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The Federal Travel Regulation summarizes the travel and relocation policy for all federal civilian employees and others authorized to travel at the government’s expense. Federal employees and agencies may use the FTR as a reference to ensure official travel and relocation is conducted in a responsible and cost effective manner.

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Your Guide to Planning a Long Vacation

Going on an extended getaway can deepen the benefits of traveling. Here’s how to plan your trip — without busting your budget.

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If you’ve been dreaming of a month-long beachside retreat or a six-week bike tour through Europe, start planning your itinerary. It’s easier — and more affordable — than ever to take a long vacation. 

Extended travel is no longer the domain of the rich and famous or recent college grads. Thanks to the ease of international communications, flexible work arrangements and sophisticated trip-planning tools, long-duration getaways are becoming more accessible. By taking a month or more to travel, you may enjoy a host of benefits, such as broadening your perspective, enhancing your language skills and deepening your knowledge of different cultures. 

“It’s one of the few opportunities to unplug, reflect and see how others live,” says Elliott Appel, a certified financial planner and the founder of Kindness Financial Planning, based in Madison, Wis., who recently returned from seven weeks exploring Australia and New Zealand. 

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Kip Patrick, an avid traveler who has visited more than 100 countries — often for long stays — says his excursions have enriched both his everyday life and his global advocacy and communications role at the United Nations Foundation. “Traveling helps develop empathy,” he says. It brings about “a better understanding of cultures, people and situations that otherwise you may never experience or see.” 

Ready to leave home and do some exploring yourself? Here’s a guide on how to prepare.

Focus on your vacation goals

Envision your first night back home after an extended vacation. What would have made the trip ideal? Think through the climate, food, culture, activities and cost. Would it be adventurous or relaxing? Luxurious or rugged? Would you have traveled to a mountain or beach? Both? Neither? 

If you plan to journey with others, such as a partner or group of friends, it’s helpful for each of you to list the elements of an ideal trip. Then, compare results. For extended travels through Tanzania, Madagascar, Borneo and other destinations in Africa and Asia, Patrick and his wife, Liz Zipse, each made a wish list of the places they most wanted to see and the adventures they most wanted to have. “Luckily, the lists were pretty similar,” Patrick says. 

Once you have a clear idea of the type of travel that appeals to you, make a shortlist of potential destinations. In addition to dream areas and activities, consider adding some more-economical choices and cheap vacation alternatives . For instance, if relaxing in the Maldives is your ultimate desire, you could also put less-expensive Costa Rica on your list. Or instead of spending a month visiting Italian wineries, you could opt for four weeks exploring Sonoma and Napa Valley in California — and checking out great wine club memberships .

Crunch some numbers for your trip

Research the costs associated with each of your choices to see which best fits into your budget. Factor in the cost of transportation, lodging, meals, activities and shopping. Also account for the exchange rate if you’re traveling to a location that doesn’t use the U.S. dollar as its currency (of course, it helps if you go to a place where the dollar is strong ). 

Then add 10% to 20% to your total as a buffer, says Derek DiManno , a certified financial planner and founder of Flagship Asset Services, a financial planning firm based in Towson, Md. He recommends using a spreadsheet to keep track of your estimated expenses. 

“A short trip can be easy to budget for,” he says. “A longer trip can lead to higher varying costs. Be exhaustive. It’s better to overestimate costs and have a surplus than to underestimate and scramble to cut back.” 

While you’re away, you’ll likely still have to pay your regular monthly bills for such items as utilities, cable, and mortgage or rent, says Spenser Liszt , a CFP who traveled extensively in his former career as a professional musician, so you have to consider that when making a budget for vacation . “Plan your cash flow accordingly to cover expenses incurred at home while you are away,” he says. Also, factor in extra costs that you may incur for, say, pet or home sitters, yard maintenance, or a home-monitoring system. 

If you have your heart set on a specific destination or activities and are reluctant to consider bargain destinations off the beaten path , start saving so you can meet your goals. Setting up regular, automatic transfers from your checking account to a dedicated vacation fund is an effective way to build up the necessary cash. 

For their part, Patrick and his wife develop a savings plan for their travels and seek advice from a financial adviser. “Before departure, we try to cut costs and set a pretty strict budget,” says Patrick. “And then we do our best to stick to it. The more you can save beforehand, the more freedom you have on the road.”

Check your destination's entry requirements

If you’re traveling internationally, you’ll need to do some extra homework. It’s important to check the rules regarding passport expiration for your destination, as many countries require that a passport is valid for a certain number of months beyond the date of entry, and know how long it takes to renew your passport . You may also need to apply for a traditional visa or an electronic one (also called an e-visa.) 

In addition, check whether your destination prohibits certain foods and medications from entering the country. Failing to comply can lead to severe consequences, ranging from confiscation of needed medicine to potential jail or prison time. 

Government websites, your airline and online travel forums can provide helpful information. A great starting point is the U.S. embassy’s website , which has a searchable database to get information about different countries. The World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control can provide health-related data. Make sure to cross-reference any information that you find to ensure it’s accurate and current. 

While doing your research, dedicate some time to get a feel for the etiquette and social practices of your destination, as that can foster deeper connections with locals and help you avoid unintended missteps and misunderstandings. For instance, certain areas have different cultural norms and nuances around clothing, tipping and eating than those in the U.S. 

In addition, consider registering with the U.S. Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) . The free service lets you enroll your trip with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate so can you receive information about safety conditions in your destination country and get assistance in case of emergencies, such as a natural disaster or civil unrest.

How to control your vacation costs

The earlier you plan, the more choices you’ll have when it comes to flights, accommodations and tickets to in-demand events and attractions. To maximize potential savings, try to be flexible with your travel dates and times. “You can save money by traveling on less-popular days,” says Appel. When he traveled to Australia, where hotels in big cities tend to be more expensive on weekends, he visited Sydney during the week. 

You can also cut costs and more easily get into sought-after restaurants and attractions if you travel during less-popular periods. For instance, you can opt to travel during the “shoulder season,” the weeks between peak and off-peak travel. This approach not only saves money but helps you to avoid crowds and get more of a chance to interact with locals. Just make sure that your preferred destinations or activities will be open during your travel period. 

Travel websites such as Kayak and Google Flights let you track flight prices so you can take advantage if the price of your flight drops. Just type in your home airport and destination airport, pick the flights that suit your schedule, and set a price-tracking alert. You can also stay informed about deals and promotions by signing up for e-mail alerts from travel websites, restaurants and deal aggregators such as Groupon.

Capitalize on rewards

Take advantage of perks offered by airlines, hotels and your credit card issuers, such as cash back, airline lounge access, early boarding and waived bag fees, says Clint Henderson , managing editor at The Points Guy, a website that provides tips and tools for enhancing travel. 

Many credit cards also cover the fee for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck , which provide expedited access through airport security and customs lines. “You simply pay the application fee for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck with the credit card, and you get a statement credit,” Henderson says. 

Consider opening a new credit card to take advantage of a large sign-up bonus . One card that Henderson recommends is Chase Sapphire Preferred ($95 annual fee). New users earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months after opening the account. That equates to $750 to use toward travel when redeemed through Chase Ultimate Rewards. “It not only gives a sign-up bonus, but the miles transfer to many airline and hotel partners,” he says. (Kiplinger tracks the best rewards credit cards .) 

Be sure to understand your credit card’s terms and conditions as well as any associated fees. When traveling abroad, it’s critical to have a credit card that doesn’t charge foreign-transaction fees . Most travel-focused cards, including Chase Sapphire Preferred, waive the fee. To avoid incurring interest, pay off the card balance every month. 

Credit cards can provide plenty of perks, but you don’t have to open one to get rewards. Airlines and most hotels have programs to earn perks such as free flights and free stays. “Make sure the hotel or airline has your loyalty number attached to the reservation, and watch those point balances grow,” Henderson says. 

“Also, sometimes you’ll get free stuff just for signing up for the loyalty program. Delta offers free Wi-Fi on many flights to those with a SkyMiles number. Some hotels provide free Wi-Fi as a perk to their loyalty members,” he says. Many hotels also offer benefits that range from free bottled water to room upgrades.

Get creative with your accommodations 

For his travels through Australia and New Zealand, Appel wanted to splurge on food and spend less on lodging. So in addition to staying with friends and at a hotel, he also slept in private rooms in hostels. 

“Since I am out and about most of the time when traveling, where I stay is not as important,” he says. “But I really enjoy food.” At one point on his trip, he had a gourmet meal that included pork belly and slow-braised lamb shank that cost three times more than a night at an upcoming hostel stay. 

