12 Ways to Avoid Single Supplements

What is a Solo Supplement?

Many travel companies list their prices as per person based on double occupancy, or PPDO.  You may see a price listed with a small asterisk next to it, which generally indicates a PPDO.  

When a company charges you more for traveling solo, these add-on fees are called solo supplements or single supplements.  Companies can ratchet up the final price by 10-100% for people traveling solo!

How to avoid paying single supplements

There are several ways to avoid paying a solo supplement or having the single supplement waived:

1. Book your tour or accommodations with a company that doesn’t charge a solo supplement. There aren’t many, but the list is growing as demand heightens.  Many are only for specific trips. Others are solo only trips and the solo supplement fee seems built into the cost. Comparison shop!
2. Roommate Matching Service.  Some companies match you with a same sex roommate.  One example ismy affiliate, Active Adventures.  If they don’t find you a roommate then you get a solo room without paying the dreaded solo supplement fee.
3. Book late!  Look for last minute solo fee waivers – and last minute can mean a couple of months to companies that have to fill reserved spaces in blocked off rooms or cabins.  Get on tour company email lists and follow on social.
4. Book early!  Brand new tours often don’t fill so sometimes you can snag a waiver on the solo supplement.  This is especially true for companies that match you up with a roomie.
5. ASK for a waiver!  It never hurts to ask.  Try reaching out on social media directly to the company and ask.  For example, you could ask, “Could you waive the solo supplement on the April cycling tour of Tuscany?”
6. Take advantage of Search.  Before you book, be sure to google:   “no solo supplement + your destination” and “single supplement waived + your destination” and see what pops up.   To make sure that you don’t miss out on new deals…
7. Set up a Google Alert for these searches.  You can have new deals emailed to you daily or weekly, as you prefer.  Do the same for “Solo Travel Tours” and “Solo Travel Deals”. 
8. Travel in the Shoulder Season instead of High Season.  Companies might waive the solo fee PLUS it will be less crowded and I often find the weather more pleasant, although variable.
9. Consider alternative accommodations.  There are no solo supplements when you camp, stay in a hostel or AirBnb or VRBO.  You might even get a whole house if you are willing to house or pet sit! Just think about how important the lodging is to your vacation experience and book accordingly.
10. Check out Travel Partner Matching Networks.  More and more sites are set up to solve the problem of the dreaded solo supplement charge.  Plus a lot of solo travelers prefer to take a trip with someone to share the experience with.  You can find a travel mate on one of these matching services, but be sure to vet your potential travel partner carefully!  You might also look for a partner on forums and in Facebook Groups, when the group allows you to. Google Travel Partner Matching Network.
11. Consider the entire price of the trip.  If you find a screaming deal on a tour or transportation, the savings might make up for paying a single supplement, so don’t discount a trip based solely on a solo fee.  Add up what the whole trip will cost if you take advantage of the great deal to see if it’s worth paying the fee. Of course, still try to negotiate the fee!
12. Track Solo Deals.  Sign up for the various websites that track solo deals, like Solo Traveler’s Deals Page.