Traveling Solo as an Eighteen Year Old

 

Yet again, I have run into something that I hope no other parent has to go through...

Now that Brendan is traveling solo for various Competitions around the State of Colorado, he has discovered that turning 18 is less cool than he thought. 

I called a hotel to ask if he could check in alone as an 18-year-old and I was assured he could. Then they directed me to their reservations line, and I asked the same question. Again, I was assured this would be no problem.

Well, guess what? It was...this hotel actually turned him away. He called me. I told them that since they took our money without telling us that each hotel is independently operated and can make their own policies regarding 18-year-old solo travelers, they needed to help my son. I demanded a full refund and their assistance in finding my son a place to stay since I am 3,000 miles away. Next time, I will be getting the name of every person I talk to as well as asking to speak to a manager to verify.

Ultimately, they did find him a place.  But I can't help but be disappointed. I will never use this Hotel chain again and promptly sent a letter to their corporate customer service. The possibility of influencing his preparation for the next day cannot be understated, not to mention that he might not have had a place to stay for the night is something no parent wants to think about.

The advice I can give is to check, check again, and triple-check when making reservations for your solo traveling 18-year-old. Now Brendan knows, as an 18-year-old, he can vote, and die for his country, but cannot check into a hotel of his choosing or rent a car. Moving on...

SOLUTION FOUND! AirBnBs! Don't know why I hadn't thought of this sooner! It is super easy: all the app requires is one adult older than 13.  I am still going to check each property though.

2nd SOLUTION FOUND! Zipcars. Most universities have Zipcars on their campus. It is the only rental car an 18-year-old is able to rent on their own. A year's membership was about $35. Find it at www.zipcar.com

    CLIMB ON!