Single person premium

This is an older thread but still relevent with summer here. I have always felt angry about the entire way single people are cheated and not just on holidays. Sharing with a stranger would not suit me. I like my own space too much. Ive also been told I snore!

I have rarely used package companies when travelling abroad unless it turned out to be the cheapest option. When you book independently (and travel off season) you can always haggle for a reduction or an upgrade.

With some of the mid eastern and unusaual destinations I have travelled to (Syria, Egypt, Nepal, Dubai etc) the plane often lands in the early hours so you are just grateful to tumble into bed. Next morning I would go to reception and haggle for a better room. Characteristically the manager will send the boy to show you all the vacant rooms and you can usually get a good upgrade.

If the hotel has empty rooms they would prefer to continue to let one to an existing guest rather than to have them go elsewhere. Ive ended up with some wonderful upgrades. Lst time I visited Venice (off season) I ended up with a double room and balcony overlooking the Grande Canale. Haggling is also a strong possibility in London where there are so many hotels together.

You have to speak up and not just accept what you are given.

Being an antique dealer I am used to haggling.

Book a cabin/ room for two and at departure one is a no show

It’s a discount for two, not an extra charge for one.

Germanshepherdsmum

Cambridge University Botanical Gardens - single membership £56, joint £94. Not a vast difference (and there’s a discount if you pay by DD). Obviously they want to encourage more members.

On some incomes this is a significant difference. There are more and more single people these days and this premium just because there is only one of you is unfair. It's not like a hotel room.

Everyone should pay the same membership and if DD attracts a discount that is fair enough.

Some posters seem to think this encourages more members to join. I think that the opposite is true.

Some years ago we went on a touring holiday in America.
Two ladies were travelling together, they did this to avoid single supplements, but lived some distance apart, only meeting on holidays.
One was a nightmare, she disrupted everyone, losing her bag, passport, being late. Her companion was getting the blame, and was very upset. It turned out that the difficult ones’ family knew that she was mentally ill, but hadn’t told the friend, or the tour company. An expensive holiday, ruined.

I couldn't share a room I snore, it wouldn't be fair on anyone except maybe family, to put up with it.

I tried a holiday sharing a room with someone I met I'm the U3A last year and it worked well so we went again this year.

Yes!! Very unfair.... no matter if the difference is just a few dollars or a lot.

Sorry to hear about your husband madeleine45. I also lost my husband last year and informed NT. They did not send me any renewal information at all and when I realised renewal was due, I had to contact them, which also annoyed me!

I agree about the single supplement costing far too much more. Another thing I have done and it worked well was went with a friend/neighbour. We were both on our own and besides the cost you often get the grotty room over the kitchen etc too. I suggested it for the first time, but it was important to set out the rules. So we agreed to share a room with two single beds. That was all. We would then just do whatever we wanted individually and not expect the other person to come with us. We went to Italy the first time , worked very well and we did 3 more trips together before I moved. I am into Art, Music, and wandering about. She for some reason liked zoos and some shopping. So on the first trip we had two coffees and one meal together as it just suited us at that time . Worked very well, doing our own thing and cheaper. Once we knew we could work well together we did it again. So if you fancy doing it I suggest you do a short trip somewhere to try it out and agree before hand what your plans are.Might suit some people. If you belong to clubs , such as gardening or bridge, you might have someone there that you might try with.But I travel alone quite a lot and still drive my car, and have done quite a bit of farmhouse b/bs. in britain. I like being out in the country, and often much quieter than pubs, and with the car have no problem getting about. I always have cutlery, plates cups etc etc., in the boot so this also lets me buy things like chinese or fish and chips and go and find myself somewhere pleasant to eat. (Taking my rubbish home of course!) With the car I can stop as and when I want. Tried a bus trip, but definitely not again. Too long sat in one place , which was sometimes too much for my back. Trains are great for a long trip, but again cost comes into this. Many years ago took my brother aged 9 from London to Dusseldorf. Great journey and of course you can walk about a bit on a train. Keep going everyone while you can.

Love Premier Inns are great but all travel companies have cottoned on the cheat by charging a supplement for single travelers to sleep! . Its bad enough when they now charge doubles as 2 customers. When we went to Europe it was always per room .