If a hostel suits you, check out Hostelworld.com , which can help you locate potential lodging. The site lists 36,000 properties in more than 180 countries and includes traveler reviews. 

Other strategies to make lodging affordable include doing a home swap, through which you live in a local’s home while they stay in yours. You can also pet sit in exchange for lodging. When exploring these options, make sure you go to reputable websites with positive reviews, keep security measures in mind, and have clear, detailed agreements that outline expectations. 

Often, renting a vacation home — through websites such as Airbnb or VRBO, say — can give you more bang for your buck than staying at a hotel. Many come with kitchens, so you can prepare meals from local markets and grocery stores, allowing you to spend less on dining out while still getting a taste of foods from the area. And some home rentals come with a washer and dryer, which will help to reduce your packing and save the time you’d spend searching for a laundromat. (Pro tip from Appel: Bring along laundry detergent sheets, which are lightweight and have concentrated detergent.) 

You can also cut costs while giving back by opting for a “voluntourism” trip that combines volunteering and vacation. Go Overseas , a website that offers reviews of overseas trips, programs and jobs, provides a search tool for volunteer projects. International Volunteer HQ organizes trips at destinations around the world.

Understand your travel insurance options

Travel insurance typically falls into two main categories: policies that cover your trip and property and policies that cover your health, says Susan L. Combs , founder and CEO of insurance brokerage firm Combs & Company. These policies can cover situations such as trip cancellations, lost luggage and medical emergencies. 

What you need will depend on your specific situation and your tolerance level for uncertainty. In addition, some countries require visitors to have medical travel insurance . 

Even if your credit card provides some travel-related coverage , it’s best to explore additional options for extended travel to create a comprehensive plan. The cost of travel insurance depends on factors including trip length, price, location and your age, but it generally runs about 5% to 6% of the cost of your trip. 

Don’t rely on your U.S. health insurance plan, as it will likely provide little or no coverage abroad. Medicare also doesn’t extend overseas. 

You have lots of options for finding coverage. Among them: going to insurer sites, exploring travel-insurance comparison sites such as Squaremouth.com , or consulting with an insurance broker. In addition, if you book with a travel agent , they’ll likely have a preferred vendor that has been vetted, says Combs. 

Most travel medical plans allow you to select from multiple deductibles and values for the cost of care, Combs says. For example, if you want a policy with no deductible and up to $1 million in coverage, you’ll pay far more than you’d pay for one with a $5,000 deductible and $100,000 in coverage. 

“You typically get what you pay for when it comes to insurance,” Combs says. “If someone is telling you a $10,000 trip can be insured for $50, that policy is only as good as the paper it’s written on.”

She also emphasizes the importance of understanding your policy’s claim procedure before you might have to use it. “Do you need to see a physician on location? Do you need to file a police report?” she says. “Understanding what needs to happen can save you headaches in the long run. It’s a lot easier to digest and understand that information when you aren’t in crisis.”

Finally, create a predeparture checklist

A well-crafted trip may require months of planning, but your departure date can come up quickly. To reduce stress and enhance your pre-trip excitement, start writing down your to-dos as early as possible. Proactively manage your tasks instead of waiting until right before you leave. 

Here’s a list to help get you started.

If traveling overseas:

• Contact your bank and credit card companies. Let them know of your overseas travel plans to reduce the odds of transactions being flagged or declined. 
• Visit a local bank or credit union. Exchange money to get currency for your destination. 
• Contact your cell phone company, and research SIM card options. Determine which plans and tactics will work best for your needs and budget. 
• Load free communication apps. Look into options such as WhatsApp and Facebook’s Messenger. 
• Check whether you need an international driving permit to drive at your destination legally. If so, you can get one through the American Automobile Association (AAA)

Additional checklist items:

• Put bills on autopay. 
• Refill any needed prescriptions. 
• Put a hold on mail or newspapers. 
• Create a detailed packing list. 
• Plan where to keep your car if you are not driving to your destination. 
• Sign up for travel alerts from your airline.
• Arrange for someone to care for any pets and plants. 
• Develop a plan for any necessary home maintenance, such as lawn care. 
• Create a strategy for home security. 
• Leave a copy of your itinerary with a trusted friend or family member.

It's a big world out there. Get out there and see it. 

Note: This item first appeared in Kiplinger's Personal Finance Magazine, a monthly, trustworthy source of advice and guidance. Subscribe to help you make more money and keep more of the money you make here .

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Kiplinger contributor Laura Petrecca is a business journalist who has worked at major media organizations such as Gannett, News Corp, and Crain Communications. Prior to launching her own writing business, she held leadership roles such as USA Today’s New York City bureau chief, special projects editor, and business section editor.

In addition to Kiplinger, her writing has appeared in USA Today, Real Simple, Men’s Health, Prevention, Crain’s New York Business, Advertising Age, and AARP Bulletin. Laura also hosts livestream videos and has offered commentary on TV programs such as the Today show, Good Morning America, Inside Edition, Access Hollywood, and CNN.

She earned a master’s degree in journalism and a certificate in economics and business journalism from Columbia University and a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Maryland. 

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More From Forbes

Travelers are vacationing longer than ever. they’re staying here.

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A Blueground apartment in Paris. Americans are planning longer stays as travel resumes.

Like many Americans, Anne Minteer is vacationing longer than ever these days. She has some catching up to do as travel resumes after the pandemic.

But when she traveled to New York recently to visit her daughter, Minteer skipped a hotel in favor of a short-term apartment stay.

A friend had recommended Blueground , a company with a network of furnished apartments in 25 cities globally. She quickly found an apartment in Manhattan that saved her thousands of dollars.

Americans like Minteer are taking longer vacations than they have in generations. The trend started in 2021 when travelers began extending their vacation time in response to the pandemic lockdowns.

Now it's become one of the biggest U.S. travel trends of 2022.

• The latest Amex Travel's 2022 Global Travel Trend Report found that 55% of American travelers say they are willing to go on longer trips in 2022 since they can work remotely throughout the year.
• Home exchanges of two weeks or more — the definition of an extended stay — jumped 13% between January and May compared to the same period in 2021, according to the site HomeExchange . That's on top of a 133% increase from 2020. "Longer exchanges of over two weeks are on an upward trend globally," says HomeExchange spokeswoman Jessica Poillucci.
• Hostaway , a vacation rental management platform, says trips longer than 28 days have increased 106% since 2019.

But where are travelers going? The newest options range from furnished apartments like Blueground to hotels and traditional vacation rentals. But it helps to know a thing or two about the extended stay lodging business before you book.

Best Travel Insurance Companies

Best covid-19 travel insurance plans.

The boardroom at the Latitude Aparthotel in Cape Town, South Africa.

Extended stays are a major consumer travel trend this year

So what's driving this trend?

Travelers say they are making up for lost time in 2020 and 2021 when they couldn't travel. But the pandemic pivoted much of the American workforce to telework. And that unleashed millions of U.S. workers, who were free to pursue a digital nomad lifestyle.

"The increase in workcations has led travelers to alternative lodging options," explains Dimitris Chatzieleftheriou, Blueground's general manager for New York. "In the U.S. especially, Blueground guests were booking initially for less time during the height of the pandemic, but the extension rate doubled as they wanted to continue to live a flexible lifestyle."

Hotels don't always fit into this new travel trend. That's because they're for short-term guests. But that hasn't stopped travelers from trying.

Consider the economics of Minteer's visit to New York. Hotels were running at $500 a night and didn't have an available kitchen. The Blueground rental, which cost $300 per night, came with a full kitchen and living room.

"We booked an initial six-week stay in a Blueground apartment in Chelsea, a neighborhood on the lower West side of Manhattan," says Minteer, a retired attorney.

Minteer says she had such a positive experience that she's booking another Blueground rental in New York later this year.

A room at ROOST Tampa, the apartment hotel's newest property.

Travelers who want to stay longer turn to apartment hotels

Some companies are trying to offer extended-stay guests the best of both worlds. That's the idea behind Rentyl Resorts . It offers the privacy of a vacation home with the benefits of a hotel. Rentyl has a selection of branded residential resorts such as Margaritaville Resort Orlando and Rum Point Club Residences in the Cayman Islands. The rates are typically about the same as a full-service hotel, but you also get the amenities of a vacation home. It's also a more seamless experience, says Rentyl CEO Nick Falcone.

"There's no janky guy letting you into his house," he adds. "No awkward interactions or hiccups with owners."

