Distance Reiki - to ask or not to ask?

When I took Reiki 1, I was told that permission must be given from the recipient before giving them distance Reiki.

Then in Reiki 2, I switched teachers (not because the first one wasn't great, but her price for level 2 and beyond were crazy) and their take on it was that sending distance Reiki is like praying for someone and that asking permission isn't needed.

I have sent Reiki unknowingly to people a few times, but because of what my first level teacher said I always feel strange about it.

What is your take on this??