Alot depends on the arrangement you setup with the client. If you normally don't charge for travel, it is difficult to all of a sudden, start charging.

In my case, if I am traveling, and it is idle time, I charge the client. It is simple, because of them, I am travelling. Of course, if I am doing work for them on the plane, I charge them anyway. If I am on the plane and am doing work for another client, I charge the right party.

It is all about the being productive and the concept of opportunity cost - and of course, being ethical. If you only have one client, and you are travelling for that client, IMO, you charge them. Some consultants only charge 50% of their rate for travelling. Again, this is all on a case by case basis. If you have a long-term deal with a cleint, perhaps the hourly rate already has travel time built in. As you can guess, it can all get complicated...sometimes too complicated.

Here is a question...would you be billing time if you were not traveling. If the answer is yes, I think it is a slam-dunk that billing is warranted.

Remember, once those hours are gone, you can NEVER get them back. You have about 2000 hours in a year to bill. If you are like my friend Rod, it is more like 3000 hours. The guy is an animal! But seriously, once an hour goes by, it is gone FOREVER. I don't care what you do, in reality, you can never make it up.


Here is a another thing to think about. Do you have a family, kids, etc. For me, if I have to travel, and I am taking time away from my family, that has a cost. The client is getting a benefit by me traveling to their site. Travelling can be tough on the home life. You might as well get paid for it.

It is what you negotiate - it has nothing to do with what somebody thinks you derserve. Clients for the most part don't think they should have to pay for travel. I guess when the day comes, when we have Star Trek Transporters, it may be equitable for consultants to not bill for travel.

Just my 3 or 4 pesos...