Making the most of business expenses abroad

OliviaO

Hi,

For my work I have to travel frequently abroad, often for around one week of every six.

Apart from flights, I am required to pay for all business expenses myself and reclaim the cost after the event, including very expensive business hotels.

Currently I use a credit card that let's me build up some free spending abroad (Nationwide NBS credit card) but as I can claim for commission charges from work, that doesn't really benefit me. Apart from this I get a non-sterling fee. For cash withdrawals I use my debit card (Nationwide FlexDirect) that hits me with a charge and a non-sterling fee. I often forget to claim for the charges/fees as there are so many when I have a long trip, so I would like to move away from these cards specifically for work trips.

What cards are best for:
1. Withdrawing cash abroad? I used to have a currency card but a lot of them now seem to charge you for withdrawals.

2. Paying expenses abroad with the best benefits (cashback, points)? The guide to the best credit cards doesn't discuss if you still get points/cashback for spending abroad, or if there are non-sterling fees that undermine any cash/points you might gain.

3. Are there any other tactics you use to gain from work expenses? I have heard of people booking hotels via hotels.com so you get a free stay every couple of years etc., or using topcashback sites. I already make sure I get reward points from flights/hotels, but does anyone have any other recommendations?

Thanks for your advice.

Olivia

agrinnall

Travel credit cards

duchy

Depends what you want

For me the best use is airline miles so a creditcard that credits miles to my frequent flyer card means that essentially I earn free long haul flights for my personal holidays.

If you aren't interested in holidays that may not be the best for you though.

InsideInsurance

The two most obvious are either a cashback credit card so you get ~1% of all spend or a rewards card which gives you Airmiles/ Avios etc which you can then use the points for your own personal benefit. If you get one that gives you status with an airline/ eurostar that work makes you use but in Economy then you can use their lounge despite lower class of flight.


How much are you really using cash? I rarely do when I am overseas for work and so just exchange the appropriate amount here for most countries. Taxi's are the one possible exception but even then in some countries they accept cards and if you are visiting your employers other sites they may well be able to sort the taxi's out for you on account.

The article on here isnt really going to be for you because its about mitigating the cost where in your case you dont care about the cost but are WIIFM

getmore4less

All the fees should be covered, everything on CC where possible and little cash but bulk buy your cash and factor the fees into the expense exchange rate.

I gave up on business hotels for better located/facilities in some locations where they were more homely when visiting regularly. Also the hotels would look after you if regular.
sticking with a chain that has good coverage in holiday destinations can be productive.

when travelling a lot eating out and claiming gets tedious(or creative) so per diem can be better.