After reading all this I feel rather fortunate. I work for a 400+ person company that has about a dozen people that travel frequently. We have no official policy, but do have an unofficial travel agent that I no longer use. I book all my own flights, hotels, and cars. Would a travel agent ever book Southwest, Ryan Air, or Easyjet? Hell no, because they wouldn't get a commission!

A travel agent is alway going to book you on whatever he gets the best commission on. Our agent always uses Hertz. On my own I use Avis, National, and even Budget sometimes to save the company $.

I travel all over the world and $35/day food expense is not the same in Indiana, Tokyo, Taipei, Beijing, London,...

I often spend $50+ on a dinner for myself only. If I'm with a customer I always spend more.

If I tip a dollar or two I expense it with no questions asked.

I save parking garage coupons to save a few bucks/day.

I'm always trying to save the company money when it comes to travel. After booking a hotel I will often check the rates again before the arrival date to see if fares have lowered. It happens all the time and I cancel my original reservation and book again at the lower rate. Would a travel agent ever do this?

The company only pays for economy class air, but when there is a Biz fare sale, and I combine some of my trip with a LCC, I can persuade my boss to let me take the long hauls up front!

I agree that it is a pain to try and remember expenses paid in cash weeks (even days) after the fact. I alway bring blank expense forms with me and fill them out day by day.