To be put out that my friend is asking me to pay her money?

[Sundaycoffee]

I was given a very nice perk through work for myself and a plus one for an all expenses paid trip, it included hotel, all food and drink and entertainment for the value of £400 per person and I chose to take a particualr friend. My friend kindly drove us there and back (Bristol to London). She text me today asking me to transfer her half of the petrol money for the trip (£20)
AIBU to think if someone had done the same for me I would let the petrol money slide?

Well at first glance it does appear quite tight. But then you've got everything for free. And she got the same thing but she's out of pocket. Only 40 quid I know, but maybe she's skint and had that money earmarked for something else?

So I can see her way of thinking but I certainly don't think I'd have the cheek to ask! I'd suck up the cost unless it got me in debt and thank you for thinking of taking me.

OP hasn't "saved" her friend £400 unless friend was already planning to go on the same weekend away.

I wouldn't expect someone to transport me at their expense if I shared something free with them. I'd just be glad that we had a heavily discounted weekend away and only had to stump up £20 each for petrol. If anything, I probably would've paid for the petrol if friend saved me the bother of driving.

But they haven't saved £400 because they wouldn't have gone if OP hadn't asked them along. They have effectively lost £40. I'm sure it was a lovely treat but maybe they can't afford to lose that £40

I'm kind of staggered by the number of posters who would have accepted £400 worth of freebie from a mate and not even drive and pay for petrol as a thank you.

Wow.

True, but could you not also look at it as why have I had to work hard at a company for many years to get said perk which she hasn't?

I can't believe the audacity of your friend.

Nor can I believe the amount of posters defending such cheap, cheeky behaviour. Clearly, your friend isn't the only pisstaker out there @Sundaycoffee

Also......why wasn't travel included in this perk? Perhaps she's suspicious you only asked her cos she had a car and was willing to drive. If you'd asked a different friend who didn't have access to a car would you both have just paid for your own train fares? Probably would have cost you more than 40 quid maybe?

Just reply with an arched eyebrow. And say no more.

YANBU how cringe

No word.

The friend gets an all-expenses paid trip, value £400, and wants the one who gave her the free trip to pay for her petrol? The free trip wasn't enough.
What a CF.

If she was skint, the time to explain was when she accepted a free trip.

I'd actually say "yes here's your £20, sorry I didn't offer, I thought me taking you away for free would cover the petrol costs x". Send the money and never take her anywhere again, let her realise how rude she is herself.

YANBU OP she's a right CF.

Why, if you offered someone a free theatre ticket, you wouldn’t also think you had to pay their train fare to the theatre would you?

The OP’s mate just got a fancy free weekend, that the OP got because she’s a good employee.

If the OP’s mate is seriously broke and could only afford to do it by splitting the petrol, that is fine - but she needed to flag it at the start. In the normal course of things you would not expect £20 petrol money from someone who gave you a freebie worth hundreds.

But you didn't say it was a reward trip for all your hard work. You just said it was a perk.

Trying to be generous to the friend, could it be that she's hard up, and couldn't afford the petrol to go on the trip?

How was the trip "sold" to her, OP? Was it "I've been awarded this amazing all expense paid trip for two people, and I'd love you to come with me"? We can share the travel and use your car as its more comfortable?

If she is that suspicious, she should have just said no 😂

Only on MN!

It really depends on her financial situation. If she would have gone out over the weekend, somewhere for dinner, another evening drinks or lunch then I’d agree she is off to ask. If on the other hand things are very tight and she is struggling to make ends meet, I don’t think she is awful to ask.

WhamBamThankU · Today 20:18
Ask her for half your costs”

Which costs, it was free?

@CurlyhairedAssassin

This is the daftest thing I ever heard. Why would travel be included? Why would the OP be fretting about petrol money if she has a good enough job she gets these kind of freebies?

Have you never had work perks?

I'm hoping she reads this and realises how unreasonable she's being. Who would even think of doing that?

Just split the petrol

I'm sure it was a lovely treat but maybe they can't afford to lose that £40

Friend could have said no thanks, please don't use the 400 quid gift on me, invite someone else.

I'd be blocking and ghosting for that,she's that deluded,she won't understand why.

Wow, just wow.