Rob got to spend a week in Copenhagen in October for work. When he returns in a couple weeks, I get to join him for a portion. Here are some thoughts you need to consider if you want to tag along on your spouse’s next trip:
- Are you able to afford the extra travel costs? We have a vacation budget every year, and I would not be joining him unless this trip fit into our budget, or if I didn’t have the vacation days to spare.
- Also, be realistic about your time together. When I went to San Francisco to meet Rob this spring, I knew he would be working for half the time we were there together. I anticipate he’ll have other obligations that will fill a few of the days we are in Copenhagen together, but he also took a few personal days, too.
- Cost to customer: If any incremental charges were incurred by adding me to his itinerary, we made sure to pay those out of our own pocket. Especially in Europe where sometimes you get the extra “double occupancy” charge in a hotel. It would be unethical, to me, to charge anything to his customer or his company because I decided to tag along, and this will apply to food and entertainment, too. Furthermore, some companies really discourage this, especially at sales meetings. I know my company has a policy that spouses aren’t allowed to tag along to conferences, even just to stay in the same hotel room. Spouses might also be liable for gift taxes if any portion of the trip is paid for by the company or client. Use your discretion here.
- Will you be a distraction to the work? I know I have plans to spend a lot of time alone and I’m completely fine with this as the location is someplace I’ve always wanted to see. Also, the time was going unused, and the fare was inexpensive, so I don’t anticipated feeling like I haven’t had a vacation with Rob just because I don’t get to see him that much. If he was in Copenhagen alone, I wouldn’t see him at all. This way we get to see each other for a bit.
We’re both excited for this trip! Rob told me wonderful things about Copenhagen and I’m really looking forward to it.
Filed under: Travel Tagged: | money, Relationships