Apartment hotels are reaching out to these new travelers with special rates. For example, the Latitude Aparthotel in Cape Town, South Africa, has launched a new business travel package called "rise and thrive." It offers one-, two- or three-bedroom ocean-facing rooms with a furnished kitchen, lounge, co-working spaces and breakfast and dinner included. Digital nomads from the United States can stay in South Africa for up to three months without a visa.

ROOST Apartment Hotel , another brand that bridges the boutique hotel experience with apartment-style living, is doubling its portfolio with new locations in three U.S. cities. The company, operated by Method Co , just opened a new ROOST Cleveland location. Later this month, it will cut the ribbon on a property in Tampa. And it has plans for locations in Detroit and Charleston.

ROOST Tampa pushes the boundaries of apartment living. It will unveil a new co-living unit — a shared accommodation category for travelers. The property will also include a 30,000 square foot floor of amenities, including a large pool deck with cabanas, outdoor bar and grills, and a movie screening room.

Interior of the Element Sedona in Sedona, Ariz.

Timeshares also see a longer vacation trend

Even timeshares, traditionally the domain of short-term leisure travelers, have been affected by this trend.

Travel + Leisure Co., which operates the world's largest vacation ownership company, Wyndham Destinations , has seen a 10 percent increase in length of stay across its vacation ownership resorts.

Wyndham's properties are ideal for a longer stay. Its 245 timeshare properties feature multi-bedroom suites with full-service kitchens and separate living spaces. I've spoken with Wyndham property managers, who say some guests live in their timeshares full-time.

This summer, many Wyndham properties are booked solid. "Properties located nearby national parks are soaring in popularity," notes Michael Brown, CEO of Travel + Leisure Co.

Vacation rentals are upgrading for long-term travelers

Travelers with extended itineraries are also turning to Vacation rentals. Jurny , a vacation rental app that launched in 2019, saw $1.3 million in booking revenue last month, a 98% increase from the same period a year ago, according to CEO Luca Zambello. It now lists over 1,000 units in the U.S., and is also experiencing strong growth in international markets.

Competition for long-term rental guests is fierce. Onefinestay , a luxury rental company, is offering discounts for longer-term stays. They range from 10% off for stays of 30-59 nights to 25% off for visits longer than 90 days.

"The trend toward longer stays has gained momentum," says Dan Driscoll, co-founder of Boutiq , a network of luxury vacation rentals. "We are definitely seeing this trend persist across Boutiq's portfolio of upscale vacation rental properties."

The trend continues into the slower months of the year, when leisure travelers have typically stayed home. But Driscoll also says there's a lot of competition from other accommodation options.

"To win these bookings, we have made sure that our homes feature high-speed internet and dedicated workspaces so our guests can seamlessly integrate their vacations with their work and school duties," he says.

Boutiq's portfolio is mostly larger single-family vacation residences. So its homes are intended as gathering spaces for families and friends, with discreetly functional places for working comfortably and effectively when necessary.

"And who doesn't want to sit on a porch looking out at mountains or a beach while working?" he adds. "It sure beats a cubicle."

Even hotels are joining the extended-stay trend

Hotels are trying to be part of this consumer travel trend. For example, Element Hotels , Marriott's extended-stay brand, has a "Studio Commons" room concept aimed at guests who stay longer. It blends a hotel room with a home rental by connecting four private bedrooms with a shared kitchen and living room area.

Hotels are encouraging guests to stay longer in other ways. IHG offers IHG One Rewards members a Stay Longer & Save rate with up to a 15 percent discount whenever they book three or more nights in the U.S.

The Palm Beach Marriott Singer Island Beach Resort & Spa , which already offers condo-style rooms with full kitchens, washers and dryers, just introduced a Stay Longer and Save rate of up to 20% on stays of four nights or more. (Available now through September 5; rates starting at $550 a night.)

Tips for your next extended stay

Experts say there are so many choices that finding the right extended-stay accommodations can be difficult.

Here are their tips:

Find the right site for your stay. After you've checked Airbnb, Booking.com, Vrbo, and Agoda (in Asia), try specializing in the type of accommodation you want. Chris Cerra, founder of RemoteBase , a newsletter for remote workers, suggests checking sites like Sonder , which specializes in serviced apartments. If you'd prefer a co-living space, check The Collective and Selina . And don't forget booking platforms for digital nomads like Flatio and Nomad Stays .

Read the terms carefully. Some vacation rental companies will ask you to sign a lengthy contract. Other rentals require a monthly subscription. Still others charge cleaning fees or take large security deposits. When it comes to extended stays, there are no industry standards — at least not yet. So review the paperwork before you make a booking decision.

Ask about the amenities. For example, onefinestay's list of standard amenities includes weekly professional housekeeping, Wi-Fi, 24/7 local support, complimentary bath amenities and a welcome pack with tea and coffee. Other extended-stay properties will stock your refrigerator with groceries or include happy hour drinks or breakfast. Again, there's no industry standard when it comes to amenities, so you have to ask.

Extended stays are one of the biggest U.S. travel trends of 2022. If you think a longer vacation is in your future, get familiar with all the options. And don't forget to read your contract.

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Taking Care of Business Abroad

Extended business travel can be costly if you don't monitor who's going where­­—and for how long.

The term "extended business travel" has worked its way into the lexicon of mobility professionals.

Yet the phrase remains ripe for misinterpretation inside and outside human resource departments. When business leaders fail to understand, evaluate and monitor the immigration, tax and health care implications of international extended business travel, such travel—often used as an alternative to traditional expatriate assignments—can become an "overextended business trip" fraught with compliance risks.

"The beauty of the extended business trip is the flexibility," says eBay's Director of HR Global Mobility Eric Halverson, who notes that shorter, leaner assignments appeal to business-unit managers because they cost less and appeal to employees because they are less disruptive.

The big risk occurs "when an extended business trip of less than six months gets extended [past six months] and you do not track it correctly," he says. That "can trigger serious tax implications, and employees can lose their medical coverage. We are careful to avoid that six-month problem."

Adds Jane Malecki, vice president of international assignments for Weichert Relocation Resources Inc. in Norwell, Mass.: "Some people think that there is a standard 183-day rule—[that] as long as an employee is not in the host location for more than 183 days, the company is safe from a tax and immigration perspective. That's not necessarily the case."

Hence, many managers would benefit from applying more care to their oversight of extended business travel, mobility experts say. Hallmarks of vigilant oversight include:

• A formal yet flexible policy, one that enables case-by-case adjustments.
• Diligent and careful tracking of business travelers.
• Consideration of tax treaties between home and host countries.
• Knowledge of immigration rules in home and host countries.
• A clearly defined purpose for business travel so employees understand what is expected of them and what they can expect once they return.

Drivers and Uses

Malecki says well-planned extended business trips can be effective, and other HR professionals cite examples.

Managers at New York City-based KPMG LLP routinely use extended business travel assignments to supplement the company's U.S. ranks from February through April.

"We bring in people from other countries whose 'busy seasons' occur at a different time," explains Achim Mossman, KPMG's national director of global mobility advisory services and international executive services. In Germany, for example, tax returns are due in late September, so some German tax professionals sign up for one-, two- or three-month assignments in the United States each year in the spring.

KPMG is not alone. And, most mobility practitioners and experts are seeing an increase in such assignments. Ninety-three percent of the 408 mobility professionals who responded to Atlas Van Lines' 2011 Corporate Relocation Survey indicated that their organizations plan to increase or maintain the use of international assignments lasting less than 12 months.

That said, specific growth figures are difficult to come by because many companies do not diligently track extended travel and because organizations may define "extended business travel" differently. For instance, a company might limit it to three months, six months or 12 months.

The fact that extended trips cost companies less money than expatriate assignments represents one driver. Employers save on tax equalization, shipments of household goods, family housing, cost-of-living adjustments and other allowances typically spelled out in longer-term expatriate assignments. These perks are usually excluded from extended business travel arrangements. The fact that more companies, of all sizes, are conducting business overseas also generates more trips.

Percentage of international assignments less than 12 months in duration:

Companies with less than 500 salaried employees 6%

Companies with 500 to 4,999 salaried employees 16

Companies with 5,000 or more salaried employees 22

Source: 2011 Corporate Relocation Survey, Atlas Van Lines.

