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I have been in IT consulting since 1976 and the clients and their dealings with hegher priced consultants changes with each client and many times within a particular client. I bill for the travel expenses and do not bill for the travel time. My standard rate is $100 per hour plus travel and living expenses. I work as both a sub-contractor and directly with the end client. About 30 to 50 percent of the time, the client and/or the consulting firm through which I sub-contract wants an all-inclusive rate. The amount which I have to add to my rate depends upon the location and the current costs for travel and living expenses for that location. I quess as to what that extra will cost and most of the time, I am not too far off. Sometimes I do not guess correctly and it costs me something. Wven when I go somewhere where I have spent much time (Hawaii for instance), I have been surprised. I feel that is the cost of business. Usually adding $2- to $25 per hour will cover the travel and living expenses, but sometimes not. I feel strongly that as long as I have done my investigations as to costs and quoted the rate plus estimated travel and living expenses, if I was wrong, I am responsible for the mistake. While I frequently do work for the client on a long flight, that can never be a totally focused piece of work and I do not bill the client for it.