3 Tips for Tagging Along on a Business Trip

Accompanying your spouse on a business trip provides a unique opportunity to expand your travel horizons. With a little bit of planning, you can get a new stamp in your passport and experience some time exploring with your spouse, without spending much money. Here are some tips on how to make the most out of a business travel by joining your spouse.

Extend the trip

Often times, business travelers "get in and get out." They get to their destination, do their business, and then jump on the next flight home. Encourage your spouse to try scheduling business meetings for mid-to-late week so that Friday is free. Then, plan a flight home on Sunday evening or even Monday to allow for a long weekend. By tacking a few days onto the trip, your spouse can take some time to explore and enjoy the culture with you.Bonus: sometimes the flight will be cheaper if you don’t fly the usual “business trip days.”

Manage your expectations

Remember, this is a business trip so your spouse will likely be tied up most of the day in meetings, and maybe even dinner meetings at night. Depending on the tenor of the evening events, it is sometimes acceptable to join your spouse. But don’t get your feelings hurt if you’re not invited. Plan to spend a lot of time by yourself during the day. Have fun with it! Google “walking tours” of your location, get a map from the hotel concierge, and walk walk walk. It’s a great way to research the location and get ideas of what to do when your spouse is done with work for the week.

Watch the expenses

It’s likely your spouse’s airfare and many travel-related expenses will be covered. But be smart and thoughtful about additional expenses incurred related to your being there. For instance, while hotel costs will likely be covered during the business portion of the trip, you should plan to personally pay for the additional hotel nights for leisure time. Same thing with taxis and meals. If it’s business-related, those are viable expenses for reimbursement. But make sure to keep personal expenses completely separate. (It’s always a good idea to verify travel policies with HR when bringing family along.)

Overall...

Business travel can be taxing for both the traveler and those left behind. Depending on your schedule (and sense of adventure!), joining your spouse on business trips can be enjoyable for both of you. It’s a great way to make lemonade out of lemons!Have you ever tagged along on a business trip? Was it with a spouse or a friend? Tell us in the comments!