Should we split the payment equally?

minemine1989 · 2026-01-27T20:43:43+00:00

I’m going on a getaway with my friends and their family’s. We have booked one big house and so far decided to split it per couple. However, 2 of the families going have 3 children going… therefore will need more rooms… opposed to me and my partner who will only need one room. aibu to think that the couple with the bigger families should need to pay a little bit more for the extra rooms?

EmeraldShamrock000 · 28/01/2026 13:50

This should have been discussed beforehand. In our family the adults split bills equally, dinner etc mind you we would never house share on a getaway, I love them but no thanks.

DarkForces · 28/01/2026 13:48

LiquoriceAllsorts2 · 28/01/2026 13:23

For some reason this feels a bit wrong to me. Maybe because it feels like a family holiday which your adult daughter has been invited to but then you charge her more than the incremental costs of her joining

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I agree. Subsidising their siblings is unfair.

Hankunamatata · 28/01/2026 13:43

Depends if the kids are in with the parents or in their own rooms

Maddy70 · 28/01/2026 13:24

Split per room

LiquoriceAllsorts2 · 28/01/2026 13:23

Wakemeupinapril · 28/01/2026 13:10

Adult dd is mid 30's.. Ds is 11!!
Adult dc once shared a room with small dc! They are very close anyway so wasn't an issue...

For some reason this feels a bit wrong to me. Maybe because it feels like a family holiday which your adult daughter has been invited to but then you charge her more than the incremental costs of her joining

Wakemeupinapril · 28/01/2026 13:10

Adult dd is mid 30's.. Ds is 11!!
Adult dc once shared a room with small dc! They are very close anyway so wasn't an issue...

ViciousCurrentBun · 28/01/2026 13:07

I would consider myself quite tight but I would look at it that children do not have an income. So would be willing to split between all adults. Never been in this scenario as only went away with friends before we all had children.

Anyone remember the episode of Motherland where they all rent a house?

MrsKateColumbo · 28/01/2026 13:05

I think it's totally fine to renege. What would happen if you said "hang on Steve, it's just occurred to me that you're taking the piss a bit here"

ExtraOnions · 28/01/2026 13:01

If it’s family we just split by adult couples .. I don’t my paying a bit towards a nice holiday for my Nieces and Nephews

LiquoriceAllsorts2 · 28/01/2026 12:56

Wakemeupinapril · 28/01/2026 12:13

Bit different because it's me, dh and adult dc +younger dc but we split the trip by working adults..... So 5 k house would be 5 working adults paying 1k each. We do pay for the food for 2 adults and the younger dc.. Fuel is 2 cars worth divided by the working adults...
Take turns who gets the 'best room'..

In lots of cases I would actually agree that splitting between adults is only is fair enough but in this case it seems a bit unfair on your adult children who are subsidising their younger brother. What is the age difference ?

dontmalbeconme · 28/01/2026 12:13

If it was agreed before booking that it was to be split per couple it's not reasonable to try to change that now.

However, in the future, per room is fairest (with adjustments if there's clearly superior/inferior rooms).

Wakemeupinapril · 28/01/2026 12:13

Bit different because it's me, dh and adult dc +younger dc but we split the trip by working adults..... So 5 k house would be 5 working adults paying 1k each. We do pay for the food for 2 adults and the younger dc.. Fuel is 2 cars worth divided by the working adults...
Take turns who gets the 'best room'..

LiquoriceAllsorts2 · 28/01/2026 12:05

mamajong · 28/01/2026 12:00

Of course - in my experience cost is divided per room i.e. if it's £5000 and there are 5 rooms its £1000 per room. Seems like a no brainer

What is the 5 bed cost 5,000 but the 3 bed suitable for 3 couples was say £4,500

would you expect the childless couple to pay 1,000 and the couples with children to pay 2,000.
or childless couple £1,500
couples with children £1,750 (£1,500 plus half of the incremental difference).

not saying one is right or wrong, just interested in your view.

mamajong · 28/01/2026 12:01

JustAboutHangingInThere · 28/01/2026 11:52

depends on facilities as some others have said - pool, large living space, luxurious house, en suite, bedroom size, view.
have split three ways before between couples and not included kids room - rooms were not equitable, we gave choice of rooms to others (suite with balcony, view, en-suite) and took smaller room with shared bathroom and no view or balcony. Evened out cost difference I think. Shared space and facilities makes a difference to split.

This is a good point however if the rooms are not broadly similar

mamajong · 28/01/2026 12:00

Of course - in my experience cost is divided per room i.e. if it's £5000 and there are 5 rooms its £1000 per room. Seems like a no brainer

JustAboutHangingInThere · 28/01/2026 11:52

depends on facilities as some others have said - pool, large living space, luxurious house, en suite, bedroom size, view.
have split three ways before between couples and not included kids room - rooms were not equitable, we gave choice of rooms to others (suite with balcony, view, en-suite) and took smaller room with shared bathroom and no view or balcony. Evened out cost difference I think. Shared space and facilities makes a difference to split.

Wakemeupinapril · 28/01/2026 11:04

Maybe hold your tongue this time since it's booked.. Make sure food /other costs are split fairly though or you are funding other people's trip!!

DarkForces · 28/01/2026 11:02

LiquoriceAllsorts2 · 28/01/2026 10:13

Based on what?

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Bitter experience

Uhghg · 28/01/2026 10:57

ArtTheClownIsNotAMime · 28/01/2026 10:17

Split per room.

But if you agreed to split per couple before it was booked then suck it up.

I agree.

Its already been booked and sounds like it was agreed to be spilt by couple so you’ll just have to accept it.

But in the future then perhaps mention it before agreeing.

LoveSandbanks · 28/01/2026 10:55

The larger families need to pay more. Unless you say something now, you’re going to pay to subsidise the larger families accommodation and when you get there someone will announce that food shall be split equally between couples but the families will get a load of shit that only their kids can eat.

we have three children, I wouldn’t dream of going on holiday with a mixed group and expecting to pay the same as a family of five as a couple.

unless of course the difference is negligible.

niwtdaaam · 28/01/2026 10:53

It should be split by the number of rooms used with adjustments if some of the rooms are ensuite or small etc.
Splitting by family always ends up with the couples without children or singles having to pay disproportionally more and that isn't fair.

But it should have been agreed before you booked.

nomas · 28/01/2026 10:51

Gowlett · 28/01/2026 10:50

Just kidding… I’ll get me coat!

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These type of people always do.

Gowlett · 28/01/2026 10:50

LiquoriceAllsorts2 · 28/01/2026 10:13

Based on what?

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Just kidding… I’ll get me coat!

nomas · 28/01/2026 10:50

SamVan · 28/01/2026 10:47

If you've already agreed it's too late to change the plan now. But in general, why would you go away with families with kids when you don't have kids yourselves?! Kid holidays are definitely not fun for the child free.

If it hasn’t been booked then it’s not
too late.

nomas · 28/01/2026 10:50

Who decided to split it per couple? Your friends are taking you for mugs. Split it per room.