The Diamond amenity tip thread got me thinking about tipping the valets.

When valet parking was basically free several years ago, we would always tip $1 or 2 upon getting the car and again upon giving it back - even if we went in & out several times a day.

Now with most hotels, even those in the middle of nowhere, charging from $8-$14 per day for valet parking, well, it makes me think twice about the size of the tip.

For example, at the Grand Cypress we are charged $14 per day for valet parking. We almost always take the car out twice a day - so that's another $8 just in tips. We're paying $22 for parking.

While I don't want to begrudge anyone his means of earning a living - let's face it, shouldn't the hotel pay the valets a bit better now that they're charging for the parkinig? OTOH - I can see how the hotels used to build the price of parking into the room rate and to remain competitive have needed to take it out of the room rate and charge for it seperately.

So, what do you tip the valet when you're also paying for the service?

Mary