Malecki points to other drivers:

• An increase in the number of dual-career couples complicates the logistics in one- to three-year expatriate assignments.
• The U.S. housing bust has made more employees reluctant to sell or rent their houses—and incur losses—while working overseas for longer periods.
• Ongoing economic volatility and high unemployment in the United States have raised employees' concerns about job security once they return from three-year expatriate assignments and their previous jobs have been filled.

One of the reasons employees appreciate extended business travel is "They don't feel like they're putting their careers at risk," notes Halverson, as returning employees rarely find their positions filled.

That said, employers should still make clear the purpose of each assignment, what completion looks like, and what awaits the employee when he or she returns, Malecki says.

At San Jose, Calif.-based eBay, some U.S.-based employees use extended business travel to fill in for European colleagues on maternity leave. "These assignments are a great tool to fill open gaps that are temporary," Halverson says.

Tom O'Connor, GPHR, director of global mobility for United Technologies Corp. in Hartford, Conn., and a member of the Society for Human Resource Management's (SHRM) Global Special Expertise Panel, adds that such trips provide an excellent means of responding quickly to unexpected customer service challenges. If one of the heating systems, aerospace systems, helicopters, elevators or security systems that the diversified global company manufactures needs immediate attention, "an engineer can get on a plane tomorrow morning to go to another country, take a few days or a few weeks to address the issue, and then return home," O'Connor says.

Managers at Nalco Co., a global water treatment and process improvement company based in Naperville, Ill., often use extended business trips "as development assignments," says Director of HR and Senior Global Business Partner Judy Wierman, GPHR, who also serves on the SHRM panel. "The assignment gives the company the opportunity to get a critical job done, and it gives employees an opportunity to expand their skills sets. … You can gain a rich development experience from putting someone into a different culture and a different area even for a short period."

Nalco offers extended business travel—typically addressing specific business needs such as temporarily replacing an engineering position at an offshore platform in West Africa, for example—in addition to "true rotational assignments." Both provide a development component and can take place during a similar period of time, but the rotations are part of the company's talent management strategy and include longer-term assignments.

Nalco's use of some extended business travel as developmental exercises may be relatively rare. While other mobility professionals agree that some development benefits accompany extended travel, they say development takes a back seat to business needs such as filling a temporary gap, completing a short-term project, providing post-merger integration assistance or opening a new office overseas. Few organizations use extended business travel "as a tool for staff development, talent management or cultural immersion," reports Mossman, who works with dozens of mobility departments.

Instead, Mossman sees traditional expatriate assignments—what he describes as long-term assignments of more than 12 months—and short-term assignments lasting six to 12 months used for development. He defines extended business travel as trips lasting 30 days to three months. He reports witnessing in the past two years an increase in the use of six- to 12-month development assignments among his client companies. In such an assignment, field employees of global companies perform stints at headquarters to "get immersed in the headquarters culture."

Policy Points

While Halverson agrees in principle with Mossman's breakdown of assignments according to length, he says this breakdown posed a practical problem within his company.

Several years ago, eBay's mobility function had separate travel policies—one that covered assignments of less than six months, a short-term policy covering assignments of six to 12 months, and a long-term policy for expatriate assignments of 12 months or longer. The short-term policy contained many of the same benefits and allowances that expatriates on three-year assignments received; however, the policy covering trips of less than six months in duration offered far fewer benefits and were therefore more attractive from a cost perspective. Because managers wanted to avoid bearing the benefits costs of trips lasting six months or longer, many began using the shortest assignments and then extending them as they neared the five-month mark.

Many of these extensions posed problems: When extended business travel stretches past six months, the arrangement can trigger tax requirements in host countries and raise health care coverage risks. EBay's home-based health care plan covers employees outside the country for up to six months. Employees living out of the country for more than six months need to be moved to another policy with global coverage. In terms of taxes, many countries, including most European countries, allow U.S. citizens to work within their borders for up to six months, or 183 days, without being subjected to local tax withholding. This arrangement is contained in treaties the United States maintains with many other, but far from all, countries.

"We did not want employees to get hit with an additional tax and then lose their medical coverage," Halverson says. So, he and his team changed the policy. Today, a policy specific to extended business travel covers employees on assignments of 31 days to 12 months, while a long-term policy applies to employees on assignments of greater than 12 months.

EBay's policy for extended business travel "kicks in at 31 days because we wanted to get our arms around the tax compliance and we wanted to get our arms around the immigration issues," Halverson says. "If you did not track extended business trips until 90 days, you would have a lot of extended business travelers flying off your radar."

Additionally, eBay's mobility team conducts reviews of frequent business travelers at least twice a year to monitor any potential compliance risks. The team also creates a monthly report with the company's emergency services and security group to ensure that the current location of every employee is identified and monitored in case unrest—such as that in North Africa earlier this year—requires employees to be evacuated.

Given the tax compliance, immigration and health care issues, mobility experts say organizations should have specific policies for extended business travel. A survey of approximately 100 Worldwide ERC members, conducted in May and June by the U.S. mobility association based in Arlington, Va., indicates that more than 40 percent of U.S. organizations do not have formal policies that cover extended travel in the United States. 

It's hard to find best practices outside of extremely large companies, Wierman says.

Halverson, Wierman and other mobility executives say that any approach or formal policy should contain leeway so parameters can be adjusted on a case-by-case basis, particularly when it comes to allowances.

Halverson emphasizes that eBay's assignments are "lean" on allowances. These assignments typically do not include spouse or family relocation, shipment of household goods, transportation allowances, cost-of-living adjustments, or cash lump sums for miscellaneous relocation expenses. In some cases, the company will fly family members overseas for visits or fly the traveler home once a quarter.

Nalco follows a similar approach. "I have not seen one of our extended assignments go longer than three months without a trip home, unless the employee chooses not to return home," Wierman says.

Halverson stresses that what he describes represents eBay's typical approach to extended business travel; there are exceptions. "Our priority is to make sure that [the employees] are legally authorized to work where they're going and to make sure we understand any and all tax implications," Halverson explains. "We give them economy class airfare, put them up in a hotel or possibly corporate apartments, and then bring them back. If there is tax, we take care of the tax. If there is a family situation, we deal with family situations independently. They might get home leave to come back and visit. We might fly family members up to visit.

"The biggest challenges are trying to determine the best lodging answer and whether to assist them with a per-diem payment or by using a cost-of-living adjustment," Halverson adds.

In terms of reporting relationships, extended business travelers typically maintain their traditional reporting relationships in their home countries while reporting to a manager in their host locations.

Wierman completed extended assignments to Singapore earlier in her career. "My direct, hard-line reporting went back to my corporate function head in the U.S.," she recalls. "But my operational reporting during the assignment was to the president of our [Asia] region. Many times, the reporting relationship for extended business travelers becomes a matrix."

Mossman points out that many assignees request these opportunities. Mossman, for instance, previously lived in Germany; while working for a former employer, he accepted a U.S. assignment and eventually relocated permanently.

In many ways, the allure of extended business travel—the ability to quickly deploy people around the world at low cost without incurring tax liability—also represents the primary risk of such assignments. If this type of travel is granted too quickly without preparation and oversight, the benefits may never materialize, or worse.

What type of housing solutions do you provide for domestic assignments of less than one year?

Short-term leased apartment 53% Corporate-leased apartment 48 Executive apartment 35 Hotel 37 Lump sum 22

Respondents could select more than one answer.

Source: Worldwide ERC survey.

The author is a business writer based in Austin, Texas, who covers human resource, finance and social marketing issues.

• Online sidebar: Tools for Effective Management
• Online sidebar: How Labor Laws Apply to International Business Travel
• SHRM article: Helping Prepare Workers for Global Postings Falls to HR (HR News)
• SHRM article: Managing Temporary Relocations (HR Magazine)
• SHRM research article: Global Talent for Competitive Advantage (SHRM Research Quarterly)
• SHRM toolkit: Managing International Assignments (Templates and Tools)
• Webinar: Understanding the Trends and Issues Surrounding Short Term Domestic Assignments (Worldwide ERC)
• Survey: 2011 Corporate Relocation Survey (Atlas Van Lines)

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Reality of Extended Travel

The reality of extended travel.

Tazara Train Boarding – Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania

I have had numerous periods of long term travel. The first was from October 1991 – October 1992, and this was followed by other periods of extended travel, but not for as long, such as two trips of 7+ weeks to India and Bangladesh in 2004 and 2006, 10 weeks in Western Europe, Middle East and East Africa in 2008. Also, another similar period of travel in the Middle East and Africa again in 2010, plus a period of 7 weeks in Northern and South-East Asia in 2011.

