How to Avoid Single Occupancy Supplements when Traveling Alone

Single occupancy supplements are fees charged by hotels, cruise lines, and tour companies to solo travelers. These supplements are common in the tourism industry, but you can avoid them if you keep an eye out for the right deals and discounts. You may also be able to negotiate with the company to waive or reduce the fee. If you cannot avoid the supplement directly, you might try to find another solo traveler to be your roommate so that neither of you have to pay the supplement.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Looking for Special Deals

The earlier you book your travel, the more likely you are to avoid single occupancy supplements. This will help you find a cheaper hotel room if you are planning your own travel. If you want to join a cruise or tour, you may find that some will waive the supplement for those who book a certain number of months in advance.^{[1]XResearch source}
2
Travel during the off-season. You will have better luck with rates if you travel alone during the off or shoulder season. The hotels may lower or waive their single occupancy supplement. Look at your plans, and consider if you can change your dates.^{[2]XResearch source}
- The off-season is when hotels are the least busy. For example, the summer is the off-season in the Mediterranean while winter is the off-season in Scotland.
- The shoulder season is at the end of the tourist season and the beginning of the off-season. The weather may still be nice, but the hotels have lower rates.
3
Set a search alert. If you've tried searching for deals in vain, you may want to set up a search alert for yourself. To do this, make a search term alert for the type of travel that you want to do. Sites like Google will email the top results of this search term to you daily.^{[3]XResearch source}
- To set up a Google alert, go the Alert page of your Google account. In the form, write what search terms you are looking for and how often you want them emailed to you.
- Talkwalker Alerts and IFTTT are good alternatives to Google Alerts.
- The words “no single supplement” or “single supplement waived” should be in your alert. You should also put the destination. For example, your Google Alert may read “Paris no single supplement.”
4
Consider a hostel. Hotels are more likely to charge you a single occupancy supplement as they charge by room, but hostels charge by person. While many hostels have dorms, you may still be able to find a hostel that offers private rooms at a reduced rate.^{[4]XResearch source}
- You can search for safe, highly rated hostels at Hostels.com, Hostel World, and Hostel Bookers.
- Some hostels will offer single-sex dorms or rooms for those who don't mind having roommates of the same sex.
5
Find a company that doesn't charge supplements. While it may be harder to find a hotel without a single supplement, you can find tour operators or cruise lines that do not charge it. Some companies waive this fee entirely while others will offer significantly reduced supplements.
- HFHolidays, Exodus Travels, Overseas Adventure Travel and Intrepid Travel all offer tours without charging a single supplement.
- Norwegian Cruise Line, Grand Circle Travel, and Avalon Waterways all waive or reduce single supplements on certain cruises.
6
Search for singles deals. Some travel companies may offer special deals for people traveling alone. These may be advertised as “solo travel,” “singles only,” or “singles specials.”^{[5]XResearch source}
- When looking for such deals, read the descriptions carefully. Some may be tailored for single, unmarried travelers looking for romance while others are catered towards people traveling alone.
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Method 2

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Negotiating the Rate

It will be easier to negotiate if you call at least a month before you travel and if you want to book in the off-season. Hotels are not likely to negotiate on rates during peak seasons, but they may be willing to accommodate you during the off-season.^{[6]XResearch source}
2
Call the hotel directly. Instead of going through a travel agent or a tour company, call the hotel directly. They will be more likely to negotiate with you one on one.^{[7]XResearch source}
- When they pick up, you can say, “Hi, I am looking to book a room, and I have a few questions first.”
- You can also say, "Hello, I will be traveling on the 25th and will need a room for only one person. I was wondering if we could discuss the rate."
3
Ask for the supplement to be waived. State that you have noticed they have a single occupancy supplement, and ask them if it can be waived. Even if they are not willing to waive it entirely, they might offer to reduce the rate.
- You can say, “I see that you charge a single occupancy supplement. I want to know if that can be waived.”
- If they say no, ask, “Can we negotiate the rate then? I would be willing to pay $140 a night.”
4
Explain your reasons. If they are open to negotiation, you may want to advertise yourself as a valuable customer. Indicate that even though you are a single traveler, you will be a worthwhile guest at the hotel.
- You might say, “Since it's your off-season, I was wondering if you had any special deals.”
- If you're staying for longer than a few days, you could say, “I am staying for ten days.”
- Indicate your interest in any other deals that the hotel is offering to show that you might spend money elsewhere. For example, you could say, “I am interested in your spa package as well.”
5
Thank them. Always be polite when negotiating. The hotel will be more likely to work with you in this case. Even if they say no, thank them for their time and help.^{[8]XResearch source}
- If you managed to waive the supplement, you can say, “Thank you so much. I look forward to staying with you.”
- If they said no, tell them, “Thank you for your help anyways. I will let you know when I've decided if I still want to book or not.”
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Finding a Roommate

1
Ask your tour or cruise operator. If you are joining a tour or cruise, you should ask them if they can pair you with a roommate. Some operators may offer this service up front while others will be glad to help you if you ask.^{[9]XResearch source}
- You can say, “I would like to avoid the single supplement rate, and I was wondering if you could pair me with another solo traveler to be my roommate.”
- Be sure to specify if you want to share a room with someone of the same sex.
- You may not be able to find someone who is the same age or has the same sleeping patterns as you.
2
Use an online matching service. Some websites will help match you to strangers who are also traveling alone. These websites will let you post a request for a travel partner or group. You can specify that you want a roommate, and they will find one who pairs well with you.^{[10]XResearch source}
- Be extremely careful when finding roommates online. You never know who the other person might be. Ask the other person if you can video chat first so that you can make sure they are who they say they are. While sharing a room, keep your possessions locked safely in your luggage or in a locker.
3
Post on message boards. If you're not having luck with specific roommate matching services, you can try posting on a general travel or destination-specific message board. While there is a little more risk to this, you may still be able to find someone who can share a room with you. You should state in your post what type of roommate you're looking for, when you're traveling, and where you want to stay.^{[11]XResearch source}
- For example, you might post, “I will be traveling to London between June 1 and 7, and I would like a roommate. I will be staying in the West End and would prefer a male roommate.”
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Tips

Keep trying even if you don't find a good rate right away. The more you look, the likelier you are to stumble upon a good deal.
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If you can, be flexible with your dates. You might find a fantastic deal that is only offered on specific dates.
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Warnings

While you may have good luck with a stranger as a roommate, keep in mind that they may snore, make noise, or have different sleep schedules than you.
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Always research the hostel or hotel before booking to make sure that it is reputable and safe. Read reviews left by previous travelers online.
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