When to Tag Along on Business Travel

In theory, I’d love to tag along on every business trip Steve takes. The reality is that it doesn’t always make sense or it isn’t logistically possible. Here’s how I, and fellow tag-along travellers, decide whether to cash in those loyalty points to hop on a plane with our significant other.

It doesn’t interfere with my work

I didn’t use to tag along very often because I thought it would adversely affect my work. The reality is that I can run my PR practice remotely most of the time. There are occasions when I have to be in Winnipeg for meetings or important events. When that happens, I’m grounded.

It’s somewhere I want to go, but not always

Over the decade or so that I’ve been tagging along, I’ve learned not to discount underrated destinations. If you’re holding out for Paris or Singapore, you’re going to miss out on some great experiences.

Delft, Netherlands was never on my radar as a travel destination, but tagging along there turned out to be pure pleasure.

There’s going to be time to enjoy the destination

If Steve is working full out the entire trip or I have full days of working on my laptop in a hotel room, it’s not a great value to tag along. However, I have gone on trips where I know I’ll spend most of my time on my own. If there are things to do that I’m interested in, I’ll still consider it.

We can work it into a vacation

There’s no way around it, flying out of Winnipeg to a vacation spot means at least one connecting flight, sometimes two. So, when we can build vacation time onto a business trip that’s closer to our destination, it’s a tipping point. Not only is it easier travelling in two hops, because Steve’s flight to his business destination is a business expense, it’s also less expensive to travel this way. 

Enjoying London Pride Parade after a tag-along trip.

We don’t need time apart

I’m joking! Well, not entirely. There are times when Steve’s gone for a week and I turn it into MEfest, which I enjoy thoroughly. Spending a few days pampering myself and having our condo to myself can be fun. I’m sure there are times when he’s happy for the travel break apart too.

If on the other hand, it’s going to be a month or two of back-to-back business trips, regardless of the destination, I’m inclined to tag along for at least one of them. Too much time apart leads to ticking days off the calendar while contemplating how many pairs of his shoes I can send off to Goodwill without him noticing. That never leads to anywhere good.

It’s always tempting to cull Steve’s shoe collection while he’s travelling, but I don’t dare.

Other Voices on When to Tag Along On Business Travel 

From Twitter:

@travelhealthy_ A place you’ve never been to & depends on how much time you can get off work make a mini vacay out of it once he’s done work!

@philatravelgirl My criteria – is it fun city to explore, luxury hotel, spa available and good restaurants?

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