Does Diamond breakfast include tip ?
Jul 11, 2011, 10:31 am
#31
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: SAN
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, American Air, National Car
Posts: 1,131
What gets me is how different it can be day to day at the same property (not a good sign at how mgmt runs the ship!).
Back in March I had 2 nights at the Hyatt Miami Blue. First day for breakfast the server was as nice as can be and when I asked for the check, she said the vouchers took care of everything, gratuity included. I left her $5 and she was extremely grateful.
Next morning I was going to do the same but the server never brought the check. He made is seem like he went out of his way to get my breakfast comp'd (I had the vouchers) and brought a little printout to what the gratuity could be (i.e 15%, 18%, 20%) - kicker is the amts suggested were for TWO people when I was the only one at breakfast. I left $1 and walked out.
Back in March I had 2 nights at the Hyatt Miami Blue. First day for breakfast the server was as nice as can be and when I asked for the check, she said the vouchers took care of everything, gratuity included. I left her $5 and she was extremely grateful.
Next morning I was going to do the same but the server never brought the check. He made is seem like he went out of his way to get my breakfast comp'd (I had the vouchers) and brought a little printout to what the gratuity could be (i.e 15%, 18%, 20%) - kicker is the amts suggested were for TWO people when I was the only one at breakfast. I left $1 and walked out.
Did you see that the property only billed for one breakfast instead of two? I assume the comp breakfast cost is split between various parties - corporate, property, restaurant function
Jul 11, 2011, 3:55 pm
#32
Join Date: May 2006
Location: SAN
Programs: Lots of faux metal
Posts: 6,422
Think that you are missing the distinction. The tip is included (and calculated and paid by the property to the wait staff). You added an extra amount and it is that extra amount which is not included. As noted above, some properties don't get caught up in this and simply write off the extra tip as well.
If you don't want to leave the wait staff a couple of bucks, don't feel obligated to because they are already receiving something from the property. If you want to be generous and reward them, then do.
If you don't want to leave the wait staff a couple of bucks, don't feel obligated to because they are already receiving something from the property. If you want to be generous and reward them, then do.
This is the only property that I have had this happen.
Jul 11, 2011, 5:22 pm
#33
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: 1A
Programs: UA GS, NH Diamond, Hyatt Lifetime Globalist (formerly Courtesy Card sadly), Amanjunkie, CLEAR
Posts: 3,713
I don't believe this is the case. I mentioned I was a diamond every morning prior to ordering, yet there was no gratuity included in the check. When the hotel gives you breakfast coupons this isn't a problem, but I'm not walking away from a $80 tab with a line through the tip.
This is the only property that I have had this happen.
This is the only property that I have had this happen.
Park Paris is different because it's standard in many places in Europe to include service in the normal bill, yet in American chains (and other places), to allow patrons to write in extra gratuity if desired.
Jul 12, 2011, 5:00 pm
#34
Join Date: Oct 2005
Programs: UA 1K, Hertz 5*, IHG RA, Hyatt Diamond, Amex Plat, SPG Gold
Posts: 717
Sometimes ppl have difficult stuff going on in life, and can't maintain a level of service at work. I try to give one-time passes. But certainly wouldn't give a 30-40% tip, as suggested.
Did you see that the property only billed for one breakfast instead of two? I assume the comp breakfast cost is split between various parties - corporate, property, restaurant function
Did you see that the property only billed for one breakfast instead of two? I assume the comp breakfast cost is split between various parties - corporate, property, restaurant function
Jul 13, 2011, 2:27 pm
#35
Join Date: May 2006
Location: SAN
Programs: Lots of faux metal
Posts: 6,422
My PL rep intially stated the tip is not included. After quoting the GP T&Cs she admitted that she and other reps did not know that. They thought it only covered tax. She has offered to have the charges reversed, but I have declined that. The hotel is obviously doing it wrong and needs to change how it handles diamond breakfasts.
Jul 13, 2011, 8:52 pm
#36
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: 1A
Programs: UA GS, NH Diamond, Hyatt Lifetime Globalist (formerly Courtesy Card sadly), Amanjunkie, CLEAR
Posts: 3,713
Who said I was trying to dispute the charge? Awfully big leap you took there.
Exactly.
My PL rep intially stated the tip is not included. After quoting the GP T&Cs she admitted that she and other reps did not know that. They thought it only covered tax. She has offered to have the charges reversed, but I have declined that. The hotel is obviously doing it wrong and needs to change how it handles diamond breakfasts.
Exactly.
My PL rep intially stated the tip is not included. After quoting the GP T&Cs she admitted that she and other reps did not know that. They thought it only covered tax. She has offered to have the charges reversed, but I have declined that. The hotel is obviously doing it wrong and needs to change how it handles diamond breakfasts.
