WIBU to split cost of holiday four ways?

[Eldermilleniallyogii]

3 adults and 1 child (age 3) going on holiday. Holiday package will not give clear split of cost. Mother and daughter will share one room. Younger daughter will share with her DC3. Would you just split the cost of the holiday four ways? They have a room each so makes sense to split the accommodation costs equally and the child will also need a seat on the plane but we had thought the child place might have been cheaper than an adult space.

Splitting four ways seems fair however will mean in practice A and B will each pay a quarter of the cost while C will pay half as she is paying for C and D but it is her child.

How would you split the cost?

Is there a better way to do this?

Some posters have said the child shouldn't be counted because she 'doesn't earn'. So by that logic if DH and I (both work) were to holiday with my DSis (doesn't work) and 'earning' BiL, then DH and I should pay 2/3 and they pay 1/3 because DSis 'doesn't earn'. Or that a hulking teen shouldn't be counted because they 'don't earn'. Nope. Not in my book.

I think it's a 4 way split in this scenario - you're still winning as you don't have to share a room with another adult, they aren't subsidising your family, and the food is separate anyway (there you should pay for what your child is eating instead of doing a kitty or similar as it will be quite different). It's not like the child isn't taking a full space up (though I do think the child fares are slightly less for kids so should check that if it's important)

My brother and my husband's sister don't have children but neither of them should have to pay extra to go on holiday just so they can see their niece and nephew - that choice is on me.

Split 4 ways. It's self catering and a child over the age of 2 costs a full fare flight afaik. Just let them know how you're splitting it for transparency anyway.

Check the cost of the holiday with just 3 adults, that'll give you the cost minus the child's cost so easy to work out

I'd do this, except I'd put it through as a three adults only holiday, with the same apartment. Then the price difference is unequivocally what the child 'costs'.

Actually scrap my earlier answer, this is the way to do it.

If it’s got a free child place it tells you very clearly on easyJet so then the total holiday price is just between 3 adults. E.g. £1500 total is £500pp. If it’s not got a free child place you’ll be paying, for example, £500pp so £2000. It does explain it on the breakdown when you go to book. I’ve just booked one myself. That said, always best to check across Jet2, TUI and easyJet for the best deals and free child places.

A 3 year just does not cost the same as an adult for the plane, for the food etc. If the other 2 adults are the child's grandmother and aunt then surely they wouldn't mind if they ended up subsidizing a family child slightly. If it is split 4 ways with you paying for 2 for yourself and your baby you will be subsidizing them.

One thing to maybe bear in mind, though - and I'm not saying it will necessary be a problem for close family members - is that, although the 3yo won't eat as much as the adults, they will naturally dominate in other ways.

Unless they split up for all days out, the possibilities and freedoms for the three adults will all be restricted by the needs of a young child - not just the child's parent, for whom it's obviously par for the course.

In the accommodation itself, there will probably be toys strewn around the living area, little ones are naturally much noisier than adults most of the time, and no inappropriate TV or 'adult' conversations in the daytime. Joint meals may also be geared around what a little one will be willing to eat, whereas three adults might otherwise choose something a bit more exciting for a mature palate.

Obviously the two women who aren't their mother will also love the little one, who is family; and will, I'm sure, enjoy spending time with them; but I'm just making the point that the practical considerations of how a small child (who isn't your own) affects everybody's overall holiday can extend further than simply how little they will eat etc.

I think this sounds fairest