Tipping Etiquette When You Travel (We Asked The Experts)

What’s the standard tip for a bellman, room service, or attendant? Ask 10 people and you might get 10 different answers.

“Tip etiquette varies greatly by continent and country,” says Mercedes Zach, travel expert at ASAP Tickets. “In the United States, tipping is expected at nearly every stage, but in Europe, for example, tipping is more a thank you for service that exceeds expectations.”

There are places around the world where tipping is not common, like Australia, which has a much higher minimum wage in the hospitality industry, but tipping is becoming more and more streamlined (especially in areas with an influx of American tourists). ).

“A quick online search can help you understand the tipping culture of your destination. There are countries like Japan where tipping is really frowned upon,” says Zach.

But within the United States, tipping is customary and deserved. However, there is disagreement about who to tip and how much to tip. We asked industry insiders who to tip, how much and if it’s okay to skip tipping.

don’t forget the housekeeper

said Michael Klein, general manager of The Eliza Jane in New Orleans, Louisiana. “The unsung hero of the hotel is the housekeeper, and that’s what many guests take for granted.” Who should not be tipped? “As a manager, I always try to redirect any tips provided by guests, or if they insist on putting money into the pool to buy something nice for the team.

Here are Klein’s suggestions for chips:

1. For attendants, we recommend tipping $3-$5 each time.
2. Bellboys can tip $1-$2 per bag for standard service.
3. Room service usually includes a tip on the check and sometimes a shipping or packaging charge. Additional gratuities are always welcome, but not required.
4. For excursions, it depends on the context and experience offered. Certain pre-planned activities have built-in money for the guide or if run by the owner. Of course, feel free to tip them if you feel they have gone above and beyond to create a truly memorable experience. Well-written reviews can help them spread the word more than financial tips for many excursions.
5. For all-inclusive resorts, many places will create a pre-budgeted tip explaining how the money is being distributed. but not required.

No cash? No problem

Many people don’t carry cash, so it’s not that they don’t want to tip, it’s that they don’t have readily available cash. Fortunately, some hotels are working on this issue.

“The Curtis Hotel recently rolled out a digital QR chip option for the Stay Happy Squad (front desk/concierge) and Gleam Team (housekeeping). said like this.

Laudenbusch suggests the following tipping etiquette:

1. For the valet, tipping at the end of the trip is appropriate, but I tend to lean toward a $5 tip each trip from the valet.
2. Bellboys range from $3 to $10 per bag, depending on the level of service they provide. If your bell ambassador spends time suggesting local happenings and reviewing what’s happening at the hotel during your visit, consider high end.
3. Delivery charges for in-room dining are usually shared between the hotel and the server, but this varies by hotel. If you have any questions, please ask when ordering. My go-to tip is 18-20%, just like in restaurants.
4. Tips for the housekeeper are often overlooked, but if you choose to clean your room daily, it’s a good idea to leave $5-10 a day on your nightstand at checkout.

When to Tip (When Not to Tip)

“It’s standard practice in US hotels and resorts to tip most service providers,” says Samuel Valkelly, manager of Hilton Pensacola Beach in Florida. “Tipping is customary but optional. As a rule of thumb, if you’re wondering if you should tip this person who’s doing something for you, it’s a good idea to do so.” If that thought doesn’t cross your mind, you don’t have to tip.”

Here are Bulkeley’s tip recommendations:

1. Bellboy tips should be commensurate with the amount of luggage or load required to carry the luggage to the room. A tip of $10 to $20 is common. The bellboy’s job is also to provide basic information about the facility and area, and insider tips from the bellhop may deserve extra tips from you as well.
2. Tips for room service should be approximately 20% of the bill. If your check already has a tip added, $5 more is fine.
3. For excursions, you must tip your excursion guide or driver each time you participate in these activities. Excursion gratuities typically range from $5 to $20, depending on the service. If you have a chatty and informative bus or trolley driver, a tip of $5 per person is appropriate. Family Dolphin If he is on a cruise or horse drawn carriage, a $20 tip would be in line with that type of service offering.