Alaska Per Diem: 2026 Rates and What You Need to Know
Per diem rates establish daily reimbursement amounts for business travel, providing consistent guidelines for what employees can claim and what companies should budget.
With significant seasonal rate variations for locations across Alaska, knowing the correct amounts keeps project budgets accurate and prevents reimbursement disputes.
What Per Diem Covers in Alaska
Per diem breaks down into three parts: lodging, meals, and incidental expenses. Each component has its own maximum rate and reimbursement rules:
- Lodging: Lodging covers your nightly hotel room up to the maximum rate for that location. If you find a room under the maximum, you get reimbursed for the actual cost.
- Meals: Meals include breakfast, lunch, and dinner as a fixed daily amount. You get the full meal rate regardless of what you spend. If your hotel includes breakfast or your company provides lunch, those meals get deducted from your per diem.
- Incidentals: Incidentals cover tips for service workers, plus costs like laundry during extended trips. This is a fixed daily amount that doesn't require receipts.
Alaska Per Diem Rates by Location
Most states use the standard federal rates set by the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA). However, Alaska's rates differ because the Department of Defense (DOD) — specifically the Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO) — sets them, rather than the GSA, because it's a non-foreign area outside the continental U.S., also referred to as OCONUS.
The standard rate is $351 per day, which includes $230 for lodging, $97 for meals, and $24 for incidentals. However, Alaska rates vary dramatically by location and season. Tourist destinations and remote areas cost more, especially during the summer months when demand peaks. These rates are updated monthly or as necessary.
Smaller Cities
How to Calculate What to Pay Your Team
Here's how the money breaks down for a typical project in Anchorage during summer, when the average rate is $424/day:
- Lodging: $279 maximum
- Meals and Incidentals: $145 per day
So, if your equipment operator books a room at $250, they get the full $250 back, not the maximum $279. The meals and incidentals are fixed amounts regardless of what they spend. On travel days (the first and last day), employees receive 75% of the meal rate. For Anchorage, that's $87 instead of $116.
Get Per Diem Right for Your Next Alaska Project
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Engine handles per diem tracking, seasonal rate changes, and group bookings automatically. Over 1 million travelers use Engine to book crew accommodations without the receipt chaos.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the per diem rate for Alaska?
Alaska per diem rates range from $220 to $461 per day, depending on location and season. Major cities like Anchorage are $424/day in summer and $374/day in winter. Remote locations and smaller cities have their own specific rates. If your location isn't listed, use the standard Alaska rate of $351/day.
Who sets Alaska per diem rates?
The Department of Defense (DOD), through the Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO), sets Alaska per diem rates, not the General Services Administration (GSA). This is because Alaska is classified as OCONUS (Outside Continental United States), a non-foreign area outside the lower 48 states.
Do Alaska per diem rates include taxes?
Lodging taxes are not included in Alaska per diem rates. Employees can claim actual lodging costs plus taxes as a separate reimbursable expense, up to the maximum lodging rate for that location. Meals and incidentals rates already include taxes and tips.
When do Alaska per diem rates change?
Alaska per diem rates are updated annually on October 1st, the start of the federal fiscal year. Current rates are effective from October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2026. Rates typically remain stable unless significant economic conditions change.
How is per diem calculated for travel days?
On the first and last day of travel, employees receive 75% of the full meal rate. For example, if the location's meal rate is $116/day, travelers get $87 on travel days. Lodging and incidentals follow standard rates for actual days stayed.
What happens if I can't find lodging within the per diem rate?
If you can't find accommodations within the maximum lodging rate, your company may authorize reimbursement up to 300% of the standard rate in exceptional circumstances. This requires approval before booking and typically applies in remote areas or during peak seasons when availability is limited.