However, I have now been on the road constantly since December 2012. I have not returned to Australia (the only place in the world where I do have residence) since that time. This does not mean I have travelled continuously – far from it.  But it does mean (and due to visa issues) that I do not and have not had a secure home base for more than 6 years.

It has been an incredible journey, albeit a tiring one at times. This extended travel has taught me many things about living life on the road. Is it easy – no; is it enjoyable – mostly yes; is it recommended – definitely yes, but not for too long.

If you wish to take on the challenge of extended travel, you will need to know of a few tips from my experience of having done this many, many times.

Don’t Have A Detailed Itinerary

Planning for a three or four-week holiday takes a lot of time, so imagine how long it will take to plan for three or four months on the road. The best way to plan for your long term travel is this – think of where you need to be in the world at certain periods of time (usually due to weather considerations). Look at the first region in your itinerary and only plan for that region. Once you have reached the first region, then you can start planning for the second region and so on. When going for an extended period where you know that you have flexibility with an itinerary, I almost always only book the first night or the first few nights in a country and work the rest of my itinerary out after I arrive.  Be aware that if you are taking an around the world ticket, you will need to book your flights before you depart on the first one. In that case, you will need an overall idea of where you want to be and when. However, even if this applies to you, don’t get too detailed about what you want to do anywhere except for the first place your plane arrives.

Slow Travel

If travelling for an extended period at the same pace as on a shorter holiday, you will quickly become exhausted.   If you have the time, use it. Instead of trying to see five cities in two weeks, why not stay in the one place for a week or even longer. Not only is this a cheaper way of travel, but it allows one to gain a deeper understanding of the places visited. This is such an important area that is included on a separate page, and this is reached by following the link below:

Taking A Break From Travel

Even if travelling slowly, you will eventually reach a point where you no longer want to unpack and repack your bags. Your only desire is to stay in one place and do nothing. If you feel this way, then listen to what your mind and body are saying and stop.   Find a decent place in a location to relax and be pampered if that is your desire. Don’t keep pushing along the travel road if you are getting so weary that the experience is no longer enjoyable. If you hit travel burnout, it will take you a very long time to recover, so don’t push yourself to that point. How long you stay in one place will depend on the circumstance. During a 6-7 weeks period on the road, I usually had a period of 3 or 4 nights, where I stopped to recharge. If you are travelling for longer or if your travel is particularly tiring, then you may need to stay a week or more. Listen to what your body and mind are telling you – when the time is right to start moving again, you will know.

Establish A Base or Two

You don’t want to carry heavy winter clothes to a hot destination, and likewise, bring your summer clothes to a cold one. You will accumulate a lot of possessions during extended travel because you need to cater for a range of different environments and situations. It is not possible to carry it all. Try to have a base (or two) where you can leave some of your belongings.

My previous base was in Dubai due to its central location to Europe, Africa, Asia and the Middle East and the fact that most of the work occurred in the city. I rented a storage shed where all my belongings not currently needed were kept. It obviously costs money to maintain this storage facility, but it is preferable to carting it around the globe and incurring numerous and more costly excess baggage charges. Now, my base is in Kenya, and it does make life much easier to carry a few items if I am heading to a destination for a few days, instead of having to take everything with me everywhere I go. This sort of travel can tire you very quickly.

Dealing With Mail Matters

Another thing to consider is where to get important mail delivered. For example, receiving a replacement credit/debit card is going to require a physical address and if you are continually moving this is going to be difficult, and you are at risk of losing access to your money. If you are staying in one place for long, see if you can use their address for such vital correspondence. Write to the hotel in advance and ask if this is possible (it usually is) – they will then provide you with an address for correspondence. Make sure you let the hotel know what they should expect to receive so they can log in for you if it arrives before your arrival.

Dealing With Medical Matters

This is an issue with anyone who requires regular medication. If you travel for extended periods, your medication is going to run out or expire. You may find the same medication, but it is likely to be offered with a different name or not at all. Talk to your usual doctor before you leave to find the alternative names for your medications. Another option is to talk with an overseas doctor or pharmacist, and they can suggest an alternative. Of course, you must have excellent travel insurance (see below) to cover you in case something does happen that requires attention.

Establish A Non-Travel Life

This becomes important after a very long period of travel (one year or more). Remember the small things that made your life at home comfortable? Try to replicate this on the road.   For example, board games make me relax. It’s not possible to carry large games, but I can carry smaller, lighter ones. If you love music, then purchase an MP3 with a substantial memory so that you have a vast range of music to listen to during your travels.   Have you thought about bringing your favourite incense? What about a collection of your favourite recipes for those times you have access to a kitchen?   When travelling for long periods, you want some semblance of normality after a while – and these small items can help. The people who travel for the longest tend to be the people who master this ability to create a non-travel life the best temporarily. Think of yourself as being an expatriate for a while, who live what many would consider a normal domestic life but in a place far away from their home.

People are reading this and wonder about the lifestyle of a digital nomad – someone who can work from anywhere in the world as long as they have a computer and an Internet connection. This is the ultimate form of prolonged travel, and with the ability to earn an income on the way. However, there are many incorrect perceptions, and I’ll soon be publishing a page ‘The Fallacies of Being a Digital Nomad’.

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Getting there: for an extended trip , it makes sense to go independently.

It has a capacity of just 105 litres — not much for an extended trip .

There are two main insurance options for those taking an extended trip abroad: specialist gap-year insurance products and long-stay travel insurance.

Depending on how long he wants to travel, and how luxuriously, an extended trip could significantly eat into his savings.

Some spring mousetraps have a plastic extended trip .

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Key Considerations for Extended Business Traveler Programs

As organizations continue to emerge from the pandemic-imposed restricted business environment, there has been a renewed focus on extended business travel as a way to meet business needs. Organizations are beginning to develop, or reevaluate their Extended Business Travel (EBT) programs. 

Is your EBT program working as a strategic tool for your organization in an evolving post-pandemic workplace? Are you prepared to avoid any potential compliance issues that may impact your organizations and assignees?

Six Important Ways to Evaluate Your EBT Program

There are several key considerations when evaluating your EBT program. This is an assignment type particularly vulnerable to compliance challenges and other issues that can lead to increased risk, and the overall intent of a comprehensive EBT program is to minimize both employee and corporate risk. Without a formal program, extended business travelers can put themselves, and your company, at risk by potentially failing to comply with tax and immigrations guideline. Fines can be quite significant, so it is important for your organization to find effective ways to track EBTs and ensure compliance. 

Below are some important steps to evaluate a comprehensive and effective EBT program:

1. Define Extended Business Travel  It is important to define what EBT means to your organization for it to be handled consistently and to differentiate it from other program and policy types. Typically, the duration is beyond just a standard business trip, but does not qualify as a short- or long-term assignment. The most common industry-defined duration is from 30 to 90 days. After 90 days it would be considered a short-term assignment. Any EBT program support is designed to meet the specific business needs of this duration that may not be addressed in your normal business travel policy, and is not of the length to offer complete short-term assignment benefits. 

2. Administrative Structure/Program Oversight Who has oversight for the program and how is it administered? Global Mobility teams are increasingly involved in the oversight of extended business travelers. Program management can be centralized or within the region, but the key is to have a single program owner to develop and enforce the policies and procedures that govern the program on a global basis. EBTs may also be managed by your Human Resources group, individual business units, or travel department.

3. Develop Process and Policy Best practice recommends that you develop a formal policy or guidelines to provide support for your employees going on extended business trips. Clear documentation provides appropriate level support, consistency, and assurance of compliance.  Industry research and surveys have shown that the top challenges for managing EBTs are tax compliance, immigration compliance, and employee tracking. When planning for extended business travel, business managers don’t always consider host location requirements when choosing employees or setting travel time, nor do they understand the ultimate tax and immigration implications. Centralizing administration and program guidelines significantly reduces the challenges and risk in these critical areas. 

4. Employee Tracking Having an employee tracking mechanism in place is critical to ensuring tax and immigration compliance. It also allows your organization to have the ability to easily locate their employees, which is an overall key duty-of-care function. Tracking the whereabouts of employees became a front and center issue during the COVID-19 pandemic. Different types of tracking tools are available from travel providers, tax providers, immigration providers, relocation services providers, in addition to your own internal tools. 

5. Leverage Mobility Provider Network Identifying and streamlining the providers involved in your EBT process, and leveraging existing mobility providers, will provide consistency and cost savings to your program. These providers may include: • Corporate travel  • Immigration  • Tax  • Relocation management company • Data provider • Temporary housing     

6. Coordinate Support Extended business travel support can be coordinated internally on your mobility team, by a separate team(s), or through one of your organization’s mobility partners. It is not recommended that the employee coordinates support on their own or that coordination is handled at the manager or business level due to compliance and consistency concerns. 

