Before the travel companies make you feel bad about traveling solo: it takes courage, and confidence, and we don’t need anyone else to justify our social status or travel costs. We got this.
Recently, the travel industry has been abuzz about the “solo travel tax” being implemented by several major airlines, including United and Delta. This policy, which some critics are calling discriminatory, adds additional fees to passengers traveling alone. Let’s explore what this means for solo travelers and strategies to avoid these extra costs.
3 Key Takeaways:
- Major airlines, including United, Delta, and American, are now charging extra fees for solo travelers
- These fees can range from $20-60 or more per flight and are being justified as “efficiency” measures
- Solo travelers can avoid these fees by booking with solo-friendly airlines and tours by traveling off-peak season, or by leveraging loyalty programs
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What Is the Solo Travel Tax?
The so-called “solo travel tax” isn’t a government tax, but rather a new pricing structure implemented by several major airlines. These carriers have begun adding surcharges ranging from $20-60 (or more) for passengers booking single seats, particularly on popular routes. The airlines claim this helps offset the “inefficiency” of having solo travelers occupy seats that group bookings could potentially fill.
“For solo female travelers, especially those over 50, single supplements can pose a substantial financial burden. A survey by JourneyWoman revealed that 78% of women identified a single supplement as the biggest obstacle to solo travel. ”
Why Is This Happening Now?
This trend appears to be driven by several factors:
- Post-pandemic recovery strategies as airlines seek to maximize revenue
- Data shows solo travelers are less likely to cancel than groups, making them “safer” to charge premium fees
- The growing solo travel market, which some airlines see as an opportunity for additional revenue
- Airlines’ efforts to encourage more environmentally efficient full flights
Which airlines are implementing these fees?
As of June 2025, airlines that have implemented or announced solo traveler surcharges include:
In one especially bold example, Thrifty Traveler found that a United flight from Chicago to Peoria was $269 for one person. But for two people, it was just $181 per ticket.
Delta, American, and United are also guilty of this charge. The audacity.
Strategies to avoid the solo travel tax
While frustrating, there are several ways to work around these new fees:
1. Book with Solo-Friendly Airlines
Not all airlines have adopted this practice. Several carriers still welcome solo travelers without additional fees, including:
- Book with solo-friendly airlines like Southwest, JetBlue, Alaska, and many European airlines
- SunCountry- Offers “solo traveler” discounts on certain routes
- Most budget airlines are still primarily focused on per-seat pricing models
2. Join Travel Groups
You don’t have to travel with others to avoid the fee:
- Use social platforms like Meetup or Couchsurfing or specialized apps like TravelBuddy to find others booking the same flight
- Coordinate bookings to appear as a group (even if you don’t sit together)
- Some travel forums have created “booking pools” specifically to circumvent these fees
3. Leverage Loyalty Programs
Many airlines waive these fees for members of their loyalty programs:
- Co-branded credit cards often include fee waivers as a benefit or will match lower prices
- Elite status members are typically exempt from solo fees
- Some airlines offer fee waivers after accumulating a certain number of solo flights
Are solo travel taxes legal?
While controversial, these fees appear to be legal in most jurisdictions as airlines have broad discretion in their pricing structures. However, several consumer advocacy groups have filed complaints with transportation authorities, arguing these fees are discriminatory. Some lawmakers have begun examining the practice, particularly as it may disproportionately affect business travelers and those who travel for family emergencies.
This isn’t just limited to airlines, tour companies, cruises, and some accommodations are all guilty of the ‘solo-traveler’ tax.
The Solo Tour Tax
Now hear me out. As a full-time solo traveler, I understand that if I’m supporting a local tour guide, they need a minimum number of folks to go on a tour to cover costs for fair wages, transport, or other admin or ticket fees. If you’re trying to book via GetYourGuide, there may be a two-person minimum. It’s so frustrating, but I often contact the tour company directly to see if they have a spot for one extra person. More often than not, someone’s travel companion is too hungover to go on the tour, thus offering me a spot.
Travel During Off-Peak
Since I also travel in low-season, some tours may not say they are running but I reach out just in case, and often times they’re keen to take one person, offering a more immersive, and authentic tour with the guide with opportunities to ask deeper questions, because with low-season they may not have anyone booked for days (depending on location). You can also try for a last-minute deal, as some folks may have canceled last minute. Sometimes locals pity me or see that I’m a responsible traveler and genuinely want to learn about the destination, and will take me on an informal tour, which I am grateful for! Which often happens when I’m house-sitting.
How to Avoid Solo Traveler Accommodation Fees
Sometimes you can’t. I know, bummer. When it comes to accommodation, using your search engine of choice, enter some combination of “no single supplement,” “no solo supplement,” or “single supplement waived” plus your destination, and see what you find. If this isn’t a last-minute trip, consider creating an alert for these searches.
The Future of Solo Travel Fees
The sustainability of these fees remains uncertain. Historical precedent suggests that if one pricing innovation proves profitable, competitors will follow. However, significant consumer backlash has already led two smaller airlines to reverse their solo fee policies after implementing them briefly in early 2025.
As a responsible traveler, the best approach is to stay informed about which airlines implement these policies and use the strategies above to avoid unnecessary fees. The travel landscape continues to evolve, and being adaptable is key to maintaining both your freedom to travel independently and your budget.
Have you encountered these solo traveler fees in your recent bookings?
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