Philadelphia's Classiest Drunkards
My hotel stays are paid for separately from my per diem. Staying at a place that provides breakfast and dinner helps a lot. Places like Embassy Suites a Homewood Suites serve decent dinner, and free beer and wine. And driving to and from also pays. Of course I don't pocket $150 a day, but two days is enough to cover half of the cost of a PCA event...and I work 5 days!
deims are dependent on where you are working/staying and how long you're going to be there. usually its between $40-$60/day for food, but that includes breakfast/lunch & dinner. that range could go up or down A LOT depending on location. Places like NY city and LA will be much, much higher because the cost of living is higher in those areas. Lodging goes by area and its usually a wash because hotels will have their long-term lodging/government rate be the same as what the FTR's (federal travel regs) say it should be so its hard to make money on the lodging unless you're sleeping in your car or staying at a dive motel that has rates below government... both of which I have done before.



