Expat Packages - Annual Leave Flights

[UK Expat]

I'm just negotiating my package and have been told that "return flights are rarely seen these days" in expat packages.

Is this recruiter speak for "the company you're joining is tight" or a correct assumption. In my case it would comprise 4 flights back to the UK, once a year.

Any help appreciated!

[Old Mike]

Everything is negotible.
But every expat package I have seen has flights home.
If the package as a whole is generous, you can afford the flights yourself. If not, stay where you are.

[Greg T]

Unless you are taking up a fairly senior appointment you shouldn't expect return flights. The days of the expat gravy train are numbered in Singapore.  Our company is in the top 10 in the world and has pretty much phased them out for all but C level appointments.

[JR Jones]

I am in a global MNC and expat deals are now only for the CxO level and for short term, up to 24 months.  If anyone below that sees an opportunity to move, or those that are being actively recruited internally to take on new challenges abroad, then its all negotiations around local terms, if they can weave in enough money in their local terms  to account for return flights once a year then they do, but its no longer something considered the norm

[Kafka]

From my experience, indeed employers are reducing the "full" expat packages but offer more and more what they call "local+" packages, which comprise of a regular local contract + flight. I have also seen local+ contracts comprising local contract + a small housing allowance.
OP, in my view, the yearly flight home is not the key point here, unless you are in position to fight all battles, the most important is the housing allowance. Yearly flight is at most $8K/year while your housing will be at the very least $60K/year (not to mention schooling for your 2 kids).

[UK Expat]

Thanks to all for the excellent (and very helpful) responses. It really seems expat cost of living has got way out of hand for those with a family in Singapore.

[Greg T]

Thanks to all for the excellent (and very helpful) responses. It really seems expat cost of living has got way out of hand for those with a family in Singapore.

Yep it ain't what it used to be. Unless you are lucky enough to get the full package life can be less than rosy here. Do your sums before you commit.

[boreigner]

Pathetic losers. Seems that the high flying expats that this island attracts aren't very good

[Three Words 2 PP]

Pot.Kettle.Black

[Still Packages]

There are still many expats with "packages" here. Not as many as say, twenty years ago, but a significant number. Also, the "local plus packages" basically pay enough to cover the individual taking on the cost of all the expat needs while in Sing.

[My view...]

Big, huge MNC's with hundreds and thousands of expats moving around the world (basically, that's American and European companies) tend to have "policies" and "templates" and such which "HR" rigorously apply to justify their existence.  It's hard to maneuver around those.

But, smaller international companies with less expats tend to make deals on a case by case basis.  So, which type of company do you work for?

I work for the latter and get two business class trips home for me and may family per year, or cash value (my choice).  NEGOTIATE

[Small Troll]

How quaint. A pathetic no-life loser with porn addiction issues trolling internet message *** under a false name with a view to 30 seconds of keyboard warrior bliss. No substitute for actually having a girlfriend and it won't take away all those bad time memories of getting bullied at school but what the hey, it's not like he has the balls to say it to a man's face.