It shows the room amount included in the estimate and any quoted excess excluded by the ordinary cap. If only some nights have prices, the total is labeled as a mixed estimate.