I totally agree!
I don't think all expenses are paid (empty the hotel bar for example
), but yes, if you just do the same considerations as when you would be at home, then you should be able to put aside a lot of money. Usually per diems aren't taxed, so it could double your net income (which should make it easy to save a lot of money).
I personally prefer to stay in apart-hotels compared to a hotel.. after a while you just become crazy inside a hotel room. (renting a room is indeed also a possibility, but usually comes with more administration stuff) Advantage is also that it comes with a kitchen, which should enable you to save money on the going out for food part that is usually linked to a hotel stay.
You usually get to know a lot of people, which usually broadens your view on the world.. without needing to spend a lot of money to visit all those places in the world, people from all those places in the world come to 'you'!
Jacob is right, in the first place you can't really choose where you are heading.. but.. if you are allowed to put the airmiles on a personal frequent flyer card, you should be able to collect enough miles to spend on flights (and if you are lucky on hotels as well).
An additional advantage: if expenses are reimbursed at the end of the month, you can use credit cards with some loyalty program to advance the money.. which should result in you getting some freebies if you play it smart (just use the credit card for expenses that will be reimbursed and pay back the balance in full when you get that money back)
I think the biggest cons: distance with family and friends (if you are gone for a couple of months/years, then you should prepare yourself of missing out on nice moments) and the quite high probability of needing to do overtime (advantage is that you don't have time to spend that money
)!