Recommended EBT Support Components

Once program structure and governance are in place, it is recommended to determine the level of support your organization will provide for EBTs, focusing on compliance-related components and provisions that allow the employee to safely transition to the location and effectively perform their role.

Some recommended EBT support elements include:

Tax Briefing: A tax briefing may be provided by your organization’s designated tax provider and can be important if, depending upon the location, the extended trip triggers any taxes. The tax briefing can apply to both domestic and international travelers.  Security Briefing: For international EBTs, depending upon the location, a briefing can be provided by an external provider or in-house security team.

Medical Exam: For international EBTs, a medical exam may be necessary for immigration purposes and some organizations require a physical exam before going on any extended business travel.

Immigration Assistance: For international EBTs, the business traveler must have authorization to work and temporarily reside in the host location. Passport, visa applications, and supporting documentation must be completed and supplied as early in the process as possible. It is important to allow adequate time for document processing.

Language Training: For international EBTs, language training may be necessary to ensure the success of the employee in the host location.

Cultural Training: For international EBTs, just like long- and short-term assignments, cultural training is recommended to provide the employee with the tools they need to appreciate and understand the culture so they can succeed in their new role. 

Travel Between Departure Location and Destination Location: Travel is typically based on your organization’s Business Travel Policy Guidelines and booked through your designated travel provider. Travel expenses can include:

• Ground transport to/from airports
• Airport taxes and transfer fees
• Standard baggage costs
• Additional excess baggage for longer durations
• Possible authorized stopovers depending upon trip length
• Mileage if driving with a minimum daily driving distance
• Lodging 

Destination Location Accommodations: Furnished corporate housing or hotel is typically provided for the duration of the extended business trip. 

Living Expenses: Meals and incidentals are typically covered by a per diem which is intended to pay actual and reasonable living expenses for days in location. Per diem amounts can be determined using a data provider, government tables, business travel policy, company calculation, or flat amounts.

Local Transportation: If the employee is not able to drive their vehicle to the destination location, they are provided with reasonable transportation assistance as appropriate to the employee’s position, based on destination location policy/practice and local business rules.Assistance may be in the form of an allowance, reimbursement, rental car, or company car.

Tax Policy and Preparation: Ideally, the employee’s tax liability should remain the same for the period of extended business travel as it would have been at home. The company would typically pay any liability over and above what the employee would have normally incurred on company-sourced income. If tax return preparation is necessary (international), the company would cover the costs of the year(s) impacted.

For more information on how you can make EBTs a strategic part of your mobility program, please feel free to contact SIRVA Global Advisory Services at [email protected]  or reach out to your SIRVA account manager or SIRVA sales representative.

Passing Thru Travel

Roaming Beyond: Expert Tips and Must-Visit Destinations for Your Extended Travel Adventure

Posted: March 9, 2024 | Last updated: March 9, 2024

A sabbatical offers a unique opportunity to step away from the daily grind and embark on extended travel adventures. It’s a time to explore, learn, and grow, whether through cultural immersion, volunteering, or simply taking the time to see the world. Planning for a sabbatical requires thoughtful consideration and careful preparation to ensure it’s both fulfilling and feasible.

This guide will walk you through 15 essential best practices for planning your sabbatical, along with highlighting some ideal destinations for long-term travel. From budgeting to choosing where to go, these tips are designed to help you make the most of your extended break and turn your dream sabbatical into a reality.

Define Your Sabbatical Goals

Determine what you want to achieve during your sabbatical, whether it’s relaxation, learning new skills, volunteering, or exploring new cultures.

Plan Your Budget Carefully

Calculate your budget considering all expenses: travel, accommodation, food, insurance, and any income you’ll forego during your sabbatical.

Choose Destinations Wisely

Select destinations based on your interests, the cost of living, safety, and the ease of getting around, especially for longer stays.

Consider Visas and Legalities

Research visa requirements and ensure you have the necessary documentation for extended stays in your chosen destinations.

Look Into Long-Term Accommodations

Explore various accommodation options like renting apartments, homestays, or long-term hotel stays, which can be more economical for extended periods.

Create a Flexible Itinerary

While it’s good to have a plan, allow for flexibility in your itinerary to accommodate new opportunities and experiences.

Prepare for Healthcare Needs

Invest in comprehensive travel insurance and understand the healthcare options available in your destinations.

Pack essentials and versatile clothing suitable for various climates and cultures. Consider the need for special equipment for activities like hiking or photography.

Set Up Efficient Communication

Plan how you’ll stay in touch with family and friends. Consider international phone plans or communication apps.

Manage Your Responsibilities at Home

Arrange for the management of your home, pets, or other responsibilities during your absence.

Embrace Local Cultures and Languages

Take the opportunity to immerse yourself in local cultures. Learning the basics of the local language can enhance your experience.

Stay Open to New Experiences

Be open to unexpected opportunities and experiences that deviate from your planned itinerary.

Document Your Journey

Keep a journal or blog to document your experiences and reflections during your sabbatical.

Ensure a Smooth Transition Back

Plan for your return, considering how you’ll reintegrate into your regular life or work.

Keep Safety in Mind

Always be mindful of your safety, staying informed about the local conditions and avoiding high-risk activities.

Southeast Asia (Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia)

Offers affordable living, rich cultures, and stunning landscapes.

New Zealand

Ideal for nature lovers with its breathtaking scenery and numerous outdoor activities.

South America (Peru, Argentina, Brazil)

Rich in history, natural wonders, and vibrant cultures.

Europe (Italy, Spain, Greece)

Perfect for those interested in history, art, and diverse cultural experiences.

Offers a mix of urban exploration and outback adventures.

A destination for spiritual growth, colorful cultures, and diverse landscapes.

Combines traditional and modern experiences in a unique cultural setting.

Offers vast natural landscapes, wildlife, and friendly cities.

Rich in history, culture, and stunning natural scenery.

Scandinavian Countries (Norway, Sweden, Denmark)

Known for their high quality of life, natural beauty, and sustainability.

Planning a sabbatical for extended travel is an exciting process that promises growth, adventure, and countless memories. By following these best practices, you can ensure a well-prepared and fulfilling journey.

Remember, a sabbatical is more than a prolonged vacation; it’s a journey of personal discovery and a unique chance to engage with the world on a deeper level. Embrace the adventure, savor every moment, and return enriched with stories and experiences that last a lifetime.

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The post Roaming Beyond: Expert Tips and Must-Visit Destinations for Your Extended Travel Adventure republished on Passing Thru with permission from The Green Voyage .

Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / Gorodenkoff.

For transparency, this content was partly developed with AI assistance and carefully curated by an experienced editor to be informative and ensure accuracy.

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What Are Travel Expenses?

Understanding travel expenses, the bottom line.

• Deductions & Credits
• Tax Deductions

Travel Expenses Definition and Tax Deductible Categories

Michelle P. Scott is a New York attorney with extensive experience in tax, corporate, financial, and nonprofit law, and public policy. As General Counsel, private practitioner, and Congressional counsel, she has advised financial institutions, businesses, charities, individuals, and public officials, and written and lectured extensively.

For tax purposes, travel expenses are costs associated with traveling to conduct business-related activities. Reasonable travel expenses can generally be deducted from taxable income by a company when its employees incur costs while traveling away from home specifically for business. That business can include conferences or meetings.

Key Takeaways

• Travel expenses are tax-deductible only if they were incurred to conduct business-related activities.
• Only ordinary and necessary travel expenses are deductible; expenses that are deemed unreasonable, lavish, or extravagant are not deductible.
• The IRS considers employees to be traveling if their business obligations require them to be away from their "tax home” substantially longer than an ordinary day's work.
• Examples of deductible travel expenses include airfare, lodging, transportation services, meals and tips, and the use of communications devices.

Travel expenses incurred while on an indefinite work assignment that lasts more than one year are not deductible for tax purposes.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) considers employees to be traveling if their business obligations require them to be away from their "tax home" (the area where their main place of business is located) for substantially longer than an ordinary workday, and they need to get sleep or rest to meet the demands of their work while away.

