With the rise of remote work and more flexible schedules, the line between work and playtime has become blurred, giving rise to a new type of travel: blended business and leisure travel, sometimes known as “bleisure" travel.
Road warriors are once again jetting off to attend conferences or meet with customers and suppliers, providing an ideal opportunity to add a few days on the front or back of the trip and take advantage of the journey to explore a new city or lounge poolside—with some of the expenses already covered.
Others are looking ahead to summer and realizing they can extend their vacation by conducting some of their regular workday activities from a more glamorous location. In fact, 40% of workers say their newly flexible work schedules allow them to travel more frequently and at different times than they used to.1 Bleisure travel also may help alleviate the angst workers feel about taking time off: Nearly half of the workers who don't take off all the time they're allotted say it's because they worry they might fall behind at work.2
Wondering how you can mix business and pleasure to make the most of your time on the road? Here are some tips to leverage the best of both worlds.
1. Plan Ahead
Before committing to a bleisure trip, decide how you intend to mix your time—whether it's best to have some days that are all work, some days that are all play, or a combination of both each day. You want to set a schedule that allows you to make the most of both reasons you're traveling.
Determine what you need to accomplish for work, and schedule your days accordingly. For example, if you're meeting with clients, your day might be busy with appointments, leaving your late afternoon and evening free to explore the town or enjoy a rooftop restaurant.
Don't forget to take into account time zone differences, especially if you have regular meetings you'll be joining or you intend to make yourself available to your team throughout their workday. In some ways, time zone differences can work to your advantage—allowing you to wake up earlier and put in your hours, and still enjoy daylight hours for a hike or beach visit.
2. Be Clear on Your Company's Policies
One of the benefits of bleisure travel is the potential for sharing some of your costs—for example, by expensing the airfare for a trip you would have been taking anyway. But before you do that, have a conversation with your human resources department about acceptable practices.
Ask about various scenarios:
- • If you would otherwise fly back on a Friday and you're instead booking a fare on Monday, do you need special approval to do so, and what portion will they cover?
- • If you would be booking a room anyway, is it all right if your partner joins you?
- • What about getting a larger suite to accommodate kids—can you expense the regular room rate and pay the incremental cost yourself?
- • If you rent a car on the company dime but then keep it for several more days, how would they prefer you account for it?
It's a good idea to not only get permission, but also find out how your expense management platform will handle these types of variances.
3. Communicate With Your Team—and Your Travel Companions
It might be tempting not to tell anyone that you're working from someplace else, particularly if you typically work remotely anyway. But your team (or worse, your boss) is likely to figure out something is amiss, no matter how well you try to hide your lush view with a virtual background.
It's better to be up-front about your plans, both to cover yourself when you need to work and because you'll enjoy your time off more than if you had to be sneaky. It also allows you to be transparent about expenses and how they might be shared, if you're adding onto an existing work jaunt.
If you're bringing companions, be clear on how much time you can spend with them, and plan alternate activities as needed. You don't want your partner seething in the hotel room because they thought you could go on a day trip, or disappointed kids who were yearning to go to the zoo.
4. Make Sure Your Technology is Suitable
If you're expected to be working while on vacation, your top concern should be having reliable Wi-Fi to ensure you can get your job done. Double-check speeds with the hotel (or with your host if you're renting a private home) to try to avoid an unpleasant surprise when you arrive.
Before you leave, talk to your IT department about the safest way to access company applications or data remotely, especially if you're traveling internationally or using a public connection. Ask about any cybersecurity precautions they recommend, and follow their instructions to the letter.
5. Account for Your Expenses Carefully
Even if you've already cleared certain expenses with your manager or HR team, you want to ensure your records are pristine to avoid any questions. That means only expensing meals that are work-related, for example, to ensure you're above reproach.
Keep impeccable records of whom you dined with and the purpose; why you hailed that rideshare, etc., so that there are no lingering questions from your company when you submit your expense report or from the IRS if you're claiming deductions on your tax return. Running two transactions on your credit card to pay for your companions separately can help make your intentions clear (and allow you to earn rewards on your credit card).
Bleisure Travel Can be a Boost to Your Finances
By being mindful of your expenses, bleisure travel can help bolster your finances. First, it allows you to rack up points for future activities if you use a rewards credit card. So if your workplace doesn't require you to use a company card, take advantage of the opportunity to cover your own expenses on your rewards card. Just make sure to submit the expenses for reimbursement in time to cover your statement so you don't incur interest charges.
Next, look at your existing vacation budget and determine how much you're saving by having your company cover some of the larger travel expenses. Stash that amount in a high yield savings account or money market account so it can grow, while still being close at hand for your next jaunt.
Finally, after you've put in your hours, don't forget to sit back and enjoy the “leisure" part of your bleisure trip. You deserve it.
Cathie Ericson is an Oregon-based freelance writer who covers personal finance, real estate and education, among other topics. Her work has appeared in a wide range of publications and websites, including U.S. News & World Report, MSN, Business Insider, Yahoo Finance, Market Watch, Fast Company, Realtor.com and more.
READ MORE: Maximizing Your Luxury Travel Dollars
1. Roeschke, L. When It Comes to Travel, Blended Is the New Business. Morning Consult. Published March 3, 2022.
2. How Americans View Their Jobs. Pew Research Center. Published March 30, 2023.
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