Why do people do this to themselves and call it a vacation.

I’m the organizer and most friends (across several different groups) always insist that we take the master bc we’ve done the legwork.

Depends on the house.

Some houses have multiple bedrooms that are essentially the same in terms of size, private bathroom, view, etc.

But some houses clearly have better rooms, and in that case someone should pay more.

When we’ve traveled with good friends or family, we’ve taken the lead in coordinating everything and we’ve made clear that we will happily pay more for the big bedroom with the oceanfront view (or whatever). People tend to appreciate that. I mean, wouldn’t you? How would you feel paying the same amount for the queen bed by the noisy kitchen as your friends in the king suite with the view?

If you are close friends with the other families, the answer will be obvious. It will be the family who has a mom with a bum knee who can't manage the stairs well, or the family with a husband who is 6'5" and can't fit in a smaller bed, or the family with the mom who did all the planning legwork, or the family who will be facing 12 hour jet lag, or the family with the LOUD toddlers that everyone wants to sequester, or the family who has a bigger budget and wants to pay more to help subsidize the house.

Whomever had to put down the credit card and make the reservation is also likely the one who has to pick up and return the key, and ensure that all the clean-up/house-closing protocols are followed. Deposit-maker gets the master. After all, if damages or disputes come up, they are the ones who have to work on the front lines to deal with it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Flip a coin. Putting down the deposit is not a lot of work.

+1

+2

This is always an issue - I travel with friends and family LOL.

If you want to keep traveling with these people in the future, either do a rotation, the person who gets it pays more, or draw straws I think.

My mom used to always quietly resent my aunt picking the master for herself LOL. I travel with friends and let the others have the master but we have a room I like anyway so it's not a big deal.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Flip a coin. Putting down the deposit is not a lot of work.

It’s not the amount of work, it’s the amount of risk. If someone backs out, your money is already gone.

EXACTLY! Also, if something is broken or there is an issue I am the one who has to deal with the rental company, I’m the one that has to get all the payments (and yes, some people take reminding several times). Also, I’m the one who has to sign everything and handle all the communication.

We collect all the money up front, even if we ourselves don’t pay the balance until later. We make it clear that the financial commitment is there regardless of if they back out. Never had any issues.

Anonymous wrote:I'm sure someone put in more effort.

We have vacationed with the same 3 families a few times and there is always someone who does more research/planning. That couple gets the primary.

+1

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Flip a coin. Putting down the deposit is not a lot of work.

It’s not the amount of work, it’s the amount of risk. If someone backs out, your money is already gone.

EXACTLY! Also, if something is broken or there is an issue I am the one who has to deal with the rental company, I’m the one that has to get all the payments (and yes, some people take reminding several times). Also, I’m the one who has to sign everything and handle all the communication.

Anonymous wrote:I usually let whoever is the biggest pest and wants it the most to have it. I don't have trouble sleeping and dh and I don't mind being agreeable.

I do this too, but if someone is always a diva about it I likely won't travel with them. We have also implemented some upfront rules for family trips - there need to be at least 2 king beds, for instance. Better to spend a bit more than to listen to people mutter or feel like you're being taken advantage of.

To create an optimal outcome you just need to create a market. You need to relax the constraint that everyone pays equally and just have an auction of the rooms. The result will be optimal.

in your situation, whoever gets there first and/or claims it first

on trips I've been on it's the person who led the planning, unless there is a guest of honor then they get the primary bedroom (if it's a bday, bride to be, etc.)

Flip a coin or let the person who wants the master pay more.

Planning just isn't that much extra work to justify taking the nicest room in the house for yourself, and it's pretty subjective to determine who planned more.

I'd be pretty pissed if a friend took the room with a big bathtub and balcony and didn't offer to pay more, just because they "put the deposit down."

OP here. Kids are all ES (no babies).