jsm, The company I work for has the following daily "guidelines" which are generally not adhered to, to the dollar:

Breakfast $15.00
Lunch $25.00
Dinner $50.00

These are considered “guidelines” as it is known that dining in New York, Chicago or San Francisco is not the same as dining at a smaller city. The company is rather lenient and I have paid more than $125.00 pp for dinner (no drinks) and was able to expense it also.

As for other costs, “reasonable” is the term they use in using laundry services, gratuities and telephones at a hotel or during ones travel. I tend to charge about $50-$75 per a one week business trip for the use of laundry services at hotels but significantly less use of the phone since I use a company calling card. The company also pays up to $25 for health club fees, per day in either a hotel or off site gym.

Understanding that hotel rates can be quite expensive in cities such as New York, the most expensive room I submitted on my T&E was for over $400.00 per night for one week. I pay an average of $250.00 per night at most hotels I have stayed at, however, I have also stayed at hotels that have much more reasonable rates.


[This message has been edited by raffy (edited 02-18-2001).]