Traveling for work, be it to meet with clients and partners, attend a conference, or oversee out-of-town operations, can be an exciting prospect. At the same time, it can also be financially challenging, especially since you need to stay within your personal and your company’s budgets while ensuring that your trip goes smoothly. Meeting both goals requires a plan and the discipline to see that plan through. It’s also practical to have tools at your disposal, the most helpful of which can come in the form of a credit card that lets you track expenses easily, earn rewards, and stay financially organized.
The Maya Black Credit Card fits the bill and more. Designed by Maya to complement the lifestyle of frequent travelers, this exclusive credit card offers up to 10x travel rewards with preferred partners. Using it earns you Maya Miles that you can use to cover shopping and dining expenses or convert to airline miles. Maya Black also functions as an airport VIP lounge credit card, as it can give you free access to select airport lounges all over the world. In addition, the credit card’s annual fee is waived as long as you use it once a month, and you can easily control all aspects of the card on the Maya app. Whether you’re going to be spending your own money on a work trip or you will have the funds reimbursed by your company or business at a later time, it helps to do so with a card that benefits you while also keeping your finances in order.
Of course, even the best card is only part of the picture. The key to a smooth and budget-friendly work trip lies in how you manage your spending before, during, and after the trip. Below are some tips that will help you make the most of your company’s budget while keeping your expense reporting stress-free.
Understand the Budget Before You Go
Before booking anything, take time to understand your business’s or your company’s travel policy. For instance, there might be specific guidelines for accommodation, meals, transportation, and incidentals. Some companies offer a fixed per diem, while others reimburse based on actual receipts. It’s a good idea to clarify what’s reimbursable and what isn't, so you don’t end up spending on something that can’t be claimed. It also helps to find out the required documentation. This is because some companies need itemized receipts for everything, while others are more lenient.
Plan Your Itinerary around Budget-Friendly Options
Once the budget boundaries are clear, plan your trip in a way that aligns with them. Try booking flights and accommodations in advance to lock in the best rates. It’s also a practical decision to choose hotels that are close to your meeting locations to cut down on transport costs. If your hotel offers packages with complimentary breakfast or airport transfers, that’s another area where you can save.
Track All Expenses in Real Time
The best way to stay within budget is to know exactly how much you’ve spent. Instead of trying to remember every cost at the end of the day, track your expenses as they happen. You can do this through a spreadsheet, a notes app, or your bank’s app. If you use the Maya Black Credit Card, the Maya app will automatically log your purchases, giving you a clear picture of how much you’re spending and where. This makes it easier to stay on budget and simplifies the reporting or reimbursement process when you return.
Use One Payment Method When Possible
Try to keep all work-related expenses on a single card. This centralizes your transactions and makes it easy to review your spending and pull a statement if needed. If you're using the Maya Black Credit Card, you can assign it as your go-to card for the trip. Relying on this VIP black credit card means that you can benefit from the Maya app’s built-in tracking tools and even set up temporary spending limits based on your company’s budget. You’ll also be earning travel rewards in the process, turning necessary purchases into benefits for future trips.
Avoid Unnecessary Upgrades or Add-Ons
During work trips, it’s easy to justify spending a little extra for convenience. But unless the upgrade is pre-approved or clearly beneficial for your work, it’s best to skip it. Whether it’s choosing a more expensive room or paying extra for priority boarding, those small expenses can add up.
Use Wi-Fi Instead of Mobile Data
Mobile data, especially international roaming, can lead to surprise charges. That said, it’s best to stick to Wi-Fi whenever possible. If you have the opportunity and you’re not dealing with sensitive information, use hotel connections. Alternatively, check out local SIMs with affordable data plans that you can use during your trip. Turning off background app refresh and limiting data usage settings on your phone can also help.
Group Expenses Where Possible
If you're traveling with colleagues, there may be opportunities to split or group costs. This can be when you’re sharing a ride to the hotel or ordering meals together, for example. Using such options not only saves money but also makes reporting simpler. Just make sure each person keeps a clear record of what was spent and who paid for what.
Managing a work trip on a company budget doesn’t have to be stressful. With the right planning, good habits, and smart tools like the Maya Black credit card from Maya, the #1 digital bank, you can stay within budget and even earn something extra in the process.
Depending on your profile, you might instantly qualify for a standard Maya Black Credit Card, or you could be offered the Maya Black Express, a card card designed to give you the same benefits even if you’re just starting to build or rebuild your credit history. To get started with Maya Black Express, simply make an Express Deposit of at least PHP 12,500 directly through the Maya app. This deposit will act as your set credit limit.
The best part? With responsible use, you could be eligible for an upgrade to a standard Maya Black Credit Card in as little as six months. And since your deposit earns 3.5% annual interest paid monthly, you’ll receive both your original deposit and the interest it accumulates.
With the Maya Black Credit Card, traveling for work or business is made more simple, secure, and rewarding.
