Travel Expenses?

riveratom

Hi folks,

Might be a random question but I am looking for opinions on what people think of this. I am travelling long distance for work soon and will be in the office from Mon-Fri the week I am there. However I am planning to arrive and stay in a nearby city the weekend before (i.e. Fri-Sun).

Most of the others would likely stay Sun-Fri, but I think it makes a lot more sense to arrive a couple of days early, after travelling such a distance. Also, I want to spend some time in the city, see friends, etc.

My question is - should the Fri and Sat night hotel stay be something that is covered by the company? Obviously if I were going on a week's holiday following the trip, that would be all on me, but is it reasonable to expense the nights' stay over the weekend prior?

Seems a bit of a grey area in some ways, but all opinions welcome!

Nody

Nope; as noted people arrive on Sunday night so Sunday to Monday yes but nothing else as that's because of you wanting to go early. The only way you could make that argument would be if travel + hotel would be cheaper than flying in on Sunday night and even that would be a no go in many companies.

I would not expect that to be covered by the company, tbh I don't see why it would be.

tiernanobrien

No definitely not - Sunday is fair enough but anything before that isn't

toadfly

Not a hope, it's your personal time.

witchgirl26

Generally not. I've been allowed it before as, with deals for my company from the hotel, it worked out the same price for me to arrive on Saturday as it did Sunday. But that was the only reason I was allowed it. Generally anything additional you add on is at your own expense unless it is the same price. They might be willing to allow you the airfare (as could be cheaper to fly on a Friday than a Sunday) but accommodation will be up to you.

Bandana boy

Have a chat with your boss.
In a previous company I reguarly did this (3-4 times a year) and Work covered the extra day or two in the hotel and Car rental , but It was very much on a case by case basis.

riveratom

Bandana boy wrote: »

Have a chat with your boss.
In a previous company I reguarly did this (3-4 times a year) and Work covered the extra day or two in the hotel and Car rental , but It was very much on a case by case basis.

Yeah exactly, I was going to say that we are fairly flexible on our team (or seem to be), with no major budget restrictions. So I think people do put the extra night or two on and it's grand pretty much...I'm not even renting a car and would always keep costs as low as possible.

gandalf

Depends on the company. Certainly any company I have worked for wouldn't have stumped up for a Friday or Saturday night and a few would have tried to get me to fly over on the first flight on a Monday.

If your employer is generous with expenses just have a chat with your boss and I'd say you have a good chance that he will allow it.

jive

As mentioned, if Saturday flights + hotel + meals are cheaper than what it would cost to fly on the Sunday then that is your best bet and the vast majority of companies will agree to this assuming it is the cheaper option. Often Saturday flights are much cheaper than Sunday flights so it is a possibility.

Also if the flight differences are negligible consider asking them to pay for the flights and you would cover the hotel + meals for the first night as you want to go out there early. If you have a sound boss he might just say head out early and enjoy!