@MB86 Sorry I couldn't get back to you sooner. You are thinking through your situation in the right way. As you have corrected, lodging is not expensed per diem, but actual cost. Meal and Incidental may use the per diem rate, but you are not required to do so (but you either use per diem throughout the year or the actual expenses, you can't go back and forth throughout the year). If you are not subject to DOT regulations, you will be entitled to 50% of the rate or actual expense as a deduction. (DOT workers are allowed 80%).
As far as which method is better, you do best to compare. The following website is very helpful: GSA per diem rate. The M&I rate is usually the same country-wide except in certain "more-expensive" urban regions.
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