A Supplement in travel is nothing but a premium charged to those people who take a room alone. In other words, it’s a premium paid for the luxury of not having someone to share a room with you. In the holiday packages offered by various companies or the hotels which offer lodging and boarding, serve on the basis of people who travel in pairs. Generally, a single or lone person is not considered for such services, there a supplement gets applied. If a solo traveler wants to use such services, he has to pay proportionately higher charges.
Supplement pricing varies from 10% to 100% of the basic rate of second occupant though he is not there. It is claimed that charging a single supplement helps them recover the fixed costs because a room is intended at least for two guests. The costs of laundry, housekeeping, heating and lighting remain the same no matter how many are sharing the room.
To avoid a supplement price is not easy. Few of the companies offer a roommate for those customers who are solo travelers. Very few travel companies serve the rooms exclusively to solo travelers with zero supplement charges pricing outside of peak traveling season.
Finally, it is up to the hoteliers whether to charge a supplement price or not. The argument that single room occupants are a less profitable than double occupants can be compelling. Solo travelers generally spend less money in the hotel than couples. But yes, These charges can be avoided. A solo traveler can book intelligently by searching the travel company or hotel which does not charge such prices. Negotiation can be done. Also, sharing a room is always advisable to cut the supplement prices. A good travel agent might to help the solo traveler to quickly identify supplement-free tours.
