Per Diem

[Mizzougrad96]

There are some days where I don't spend a dime on food... Maybe the hotel has a free breakfast and I eat the other meals in the press box...

There are other times where I may hit a steakhouse for dinner... Since I don't do it often, my paper has never said a word...

 

[Cristiano_Ronaldo]

At my shop, we need to average around $50 a day. There are times when I'll ball out and tuck into an $80 steak, and then the next day eat sandwiches for $20. As long as it averages out...

 

[wickedwritah]

At my shop, we need to average around $50 a day. There are times when I'll ball out and tuck into an $80 steak, and then the next day eat sandwiches for $20. As long as it averages out...

Never had an $80 steak. What do those taste like?

 

[Johnny Dangerously]

Please do not use the term "per diem."

Please say "the amount of money an organization allows an individual to spend per day to cover travel and subsistence expenses." It's plain English, and not that fancy schmancy Latin "per diem."

(ducking)

 

[Mystery_Meat]

 

[pressboxramblings07]

We fall under the "don't go nuts" with the money category. We can stay in $100 hotels and they encourage us to don't just eat fast food.

When I went to Phoenix last weekend our payroll guy gave me my advance check and told me I didn't ask for enough money. Never heard that one before.

 

[Mystery_Meat]

This rarely comes up since I'm at a non-daily and my travels outside the metro area are limited to region/state playoffs, but I'm given latitude. I don't do Taco Bell, but I don't do French Laundry. Chain per diem depends on destination, but it's generally in the $40-50/day range. No guidelines for hotel costs. I've had one hotel and maybe a dozen trips in two years that resulted in an expense report, and nobody has yet to say boo about it. So I'm fortunate.

 

[steveu]

We fall under the "don't go nuts" with the money category. We can stay in $100 hotels and they encourage us to don't just eat fast food.

When I went to Phoenix last weekend our payroll guy gave me my advance check and told me I didn't ask for enough money. Never heard that one before.

My resume is coming to your shop shortly. Don't worry. I WILL find you... lol

 

[Board Stiff]

I'd hate to see what a $55 hotel room looks like in many cities.

 

[wickedwritah]

I'd hate to see what a $55 hotel room looks like in many cities.

Often you can find something on short notice that's reasonable via Priceline. Otherwise, it's ugly.

 

[John]

For those that don't have AAA, it pays for itself just based on the amount of money you save on hotels.

I doubt I ever spend more than $30 a day on food, but since I almost always stay at the Hampton Inn when I travel -- love those Hilton points -- breakfast is free.

I never eat anywhere on the company's dime that I wouldn't gladly pay for myself. I seldom go out to fancy meals when I'm paying, so I'm not going to do it just because the paper will reimburse me. At the same time, they have a travel budget so don't feel like you have to go cheap.

After all, if you don't spend the money this year, there might be some shrinkage in next year's budget.

 

[Cristiano_Ronaldo]

At my shop, we need to average around $50 a day. There are times when I'll ball out and tuck into an $80 steak, and then the next day eat sandwiches for $20. As long as it averages out...

Never had an $80 steak. What do those taste like?

Quite good. You should get out more.

 

[wickedwritah]

Never had an $80 steak. What do those taste like?

Quite good. You should get out more.

I will, once the welfare check comes in.

 

[John]

Never had an $80 steak. What do those taste like?

Quite good. You should get out more.

I will, once the welfare check comes in.

I'll eat like that when my dad is picking up the tab, but not when I'm paying.

Give me a good burrito and a beer and I'm happy.

 

[Angola!]

After all, if you don't spend the money this year, there might be some shrinkage in next year's budget.

Whis is exactly why my paper has slashed travel this year, because we came in under our budget last year.

 

[pressboxramblings07]

We fall under the "don't go nuts" with the money category. We can stay in $100 hotels and they encourage us to don't just eat fast food.

When I went to Phoenix last weekend our payroll guy gave me my advance check and told me I didn't ask for enough money. Never heard that one before.

My resume is coming to your shop shortly. Don't worry. I WILL find you... lol

Ha ha ... I'll tell you exactly where it is. I'm sure there are a couple of people I would to replace them with you ... but when you hear the salary, you'll run. Fast.

 

[BertoltBrecht]

I can't figure what logic people use to do this. It could have been a light travel year, less games on the road and less distance away.

It's why we don't have a full-time photog at our shop — If you can function without it once, then you don't ever need it again.

 

[John Drama]

I'm a big fan of the Mariott VIP rate too. Does all of that come from organizations like the fwaa, or do can papers work out deals to get that rate as well? I've always wondered that.

 

[Mizzougrad96]

If you book at Marriott online all you have to do is type in VIP and it will give you the rate... I've never been checked...

 

[silvercharm]

The day I'm told to share a room is the day I stay home. A good night's sleep is important, and the company owes me that much in lieu of staying away from the kids and home. I said enough about 10 years ago when my roommate snored so loud it could peel paint.