Do providers change their rates when traveling?

[FrancisCA]

If I am staying in the US, it probably doesn't matter, but if I'm traveling outside the US, especially somewhere more expensive/cheaper should I also change my rates as well to suite the local economy?

[MscleLovr]

It’s very much your decision as to what you should charge overseas. Since you asked, I feel you should be aware of local market rates.
 

Presumably you’ll be advertising your availability, so I imagine you will discover quickly whether enquiries translate into bookings. In turn, that will tell you if your rates are too high.
 

If you have friends locally or make contacts in those countries you’re visiting, their guidance on rates (as well as social mores and the attitude of law enforcement) will be invaluable.

More broadly, US rates are generally much higher than in Europe, Latin America and Africa. That reflects the legality of the business in some countries and a more relaxed approach in more countries as long as there’s discretion in public.

I wonder if my own experience may help you decide. Years ago, I twice paid US rates in Latin America. Each of the men had worked in the US; one as an underwear model and the other as a fitness magazine cover-model. Both men suggested I pay the US rate for a date, but they spent much more time with me. One man was with me for all of the afternoon and evening (for just an hour’s rate) while the other asked a very full overnight rate but stayed for 3 nights.

[Simon Suraci]

Hey @FrancisCA I have yet to change my rates when traveling and it suits me well. That’s also because I am strategic about where and when I go. I stick to the US in large part because prices for masseurs and escorts abroad tend to be so much lower. It takes more time and money to get to/from other countries. Accommodations aren’t always that much cheaper either, but it varies widely by destination. Sometimes food and other costs are lower.

Travel has to be profitable for it to make business sense. Ask yourself if the rates you plan to charge wherever you go are going to make the trip worthwhile. How busy do you want to be? If you want a vacation or sightseeing tour with the opportunity to work a little if/when the opportunity comes up, that’s a different approach altogether. When I travel, I am focused on work only, and I mostly stay busy. No time to look at sights or do leisure activities.

The way I see it, your home city bills remain more or less constant, in American $. Rent/mortgage, car insurance, health insurance, utilities, phone, subscriptions, etc you have to pay whether or not you’re traveling. Maybe you consume less energy or water at your place while away and those bills dip slightly, but most everything else is the same. Your income when you travel needs to cover all the bills you normally pay every month when working in your home city PLUS cover your accommodations and other travel costs AND produce a compelling net profit after expenses. Otherwise you’re just putting in more effort and taking on more risk for the same or less $ as you would make just staying home.

So…sure, I could go to Europe, for example, and try to price myself for local market conditions, but I would make half or less than what I make in the US, and not receive tips, as the tipping culture is quite different. Meanwhile my bills at home pile up and I’m spinning my wheels doing the same labor for less. For me at least, foreign work travel just doesn’t make business sense. Maybe it would if my home country were somewhere other than the US.

[NJF]

19 hours ago, Simon Suraci said:

Hey @FrancisCA I have yet to change my rates when traveling and it suits me well. That’s also because I am strategic about where and when I go. I stick to the US in large part because prices for masseurs and escorts abroad tend to be so much lower. It takes more time and money to get to/from other countries. Accommodations aren’t always that much cheaper either, but it varies widely by destination. Sometimes food and other costs are lower.

Travel has to be profitable for it to make business sense. Ask yourself if the rates you plan to charge wherever you go are going to make the trip worthwhile. How busy do you want to be? If you want a vacation or sightseeing tour with the opportunity to work a little if/when the opportunity comes up, that’s a different approach altogether. When I travel, I am focused on work only, and I mostly stay busy. No time to look at sights or do leisure activities.

The way I see it, your home city bills remain more or less constant, in American $. Rent/mortgage, car insurance, health insurance, utilities, phone, subscriptions, etc you have to pay whether or not you’re traveling. Maybe you consume less energy or water at your place while away and those bills dip slightly, but most everything else is the same. Your income when you travel needs to cover all the bills you normally pay every month when working in your home city PLUS cover your accommodations and other travel costs AND produce a compelling net profit after expenses. Otherwise you’re just putting in more effort and taking on more risk for the same or less $ as you would make just staying home.

So…sure, I could go to Europe, for example, and try to price myself for local market conditions, but I would make half or less than what I make in the US, and not receive tips, as the tipping culture is quite different. Meanwhile my bills at home pile up and I’m spinning my wheels doing the same labor for less. For me at least, foreign work travel just doesn’t make business sense. Maybe it would if my home country were somewhere other than the US.

You are correct on the business aspect. However, traveling is not always about business. Exploring new cities, experiencing different cultures and cuisines, are all things that enrich your life and highly valuable.

[Simon Suraci]

@NJF that’s all well and good. More power to those with the luxury of time and money to enjoy leisure on work trips. If I had that luxury, I would much rather choose a place I personally want to visit (versus where is good for business) and take a real vacation. No planning my time or accommodations around clients. Just rest, relaxation, and enjoying new experiences.

My approach is work hard, play hard. I hustle on work trips. I relax on vacation. Trying to do both at the same time makes both goals less achievable. At least for me. More power to those who mix both. I can’t.

[Kik95]

For me it really depends. I work a lot in Asia but I usually keep my european rates, which are lower than US rates. However, when working in Singapore or Hong Kong I up my prices to the local rates, which is higher. It really depends what you feel xomfortable doing, but my experience tells me that if someone really wantz to meet you they will pay the fee gladly without making a fuss about it not being "local rates". If you want local rates meet a local boy.