Originally Posted by
FLOIR
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.
Seems to me, for those that are in line with this way of thinking (above post), that,
surely, they do not claim the per diem for breakfast if they get it for free!! Very honest folks out there...way to go!
As for me, I claim the entire per diem (6-B, 10-L, 18-D, 6-Incidentials) regardless of whether I had breakfast (and or dinner for that matter) at the hotel.
I do tip the maid daily....if I get services. I usually put the do not disturb sign on door every other day. I really don't need anything. I need a clean washcloth every day...that's about it. I don't use hotel coffee and there is no reason I need a fresh towel every single day. I don't do that at home...not sure why I would automatically change the way I use towels just because I'm in a hotel! I use my own soap/shampoo too...just because the stuff at the hotels usually dries my skin out pretty quickly.
Since we get $6 per day for incidentials, I don't worry about going over since I'm not always in a city that requires tipping for bell hops/shuttles/porters. It really depends on where I'm at and how I got there (I drive long distance quite often). So sometimes, the $6 per day is plenty....a couple for the housekeeping, a couple for the executive lounge for breakfast and a couple for the staff at the exec lounge for evening snacks/drinks, etc.
As far as tips, I think the staff that "take care of us" at the executive lounge are some of the best when it comes to service. I always acknowledge them with a couple dollars and I know all of my colleagues do as well. It is a very small token of our appreciation.
Dawn