Programs & Services > Allowances > Frequently Asked Questions > Proportional Meal Rate
Proportional Meal Rate
Frequently Asked Questions
Updated: 01/05/12
- What is proportional meal rate (PMR)?
- Why did the Services implement a PMR?
- Must the travel authorization/order prescribe the GMR or PMR?
- When can the PMR be used?
- How do I know if government meals are available at the TDY location?
1. What is proportional meal rate (PMR)?
It's an amount based on the locality meal rate and the government 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 ($46) and the Standard GMR ($11.55), show how to compute a PMR amount. The Standard CONUS M&IE rate ($46.00 ) consists of $41 for meals, and $5 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 + $11.55= $52.55 |
Step 2 |
Divide step 1 total in half (rounded-up to the nearest dollar) |
$52.55 / 2 = $26.28 ($27) |
Step 3 |
Add step 2 (the PMR) total to the incidental expense amount |
$27+ $5 = $32 |
Step 4 |
Proportional M&IE rate is step 3 total |
$32 |
Disclaimer: The numbers in this example are for illustrative purposes only. Please check JFTR or JTR Appendix A for the current GMR. The computation rules in these regulations may be unique to JFTR/JTR. |
2. Why did the Services implement a PMR?
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 government dining facility/mess and the higher full locality meal rate.
3. Must the travel order prescribe the GMR or PMR?
Yes. The locality meal rate applies if the order is silent.
4. When can the PMR be used?
The PMR can be used when:
- A member (not a civilian employee) is lodged in government quarters on a U.S. installation and one or two meals are available in a government dining facility/mess on that U.S. installation;
- A member (not a civilian) is lodged in government quarters on a U.S. installation, had the GMR prescribed in the order, but the government dining facility/mess wasn't available for all meals on some/all days;
- A traveler receives one or two meals at government 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).
5. How do I know if government meals are available at the TDY location?
The responsible Agency/Service representative and/or member (not a civilian employee) within the chain of command must contact the TDY location(s) to determine if government quarters and meals are available for the applicable TDY period. Some of the Services have published directories found at the Lodging section of the DTMO website.
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