Originally Posted by
invisible
I'm sorry if I am mistaken, but... I thought that per diem means 'here is $xx for your meals/transportation/etc for day, take it and no questions asked how you spend it unless you submit receipts in the same category', no?
IME it's common in the US for people with job travel responsibilities to slightly misuse the term
per diem to mean the maximum amount allowed per meal or per day for meals, when receipts are still required and reimbursement is paid at actual cost.