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Subject:Re: Building Travel $ Into Ra... From:Grace Joely Beatty <TALKLIST -at- AOL -dot- COM> Date:Tue, 14 Feb 1995 22:14:48 -0500
Hi Thomas,
Re: Travel costs
My husband and I have done significant business traveling as part of our
corporate consulting business. I have the following suggestions:
1. If possible have the client purchase the tickets for you. This way you
aren't stuck with the out-of-pocket expense. We expect our clients to pay for
full-fare coach tickets and we use our frequent flyer status to upgrade to
first class. Full-fare coach is important if you have to make last minute
changes in your schedule. Since this is almost a given, don't let them get
away with less.
2. If you cannot do #1, arrange with your client that you will submit an
expense invoice immediately after the trip so you can be reimbursed ASAP. The
timing of this invoice sneed have no relation to your regular billing
schedule.
3. If you are giving your client a fixed price, build the travel time into
your planned estimate of how long it will take you to do the project. That
way you will get paid for your travel time. The rationale for being paid for
your travel time is that while you are travelling (at the client's request),
you can't work on any other projects. Since you get paid by the hour/project,
the time you are travelling is "dead" time. You should be reimbursed by this
client for time "on" their project.
4. If you are being paid on an hourly or per diem basis, make sure you read
through the manuscript on travel days so you can bill for editing time.
5. Keep track of your expenses such as parking, luggage check, meals, tips,
EVERY PENNY you spend. Make sure your contract calls for your fee PLUS
expenses.
Good luck,
Joely Beatty
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