Business question involving travel expenses for those in a consulting industry... please see details.?

The company I work for is small, and by adding me onto their staff last year, they are able to offer out of town services for the first time. Our firm just got it's first out-of-town contract, wherein I will be traveling to the client's location and working three consecutive days each week, for two months. Our contract says we will be paid an hourly rate, plus customary travel and hotel expenses.

So I'll be staying in a hotel near the client's location, and of course will have to eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner at restaurants.

The question is - what is customary to charge the client in terms of expenses for meals. Should we ask them to reimburse me for all 3 meals per day, since they're all away from home, or maybe just breakfast and dinner, since most people don't eat lunch at home anyway? Or is it unreasonable to charge for any meals?

Most companies pay for your meals. They should give you a card to use for your expenses. Make sure and keep all of the receipts.

Your company or the industry will have a standard on what they charge in terms of meals and hotel. Check with your accounting department. If they don't have an answer, check with the feds to see what they allow as a daily or per meal maximum for travelling sales persons on income tax deductions and charge that rate. The amount your company charges the client may not be the amount you are allowed to claim on your expense sheet.