Comments on: Socked for my friend’s single supplement http://www.elliott.org/the-troubleshooter/socked-for-my-friends-single-supplement/ Consumer advocate Christopher Elliott's site. Fri, 10 Feb 2012 05:25:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: john http://www.elliott.org/the-troubleshooter/socked-for-my-friends-single-supplement/comment-page-1/#comment-24186 john Wed, 16 Sep 2009 12:56:08 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=8393#comment-24186 I have often seen advertisements for trips that state the rate quoted is for double-occupancy. If two people book a trip with a double-occupancy rate and then one of the people cancels, then the double-occupancy rate no longer applies and the travel company is then entitled to the difference between the double-occupancy and single-occupancy rates. I don't see a problem here. I have often seen advertisements for trips that state the rate quoted is for double-occupancy. If two people book a trip with a double-occupancy rate and then one of the people cancels, then the double-occupancy rate no longer applies and the travel company is then entitled to the difference between the double-occupancy and single-occupancy rates. I don’t see a problem here.

]]> By: Brian http://www.elliott.org/the-troubleshooter/socked-for-my-friends-single-supplement/comment-page-1/#comment-24177 Brian Wed, 16 Sep 2009 00:23:02 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=8393#comment-24177 If the insurance company reimbursed the traveler for his monies spent for the trip, didn't the travel company get to keep what they had already received? And if they DID get to keep the money, wouldn't the additional $375 be a case of them "double dipping?" If the insurance company reimbursed the traveler for his monies spent for the trip, didn’t the travel company get to keep what they had already received? And if they DID get to keep the money, wouldn’t the additional $375 be a case of them “double dipping?”

]]> By: Ernest http://www.elliott.org/the-troubleshooter/socked-for-my-friends-single-supplement/comment-page-1/#comment-24176 Ernest Wed, 16 Sep 2009 00:20:51 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=8393#comment-24176 Most single supplements are garbage anyway. It is not just them collecting a fair amount for the hotel room. I am a single traveler and most of the single rooms I get are substandard, even though I pay the suppliment. Paying a single supplement does not, in any way, promise an equal room to those couples. The single suppliment just gives more of a profit to those charging it. When I travell, I get room prices from the hotels that I stay in. Often times, their walk in rate is much less than the rate being charged my the tour company, even before the suppliment. I do not object when a company makes a fair profit but it is just like the airline baggage fees, scalp those that you can single out. Most people will not object because they are not single. I now travel with companies that do not charge the suppliment or who will charge me the actual room cost above what I have already paid. The single suppliment is just another scam to get more money. It does not cost more to put me in a single room and I use much less than most couples. Less towels for the laundry, less hot water, less sheets , ect. Just another scam. Most single supplements are garbage anyway. It is not just them collecting a fair amount for the hotel room.

I am a single traveler and most of the single rooms I get are substandard, even though I pay the suppliment. Paying a single supplement does not, in any way, promise an equal room to those couples.

The single suppliment just gives more of a profit to those charging it.

When I travell, I get room prices from the hotels that I stay in. Often times, their walk in rate is much less than the rate being charged my the tour company, even before the suppliment. I do not object when a company makes a fair profit but it is just like the airline baggage fees, scalp those that you can single out. Most people will not object because they are not single.

I now travel with companies that do not charge the suppliment or who will charge me the actual room cost above what I have already paid.

The single suppliment is just another scam to get more money. It does not cost more to put me in a single room and I use much less than most couples. Less towels for the laundry, less hot water, less sheets , ect.

Just another scam.

]]> By: Lisa S http://www.elliott.org/the-troubleshooter/socked-for-my-friends-single-supplement/comment-page-1/#comment-24113 Lisa S Sat, 12 Sep 2009 23:35:16 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=8393#comment-24113 Well, I won't be using Overseas Adventure Travel after hearing this. Well, I won’t be using Overseas Adventure Travel after hearing this.

]]> By: Monica http://www.elliott.org/the-troubleshooter/socked-for-my-friends-single-supplement/comment-page-1/#comment-24112 Monica Sat, 12 Sep 2009 21:00:57 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=8393#comment-24112 The "goodwill gesture" definitely sounds like the company knows they were wrong and are trying to save face. If this was a non-refundable trip (even assuming no insurance), the company was already paid in full, so they had the money for a "double occupancy". There should have been reason to try and charge them again. Too bad it took Chris to get things right. The “goodwill gesture” definitely sounds like the company knows they were wrong and are trying to save face. If this was a non-refundable trip (even assuming no insurance), the company was already paid in full, so they had the money for a “double occupancy”. There should have been reason to try and charge them again. Too bad it took Chris to get things right.

