Tipping can be incredibly personal. Some people are willing to tip cash regardless of the quality of service, while others carefully weigh their experience before deciding what to tip.
In many ways, there is no wrong How to tip. However, the US In such countries, where workers rely on tips to supplement wages, not doing so can be considered rude.
Yes, we know there is a lot of criticism that “Crime tippinghas spiraled out of control in the US – especially when companies employing staff are posting record profits. But sometimes it’s important to leave a little something for a job well done, especially during a hotel stay.
That doesn’t mean there aren’t some tipping rules to consider, especially when traveling. Hotels have laid off employees during the coronavirus pandemic, but due to labor shortages that existed before the health crisis, fewer workers are still doing more.
Tipping for extra effort is a nice or even a must.
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During a stay – whether it’s two nights or two weeks – you’re bound to have the help of numerous staff members, including bellhops, valets, concierges, housekeeping and room service waiters. Some ultra-luxury hotels even offer butler service to help with everything from unpacking your bags to making sure your favorite flowers are on your nightstand.
But do you tip them all the same? Are there circumstances in which tipping is not required?
Tom Waithe, former vice president of operations for Kimpton Hotels in the Pacific Northwest and Mountain region, has received notes from guests expressing concern about tipping.
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“They have this great fear factor associated with very simple gestures,” he told TPG in 2022. “But what guests need to recognize is that you are rarely noticed or associated with the amount of money staff members give you. Any gesture is appreciated unless it’s so small as to be embarrassing: a pocket full of many copper coins. Think change.”
Therefore, a pile of pennies may be seen as a snub. What else should travelers consider when tipping hotel staff? It often comes down to the work they do.
Should I tip hotel housekeeping?
Many hotel and etiquette sources suggest that visitors should leave a tip for the housekeepers. After all, they clean our dishes and make our beds.
“These are some of the hardest working and least recognized people in the hotel,” Waithe said.
Accordingly A recent survey by the American Hotel and Lodging Association76% of hotels are facing staff shortage.
Housekeeping is the “most critical employee need,” AHL reports, with 50% of its members ranking it as the “biggest challenge” to hiring.
In the meantime, if you can afford to do so, it can be a kind gesture to help out the housekeepers.
How much should I tip for housekeeping?
AHLA recommends $1 to $5 per day for housekeeping tips.
Business travelers who are rarely in the room are expected to tip less, and families with unruly children may pay a bit more.
Although you may be tempted to drop something other than cash, don’t.
“We see this often, especially when guests have leftover wine or alcohol,” Waithe said. “But that doesn’t really work, because most hotels have strict policies about what can be taken out of guest rooms. Guests often think they’re leaving a special treat, like leftover pizza or food, but they just throw it away. given. Any open bottle of liquid because no one knows what went into it.”
Which other hotel staff should I tip?
Luggage attendants
This is relatively easy: a $1 tip per bag will suffice, but consider upwards of $5 per bag for heavier pieces. If you’re traveling with a large group or with enough bags to warrant a luggage cart, feel free to round up to the same number, such as $10 or $20, depending on the number of bags.
Room service
It’s common practice for hotels to tack on service fees to room service bills—making that extra empty gratuity line even more confusing. Will you be considered cheap if you write a big fat line through it? Not necessary.
“One hundred percent of the included service fee goes to the server, so there’s no need to add extra,” Waithe said. “Often, the included gratuity is not well recognized on the bill, so people add more without realizing it has already been applied. So look before you add!”
The delivery charge you often see on the bill goes to the hotel and is paid to cooks, dishwashers and other kitchen workers.
In the rare case when a gratuity is not added, tip 15% to 20% of the bill. Plus, no tip is required for taking away your room service tray after your meal is finished.
valets
In general, you should be prepared to tip $1 to $5 each time the valet retrieves your car from the hotel lot. Several inside sources — current and former valets — confirm that it is standard.
“You can tip a little at a time or tell the valet you’ll get it [him or her] Finally,” said Eric Matava, a former valet at a Connecticut hotel.
the gatekeeper
When tipping a concierge, consider it a sliding scale—how much you tip depends on what they do for you.
