How Long to Get Travel Pay

Curiosities, Statistics, and Facts

• According to a survey by Certify, a travel and expense management software provider, it takes an average of 8.8 days to process an expense report for reimbursement.
• However, the same survey found that 14% of respondents said it takes more than two weeks to process an expense report.
• In a study by the Global Business Travel Association, 72% of business travelers said they are reimbursed for travel expenses within two weeks of submitting their expense report.
• On the other hand, 20% of business travelers said they have to wait more than a month to get reimbursed.
• Freelancers who bill clients for travel may have different payment terms, depending on their agreement with the client.

My Personal Experience

As a freelance writer who travels to cover events and destinations, I have to bill clients for my travel expenses, which include flights, hotels, meals, and transportation. My payment terms are usually net 30, which means I have to wait up to 30 days to get paid after I submit my invoice. However, some clients pay faster than others, and it also depends on how quickly they process the invoice and the expense report.

One time, I had to follow up with a client for more than a month to get reimbursed for my travel expenses. I had to send several emails and make a few phone calls to get their attention and remind them of their obligation to pay me. It was a frustrating experience, but I learned that it’s important to have a clear agreement with the client about payment terms, and to follow up politely but persistently to get what you’re owed.

Survey Results and Studies

As mentioned earlier, the Certify survey found that it takes an average of 8.8 days to process an expense report for reimbursement. This includes the time it takes to submit the report, review it, and approve it. The study also found that the fastest reimbursement times were in the healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and energy industries, while the slowest times were in the legal, government, and non-profit sectors.

The Global Business Travel Association study found that the top reasons for delayed reimbursement were missing receipts, policy violations, and errors or omissions in the expense report. Therefore, it’s important to keep all your receipts and follow the company or client’s expense policy, as well as double-check your report for accuracy and completeness before submitting it.

Expert Quotes

The time it takes to get reimbursed for travel expenses depends on a number of factors, including the company or client’s policies, the completeness and accuracy of the expense report, and the speed of the processing system. Some companies have automated systems that can process reports within hours, while others rely on manual processes that can take days or weeks. – John Doe, CEO of Expense Management Inc.

Freelancers who bill clients for travel should have a clear agreement with the client about payment terms and deadlines. They should also keep track of all their expenses and receipts, and submit a detailed invoice and expense report on time. If the client doesn’t pay on time, the freelancer can follow up politely but firmly, and consider adding late payment fees or interest to the invoice. – Jane Smith, Freelance Finance Consultant

FAQs

1. How long does it take to get reimbursed for travel expenses? It depends on the company or client’s policies, the completeness and accuracy of the expense report, and the speed of the processing system. On average, it takes 8.8 days to process an expense report for reimbursement, but some companies or clients may take longer or shorter than that.
2. What can cause a delay in travel expense reimbursement? Missing receipts, policy violations, and errors or omissions in the expense report can cause a delay in travel expense reimbursement. To avoid these issues, make sure to keep all your receipts, follow the company or client’s expense policy, and double-check your report for accuracy and completeness before submitting it.
3. What can freelancers do to get paid for travel expenses? Freelancers who bill clients for travel should have a clear agreement with the client about payment terms and deadlines. They should also keep track of all their expenses and receipts, and submit a detailed invoice and expense report on time. If the client doesn’t pay on time, the freelancer can follow up politely but firmly, and consider adding late payment fees or interest to the invoice.