Hey all,I'm entering the consulting world and wanted to get some insight from the brains trust here...I've received an offer from Accenture to join their Consulting workforce (Technology) as a C1 starting in 2015. Additionally, I have received an offer from an Industry vendor for a similar role. I'm currently weighing up the options and a big component of both roles is the requirement to travel...I was wondering if anyone could share any insights into the travel expectations. I apologise if this is something that has already been discussed, however the last thread I could find on this particular topic was from 2006.1) What are people's experiences with economy vs. business class travel? Call me shallow, but if I'm expected to be sharp for a 9:30am meeting after flying for 8 hours &/or expected to complete work on the plane, I'm not terribly impressed if this is expected of me in economy.2) Is there an expectation that I will use weekend/personal time to travel? E.g. Is there an expectation that I would be OK with flying out on Sunday evening 9pm as opposed to Monday morning?3) What standard of accommodation is usually offered to ACN consultants whilst travelling?4) ACN's website mentions 'work-life balance' perks such as "Flybacks" (fly home for the weekend or have someone flown to you). Is this a benefit that's generally/easily accessible?5) Finally, what sort of allowances are paid when on business travel? My former employer offered a daily allowance which varied depending on which country you visited... Starting at around £50 / day claimable without receipts (i.e. regardless of whether the entire allowance was spent).Thank you in advance :)ConsultingNewbie

On point 1, economy only for ALL flights (premium economy on 8 hrs +) until you get to Senior Manager. Even then, only 8hrs plus in Business....

1) Indeed economy for all flights. As of senior manager business above 8 hours, except for training purposes (in which case it's economy for anyone regardless of travel time) 2) That depends on the senior manager / senior executive in charge, the client location, etc. In any case weekend travel does happen. 3) Depends on the client as well. Usually OK accomodation but not the great luxury hotels. In some countries and locations, with clients on a tight budget you can drop below "OK" accomodation. 4) This one depends on how many flight hours you are away from home. Not exactly sure but for longer distances (say above 8 hours) I believe this used to be once a month, either for yourself or to fly someone over. For shorter flights it's usually flying home for the weekend but flying someone over can be chosen instead.I've only heard of few cases where this was not granted, it's part of the global travel policy. 5) Daily allowance which varies depending on which country you visited... Whether that is sufficient depends largely on the country, even if the amount varies by country. On longer stays you're usually expected to stay in an apartment rather than a hotel, resulting in lower per diems.Hoping this helps but doesn't paint too negative a picture. Travel policies in "the industry" can be either more relaxed or even stricter...

what is the expenses policy like?

This sounds miserable. I had better pre-consulting in one of the least flash industries, and have returned to better since leaving consulting. And yet... this is a job with less travel, (hence comfort less important) and where there is no client to charge travel to.

How much international travel do you realistically expect to be doing as a C1 tech consultant at Acc? I wonder if you're over thinking the issue.

^^ exactly what I was thinking.

+ another one.The travel policy is generally pretty decent at Accenture.

[quote]How much international travel do you realistically expect to be doing as a C1 tech consultant at Acc? I wonder if you're over thinking the issue.[/quote]I hadn't considered this perspective before - I was led to believe "up to 100% travel" but to be honest I never stopped to consider that it might be considerably less.The industry offer I'm also considering involves extensive international travel - they estimated 20-26 weeks per year. Is it likely to be well less than this with ACN?

Travel will be UK based mainly so the whole business class topic is largely irrelevant and likely to be a non-issue. What area / industry are you joining?

[quote]what is the expenses policy like?[/quote]Quite decent I'd say, outside of anything that is covered by the per diem. Which doesn't leave too much other than taxis and small stuff.

+1You should be thinking more along the lines of what time train you'll have to catch to be in Slough or Newcastle or Leeds by 9.30 on a Monday morning.

Mr Cool, surely "when we were youngsters" it was all:- Business Class air travel whether the trip was 1 hour or 10- 1st Class on all trains- Nice hotels with good points system meaning you got to take the wife or girlfriend for away weekends with nothing to pay hotel wise, rather than the mish mash of shitels MCs get today- Excellent expenses policy which meant being away worked out wellNever mind, hello new world. At least the new grads coming in can look forward to affordable homes and decent pensio... oh wait, not that, give me a bit more time and I'll think of a positive.WaitWait, one will come to me one secCompany iPhone?