Originally Posted by
newbiztraveler
If your company gives you a per diem or allows you to claim actual expenses, there is no reason that you shouldn't be tipping. Your per diem is supposed to cover housekeeping gratuities.
I receive a per diem which is supposed to cover housekeeping gratuities, and therefore, I tip housekeeping.
If you are a government worker, this is partially correct but not entirely. Each day's per diem includes $3 for incidentals, and according to the Federal Travel Regulation -
describes Incidental Expenses as: A. Fees and tips given to porters, baggage carriers, bellhops, hotel maids, stewards or stewardesses and others on ships, and hotel servants in foreign countries. B. Transportation between places of lodging or business and places where meals are taken, it suitable meals cannot be obtained at the temporary duty site. C. Mailing cost associated with filing travel vouchers and payment of Government charge card billings.
So that $3 has to cover a lot more then just the housekeeping tip, especially if you have to catch an airport shuttle to and from either the hotel or the car rental place.