While a general dinner recommendation or reservation does not warrant a tip, a $5 to $10 tip for reservations is always appreciated.
However, if the concierge plans an amazing experience, pulls the strings to get you to a sold-out show, or arranges an in-room birthday or anniversary surprise for your partner, he does something to say thank you.
How much is really up to you and your budget, but experts told TPG that $40 is low, and upwards of $100 is fine for more complex tasks.
Butler service
Even if your hotel or resort includes a gratuity (which is often the case here all-inclusive resorts and beach resorts), tipping your butler extra is essential. Like a concierge, tipping depends on how much you use it — and for what.
“If you’re running around doing things for them, it’s important to give them some praise,” said Lindsay Apperly Sulek, owner and CEO of JetSet World Travel and a Caribbean travel expert. “But if you don’t use it most of the time, I wouldn’t feel obligated.”
He suggests $10 to $15 per day if they complete mostly basic tasks.
Jack Ezon, founder and managing partner of travel advisory firm Embark Beyond, said he typically tips closer to $100.
When should I tip more?
“If you’re a family and you have a garbage can full of diapers or a room like a hurricane, be sensitive to the fact that the housekeeper will be spending extra time there. [him or her] away from the rest of the room,” Waithe said, adding that it would be a good time to leave an extra tip.
Someone who hasn’t spent much time in the room might tip less.
When thinking about an extra tip, consider your personal situation, any special requests you’ve made to your hotel staff, whether you’re a mess, and your sympathy for their often thankless job.
Where should I leave a tip?
Experts recommend leaving the money on a desk or other clear surface in your room—ideally in an envelope or simply wrapped in a piece of paper with “thank you” written on it so the housekeeper knows it’s for them.
Some hotels are beginning to include housekeeping tip envelopes in each room. There are also hotel companies that are even Mobile tipping rollout for those who don’t always carry cash.
You can also leave a note with a gratuity or add comments (say, if you broke the glass), along with any special requests (such as extra towels or new batteries for the remote), Waithe said.
While it’s not official policy at any hotel, it’s logical to think that any current or future request including a gratuity with an additional service request may increase the likelihood — or at least enthusiasm — of being delivered.
Housekeeping did not clean my room during my stay – do I still tip?
Housekeeping will also be required to clean your room after your visit. With new and improved cleaning protocols following the pandemic, housekeeping will have some significant work to do to keep your room as clean as you left it.
If you uphold the general policy of leaving a tip for housekeeping, you should leave something at the end of your stay, whether you’ve communicated with them or not. Perhaps adjust your daily tip rate downward to reflect multiple cleanings versus one service.
When tipping is not required
While door staff can be very helpful in hailing a taxi or transporting luggage, there is no need to leave a tip to open the door for you.
Upstairs in your room, you won’t need to tip engineering team members to fix a broken item in your room or bring an item that might be missing.
If a staff member switches rooms to be closer to your friends or family members, there is no need to tip here either. Instead, leave a good online review, according to the American Society of Travel Advisors.
Tipping cheat sheet
Checking in now and need to know what to tip? Don’t sweat the small changes.
|
low end |
high end |
don’t forget |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| housework | $1 | $5 | tip per day — and your leftover champagne doesn’t count. |
| Room service | 15% | 20% | Tip only when a gratuity is not included, which it usually is. |
| gatekeeper | $5 to $10 | $40 to $100 | Consider whether your request was simple or complex. |
| Luggage attendants | $1 per bag | $5 per bag | Round up if you are using a luggage cart. |
| valets | $1 | $5 | It is customary to tip valets when they retrieve your car — not when they park it. |
| Butlers | $10 | $15 | Tip daily (and consider higher tips for more complex requests). |
Bottom line
If there’s one big takeaway on how to tip, it’s more art than science. A lot depends on your personal budget, destination, type of hotel and what service charges or resort fees are already included in your bill.
Generally, if someone touches it – your luggage, extra pillows, room service tray – it may deserve a little something in return.
In the end, though, the best thing you can do for individual staff is to give what you can and know it will be appreciated.