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Original poster

Should the person who earns more pay more for joint holiday friends not partners

482 replies

Libbykitty · 04/01/2026 17:36

Just that really.

2 friends going on holiday, should the person who earns more pay more say 75 ler cent of holiday cost, neither person wealthy, but one is part time and the other is full time so earns more.

Welcome thoughts as I am unsure.

OP posts:
LilyBunch25 · 06/01/2026 09:53

No way.

ByQuaintAzureWasp · 06/01/2026 09:38

No

LilacReader · 06/01/2026 09:31

ONLY IF the full-time person is not happy with what lower earner can do and is insisting on an expensive holiday.

bubmut · 06/01/2026 09:27

Absolutely not, where on earth did that suggestion come from? 50/50

LoL19 · 06/01/2026 09:22

No

Penguinsandcoffee · 06/01/2026 09:08

No

HappyNewBeer · 06/01/2026 09:06

Only if the person who earns more really wants to go on the holiday with the less affluent person but knows the less affluent person can’t pay half, and has proposed the holiday to the poorer person on the basis that they insist on paying 75% to enable the holiday to happen.

sundayvibeswig22 · 06/01/2026 09:05

They don’t have to but I do (sometimes) as I know some people wouldn’t be able to afford things. I recently paid for accommodation for a city break with a friend who lives abroad. She paid for her own flights. She wouldn’t have been able to come otherwise. She was very grateful.

snowhouse · 06/01/2026 08:42

Generally, absolutely not - although if there’s an enormous difference in wealth then there’s nothing wrong with the richer party paying more IF they want to - eg we do have some extremely wealthy friends (think multimillionaire level) who have insisted on ‘booking the villa’ on a shared holiday, because the cost was a drop in the ocean to them but impossible for us. Very generous of them and we in no way expected it - but they insisted so we could join them.

If I was ever in the same position (not that I would be 😂), I would love to treat my friends in the same way. I did once pay for a close mate’s flight to join me on a big birthday as she couldn’t afford it.

CatLandlady · 06/01/2026 08:42

I voted YABU if it’s based on income alone. But it depends on the circumstances ie if the lower income person is being a CF or if the higher income person is benefitting in some other way.

I have been the voluntary bank roller in this situation. I was going to book a mini-break for £500 (2bed) but for £750 I could get a 6-bed so offered a friend and her family to come if they paid the extra £250 as I knew they were short of cash and I would have a better time with company.

Berlinlover · 06/01/2026 08:41

50/50 even if you are partners.

Luciasblockbusternovel · 06/01/2026 08:40

Nothing wrong with a long-standing very wealthy friend offering to pay. However, note I said wealthy and also offering. Huge difference from a friend who has more money purely because she works extra hours or just has a better paid job.

This thread shows the increasing entitlement and expectation from many. Whatever happened to accountability and sorting out your own finances if you are not happy with them.

Girlking · 06/01/2026 08:32

Definitely not!

ErinAoife · 06/01/2026 06:54

No, expense should be share 50 50 unless thw petson who earns more want to treat the friend but it should be his/hrr choice

BusyMum47 · 06/01/2026 06:52

Libbykitty · 04/01/2026 17:36

Just that really.

2 friends going on holiday, should the person who earns more pay more say 75 ler cent of holiday cost, neither person wealthy, but one is part time and the other is full time so earns more.

Welcome thoughts as I am unsure.

No! Why should they?

If we were talking 2 people in a committed relationship who share finances then that's a different matter but friends? No. If you can't afford to go on holiday with your mate then you book somewhere cheaper or don't go!! End of.

ItsNotMeEither · 06/01/2026 06:32

I don't vote because I can't work out which way is which.

Holiday gets split 50:50 The holiday doesn't get subsidised because one person is saving for something. If they can't afford the holiday, they stay home.

If I was the higher earner I'd be more likely to pay for some extra drinks or pick up an extra meal tab, but the holiday would be 50:50

Crole · 06/01/2026 06:22

Last year I booked a center parcs type thing and invited my friend after I'd already paid. I didn't expect half from her but she paid for one of the meals out for everyone. We've both only got one kid who've known each other since nursery so she was doing a favour for me coming. I go every year and it's not the sort of place she would usually go to so I found our setup fair. But in general, no, it shouldn't be the default.

Kimura · 06/01/2026 04:12

Purely because they earn more? Absolutely not.

SweetnsourNZ · 06/01/2026 03:23

Definitely not. None of friends business has much each other earns. However if I was more financially advantage I would probably treat a friend to a drink or meal if I could do it without offending them

VegemiteOnToast · 06/01/2026 02:48

No. You go on a holiday that the poorer person can afford.

Adra04778 · 06/01/2026 02:31

I don't think it should be expected, and if I was asked I probably would think it wasn't right to ask me. I went on holiday with my friend in August. I paid for her because of the difference in our financial positions. But not because I was asked or it was expected.

JMSA · 06/01/2026 02:30

No

Dencar · 06/01/2026 02:25

Libbykitty · 04/01/2026 18:24

Actually yes that is very true, I hadn't thought of that

Show quote history

Seriously???? That’s the first issue that came to mind reading your OP. How could that not be the issue.

The only way I see around this is if the person suggesting the holiday (who has more 💰 ) really wanted this particular holiday, plus really wanted the “poorer” friend to come, might offer the “poorer” friend only pay the difference between one v’s two people taking the trip.
That could be considered a gift. That said, as the “poorer” friend, I would never suggest this. Holidays together typically would be 50/50

dh280125 · 06/01/2026 02:01

Partners yes, friends no. Would have assumed that was obvious.

THEDEACON · 06/01/2026 01:42

Absolutely not