Flight prices when traveling for work

[Anonymous]

If you travel for work, do you have guidelines on flight prices that are acceptable? Is it reasonable for your company to have you stay an extra night or drive a few hours further to a different airport, in order to save money on the flight?

I just told my boss what the flight costs were for a trip & he's having me look at other options, which would include an additional overnight plus 4 more hours of driving to save about $800 -$1,100. I'm just wondering if that's standard or out of line.

[Anonymous]

No company I've worked for has had this policy, but I've only worked for larger companies, or large law firms. That said, I wouldn't be surprised if a very small company has this policy.

[Anonymous]

we are supposed to use a travel agency and it's understood that all the prices balance out in the end. i'm not convinced of that myself but whatever.

[Anonymous]

I do sometimes fly into another airport if the flight is still cheaper when you add in the rental car cost and if the additional time works with my schedule.

[Anonymous]

I think its ok, but by the time you pay for car rental/parking and a hotel with the time issue, its not worth the extra cost.

[Anonymous]

I have not done that although for international travel I have done a Sat night stay to reduce the cost significantly. That's the only time it seemed to be worthwhile and sometimes I don't mind the extra day to acclimate.

Flying to an airport 4 hours away seems crazy.

What about video conferencing, or doing the trip later to avoid whatever peak pricing you are hitting. Saving $1000 seems like it must be a super high airfare - I travel all over the country and rarely have flights over $1000.

[Anonymous]

I worked for an org. that required us to fly out of BWI if it was more than $100 (or maybe it was $150) cheaper than National of Dulles. But they provided car service to/from BWI. No one ever asked to stay extra nights.