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Military Road Trip

Hotels Near Scott AFB: TLE, On-Base Lodging, and Off-Base Options for PCS Families

The entrance to the on-base lodging at Scott Air Force Base in Illinois. The building has five stories and is made mainly of red brick, with a metal awning covering the front entrance.

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Scott Air Force Base sits in southwestern Illinois, about 25 miles east of St. Louis. It’s home to Air Mobility Command headquarters and one of the busiest PCS destinations in the Air Force. If you’ve got orders to Scott, here’s what you need to know about lodging — on base, off base, and how Temporary Lodging Expense works so you’re not leaving money on the table.

TLE Quick Facts

TLE Quick Facts — Scott AFB

Authorized TLE days: Up to 21 days CONUS (JTR Table 5-13)

Daily TLE cap: Up to $290/day

Standard PCS lodging cap: $110/night

Pet reimbursement: Up to $550 CONUS (JTR 050107)

Table 5-13. Authorized TLE Locations and Time Limits

TLE authorized for 7 days when moving to a PDS OCONUS from a prior PDS in the CONUS, or reporting to the first PDS OCONUS from a home of record or initial technical school.

TLE authorized for 21 days when reporting to a PDS in the CONUS, or reporting to the first PDS CONUS from a home of record or initial technical school. Days may be split between the old and new PDS locations at the Service member’s discretion.

A Service member and dependent may be reimbursed up to a maximum of $290 per day. TLE is calculated based on the locality per diem rates, the number of dependents and their ages, and the actual lodging expenses.

The exact amount you receive depends on your household size — the calculation is a percentage of the applicable locality lodging and M&IE rates.

The key booking decision is whether a hotel or rental comes in at or under the $110/night lodging rate.

On-Base Lodging

The Scott Inn is the on-base lodging facility at Scott AFB, operated through the Air Force Inns program. It’s the most straightforward TLE option if you can get a reservation — you stay on base, the rate is at or under the lodging cap, and voucher filing is clean.

The catch: the Scott Inn books out fast during PCS season. Call as soon as orders drop if you can.

  • Phone: (618) 256-1844
  • Address: 1812 W Winters St, Scott AFB, IL 62225
  • Reservations: Book through the Air Force Inns system or call directly
  • Pet policy: Limited pet-friendly rooms available — confirm when booking

If the Scott Inn is full — which happens regularly in summer — you’ll be looking off base. But remember, TLE covers commercial lodging too.

Off-Base Hotels Near Scott AFB

The primary off-base areas for Scott AFB families are O’Fallon and Belleville, Illinois. Both are within 10-15 minutes of the main gate with solid hotel options at or near the $110 lodging cap.

O’Fallon, IL

O’Fallon is the closest off-base community and the most popular for military families — directly adjacent to the installation, good retail and dining, and most national chain hotels here run at or under the government rate. Staying here during TLE also gives you a feel for the area before you commit to a neighborhood.

Belleville, IL

Belleville is about 10 minutes west of Scott with more hotel inventory than O’Fallon — useful if O’Fallon is booked solid. Slightly more urban, good dining options, competitive pricing. The drive to the main gate is easy on non-peak commute hours.

When searching, look for properties that advertise government per diem rates or are listed under FedRooms.

Whole-House Rentals for TLE Families

If you’re moving with kids, pets, or both, three weeks in a hotel room is rough. A whole-house rental in O’Fallon or Belleville gives you a kitchen, a washer/dryer, space for kids, and a yard if you have a dog. Weekly rental rates often come in at or under the $110/night lodging cap — and you save significantly on meals.

VRBO bookings are reimbursable under TLE as long as the nightly rate is at or under the lodging cap (or you pay the difference). Keep your booking confirmation and payment receipt.

Pet-Friendly Lodging Near Scott AFB

La Quinta, Red Roof Inn, and Drury Inn are pet-friendly nationwide with no breed restrictions, though fees vary by property. Both O’Fallon and Belleville have options. Always call ahead to confirm — pet policies change and what’s listed online isn’t always current.

Pet hotel fees are reimbursable under JTR paragraph 050107 — up to $550 CONUS total per PCS. Keep itemized receipts showing pet fees as a separate line item.

Search pet-friendly hotels near Scott AFB →

050107. Pet Expenses Due to a PCS

A. Authority Effective January 1, 2024.

1. Eligibility. A Service member or Service member’s dependent on a PCS order with an effective date of January 1, 2024 or later may be authorized reimbursement for the costs related to the relocation of one household pet that arises from a permanent change of station. A household pet is a cat or a dog, owned for personal companionship.

2. CONUS. A Service member or Service member’s dependent may be authorized the reasonable and substantiated cost of mandatory microchipping, boarding fees, hotel service charges, licensing fees at the new PDS, and pet shipping fees if the member flies rather than drives, or the pet is shipped separately from the member. Reimbursement for the actual cost of all expenses is limited to $550 per PCS move.

3. OCONUS. Reimbursement for the actual cost of all necessary expenses is limited to $2,000 per PCS move.

Location Factors You Should Consider

Scott AFB’s location 25 miles east of St. Louis means you have a major metro right next door. For TLE purposes this mostly means more hotel inventory and more options if O’Fallon/Belleville is sold out. Hotel pricing can also spike on Cardinals or Blues game days — check the schedule before you book if you’re flexible on dates.

If you’re doing your PCS drive on the I-64 or I-70 corridors, Scott is a logical overnight stop regardless.

Know Your Entitlements Before You Book

If you’re PCSing, there are two different lodging caps you need to know:

  • If you’re staying at Scott on the way to your next station, your lodging is capped at the CONUS standard rate, which is currently $110.
  • If you’re moving to or from Scott and using TLE, your lodging is based on your family size and the local per diem, up to $290.

They’re two different entitlements, and while you shouldn’t be paying out of pocket for either one if you plan accordingly, knowing which one applies is important.

For the full picture of what you’re authorized on a PCS move — MALT, per diem, TLE, DLA, pet reimbursements, and more — see our complete PCS entitlements guide.

Frequently Asked Questions About Lodging at Scott AFB

Up to 21 days for a CONUS PCS per JTR Table 5-13, split between your losing and gaining installations. A common misconception puts this at 10 days — that’s wrong. Confirm your specific entitlement with your finance office before incurring costs.

The daily TLE cap is $290. The standard PCS lodging rate that factors into that calculation is $110/night. Lodging taxes are reimbursable separately as a miscellaneous expense per FTR 301-11.27.

Yes. Vacation rentals are reimbursable under TLE as lodging as long as the nightly rate is at or under the $110 lodging cap. Keep your booking confirmation and payment receipt showing the nightly rate and any fees separately.

Yes — up to $550 CONUS total per PCS under JTR paragraph 050107. Keep itemized receipts showing pet fees as a separate line item.

O’Fallon is closest and most convenient — directly adjacent to the installation with good hotel inventory at or near the government rate. Belleville is about 10 minutes west with more options. The Scott Inn on base is the simplest option if you can get a reservation.

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