Re single holiday supplements.

Last year I stumbled across a travel agent called Passion for Cruises which specialises in deals for solo travellers. Mainly cruise, ocean and river, but with more land holidays being added this year I notice.

I booked an ocean cruise with balcony cabi last year and saved the 100% supplement I’d otherwise had to have paid and am shortly off on an Ana Waterways river cruise booked with them also with balcony cabin.

I have nothing to do with the company other than being a very satisfied customer after years of having to pay for 2 people on cruise holidays.

They have a website and are also on Facebook. They seem to deal with most cruise lines. Worth a look.

Oopsadaisy1

Grannytomany that’s a difference of £80.00.

I was talking about the difference between the relative cost per person rather than the difference between the single and the joint membership cost.

Sorry for typos - I should check!

Germanshepherdsmum
Yes it was the Cambridge Botanic I thought of joining. I agree not much difference but annoying so I didn’t join! I wonder how many others don’t join as it makes us cross!
I just returned from a trip to the Baltic states and was very impressed with the level of senior discounts given! More of that please.

Thank you Whiff, that is good to know.

And I have to say that whether single or doubel, I hope you get a lot for your Chatsworth memvership - that seems a lot of money to me!

Grannytomany that’s a difference of £80.00.

With regard to subscriptions, I regard the joint membership price as a discount, rather than the single member price as a premium. As the one who paid for our National Trust subscription, it has in fact saved me a bit of money, changing a joint membership to single this year after my husband died. ( I was cross that they still sent me two cards even though I had informed them well in advance of renewal, but that’s another story).
I found a holiday this year with no single supplement. My room was a small double, perfect for one, but would have been a tight fit for two.
Try to think of positives rather than negatives!
However, I would like to do a cruise or European rail holiday but have yet to find one that doesn’t cost more than a couple would pay. I’ll keep searching.

That's why I stick with using Primer inn hotels as they charge per room not person and have accessible rooms for disabled travellers. Privately owned hotels don't always have accessible rooms and as a lone traveller we are punished by having to pay £15-20+ per night extra and given a single bed .

I used Primer inns lot to visit my children before moving closer to where they live nearly 5 years ago . Had my first holiday in 19 years this year and look at private hotels I did ask the question why are you charging extra because I am on my own so just said it's their policy others said cost . Plus very few cater for a disabled person. I had thought the discrimination act would apply to everyone seems I am wrong.

Going on a second holiday and booked with Premier inn. Last time I had there meal deal the restaurant at the hotel was Thyme . While I eat chicken and fish don't eat meat and when in a restaurant rather eat vegetarian. The meal was good value but only 3 vegetarian options none of which I could eat. So had chicken or fish. Which was very good and they cut up my food in the kitchen for me as I can't use a dinner knife and eat using a spoon and fork. The room was fantastic. The showeroom was bigger than most people's smallest bedroom. And the low double bed made it easier for me plus there was a very comfy armchair. I would fall out of and have done so a single bed. Not because I am huge but because of my disability.

I agree entirely about the unfairness of the single premium. I became so annoyed by it that I recently cancelled my Chatsworth Friend membership. Single £137, joint £217. A £28 difference.

I sometimes go with a friend who has joint membership with her daughter and it has irked us both that we were paying different amounts for the same thing.

A successful business generates more income, it makes sense to encourage more people to join.

Yes, I think it's about 'encouraging' rather than intended to be 'unfair' - but it ends up that way!
Something I find a bit annoying is that where I live we have 4 different bodies that administer / care for the wildlife areas along the waterway. Although they co-operate on conservation work, they all want different car park / entry fees. 3 have 'membership' which allows free parking, and they would all like people to join.
Now that my mobility is limited, I can do a nice walk on a carefully tended path, or do a longer 'walk' on my buggy, but I do have to drive and park! I don't personally begrudge them the fees for upkeep, but would prefer them to co-operate on this as well!
And yes, i do know that would reduce their income!

Cambridge University Botanical Gardens - single membership £56, joint £94. Not a vast difference (and there’s a discount if you pay by DD). Obviously they want to encourage more members.