Sorry for going a little left-of-topic here, but while I can't help you w/the travel policies of that company, I would like to say:

If you're gonna be traveling for them, I doubt that they would consider these questions petty. They could, if fact, look at it from the standpoint that you are really considering all facets of the job and looking hard & seriously about making a career at their company.

Yes, asking too early about benefits and such could be a negative, and should probably be handled by one of their HR specialists, but I wouldn't worry too much about asking about somethiing that is an integral part of the job.

Again, my apologies for being a kind-of "buttinsky."