Jul 14, 2011, 3:30 pm
#37
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: NYC
Programs: AA ExecPlat; AF Gold; UA GS; Hyatt L. Globalist; Marriott Plat; Hilton Diamond; National EE
Posts: 6,159
I almost always find the service at PH Washington breakfast to be so excellent that I usually tip extra.
Andaz Fifth Avenue also does it well - they just tell you you are all set and don't bring anything to be signed.
Andaz Fifth Avenue also does it well - they just tell you you are all set and don't bring anything to be signed.
Jul 15, 2011, 3:47 am
#38
Moderator: Midwest, Las Vegas & Dining Buzz
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Posts: 17,976
I stayed at the Andaz Wall Street this past week.
When they gave me the breakfast bill, I added some $ for a tip (on the line that says "tip"). Thinking that I would be charged for the cash tip I left on the bill, I was surprised that nothing appeared on my bill at checkout except for the room, the ridiculous NY taxes and my one room service charge.
Could it be that they give you $50 per day in breakfast credit and my total (with tip) was around half that amount?
When they gave me the breakfast bill, I added some $ for a tip (on the line that says "tip"). Thinking that I would be charged for the cash tip I left on the bill, I was surprised that nothing appeared on my bill at checkout except for the room, the ridiculous NY taxes and my one room service charge.
Could it be that they give you $50 per day in breakfast credit and my total (with tip) was around half that amount?
Jul 15, 2011, 3:51 am
#39
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: EWR
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Jul 15, 2011, 8:10 am
#40
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 943
I stayed at the Andaz Wall Street this past week.
When they gave me the breakfast bill, I added some $ for a tip (on the line that says "tip"). Thinking that I would be charged for the cash tip I left on the bill, I was surprised that nothing appeared on my bill at checkout except for the room, the ridiculous NY taxes and my one room service charge.
Could it be that they give you $50 per day in breakfast credit and my total (with tip) was around half that amount?
When they gave me the breakfast bill, I added some $ for a tip (on the line that says "tip"). Thinking that I would be charged for the cash tip I left on the bill, I was surprised that nothing appeared on my bill at checkout except for the room, the ridiculous NY taxes and my one room service charge.
Could it be that they give you $50 per day in breakfast credit and my total (with tip) was around half that amount?
Jul 15, 2011, 1:24 pm
#41
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: BOS
Programs: Marriott LTG, HHonors Diamond, Nat'l Exec
Posts: 3,581
Think that you are missing the distinction. The tip is included (and calculated and paid by the property to the wait staff). You added an extra amount and it is that extra amount which is not included. As noted above, some properties don't get caught up in this and simply write off the extra tip as well.
If you don't want to leave the wait staff a couple of bucks, don't feel obligated to because they are already receiving something from the property.
If you don't want to leave the wait staff a couple of bucks, don't feel obligated to because they are already receiving something from the property.
In nearly every Hyatt where I've been given a breakfast check, I've included a tip, and had most or all of the tip taken off the bill at checkout. This has been true of at least the HR Rochester, HR Columbus, HR Chicago O'Hare, HR Chicago McCormick Place, and those are only the ones I can remember off the top of my head.
Jul 16, 2011, 10:48 am
#42
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: dfw
Programs: AA EXP/MM, HGP ♦; former elite in Hilton, Marriott & DL (just under MM thanks to Leo)
Posts: 415
On the contrary, I would never assume that a tip has been paid to the server unless it (or a service charge) is explicitly printed on the receipt. Having seen how haphazardly many Hyatts handle the processing of Diamond breakfasts -- many don't remove the charges until checkout -- I think it's very unlikely that anyone is making the effort to retroactively tip servers.
I had a great server last year in the Andaz West Hollywood. I added a 20% of bill tip on top of what I guessed the included tip may be, totaled, signed and never saw a line item on my bill. At checkout it was too late to find the server-- I kicked myself for just not handing him cash and thanking him for making it special for me and my now spouse.
I now carry extra cash for extra tips and never total these bills. I just sign it and write something like "diamond, breakfast included" across all the entry lines. Extra cash for special or extra service.
Jul 17, 2011, 10:04 am
#43
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HR Irvine was going to charge me the tip this morning until I pulled up the GP Brekkie rules and it was then promptly waived. Had never had this issue in multiple other stays at this property.
Jul 17, 2011, 10:37 am
#44
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: San Luis Obispo, CA
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I have ALWAYS had to leave a tip at this property. In fact, the server at one visit said, "The certificate includes everything except gratuity. Thank you."
Jul 17, 2011, 10:48 am
#45
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Granted, I haven't been to this property for about 4-5 months, but I was staying there weekly over the winter.