Business travelers can do more when planning an affordable business trip that just purchasing cheap airplane tickets and discount hotel rooms. Being smart about how money is spent on meals can add up to real savings.
The following are money saving tips on business meals while traveling from Zagat and The Daily Meal:
Eat lunch instead of dinner. Lunch prices tend to be 20 to 30 percent cheaper than dinner prices at most restaurants. Additional savings can often be realized since diners are less likely to order cocktails at lunch.
Make certain that you select a restaurant that your business client likes vs. paying more in an effort to impress your client.
If you are going to regularly frequent a handful of restaurants for business purposes, ask restaurant managers about being given a discount for your repeat business.
Select restaurants will provide delivery to your office, thereby saving you time.
Restaurants tend to offer less expensive prices on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays. By scheduling business meals during these days you might save money.
Avoid asking for extras such as mushrooms or cheese or adding items like side dishes which make meals more expensive.
Check out guidebooks, the Internet, and make inquiries of locals on where to eat and find the best meal deals.
When deciding whether to order alcohol with your meal wait and see what your boss or client orders before ordering so that you are not needlessly making your meal more expensive.
Tip based on the net pretax price of your meal. Zagat recommends tipping 15 to 16 percent.
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