“This is my first work trip, so can I ask how expenses work?”
B1 · Intermediate9 minPhrases
When you need this
Your first trip for work comes with questions nobody thinks to answer. Who pays for the taxi? Can you choose your own hotel? What do you wear to the client's office? People who travel all the time forget that these things aren't obvious, so you have to ask. Asking isn't a weakness. Guessing wrong about expenses is much more awkward than one question on Monday morning.
Frame it as a first. "This is my first work trip, so..." tells people why you're asking, and most coworkers are happy to explain. Ask a peer who travels often for the practical things, and your manager for anything about money or the purpose of the trip.
Phrases
money you spend on the trip that the company pays back
asks who arranges your stay
the company's rules for trips
asks how much you can spend each day
a fixed amount per day for food and small costs
asks if the company will pay for something
send proof of what you paid
a credit card the company pays for
asks what clothes are expected
asks which person you'll meet or call
asks your manager what success looks like
Say it out loud
Tap a sentence to hear it. Say it after the voice.
Practice · 3 min
Say the line that fits. Situation on the left, one natural line on the right.
1
2
3
4
5
Say it today
Use it once in a real conversation before tomorrow. Out loud counts, even to yourself.