[jyl]

Various "how do you handle this" questions relating to business traveling. I'd be interested to know what's the norm here. [I put in my practice in brackets.] Feel free to add your own questions too. Thanks.

1. When room service brings your meal, and the bill already has a "service fee" (typically 17%), do you add an additional tip?

[yes, 10% or so]

2. How about when eating at a hotel restaurant where the bill already has a "automatic tip" included (typically 15%), do you add an additional tip?

[yes, to get it up to 20% total.]

3. What do you tip for getting you a cab, or retrieving your car from valet parking, or taking your luggage, or storing your luggage/coat at the coat check, or similar small tasks?

[a couple-few bucks, if I happen to have it, I'm not too scrupulous about this stuff.]

4. If the hotel posts a notice that the bedding will be changed only if you request it, do you?

[yes, every night, for $350/night or whatever ridiculous rate we're paying, I think the sheets should be nice and crisp all the time.]

5. Do you go out of your way to save money, if it is all being reimbursed?

[A bit, but it is more personal quirks than any real economy. I take the light rail to/from airport or have my wife drive me, instead of a taxi. Often eat at hole-in-the-wall ethnic places or food carts, just prefer to wasting hours in a nice restaurant. Don't use the mini-bar etc, the prices just bug me.]

6. Will you change flights to avoid a center seat?

[On flights more than a couple hours, I'll definitely change airlines. Will change flight times to some extent.]

7. How much luggage do you take for a typical biz trip of up to a week?

[A small carry-on shoulder bag. Don't like rollers. Never check anything.]

8. Do you ever add pleasure days to a biz trip, like stay over the weekend, etc?

[Never.]

ADDED-ON QUESTIONS

9. Do you unpack your clothes in the hotel or leave them in your suitcase?

10. Do you expense your mileage to the airport?