Proportional Per Diem FAQs
UPDATED: 01 OCT 09

Q1: What is proportional meal rate (PMR)?

A1:It's an amount based on the locality meal rate and the GOV’T meal rate (GMR). The per diem tables on this website have the PMRs already computed. The examples below using the Standard CONUS M&IE rate of $46.00 and the Standard GMR of $10.80 show how to compute a PMR amount. The $46.00 consists of $41.00 for meals and $5.00 for incidental expenses.

Example computation rules: The PMR is an average of two rates – the locality meal rate and the GMR - which are (1) added, (2) averaged and rounded up to the nearest dollar. To compute the Proportional M&IE rate, (3) add the appropriate incidental expense rate, and (4) the total becomes the proportional M&IE amount.

Step 1	Add the locality meal rate and the GMR	$41.00 + $10.80 = $51.80
Step 2	Divide step 1 total in half (rounded to the nearest dollar)	$51.80 / 2 = $25.90 Rounded to $26.00
Step 3	Add step 2 (the PMR) total to the incidental expense amount	$26.00 + $5.00 = $31.00
Step 4	Proportional M&IE rate is step 3 total	$31.00
Disclaimer: The numbers in this example are for illustrative purposes only. Please check JFTR or JTR Appendix A for the current GMR.

Q2: Why did the Services implement a PMR?

A2: The PMR was implemented as part of the travel simplification process to create a single meal rate to replace the cumbersome meal-by-meal deduction and per diem adjustment. The PMR is an average amount of two meal rates – the lower daily meal rate (GMR) provided for three meals in a GOV’T dining facility/mess and the higher full locality meal rate.

Q3: Must the travel authorization/order prescribe the GMR or PMR?

A3: Yes. The locality meal rate applies if the authorization/order is silent

Q4: When can the PMR be used?

A4: The PMR can be used when:

• A member (not a civilian employee) is lodged in GOV’T QTRS on a U.S. INSTALLATION and one or two meals are available in a GOV’T dining facility/mess on that U.S. INSTALLATION;
• A member (not a civilian) is lodged in GOV’T QTRS on a U.S. INSTALLATION, had the GMR prescribed in the order, but the GOV’T dining facility/mess wasn't available for all meals on some/all days;
• A traveler receives one or two meals at GOV’T expense (e.g., one or two 'deductible meal(s)' on one or more days included in a conference registration fee); or
• A member is not authorized per diem but must purchase a meal (the PMR is the ceiling against which the traveler's actual meal cost is compared - the lesser of the two being paid).

Q5: How do I know if GOV’T meals are available at my TDY location?

A5: Some of the Services have published directories. See the LODGING sectionof the Per Diem Committee Home Page. Otherwise, check with your chain of command.