Background: I’m a private tutor to high school and college students. I drive to the students’ houses and charge a competitive rate per hour due to my certifications for teaching.

I had a booking with one of my students today for 3pm and she texted me at 2:50pm that she would need to cancel last minute. By the time I had check my messages I was already in front of her house. She’s a high school student; her parents pay for her tutoring (if that matters at all). She and her family are well aware that I drive about 15 miles to tutor her on a weekly basis, so canceling last minute is an issue for me. I’m quite annoyed that I spent time in traffic going to her house and then having to spend even more time in the opposing traffic.

Would it be inappropriate to ask that I get paid for her session? Should I just let this slide?