5 Travel Expenses You Shouldn’t Be Paying
As a business traveler, you know that expenses can quickly add up. Between airfare, hotels, and meals, the cost of travel can really start to put a dent in your travel budget.
However, there are some costs that you shouldn’t have to pay! In this blog post, we will discuss five travel expenses that you should never pay for, and how to avoid them.
Table of Contents
1. Airfare and baggage
When it comes to business travel, there are a few things you should never have to pay for, and airfare and checked baggage are two of them. After all, you’re already spending enough on your trip as it is —why add to that expense?
Fortunately, there are a few ways to avoid paying for these unnecessary costs. For starters, your company should cover the cost of your airline ticket, and at the very least, reimburse you in a timely manner. When it comes to checked baggage, some airlines are pretty expensive, so consider flying with a budget airline that doesn’t charge for checked baggage.
There are also many airline credit cards that allow for free checked baggage when you use them to purchase your tickets. It may also be possible to take advantage of any free baggage allowance offered by your company. And if all else fails, simply pack light and carry everything on board with you.
2. Travel insurance
Travel insurance is one of those things that you hope you never have to use, but are glad to have just in case. After all, no one wants to be stuck with a huge medical bill in a foreign country. But for business travelers, travel insurance is often not necessary.
Most business travelers are covered by their company’s insurance policy. So if something happens while you’re on a business trip, your company will likely foot the bill. Also, many credit cards offer travel insurance as a perk. So if you use your card to pay for your trip, you may already be covered. Finally, most business trips are relatively short and low-risk. So the chances of something happening that would require travel insurance are fairly low.
Of course, there are always exceptions to the rule. If you’re traveling to a high-risk country or participating in an activity that has a higher chance of injury, you may want to consider buying travel insurance. But for most business travelers, it’s simply not necessary.
3. Meals and incidentals
Meal and incidental expenses can really add up when you’re traveling for business. But the good news is you can often get your employer to reimburse you for these costs.
Most companies have a per diem rate that they use to reimburse employees for meals and incidental expenses. So be sure to save all of your receipts and submit them to your employer for reimbursement.
You may also want to consider using a business credit card for these expenses. Many business credit cards offer perks like cash back or points that can be used for travel. This can save you a lot of money if you travel often —especially if you know you’ll be reimbursed for your meals and incidental expenses.
In many cases, you may get meal tickets or a company card to pay for your meals. Incidentals are often more difficult to get reimbursed for, but it’s still worth submitting a request to your employer. To learn more about meals and incidental travel expenses in your per diem, visit Hotel Engine.
4. International transaction fees
If you frequently travel internationally for business, you’re probably all too familiar with international transaction fees. These pesky fees can really add up, and they’re often completely avoidable.
The most common way to avoid paying international transaction fees is to get cash from a currency exchange prior to your trip. That way, you only pay one fee up front and have cash to use throughout your trip.
You can also use a credit card that doesn’t charge for international transactions. The good news is that most of the major credit card companies don’t charge for international transactions. So if you use one of these cards, you can avoid paying any unnecessary fees, as well as save yourself a visit to a currency exchange.
5. International phone calls and data roaming
If you’re traveling internationally for business, chances are you’ll need to make a few phone calls or use data while you’re away. And if you’re not careful, these costs can really add up. The good news is, there are a few ways to avoid paying exorbitant fees for international phone calls and data roaming.
One way to reduce your costs is simply to connect to Wi-Fi any chance you get. Most hotels, cafes, and even some public places offer free Wi-Fi. So take advantage of it whenever you can. This will allow you to use data without using any of your data or minutes.
Another way to avoid international calling and texting fees is to check with your phone provider. Many companies offer packages that include international data roaming for a much smaller fee than what you would pay otherwise.
Conclusion
There’s no need to waste money on unnecessary travel expenses. By following the tips above, you can save yourself a lot of money (and hassle) when traveling for business.
