Single Supplements....
 

I always read these things on travel ads on the Internet and in magazines and newspapers.

I think it means that if you are a lone party, your price would be the price listed plus the single supplement price. Is that right?

If it is, then what if you have three persons in your party? Do you have to pay the single supplement price plus the regular price listed for the third person?

Quoted prices are usually "ppdo" -- per person, double occupancy. If the price quoted were $200 ppdo, then it's $200 each, or $400. If the single supplement was $125, then a single would pay $325 ($200+125). Triples usually drop the price, eg: $180 each or $540 for all three.

That's because the price for the single person in the room often (but not always) is the same as the room being shared by two (or more) people. The more people in the room, the less the tour operator must charge the entire group sharing that room, or the more the charge is when the "group" is 1.

Generally you've got to call and find prices for a "triple", or anything other than "ppdo"

I absolutely understand the economics of the ppdo policies, but I also think it is unfair for single/and or widowed people. Especially if the person is traveling alone, not part of a tour group and therefore not having another single to share a room with. I'm sure many people would agree and disagree with me.

Some tours, like Rick Steves tours I believe, offer roommates so that you don't have to pay a single supplement. That seems like a reasonable compromise.

Yea, until that roommate keeps you up all night snoring! As a very experienced solo traveler, I'd rather suck it up and pay the single supplement. However, that's one of many reasons why I like to tour Europe independently. You can get single rooms and pay less. Just don't go through a "package deal."

I'm with you Dori, arranging a room mate is not a great compromise to me either!
I don't even consider the group rates if I'm travelling alone. I manage to do pretty well booking on my own.
I assume not all the group bookings are sold out and a reasonable compromise would be for them to accept a single traveller without the supplement in these cases. Since they won't "deal" with me.....I don't deal with them.
I doubt very much this will break them economically but I'm betting in a tight economy, someone will figure out my single $ is better than none at all.

I disagree that single travelers should be able to pay nothing extra.

I feel there are supplements, then there are UNREASONABLE supplements. Understanding that those expenses that can be shared must be paid for by solo travelers, I'll pay a reasonable amount. But I've heard of solo trips where the traveler had to pay double. Sorry, but a solo doesn't take up 2 bus seats, 2 plane sets, nor eat twice as much food & drink 2x the drinks. Those expenses can be directly charged per person. Hotel rooms must be divided by the number of occupants. Why let widowed or single people get virtually twice the lodging value. Heck, there's plenty of couples who'd claim to be single so THEY wouldn't have to share a bath, listen to each other snore, etc.

Maybe the advertisements could list the SINGLE price, with "discounts" for those sharing. It's the same thing, except the price wouldn't look nearly so appealing, would it?

I agree with Dori about sucking up and paying the single price. I don't want a roommate!!! If I did, I'd convince my hubby to travel with me. (I'm going on a cruise w/friends this summer...all females...and hubby wouldn't enjoy that so I'm in a cabin by myself...and LOVING IT)

"price listed" is per person for 2 people staying in the same room. If you want to be alone in the room you pay "price listed" plus "single supplement". If 3 people stay in the same room it's "price listed" times three minus "triple reduction" if offered, usually a very small amount.

AAaaaacccckkkkk!!! My head is melting! My head is melting! Someone brought up RICK STEVES!!!!!


AAAaaacckkkkk!

Thanks for the responses.

Marmaduke: I don't know where the practice originated, but "per person, based on double occupancy" with an additional "single supplement" is nothing more than a marketing scam. It's a way to advertise lower prices than what is actually charged.

Let's say you want to go to San Francisco by yourself. The hotel you want to stay at advertises a price of $100 per person per night, based on double occupancy. So for two people the charge would be $200/night. But if they charge a "single supplement" of $30, the cost to you is actually $130. Bring a friend and he or she gets to share your room for an additional $70.

Single supplements apply only to single travel, so the answer to your last question is no.