Originally Posted by
andrelux
Will be transferring internationally through Miami in January and have booked wheelchair assistance. First time doing so in the USA,
Elsewhere, tips are not a thing, but with the tipping culture rife in USA, does this also extend to the wheelchair assistance (would mean needing to change some US dollars to have to hand)?
Thank you
I have sometimes used the wheelchair service at MIA after my own surgery.
Generally, I discreetly give a $10 note -- note that the person will take you through immigration, and help you with the bags, and then through customs.
I give them $10 at the just after the exit from customs (usually I do not have any checked baggage).
Sometimes, this is really useful -- the immigration lines can be really long depending on arrival time at MIA.
For example, last month there was a very long line -- at least 300 or so in a very long line that went way past the immigration hall, and that would have meant you would be standing in line for at least an hour or so at immigration.
At such times, you will really appreciate the WCHR service since they have a separate line and you may be out of immigration within 10-15 minutes.
They are generally not well paid, and help about 10 customers per day on average -- so they expect and appreciate a tip.
I generally do NOT use WCHR when departing from MIA, except on a couple of occasions soon after surgery.
Again, depends on what time of day you fly and how crowded it is at that time.