discrimination against solo travellers
#31
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Massachusetts, USA; AA Plat, DL GM and Flying Colonel; Bonvoy Platinum
Posts: 24,221
#32
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: NY Metro Area
Programs: AA 2MM Yay!, UA MM, Costco General Member
Posts: 48,923
#33
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 5
Solo travel issues
Solo travelers take up the space of two people but only provide the revenue of one. So of course you get a supplementary charge on cruises and the worst table in a restaurant.
What I object to is being a solo female traveler and the treatment I get.
1. Some restaurants don't want single females and ditto bars. You are viewed as soliciting for pay-to-play male company
2. You get the WORST hotel room always. I've been on trips with our company in groups, and because I'm single, I invariably get the view of the carpark or the back alley. Finally once, in Florence, I objected. I learned to speak enough Italian in two days to tell the concierge that my room smelled of cigar smoke from the alley below and I was done with it. I got moved. What a revelation; all the rooms were larger and had double sinks. And air without smoke.
3. You get the seat next to the infant and some flight attendant smirking at you "you won't mind will you?" and the kid throws eggs all over your silk suit and you have a speech in Tokyo the minute you deplane and can't change.
4. If you are tall and a woman, you are viewed as not having any right to complain about crushed knees on planes "The MAN wants to recline, chided a flight attendant." I got bruised knees for his wishes.
What I object to is being a solo female traveler and the treatment I get.
1. Some restaurants don't want single females and ditto bars. You are viewed as soliciting for pay-to-play male company
2. You get the WORST hotel room always. I've been on trips with our company in groups, and because I'm single, I invariably get the view of the carpark or the back alley. Finally once, in Florence, I objected. I learned to speak enough Italian in two days to tell the concierge that my room smelled of cigar smoke from the alley below and I was done with it. I got moved. What a revelation; all the rooms were larger and had double sinks. And air without smoke.
3. You get the seat next to the infant and some flight attendant smirking at you "you won't mind will you?" and the kid throws eggs all over your silk suit and you have a speech in Tokyo the minute you deplane and can't change.
4. If you are tall and a woman, you are viewed as not having any right to complain about crushed knees on planes "The MAN wants to recline, chided a flight attendant." I got bruised knees for his wishes.
#34
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Falls Gulch VA
Posts: 222
Rooms assignments are, I'm quite certain, made by computer and the number of guests in the room, the rate they're paying, membership in the hotel's frequent guest plan, and its "desirability" are known factors. Entry tier, solo, AAA rate guests like me usually are initially assigned known less popular rooms.
#36
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Austin, TX
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 139
Lots of major travel sites default their searches to two guests. When I remember to switch it, the room price never seems to change. One can't very well eat two breakfast buffets, but for the occasional hotel that supplies a drink voucher I'm going to for a second one (after reading this thread).
Here's one plus for solo travelers... When you book Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts, the single traveler gets the full for-two meal credit, spa credit, etc. I've had a few awesome meals with that double allowance.
Here's one plus for solo travelers... When you book Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts, the single traveler gets the full for-two meal credit, spa credit, etc. I've had a few awesome meals with that double allowance.
#37
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: GLA
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 2,949
#38
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 77
I realize this post was probably tongue-in-cheek, but I sense some selfishness, which might explain why some people consistently find themselves traveling alone.
To begin, there is often little relationship between cost and price, but this is not the venue for a discussion of basic economics. Most hotel amenities are not offered on an a-la-carte basis. They offer the whole package to all guests, who then choose which amenities they want to enjoy. Some people use the pool, some don't. Some use the fitness center, some don't. Same goes for the business center, breakfast buffet, evening reception, parking lot, etc. If you feel you have suffered an injustice by only getting one breakfast when your neighbor got two, then perhaps you will find solace in using more than your share of the other amenities?
As for volunteering to change seats with somebody on a plane, I am heartened to observe that most people find it personally rewarding to perform acts of kindness for their fellow human beings, particularly when there is no cost or burden to the good-deed-doer (to steal a phrase from Oz!). Do you also object to holding a door open for somebody pushing a stroller, or carrying a heavy package?
To begin, there is often little relationship between cost and price, but this is not the venue for a discussion of basic economics. Most hotel amenities are not offered on an a-la-carte basis. They offer the whole package to all guests, who then choose which amenities they want to enjoy. Some people use the pool, some don't. Some use the fitness center, some don't. Same goes for the business center, breakfast buffet, evening reception, parking lot, etc. If you feel you have suffered an injustice by only getting one breakfast when your neighbor got two, then perhaps you will find solace in using more than your share of the other amenities?
As for volunteering to change seats with somebody on a plane, I am heartened to observe that most people find it personally rewarding to perform acts of kindness for their fellow human beings, particularly when there is no cost or burden to the good-deed-doer (to steal a phrase from Oz!). Do you also object to holding a door open for somebody pushing a stroller, or carrying a heavy package?
Last edited by jrpallante; Feb 12, 2019 at 6:41 am Reason: Grammar
#39
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Seattle, WA & Bali
Posts: 18
Even if I travel solo, I always reserve for two at hotels if the price is the same. I usually go to events where I might know some of the people. Reserving as 2 gives me the option of taking someone to breakfast, or sometimes even deciding to share the room with someone I already know. Why on earth put one on the original reservation if everything is the same price for two?
#40
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SEA
Programs: AS MVPG & BoardRoom
Posts: 289
#41
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: New York City
Programs: AA,BNV,HIL
Posts: 879
Alas FT has become more of a chit chat club rather than the informational resource it once was. Most of the originals have moved on to their own blogs.
#42
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SEA
Programs: AS MVPG & BoardRoom
Posts: 289
Solo travelers take up the space of two people but only provide the revenue of one. So of course you get a supplementary charge on cruises and the worst table in a restaurant.
What I object to is being a solo female traveler and the treatment I get.
1. Some restaurants don't want single females and ditto bars. You are viewed as soliciting for pay-to-play male company
4. If you are tall and a woman, you are viewed as not having any right to complain about crushed knees on planes "The MAN wants to recline, chided a flight attendant." I got bruised knees for his wishes.
What I object to is being a solo female traveler and the treatment I get.
1. Some restaurants don't want single females and ditto bars. You are viewed as soliciting for pay-to-play male company
4. If you are tall and a woman, you are viewed as not having any right to complain about crushed knees on planes "The MAN wants to recline, chided a flight attendant." I got bruised knees for his wishes.
4. All seriousness aside, you must be having fun with your #4? Even if it is a 5-year old girl seated in front of you, they have full right to recline their seat. You really cant play the female victim card on this one. This was a recent topic.
#43
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: PDX
Programs: Alaska
Posts: 7
Not talking about cruises and single supplements, nor restaurants with different seating policies, but just hotels.
You pay the same amount as another person, who has 2 or more. And yet you get less benefits.
Breakfast benefit? Only for one person. Even though supposedly it is "free breakfast" and not a discount. What if it is a tiny amount and you want two portions? Or if it is a food and beverage credit?
You pay the same amount as another person, who has 2 or more. And yet you get less benefits.
Breakfast benefit? Only for one person. Even though supposedly it is "free breakfast" and not a discount. What if it is a tiny amount and you want two portions? Or if it is a food and beverage credit?