Well-organized records—such as receipts, canceled checks, and other documents that support a deduction—can help you get reimbursed by your employer and can help your employer prepare tax returns. Examples of travel expenses can include:

• Airfare and lodging for the express purpose of conducting business away from home
• Transportation services such as taxis, buses, or trains to the airport or to and around the travel destination
• The cost of meals and tips, dry cleaning service for clothes, and the cost of business calls during business travel
• The cost of computer rental and other communications devices while on the business trip

Travel expenses do not include regular commuting costs.

Individual wage earners can no longer deduct unreimbursed business expenses. That deduction was one of many eliminated by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017.

While many travel expenses can be deducted by businesses, those that are deemed unreasonable, lavish, or extravagant, or expenditures for personal purposes, may be excluded.

Types of Travel Expenses

Types of travel expenses can include:

• Personal vehicle expenses
• Taxi or rideshare expenses
• Airfare, train fare, or ferry fees
• Laundry and dry cleaning
• Business meals
• Business calls
• Shipment costs for work-related materials
• Some equipment rentals, such as computers or trailers

The use of a personal vehicle in conjunction with a business trip, including actual mileage, tolls, and parking fees, can be included as a travel expense. The cost of using rental vehicles can also be counted as a travel expense, though only for the business-use portion of the trip. For instance, if in the course of a business trip, you visited a family member or acquaintance, the cost of driving from the hotel to visit them would not qualify for travel expense deductions .

The IRS allows other types of ordinary and necessary expenses to be treated as related to business travel for deduction purposes. Such expenses can include transport to and from a business meal, the hiring of a public stenographer, payment for computer rental fees related to the trip, and the shipment of luggage and display materials used for business presentations.

Travel expenses can also include operating and maintaining a house trailer as part of the business trip.

Can I Deduct My Business Travel Expenses?

Business travel expenses can no longer be deducted by individuals.

If you are self-employed or operate your own business, you can deduct those "ordinary and necessary" business expenses from your return.

If you work for a company and are reimbursed for the costs of your business travel , your employer will deduct those costs at tax time.

Do I Need Receipts for Travel Expenses?

Yes. Whether you're an employee claiming reimbursement from an employer or a business owner claiming a tax deduction, you need to prepare to prove your expenditures. Keep a running log of your expenses and file away the receipts as backup.

What Are Reasonable Travel Expenses?

Reasonable travel expenses, from the viewpoint of an employer or the IRS, would include transportation to and from the business destination, accommodation costs, and meal costs. Certainly, business supplies and equipment necessary to do the job away from home are reasonable. Taxis or Ubers taken during the business trip are reasonable.

Unreasonable is a judgment call. The boss or the IRS might well frown upon a bill for a hotel suite instead of a room, or a sports car rental instead of a sedan.

Individual taxpayers need no longer fret over recordkeeping for unreimbursed travel expenses. They're no longer tax deductible by individuals, at least until 2025 when the provisions in the latest tax reform package are due to expire or be extended.

If you are self-employed or own your own business, you should keep records of your business travel expenses so that you can deduct them properly.

Internal Revenue Service. " Topic No. 511, Business Travel Expenses ."

Internal Revenue Service. " Publication 463, Travel, Gift, and Car Expenses ," Page 13.

Internal Revenue Service. " Publication 5307, Tax Reform Basics for Individuals and Families ," Page 7.

Internal Revenue Service. " Publication 463, Travel, Gift, and Car Expenses ," Pages 6-7, 13-14.

Internal Revenue Service. " Publication 463, Travel, Gift, and Car Expenses ," Page 4.

Internal Revenue Service. " Publication 5307, Tax Reform Basics for Individuals and Families ," Pages 5, 7.

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Meaning of extended in English

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• long He's been gone a long time.
• prolonged She returned to work after a prolonged illness.
• lengthy Airline passengers may face lengthy delays during holiday travel.
• sustained We continue to see sustained economic growth.
• extended Standing for extended periods of time can be bad for your back.
• He wants the extended version of "Return of the King" on video .
• The prime minister gave a special extended interview on the radio news this morning .
• The weather won't improve until the end of next week , according to the extended weather forecast .
• After an extended period of inactivity , Vesuvius erupted with devastating force in A.D. 79.
• Would you like to take out an extended warranty on your purchase , madam ?
• ad infinitum
• around-the-clock
• here to stay idiom
• imperishable
• on the bounce idiom
• on the spin idiom
• on the trot idiom
• uninterrupted
• uninterruptedly
• unrelentingly
• unrelievedly

extended | American Dictionary

Translations of extended.

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Definition of travel

 (Entry 1 of 2)

intransitive verb

transitive verb

Definition of travel  (Entry 2 of 2)

• peregrinate
• peregrination

Examples of travel in a Sentence

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'travel.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Middle English travailen, travelen to torment, labor, strive, journey, from Anglo-French travailler

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing travel

• pre - travel
• see / travel the world
• travel agency
• travel agent
• travel light
• travel sickness
• travel trailer

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Dictionary Entries Near travel

Cite this entry.

“Travel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/travel. Accessed 26 Apr. 2024.

Kids Definition

Kids definition of travel.

Kids Definition of travel  (Entry 2 of 2)

Middle English travailen "torment, labor, strive, journey," from early French travailler "torment, labor," from an unrecorded Latin verb tripaliare "to torture," from Latin tripalium "an instrument of torture," literally "three stakes," derived from tri- "three" and palus "stake, pale" — related to pale entry 3 , travail

More from Merriam-Webster on travel

Nglish: Translation of travel for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of travel for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about travel

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Definition of extend verb from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

make longer/larger/wider

• to extend a fence/road/house
• There are plans to extend the children's play area.
• The Democratic candidate extended her early lead in the polls.
• There are plans to extend the road network in the north of the country.
• You can add value to your house by extending or renovating it.
• significantly

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Look up any word in the dictionary offline, anytime, anywhere with the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary app.

An official website of the United States government

Here's how you know

The .gov means it's official. Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

The site is secure. The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

What the New Overtime Rule Means for Workers

One of the basic principles of the American workplace is that a hard day’s work deserves a fair day’s pay. Simply put, every worker’s time has value. A cornerstone of that promise is the  Fair Labor Standards Act ’s (FLSA) requirement that when most workers work more than 40 hours in a week, they get paid more. The  Department of Labor ’s new overtime regulation is restoring and extending this promise for millions more lower-paid salaried workers in the U.S.

Overtime protections have been a critical part of the FLSA since 1938 and were established to protect workers from exploitation and to benefit workers, their families and our communities. Strong overtime protections help build America’s middle class and ensure that workers are not overworked and underpaid.

Some workers are specifically exempt from the FLSA’s minimum wage and overtime protections, including bona fide executive, administrative or professional employees. This exemption, typically referred to as the “EAP” exemption, applies when: 

1. An employee is paid a salary,  

2. The salary is not less than a minimum salary threshold amount, and 

3. The employee primarily performs executive, administrative or professional duties.

While the department increased the minimum salary required for the EAP exemption from overtime pay every 5 to 9 years between 1938 and 1975, long periods between increases to the salary requirement after 1975 have caused an erosion of the real value of the salary threshold, lessening its effectiveness in helping to identify exempt EAP employees.

The department’s new overtime rule was developed based on almost 30 listening sessions across the country and the final rule was issued after reviewing over 33,000 written comments. We heard from a wide variety of members of the public who shared valuable insights to help us develop this Administration’s overtime rule, including from workers who told us: “I would love the opportunity to...be compensated for time worked beyond 40 hours, or alternately be given a raise,” and “I make around $40,000 a year and most week[s] work well over 40 hours (likely in the 45-50 range). This rule change would benefit me greatly and ensure that my time is paid for!” and “Please, I would love to be paid for the extra hours I work!”

The department’s final rule, which will go into effect on July 1, 2024, will increase the standard salary level that helps define and delimit which salaried workers are entitled to overtime pay protections under the FLSA. 

Starting July 1, most salaried workers who earn less than $844 per week will become eligible for overtime pay under the final rule. And on Jan. 1, 2025, most salaried workers who make less than $1,128 per week will become eligible for overtime pay. As these changes occur, job duties will continue to determine overtime exemption status for most salaried employees.

The rule will also increase the total annual compensation requirement for highly compensated employees (who are not entitled to overtime pay under the FLSA if certain requirements are met) from $107,432 per year to $132,964 per year on July 1, 2024, and then set it equal to $151,164 per year on Jan. 1, 2025.

Starting July 1, 2027, these earnings thresholds will be updated every three years so they keep pace with changes in worker salaries, ensuring that employers can adapt more easily because they’ll know when salary updates will happen and how they’ll be calculated.

