The Settlement of Payment for Travel Allowances

Many companies offer travel reimbursement for business trips.

Traveling to conduct business is often required in many industries. Most companies offer travel reimbursement for any legitimate expenses you incur while traveling. To be reimbursed properly, some requirements must be met.

Approval

Check with your company to see if there is an established approval process for business travel.

Business travel can be expensive. The U.S. Travel Association reports that U.S. companies spent more than $200 billion on business travel in 2008. Often times, companies have a protocol to approve business travel. Written approval from management is required before any travel expenses are reimbursed.

Receipts

Keeping good receipts is critical to ensuring you are properly reimbursed for travel expenses.

Once you return from a business trip, receipts are required to verify your expenses. Receipts are compared against the credit card statement to ensure the date and locations match. Non-business expenses are often not included in the the reimbursement unless it's for meals.

Warning

Be careful of too many personal expenses on your business receipts. Managers scrutinize receipts for accuracy. Spa treatments and movies may appear frivolous and management may question your true reasons for taking the trip.

References

• Business Travel ROI: U.S. Travel Association