Traveling Solo? Prepare for Discrimination
If you are planning on traveling on your own, you should brace yourself for some discriminatory practices. It would seem that the travel industry is biased when it comes to solo travelers.
Here are some of the usual complaints of solo travelers and how to get around these unfair practices.
Rates – it is quite unfair for travelers to be charged double just because they are on their own. In the case of a cruise vacation, one way you can avoid this is by finding a good travel agent who will book you at the last minute, allowing you to enjoy price cuts, which are usually done by the cruise line one day after all payments of the passengers were due. You might end up paying less than what you can expect in a single supplement.
Hotel Accommodation – some solo travelers can handle the steep prices but will not agree to a room, which is not commensurate to the rate they paid. If you are stuck in a small, windowless room, you can always ask for a different room. Of course, you should do so politely.
Treatment – just because you are traveling solo does not mean that you should be treated like someone with a disease. It is imperative for the travel industry to realize that more and more people are choosing to go on a vacation alone. If you find yourself being treated unfairly, you should be assertive and request to be treated no differently.
Adjustments – if your friend cancels at the last minute, you will be horrified to know that you might be charged more for continuing on the tour – even if you and your friend have already paid in full. To avoid this, you should consider getting a travel insurance that will cover the amount demanded by the tour operator.
