I started working with a new company back in March, and it has really been a whirlwind! In the mist of blogging, dating, and trips back and forth to Houston, I had to also squeeze in a business trip to Michigan. I am not new to business trips at all, I traveled at least once a year for business in my last position, however being I am new to the company and I had to learn their system.
If you know you will be traveling for business in the near future, Check out these tips below to make the experience as seamless as possible!
1) Company Card or Bank of Mariyah? Depending on your status and need for an expense account, your company may provide you a company credit card to take care of your traveling expenses and any other expense that comes up. This is helpful in that you will not have to front the money for the trip. For those of us who are not provided a Credit Card, do expect to pay for the trip out of your pocket and be reimbursed at a later date. Side note: Travel procedures is a great conversation to have once you are hired in your position. This way you can prepare for the expenses.
My first trip in my career I was asked to come out of pocket for airfare, car rental, hotel stay, and all food and non alcoholic beverages tha I consumed on the trip. I had a Crazy Dumb Credit Card limit back then so it was not an issue, however had I only had my bank accounts and savings to depend on that would have been quite the expense. Of course I was reimbursed for everything... that I could provide a receipt for.
If you do not have the money, do not worry, must companies have an accounting department that could cover some of the expected costs by pre-cutting checks for hotel stays to make the burden a little better on you.
2) We Need Screenshots Honey! And when I say Screenshots I really mean cold hard receipts! Business Travel is not the way you want to mess up your money. Keep each and every receipt you ever receive while on a business trip! This goes for wheather you have a company card or not. I learned the consequences of loosing receipts the hardway. On a trip to Chicago one year I missplaced my receipts for all of the food and entertainment that I consumed while there. It was upwards of $200.00 and it was good as gone. I was still new to business travel and was honestly quite embarrassed to tell my accounting department that I lost those receipts so I did not even ask to be reimbursed.(The answer would have probably been no anyway lol)
To keep track of your receipts I would suggest:
Option A) Getting a Ziploc bag to hold any receipt you receive. I use a pouch that's cute and small enough to carry everywhere.
Option B) Download a Receipt Collecting App. I use Reciptpal. It is really more of a precautionary measure of tracking my receipts. For instance If anything strange happens, like me running into Beyoncé, and she says "I like your receipt pouch, can I have it for Blue?" I can respond with; "Yes Queen Bey", and proceed to giving her the whole pouch with my receipts in it. The exchange would be fine because I will have my back ups on the app. Be sure that your company isn't stupid and will allow you to print off the receipts later. Some companies are strict on original copies of the receipts!
3) Everything in Moderation. This is not the time to live out your best life on the company's dime. If you are not a frequent 1st class flyer I would not suggest purchasing that first class flight. Sometimes there is room in the budget for entertainment, however this is not the time to watch Hamilton on Broadway(Which is a $1000.00 ticket may I add). I have never been given specific instructions and budgets on either, but I have been told to be modest in spending.
4) Have Fun! You are traveling on the company's dime and if planned right you can get a nice little getaway out of it. Sometimes companies will let you extend your trip a few nights before or after for sight-seeing and soaking up that city's culture. This is the perfect time time to fly out your travel partner and explore the city together. You can even talk with the hotel and ask them to honor your company rate a few more days which is usually already very discounted. This part of the trip will come out of your pocket but it is still very much a discounted trip being your plane ticket is paid for and your hotel is discounted!
Share some of your Business Travel Secrets in the comments!
Sincerely,
Mariyah the Business Class Beauty
