Work trip to Boston - struggling/anxious over arrangements

[PorkInsider]

redrabbit29 said:

I travelled a few times recently to places in Europe and each time got annoyed that I didn't pay for extras like Speedy boarding, or choosing my own set, etc. Especially as I was stood in the airport, tired and a bit stressed, in a big queue of holiday makers whilst I was was worrying about the cost of checking in a bag.

...

I couldn't separate the cost but I have submitted the receipts with a reduced claim,

E.g.

£1000 receipt but I claim £300 or something as the rest is on top of the business cost.

My company are flexible and easy going. We're a consultancy so doubt they'd care.

Sounds good - we're also a small consulting co' and it's similar with the easy going (non-existent, to be fair) travel policy.

Biggest issue is usually the tight-fisted clients trying to keep expenses down, rather than anything internal.

Edit: I always book fast track security if not getting it free with a business class ticket + fast track passport control for way back.

I never check luggage in now, though. I've had my luggage arrive late 4 times in past couple of years alone, due to tight connections etc. I just take enough clothing for say 4 days and then use the hotel laundry.

Best one ever with luggage arriving late was when I had only been with the company a matter of weeks and went to meet a brand new client in Rome. I had the shorts, T-shirt and trainers I'd got off the plane in and nothing else but my laptop. Great icebreaker though!

Edited by PorkInsider on Thursday 18th April 22:00

[CHARLESBERG]

OP,

Are you used to delivering presentations / training? I deliver training myself so was going to give a couple of points I’ve picked up along the way, but didn’t want to teach you to suck eggs?

[magic360]

Ive been to Boston several times for work.
It’s a very easy city and has a vibe of being strangely familiar for people from the UK anyway.
Meet the guy prior it will relax you. For work there I used to wear a white pressed collar shirt, black jacket, dark jeans and formal shoes and no one ever batted an eyelid.
Premium econ is fine although i was bumped down a couple of times by BA on a return flight !
Also depending on where you are you can get the water taxi thing quite close to the airport on the way back

Chill out and enjoy it its not a stressful city at all.

[seabod91]

I was born in Boston. It’s not a very nice place. I would advise a trip up the Boston stump if they still do it. Amazing views.

[CheesecakeRunner]

My main advice on this thread would be to read and know your company’s expense and travel policies inside out. If you worked for my company, every one of your initial questions is covered by the expense policy. What we can spend on hotels, food, local transport etc. and the travel policy covers how and when we can fly. If I booked something outside of this, I wouldn’t be be getting my money back.

[shep1001]

Stress less.

I went to Nice for a 3 day meeting this week, took the Mrs along. French have decided to go on strike so I can’t get a flight home until Friday evening at the earliest and then I won’t be at the same airport as my car potentially.

I have no hotel tonight yet as the place we are in is full, no clean clobber, no laptop to work remotely, just enough meds to see me through until Friday night and had a full diary Thursday/Friday.

Can’t do anything about it, I have my company credit card so I can pay for clothing/food/hotels/taxis, I am not too bothered what it costs so long as it’s sensible.

The weather is looking good and Monaco is about 40 minutes away so I am sure I can find something to do for a couple of days.

I don’t take my jacket for ‘smart casual’ so I wouldn’t worry about that. Stuff just ‘works’ best idea is to leave plenty of time.

Extra leg room seats or seats on an exit are usually a lot cheaper than a cabin upgrade which is my long(er) flight option.

Separating your expenses out can be a little complicated but I have an option on Concur for ‘reimbursement’ so if there is stuff like meals I shouldn’t claim for it’s easy to reimburse. If I take a weekend before a Monday meeting I just book separately.

Edited by shep1001 on Wednesday 24th April 12:09

[redrabbit29]

shep1001 said:

Stress less.

This is the story of my life. I've been in some dangerous situations (past job), dealt with some horrible things, done loads of weird things and yet I still spend the majority of my life panicking and being anxious about an upcoming thing. I think it's partly anticipation and excitement, but it's also fundamentally stress and anxiety. I am 40 this year and a bit sick of it.

Thanks for all your great advice by the way. I put the expenses through without any issue, I just claimed a percentage and clearly stated "claiming £xyz as I am going earlier than required for a personal break". My work is a smaller consultancy and I don't think they really care that much.

The flight out is with BA but is actually an American Airlines and we are seated in the middle of a section of four seats which is a bit annoying. I am checking everyday and hoping other seats become available so we're not just penned in between two random people.



Good luck with the rest of your week and I absolutely love and admire your attitude of "just go with the flow".