The final rule will restore and extend the right to overtime pay to many salaried workers, including workers who historically were entitled to overtime pay under the FLSA because of their lower pay or the type of work they performed. 

We urge workers and employers to visit  our website to learn more about the final rule.

Jessica Looman is the administrator for the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division. Follow the Wage and Hour Division on Twitter at  @WHD_DOL  and  LinkedIn .  Editor's note: This blog was edited to correct a typo (changing "administrator" to "administrative.")

• Wage and Hour Division (WHD)
• Fair Labor Standards Act
• overtime rule

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Biden Administration Releases Revised Title IX Rules

The new regulations extended legal protections to L.G.B.T.Q. students and rolled back several policies set under the Trump administration.

By Zach Montague and Erica L. Green

Reporting from Washington

The Biden administration issued new rules on Friday cementing protections for L.G.B.T.Q. students under federal law and reversing a number of Trump-era policies that dictated how schools should respond to cases of alleged sexual misconduct in K-12 schools and college campuses.

The new rules, which take effect on Aug. 1, effectively broadened the scope of Title IX, the 1972 law prohibiting sex discrimination in educational programs that receive federal funding. They extend the law’s reach to prohibit discrimination and harassment based on sexual orientation and gender identity, and widen the range of sexual harassment complaints that schools will be responsible for investigating.

“These regulations make it crystal clear that everyone can access schools that are safe, welcoming and that respect their rights,” Miguel A. Cardona, the education secretary, said in a call with reporters.

The rules deliver on a key campaign promise for Mr. Biden, who declared he would put a “quick end” to the Trump-era Title IX rules and faced mounting pressure from Democrats and civil rights leaders to do so.

The release of the updated rules, after two delays, came as Mr. Biden is in the thick of his re-election bid and is trying to galvanize key electoral constituencies.

Through the new regulations, the administration moved to include students in its interpretation of Bostock v. Clayton County, the landmark 2020 Supreme Court case in which the court ruled that the Civil Rights Act of 1964 protects gay and transgender workers from workplace discrimination. The Trump administration held that transgender students were not protected under federal laws, including after the Bostock ruling .

In a statement, Betsy DeVos, who served as Mr. Trump’s education secretary, criticized what she called a “radical rewrite” of the law, asserting that it was an “endeavor born entirely of progressive politics, not sound policy.”

Ms. DeVos said the inclusion of transgender students in the law gutted decades of protections and opportunities for women. She added that the Biden administration also “seeks to U-turn to the bad old days where sexual misconduct was sent to campus kangaroo courts, not resolved in a way that actually sought justice.”

While the regulations released on Friday contained considerably stronger protections for L.G.B.T.Q. students, the administration steered clear of the lightning-rod issue of whether transgender students should be able to play on school sports teams corresponding to their gender identity.

The administration stressed that while, writ large, exclusion based on gender identity violated Title IX, the new regulations did not extend to single-sex living facilities or sports teams. The Education Department is pursuing a second rule dealing with sex-related eligibility for male and female sports teams. The rule-making process has drawn more than 150,000 comments.

Under the revisions announced on Friday, instances where transgender students are subjected to a “hostile environment” through bullying or harassment, or face unequal treatment and exclusion in programs or facilities based on their gender identity, could trigger an investigation by the department’s Office for Civil Rights.

Instances where students are repeatedly referred to by a name or pronoun other than one they have chosen could also be considered harassment on a case-by-case basis.

“This is a bold and important statement that transgender and nonbinary students belong, in their schools and in their communities,” said Olivia Hunt, the policy director for the National Center for Transgender Equality.

The regulations appeared certain to draw to legal challenges from conservative groups.

May Mailman, the director of the Independent Women’s Law Center, said in a statement that the group planned to sue the administration. She said it was clear that the statute barring discrimination on the basis of “sex” means “binary and biological.”

“The unlawful omnibus regulation reimagines Title IX to permit the invasion of women’s spaces and the reduction of women’s rights in the name of elevating protections for ‘gender identity,’ which is contrary to the text and purpose of Title IX,” she said.

The existing rules, which took effect under Mr. Trump in 2020, were the first time that sexual assault provisions were codified under Title IX. They bolstered due process rights of accused students, relieved schools of some legal liabilities and laid out rigid parameters for how schools should conduct impartial investigations.

They were a sharp departure from the Obama administration’s interpretation of the law, which came in the form of unenforceable guidance documents directing schools to ramp up investigations into sexual assault complaints under the threat of losing federal funding. Scores of students who had been accused of sexual assault went on to win court cases against their colleges for violating their due process rights under the guidelines.

The Biden administration’s rules struck a balance between the Obama and Trump administration’s goals. Taken together, the regulation largely provides more flexibility for how schools conduct investigations, which advocates and schools have long lobbied for.

Catherine E. Lhamon, the head of the department’s Office for Civil Rights who also held the job under President Barack Obama, called the new rules the “most comprehensive coverage under Title IX since the regulations were first promulgated in 1975.”

They replaced a narrower definition of sex-based harassment adopted under the Trump administration with one that would include a wider range of conduct. And they reversed a requirement that schools investigate only incidents alleged to have occurred on their campuses or in their programs.

Still, some key provisions in the Trump-era rules were preserved, including one allowing informal resolutions and another prohibiting penalties against students until after an investigation.

Among the most anticipated changes was the undoing of a provision that required in-person, or so-called live hearings, in which students accused of sexual misconduct, or their lawyers, could confront and question accusers in a courtroom-like setting.

The new rules allow in-person hearings, but do not mandate them. They also require a process through which a decision maker could assess a party or witness’s credibility, including posing questions from the opposing party.

“The new regulations put an end to unfair and traumatic grievance procedures that favor harassers,” Kel O’Hara, a senior attorney at Equal Rights Advocates. “No longer will student survivors be subjected to processes that prioritize the interests of their perpetrators over their own well being and safety.”

The new rules also allow room for schools to use a “preponderance of evidence” standard, a lower burden of proof than the DeVos-era rules encouraged, through which administrators need only to determine whether it was more likely than not that sexual misconduct had occurred.

The renewed push for that standard drew criticism from legal groups who said the rule stripped away hard-won protections against flawed findings.

“When you are dealing with accusations of really one of the most heinous crimes that a person can commit — sexual assault — it’s not enough to say, ‘50 percent and a feather,’ before you brand someone guilty of this repulsive crime,” said Will Creeley, the legal director of the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression.

The changes concluded a three-year process in which the department received 240,000 public comments. The rules also strengthen protections for pregnant students, requiring accommodations such as a bigger desk or ensuring access to elevators and prohibiting exclusion from activities based on additional needs.

Title IX was designed to end discrimination based on sex in educational programs or activities at all institutions receiving federal financial assistance, beginning with sports programs and other spaces previously dominated by male students.

The effects of the original law have been pronounced. Far beyond the impact on school programs like sports teams, many educators credit Title IX with setting the stage for academic parity today. Female college students routinely outnumber male students on campus and have become more likely than men of the same age to graduate with a four-year degree.

But since its inception, Title IX has also become a powerful vehicle through which past administrations have sought to steer schools to respond to the dynamic and diverse nature of schools and universities.

While civil rights groups were disappointed that some ambiguity remains for the L.G.B.T.Q. students and their families, the new rules were widely praised for taking a stand at a time when education debates are reminiscent to the backlash after the Supreme Court ordered schools to integrate.

More than 20 states have passed laws that broadly prohibit anyone assigned male at birth from playing on girls’ and women’s sports teams or participating in scholastic athletic programs, while 10 states have laws barring transgender people from using bathrooms based on their gender identity.

“Some adults are showing up and saying, ‘I’m going to make school harder for children,” said Liz King, senior program director of the education equity program at the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights. “It’s an incredibly important rule, at an incredibly important moment.”

Schools will have to cram over the summer to implement the rules, which will require a retraining staff and overhauling procedures they implemented only four years ago.

Ted Mitchell, the president of the American Council on Education, which represents more than 1,700 colleges and universities, said in a statement that while the group welcomed the changes in the new rule, the timeline “disregards the difficulties inherent in making these changes on our nation’s campuses in such a short period of time.”

“After years of constant churn in Title IX guidance and regulations,” Mr. Mitchell said, “we hope for the sake of students and institutions that there will be more stability and consistency in the requirements going forward.”

Zach Montague is based in Washington. He covers breaking news and developments around the district. More about Zach Montague

Erica L. Green is a White House correspondent, covering President Biden and his administration. More about Erica L. Green