$20 trick - acceptable in HK?
Jan 29, 2015, 6:33 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2012
Programs: low and not enough
Posts: 38
$20 trick - acceptable in HK?
Hi all,
My wife and I are visiting HK for our first time this coming fall. I have 2 nights booked on points in a standard superior room at the Intercontinental, but when we arrive, I'm hoping to snag at least a harbor view room.
Since I'm not sure of etiquette in Hong Kong (and I know it's not generally a "tipping" culture) I'm wondering if anyone has any experience using the $20 trick at this hotel specifically or in HK generally. Do you think it's worth a shot, or would it be considered rude?
FWIW (not much, I know!) I'm IHG Platinum but have no Ambassador status.
Thanks!
My wife and I are visiting HK for our first time this coming fall. I have 2 nights booked on points in a standard superior room at the Intercontinental, but when we arrive, I'm hoping to snag at least a harbor view room.
Since I'm not sure of etiquette in Hong Kong (and I know it's not generally a "tipping" culture) I'm wondering if anyone has any experience using the $20 trick at this hotel specifically or in HK generally. Do you think it's worth a shot, or would it be considered rude?
FWIW (not much, I know!) I'm IHG Platinum but have no Ambassador status.
Thanks!
Jan 29, 2015, 11:07 am
#2
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,785
I wouldn't do it. Ever heard of ICAC? It is not just for government but also for private companies.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indepen...28Hong_Kong%29
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indepen...28Hong_Kong%29
Jan 29, 2015, 6:43 pm
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: HKG
Programs: Priority Club Plat
Posts: 12,311
Maybe at some less-established properties, but definitely not the IC. It'd be the dumbest person to take your money, and such dumb person wouldn't have landed the job at IC to start with.
Jan 29, 2015, 8:53 pm
#6
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Atherton, CA
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP; Owner, Green Bay Packers
Posts: 21,690
Hi all,
My wife and I are visiting HK for our first time this coming fall. I have 2 nights booked on points in a standard superior room at the Intercontinental, but when we arrive, I'm hoping to snag at least a harbor view room.
Since I'm not sure of etiquette in Hong Kong (and I know it's not generally a "tipping" culture) I'm wondering if anyone has any experience using the $20 trick at this hotel specifically or in HK generally. Do you think it's worth a shot, or would it be considered rude?
FWIW (not much, I know!) I'm IHG Platinum but have no Ambassador status.
Thanks!
My wife and I are visiting HK for our first time this coming fall. I have 2 nights booked on points in a standard superior room at the Intercontinental, but when we arrive, I'm hoping to snag at least a harbor view room.
Since I'm not sure of etiquette in Hong Kong (and I know it's not generally a "tipping" culture) I'm wondering if anyone has any experience using the $20 trick at this hotel specifically or in HK generally. Do you think it's worth a shot, or would it be considered rude?
FWIW (not much, I know!) I'm IHG Platinum but have no Ambassador status.
Thanks!
Who knows, it could cost them their jobs.
Jan 29, 2015, 9:01 pm
#7
Join Date: Feb 2005
Programs: DL DM+5MM, AAGold MM, UA 1K+2MM, BA GGL,LH Senator, SPG Plat, HH Diamond, HY Plat
Posts: 840
To arrive at the HK Intercontinental staying on points and thinking of offering $20 to the check in staff would not be considered rude, rather it would be considered how classless and stupid the client is thinking that $20 (which is what clients there tip for 3-4 bags to the porter) would get an upgrade. Laughable even for thinking of something like this.
Jan 29, 2015, 9:54 pm
#9
Moderator: Luxury Hotels and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Palo Alto, California,USA
Posts: 17,854
I have no clue if the (US)$20 trick works or doesn't in HK -- but so far it doesn't sound like anyone who has already posted in this thread has any actual facts as to whether it would work or not, just personal feelings against it. It's not something I would ever do but the OP asked a reasonable question and is entitled to a reply supported by facts.
Would be very helpful if someone could cite a specific example in reasonable detail.
Incidentally, I think the above two posts are referring to HK$ when it seems clear to me that the OP was taking US$. Even then, I cannot imagine tipping a valet HK100 but I've never had a car while in HK.
Would be very helpful if someone could cite a specific example in reasonable detail.
Incidentally, I think the above two posts are referring to HK$ when it seems clear to me that the OP was taking US$. Even then, I cannot imagine tipping a valet HK100 but I've never had a car while in HK.
Jan 29, 2015, 10:35 pm
#10
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,031
I have no clue if the (US)$20 trick works or doesn't in HK -- but so far it doesn't sound like anyone who has already posted in this thread has any actual facts as to whether it would work or not, just personal feelings against it. It's not something I would ever do but the OP asked a reasonable question and is entitled to a reply supported by facts.
Would be very helpful if someone could cite a specific example in reasonable detail.
Incidentally, I think the above two posts are referring to HK$ when it seems clear to me that the OP was taking US$. Even then, I cannot imagine tipping a valet HK100 but I've never had a car while in HK.
Would be very helpful if someone could cite a specific example in reasonable detail.
Incidentally, I think the above two posts are referring to HK$ when it seems clear to me that the OP was taking US$. Even then, I cannot imagine tipping a valet HK100 but I've never had a car while in HK.
Jan 29, 2015, 10:47 pm
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Earth. Residency:HKG formerly:YYZ
Programs: CX, DL, Nexus/GE, APEC
Posts: 10,687
ICAC: I Can Accept Cash? 
-Reviving an old HK acronym joke.-
But "business facilitation fee" at this level has disappeared in HK, they are saved for 7+ figure tansactions.
I would question the wisdom of staying at anyplace where this will work.
-Reviving an old HK acronym joke.-But "business facilitation fee" at this level has disappeared in HK, they are saved for 7+ figure tansactions.
I would question the wisdom of staying at anyplace where this will work.
Jan 30, 2015, 8:45 am
#13
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Tri-State Area
Posts: 4,728
I had a business associate who had a urging for Peking duck one night so my local country manager and I took him to a famous restaurant without a booking. The captain said the wait would be half an hour and my associate offered him a $50 tip for earlier seating.....you should have seen the look on the captain's face!
Then to continue his stupid behavior, after finally being seated, found out they were sold out of duck. So he paid a table next to us $100 for one roll of duck....I told the guests at the table in Mandarin that this stupid gweilo had tried to bribe for earlier seating and they laughed and took his money!