American Express Membership Rewards - Tipping Amex Plat Concierge Rep?

I'm sure this is an odd/stupid question, but I'll ask anyway. Is there is any etiquette that dictates under which circumstances you tip Amex Plat Concierge representatives, or is this even possible?

I'm working with Amex Plat Concierge right now on a project that, in my opinion, requires the rep I'm working with to go a bit above and beyond the call of duty. I've never used the service before, so I'm not sure if there is any means by which to reward my rep for a job well done, assuming that she comes through for me in the end.

Thanks in advance for your replies.

I'm sure this is an odd/stupid question, but I'll ask anyway. Is there is any etiquette that dictates under which circumstances you tip Amex Plat Concierge representatives, or is this even possible?

I'm working with Amex Plat Concierge right now on a project that, in my opinion, requires the rep I'm working with to go a bit above and beyond the call of duty. I've never used the service before, so I'm not sure if there is any means by which to reward my rep for a job well done, assuming that she comes through for me in the end.

Thanks in advance for your replies.

Just ring back and speak to a supervisor, ask them to denote it in the reps file how they went above and beyond for you. You could even ask for an address to write a letter to have put in the reps file as well. A phone call to supervisor should be plenty though.

I never understood people who feel compelled to tip, nor the proliferation of tip jars. Tip jars at fast food restaurants and convenience stores are simply offensive to me, but only slightly less when they wrap up an order and then append a, "how would you like to donate a $1 to <insert cause, organization, or religion>..."

What service are they providing you that is above and beyond?

I have, on a few occasions, asked to speak with a supervisor immediately after finishing up with the concierge (telling the concierge that I thought he/she did a wonderful job and that I'd like to compliment them to their supervisor). I believe, if I recall, the supervisor puts a note in their record, and I'm sure it helps when they are considered for promotions.

I remember a specific instance where I wanted to get a reservation at a very popular sushi restaurant in LA, and I was unable to do so myself, my hotel's concierge also told me it was booked, so I called the PLAT concierge. After the concierge got me in at the exact time I wanted, and was probably one of the nicest people ever, I spoke to her supervisor, who told me that not only was today her first day as a concierge, but I was only her second client. I sure hope that she was rewarded, as I definitely don't expect that level of service every time I was the Platinum Concierge, and certainly not from someone who literally just started the job.

JoeSixpack, I agree with you 100%. I can't stand tip jars at registers at take-out restaurants, especially when I pay by credit card and there's another tip line on the receipt. And I definitely can't stand the whole "Would you like to donate $X to X organization?" at the grocery store every singe time I check out. I wish they could link it to your rewards account and see that you've already made a donation, because I can't afford to donate money every time I check out, but I also feel like a jerk when I say "No thank you" and I'm sure people behind me in line think I have no soul.

sct4a: Thanks--that sounds reasonable and is the route I'll take.

JoeSixpack, Zbad: While I do believe that the tipping culture in this country is excessive, I also think that it is appropriate for people in service jobs to be rewarded for exceptional attention to their customers. This is especially true, obviously, of wait staff and bartenders, who make well below minimum wage and rely on tips to pay their bills (remember, this isn't Europe, where servers make the equivalent of $25-$35 per hour and don't need or expect tips). It's not as applicable to people like Amex Concierge reps, who probably make a decent salary and don't require tips to make ends meet. I completely agree, however, that the constant bombardment of unsolicited requests for money is inappropriate (like the annual charity drive at work, to which I do contribute, but they are extremely pushy and make donation a de facto obligation. Personally, I'll give my hard-earned dollars to the causes and individuals that I feel are most deserving, not the ones that lay the best guilt trip).

I'm proposing to my girlfriend in Europe next month, and I'm planning just about every detail of the proposal, right down to the type of champagne, the location of the table in the restaurant, the meal, etc. The Amex rep is working with the hotel and restaurant to set it all up just so, and if it works the way I envision, I feel that she will have done far more than I ever expected toward making this a special, memorable time for my soon-to-be fiance and I.

remember, this isn't Europe, where servers make the equivalent of $25-$35 per hour and don't need or expect tips

This doesn't sound like the part of Europe I lived in, grew up in and worked as a server in my teens.

I worked as a waiter and bar manager at an upmarket establishment (but not Michelin Star quality!) and was paid effectively minimum wage and the tips divvied up evenly amongst the wait and kitchen staff.

I'd be surprised if there are many servers out there earning $25-$35 an hour!

JoeSixpack, Zbad: While I do believe that the tipping culture in this country is excessive, I also think that it is appropriate for people in service jobs to be rewarded for exceptional attention to their customers. This is especially true, obviously, of wait staff and bartenders, who make well below minimum wage and rely on tips to pay their bills (remember, this isn't Europe, where servers make the equivalent of $25-$35 per hour and don't need or expect tips). It's not as applicable to people like Amex Concierge reps, who probably make a decent salary and don't require tips to make ends meet. I completely agree, however, that the constant bombardment of unsolicited requests for money is inappropriate (like the annual charity drive at work, to which I do contribute, but they are extremely pushy and make donation a de facto obligation. Personally, I'll give my hard-earned dollars to the causes and individuals that I feel are most deserving, not the ones that lay the best guilt trip).

I'm proposing to my girlfriend in Europe next month, and I'm planning just about every detail of the proposal, right down to the type of champagne, the location of the table in the restaurant, the meal, etc. The Amex rep is working with the hotel and restaurant to set it all up just so, and if it works the way I envision, I feel that she will have done far more than I ever expected toward making this a special, memorable time for my soon-to-be fiance and I.

I do agree with you there! If I find exceptional service somewhere, I will more than happily tip and compliment, though I hate the feeling of tip jars where I feel compelled to have to tip every time. It's one reason I use a credit card at Starbucks; if I find the service to be exceptional, I'll happily put cash in the tip jar (or plastic cup-ish ting), but I feel like every person I see in front of me who pays cash puts some sort of amount in the tip jar, like it's customary.

That's a wonderful plan for your proposal, and I hope the Amex concierge is able to come through with everything! I think this is where the concierge service of the card prospers, these are things you COULD do, but it would take you a huge amount of time, and sometimes having the Amex clout (whether you're a Gold, Platinum, or Centurion member) might get you a little extra pull at some place that normally would think you're crazy. Kudos!

See this thread from a couple months ago for way more useful info on this; http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/american-express-membership-rewards/872603-tipping-concierge-amx.html

Zbadhabitz: Thanks!

Fraser: I'm sure wage and tip culture differs by country and region. I should have been more specific. This issue happened to be fresh in my mind, though, since I was just having a similar conversation with a Danish friend of mine while on a business trip in Copenhagen, who was telling me about the $25-35 hourly pay for wait staff there. My assumption--though based on nothing but limited experience and conversations with friends--is that salaries for service personnel are probably higher in northern Europe (particularly the Scandinavian countries) than they are elsewhere, so tipping is less a part of those cultures. Again, I could be wrong...but this is all way off of the subject of the thread, at any rate. :)

sbm12: Thanks for the link!

This doesn't sound like the part of Europe I lived in, grew up in and worked as a server in my teens.

I worked as a waiter and bar manager at an upmarket establishment (but not Michelin Star quality!) and was paid effectively minimum wage and the tips divvied up evenly amongst the wait and kitchen staff.

I'd be surprised if there are many servers out there earning $25-$35 an hour!

Agree.. they are not the rates you get in Europe at all. Difference in Europe is that people have to get minimum wage

Agree.. they are not the rates you get in Europe at all. Difference in Europe is that people have to get minimum wageSeveral European countries do not have minimum wage regulations at all.