The real problem is the accountants/managers responsible trying to look good by cutting where ever they can.
They decide on an allowance based on hotel prices less the offered discounts. They once determined these based on the most expensive meal - now - no idea!
They don't include tray fees for room service even when at some hotels this is the only option late at night. They don't include tax. They don't factor in that we need to drink.
Now we have hotels, such as the one in Chicago, where you cannot get ANY food at night! So you wake up for your 3am departure and go to work without a meal.
Other hotels have 'limited' menus at night.
Considering we are flight crew who may be on any number of time zones or have any number of departure times I think it is deplorable.
Now we even have flights with duties of 10 plus hours (not including travel time) with ONE meal.
No idea where this is going to stop!