]]> By: Justin http://www.elliott.org/the-troubleshooter/socked-for-my-friends-single-supplement/comment-page-1/#comment-24111 Justin Sat, 12 Sep 2009 19:18:32 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=8393#comment-24111 Anyone smell a rat at this company? How can a company expect to be paid TWICE. It was NOT refunding the money to the lady who canceled. The insurance company had that honors. So why should Overseas Adventure Travel's be allowed to forcibly demand a person FORK OVER more money. I can fully understand it's singles policy. It's within their rights to do as they please. HOWEVER, a company who has been PAID IN FULL for both people cannot twist it's policy to demand additional payment. Maybe this woman should look into reporting this company for fraud to her local attorney general. Misunderstanding? I say not. I call this a shady organization that was hoping it could milk some additional cash flow out of someone on the pretense of a threat (Pay or lose it all). What do others think? If I were her, I would definitely be pursuing this matter even if I got a refund. How many others has it pulled this "scam on". It's one thing to pay for a singles trip and be single. It's another to be paid in full for BOTH PEOPLE, then demand more money for a single's fee!! Justin Anyone smell a rat at this company? How can a company expect to be paid TWICE. It was NOT refunding the money to the lady who canceled. The insurance company had that honors. So why should Overseas Adventure Travel’s be allowed to forcibly demand a person FORK OVER more money. I can fully understand it’s singles policy. It’s within their rights to do as they please. HOWEVER, a company who has been PAID IN FULL for both people cannot twist it’s policy to demand additional payment. Maybe this woman should look into reporting this company for fraud to her local attorney general. Misunderstanding? I say not. I call this a shady organization that was hoping it could milk some additional cash flow out of someone on the pretense of a threat (Pay or lose it all).

What do others think? If I were her, I would definitely be pursuing this matter even if I got a refund. How many others has it pulled this “scam on”. It’s one thing to pay for a singles trip and be single. It’s another to be paid in full for BOTH PEOPLE, then demand more money for a single’s fee!!

Justin

]]> By: KathyJ http://www.elliott.org/the-troubleshooter/socked-for-my-friends-single-supplement/comment-page-1/#comment-24104 KathyJ Sat, 12 Sep 2009 13:25:02 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=8393#comment-24104 So Overseas Adventure Travel has a policy that a single traveler gets hit with additional fees even if they received full payment from the second person? Crazy! So Overseas Adventure Travel has a policy that a single traveler gets hit with additional fees even if they received full payment from the second person? Crazy!

]]> By: AspenDew http://www.elliott.org/the-troubleshooter/socked-for-my-friends-single-supplement/comment-page-1/#comment-24103 AspenDew Sat, 12 Sep 2009 13:13:34 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=8393#comment-24103 "Goodwill Gesture" usually translates into "We know we screwed up, but we're not going to admit it. But since we really want you to shut up about it before it costs us any more bad publicity, here's a little token of our desperation." “Goodwill Gesture” usually translates into “We know we screwed up, but we’re not going to admit it. But since we really want you to shut up about it before it costs us any more bad publicity, here’s a little token of our desperation.”

]]> By: sirwired http://www.elliott.org/the-troubleshooter/socked-for-my-friends-single-supplement/comment-page-1/#comment-24102 sirwired Sat, 12 Sep 2009 12:15:13 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=8393#comment-24102 I think we need more information here... If the trip was non-refundable by the operator, then a single supplement should not have been needed. Instead, don't cancel, just fail to show up. I can't imagine they would charge a single supplement on top of the whole fare they are getting for somebody not actually there. If the trip was refundable, things do get a bit tricky. I don't know of any travel insurance policies that cover the single supplement for a traveling companion. On the other hand, most insurance policies do cover the illness of a travelling companion, meaning the friend could have cancelled her trip and received her money back, assuming the friend also had insurance. I think we need more information here… If the trip was non-refundable by the operator, then a single supplement should not have been needed. Instead, don’t cancel, just fail to show up. I can’t imagine they would charge a single supplement on top of the whole fare they are getting for somebody not actually there.

If the trip was refundable, things do get a bit tricky. I don’t know of any travel insurance policies that cover the single supplement for a traveling companion. On the other hand, most insurance policies do cover the illness of a travelling companion, meaning the friend could have cancelled her trip and received her money back, assuming the friend also had insurance.

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