Who is bu about splitting the cost of a holiday?

[LilacCroc]

Not a typical AIBU, because I don't want to give away which 'side' i'm on, so that I get un-biased replies.

So the situation...a family of 4 (2 adults, 2 dc) are about to book a holiday. The cost is £500pp and because of free child places, 1 of their dc can go free, so total cost for them would be £1500.

Another couple, very close to the family (the dc's Godparents) will not have their own dc for that week as they are staying with their bio dad. So they put the feelers out about joining them on holiday, the family are more than happy and make them welcome. Fab.

So...now there are 6 people going, 4 adults and 2 dc, that means that overall they get 2 free childs places, so now both of the dc of the family can go free.

So the total cost of the holiday now, for all 6, is £2000.

The family think that each adult should now pay for themselves, £500 pp. The dc don't 'count' as they're both free.

The couple think this is unfair and that as the total cost for 6 people is £2000, the free childs places should be discounted and the total cost should be split 6 ways, with the couple paying £666 for 2 people and the family £1333 for 4 people (ish).

Who is right and who is bu?

the advantage of going together, besides the wonderful company, is that both parties get a discount (one the chief benefits of going through the hassle of planning together). If so, the discount and savings should be shared equally.

the price for Couple A to go alone is 1500. the price for B is 1000. Total is 2500.

However, with the discount the new price is 2000. Hence, a 20% saving. Thus, both parties should get the 20% saving. So, couple A now pays 1200 and couple B now pays 800. Total is 2000.

Done.

The couple pay for two adults, less half a child's place

I say 1250:750 split, but if it were me, I would no way go away with anyone else, so would be paying the original £1500 to keep it between the four of us. I would offer him that or nothing, hope he declines and then go off on our own.

Glad it's sorted. If they are your DCs godparents you don't want to lose them and your compromising has shown them that you value the role they play in your and your childrens lives. Don't do this kind of thing again though, friendships are too important to quibble over money.

Before reading your update I was going to say, it's a disaster waiting to happen and the other DH sounds like a complete tight arse! But it sounds as though he has found his reasonable side and I think they must genuinely want to go on holiday with you and not just using you as a way to get a very cheap Easter break. Hope it all goes ok and you have a lovely time.

Would love to know if the godmother reads mn!

Thank god it's sorted ..... I was getting more wound up about this than the flippin' Scottish referendum :-)

But SHOCK HORROR the children aren't really "free" at all. It's a marketing ploy. (Assuming they're not under 2, and sitting on knees or in travel cots etc) They still need a seat on the plane, they still get a bed, they still get food (on a catered holiday) etc. All it is is a discount - this one could have been advertised as "£500 discount for every three people booked". Family on their own would only have got one £500 discount; whereas as group of six got a £1000 discount. How to split it is only really a source of debate because not all holiday-goers are paying their own way, I.e. Couple were probably each capable of paying their £500s, but children of family probably relied on OP and her DH to pay their oriignal £500s.

Nice to hear a happy outcome!