On Their Dime

Virtually all of my writing assignments are accomplished within my home office from bid to acceptance all the way to project completion. Nearly every resource I need is available to me via the internet and cell phones, land lines, and email help me to keep in communication with the majority of my clients.

On rare occasions, I must meet with the client in person. When this happens, it usually involves a trip to another city far away from my home and my airfare, hotel accomodations, and other related expenses are charged to the customer. Preferably, I have some hand in making the arrangements including which airline I fly on, which hotel is booked, etc. Depending on the customer's budget [and I try not to soak anyone], I'll stay at a Marriott or Choice Hotels and am willing to stay at one of those new, modern budget Microtel Inns too.

Yes, I belong to three different hotel rewards programs. Some are better than others but they each offer one thing: free hotel stays. You see, if there is a business expense being incurred I want to maximize the side benefits, i.e. hotel and airline rewards. Then, when my family needs a real break, we use those accumlated points for our personal use.