Company travel without clearly defined travel policy - where would you draw the line?

When I have had to travel for business, the answer is "it depends."

Know the area of town you are going to. If it is a bad area of town, pick the best value that has good security. If it is a good or average part of town, I usually pick a hotel that is roughly $100 a night or so. If you look online, you can usually find a Hyatt or comparable hotel for that price.

In June, I stayed at the Hyatt Place in Arlington during the week for $94.00. It is by FAR the best hotel I have ever stayed in for that price.

 

refman,

I've gotten the Hyatt Place in Plano for friends twice this year for $35-$40/night using Priceline. It used to be an AmeriSuites and really is a steal at prices like that. The room was a suite with 42 or 46" tv, fridge, stove, etc. Many of these hotels are/were struggling for business. Of course if you need a specific hotel or may cancel reservations, then Hotwire/Priceline may not be a good choice.

When I've traveled in the past I really wasn't overly picky. A Holiday Inn with Internet and tv was good enough for me as long as it wasn't a security risk or dirty. Most companies I traveled for had their own preferred hotels and they were usually Marriotts/Sheratons/Hiltons/Hyatts and they were more than enough. They were usually $145-$200/night rooms.

 

Depends on the client. Sometimes I stay at the Hilton, sometimes the Four Seasons. In your case (since their is no defined policy), I would go ahead and book a room at a Starwood hotel (Westin, Sheraton, W, etc.)

 

I use priceline - name your own price (if I can) when I travel for business as well, most of my costs go to the client. I try to stay around the 100 dollar range for a nice place via priceline, 4 stars.

I also look at the comparable rates at other hotels etc.... Just depends on the length and location mostly.

 

Nothing where the room doors are outside. Cambria Suites are advertising on this site. I have spent 2 weeks at the one in Pueblo and it is an excellent value. $88 per night.

 

I work for a retailer and do a lot of travel to our stores. Normally I look for a hotel under $150/night. Usually I book in an Embassy Suites or a Hampton Inn. I use the Hilton Honors points and usually earn a free night every 4 or 5 nights.

 

We usually try to stay under $200 a night, but on occassion have gone up to $250 especially in Europe where it is more expensive.

Just be conscious that you are spending company money, but also realize that you are away from your family and spending a little $$$$ for creature comforts is not that bad.

I generally use SKYPE to talk to my family and kids to save $$$$ and spend very small amounts on meals for myself but pretty liberally for client meals etc.

SJC, I am in Germany from Sunday - Thursday next week, you around?

DD

 

When I was working in Londong for a 9month project, since the client didn't offer a per diem allowance, I stayed in suite for 150 lbs a night. They were having sandwich for breakfast while I didn't miss to find a restaurant. They were riding the tube and I was comfortablespending 10 lbs one way for the black cab. At one point I had to reimburse 25K USD for one month expense. They were not happy about it so they gave me 200USD per diem. Good deal for me cuz I stayed with my cousin in her condo for free. She didn't ask me to pay a rent so I just bought her a plasma tv and paid for the groceries and clubbing. Win win.

 

Sounds like you are a great employee!

 

Actually it sounds like he worked the system to his advantage, which is smart.

DD

 

Word. When traveling for work, there's no real reason to try to cut costs. Spending the extra few dollars here and there isn't even making a dent in the company's pocket, so why not just live more comfortably while living on the road? $200 per diem is amazing...I was getting $58/day for 7 months while in Toronto.

 

Ours was $75 per day, but now they just want us to chronicle spending.....the weird thing was I never charged for my own meals......which was stupid...lol...now I have to...and it is saving me about $50 a day....

DD

 

I would say the list you laid out seems reasonable. Personally, I'm a Starwood loyalist.

I think the price would be very dependent on where you're traveling "reasonable" in NYC is very different than "reasonable" in Kansas City.

 

I, too, am a Starwood loyalist. It really paid off for me when I was staying at a Sheraton resort in Luxor, Egypt last month. The price was $65/night (Egypt is generally pretty cheap, but the reason I got the room for that cheap is cause it's not tourist season in southern Egypt during the summertime)...anyways, they upgraded me (I'm a Starwood Gold member) from my basic room to the Presidential Suite, which was the largest room in the entire hotel. It was unreal - 3 beds, 4 bathrooms (4!), kitchen, 2 bedrooms, living room, private patio on the Nile...all for $65/night.

 

To each its own, but to me theres not much of a difference between working the system to your advantage and taking advantage of clients/companys money. Especially during this type of economy, should be careful.

If you think you are getting the shaft when traveling, money wise, maybe you should look for another job or talk with your supervisor.

 

When you have dozens of employees travelling at any one time, it does make a dent in the company's pocket.

 

The company has to factor that in when budgeting.....

DD

 

What country are you staying in?

 

we typically use Hilton family hotels. Rarely are they over $200 a night, and you get to keep your points.

I know many abuse travel expenses though and it's a common thing (especially meals). People just get too liberal with someone elses money. That being said, you should be reasonable but comfortable and safe.