How to Avoid the Single Supplement
When Traveling Solo
I've Learned a Few Tricks About Traveling Solo
Travel With Companies That Take Solo Travelers Seriously
I discovered Overseas Adventure Travel (O.A.T.) back in 2005, when a friend of my mother's recommended them to me. I was 53 years old, and my first trip was to Vietnam.
I liked just about everything about the way O.A.T. organized its trips — the small groups, the itineraries, the local experiences and, importantly for this page, the way they treat people traveling alone.
I liked it enough to keep going.
As of August 2026, I've taken 19 O.A.T. trips, with #20 already scheduled for later this year.
Some of those trips I've taken with a partner. But I've also traveled solo and taken advantage of O.A.T.'s trips offering NO SINGLE SUPPLEMENT. On those trips, I've personally saved between $4,000 and $8,500 compared with what I would have paid if a single supplement had applied.
That's real money.
O.A.T. says that solo travelers can save up to $5,000 compared with other travel companies. My own experience tells me that the savings can sometimes be even greater, depending on the trip.
O.A.T. and Grand Circle: Built With Solo Travelers in Mind
O.A.T. and its parent company, Grand Circle, aren't simply companies that occasionally offer a senior discount or waive a single supplement.
They have built a significant part of their travel business around people who travel alone.
O.A.T.'s small-group Land Adventures have a maximum of 16 travelers. On my trips, it has been common to find six, eight or even more solo travelers in the group. Most have been women, although there are usually one or two solo men as well.
O.A.T. says that it is offering 25,000 single spaces across its 2026 adventures. Of those, 92% are available with a FREE Single Supplement, with the remaining spaces carrying what the company describes as some of the lowest single supplements in the industry.
And here's another statistic that caught my attention: O.A.T. says 50% of its travelers are solo women.
Grand Circle reports similarly strong participation by solo travelers, saying more than 50% of its travelers travel solo, with solo women representing approximately 50% of travelers annually.
Those numbers tell me something important:
If you're a solo traveler, you aren't an afterthought with these companies.
You're part of their business model.
Two Money-Saving Tips for Solo Travelers
Tip #1: Look for the Single Space
When you're considering an O.A.T. or Grand Circle trip, visit the company's website and find the tour, cruise or departure date you're interested in.
Then look carefully at the available spaces.
Some departures will specifically show that a single space is available without a single supplement.
That's the opportunity you're looking for.
You can also call the reservation department and ask specifically:
“Do you have any single spaces available without a single supplement on this departure?”
It never hurts to ask.
Tip #2: Check the Special Offers
Both companies regularly offer Special Offers on selected trips.
These can be particularly interesting when a departure is getting close and the company still has space available. I've seen discounts of $2,000, $3,000, $4,000 or more.
And sometimes you'll see the magic words:
“Single space available.”
For example, as I write this, a 15-day Mekong River Cruise originally priced at $5,195 is being offered for $1,295 for a single space.
That's the kind of deal worth looking for.
My advice? Don't just search for a trip. Search for a single space.
That's where the really interesting savings can appear.
Before Booking Your First OAT or Grand Circle Trip
Clearly, I like OAT and Grand Circle Travel.
I've traveled with OAT 19 times, and I wouldn't keep going back if I didn't believe they offered a terrific travel experience — particularly for people who like small-group travel and for those traveling solo.
There's one other thing I want to be completely upfront about.
Both companies have a referral program, and if you decide to take a trip with either one, I'd really appreciate it if you would tell them that Jesse Slome, Traveler #932019, referred you.
It doesn't cost you anything.
THE OAT / GRAND CIRCLE REFERRAL PROGRAM
When you book your first trip, simply tell the reservation representative that you were:
“Referred by Jesse Slome,
Traveler #932019.”
If you do, I receive a one-time travel credit toward a future trip. That's it.
You get the same trip, the same price and the same travel experience. I get a little help paying for my next adventure.
And here's the fun part: after you've taken your first trip, you can participate in their referral program, too.
I've been fortunate enough to have
88 people do this so far.
If you decide to travel with O.A.T. or Grand Circle, I'd love for you to be #89.
Thank you for helping keep this old traveler on the road.
Jesse Slome
The Thrifty Senior Traveler