Originally Posted by kmersh

I was talking with my Father and Mother about their trip overseas and the experience that they had in the EWR Polaris Lounge with regards tipping in the dinning room portion of the lounge.

My Father and Mother were getting ready to get up from their table and go to bathroom before heading to the gate when my Father asked my Mother if he should leave a tip and how much since there were no prices on the menu for my Father to base the tip off of.

My Mother said that since there were no prices, she would not leave a tip as probably the employees are paid differently than a normal restaurant, she likened the Polaris Lounge Restaurant to the country club where my parents belong. At the country club where my parents belong, there is no tipping per se, instead the club pays the employees a living wage and at the end of the year gives them a bonus.

As my Father was putting away his wallet, the man at the table next door (my Father said he looked like he came right out of the Sopranos) said hey I overheard your conversation and you should without a doubt leave a tip, the man went on to say that the employees working here are not as fortunate as us the customers and the tip is appropriate. The man asked my Father what he did for a living, my Father replied I am retired and the man said what did you do before you retired, my Father said I was a surgeon. The man said oh you made a lot of money, you can afford the tip the employees here are nowhere near as well off as you are.

My Father said I am not even sure what to leave because there are no prices, the man said, well the hamburger that you and your wife shared is probably worth $18, the two glasses of beer, probably $7 each and the dessert is probably $8, so what is that, $40? So 20% of that is 8, I would round up to $10, so I would leave a $10.

My Father said I only have a $20, the man at the next table pulls out his wallet, hands my Father two $10s and said problem solved. My Father left one of the $10s on the table, put the other away and started to get ready to leave the lounge for the gate.

After their trip, my Father asked me ( as the expert flier) what is expected in the Polaris Lounge in terms of tips and I said that I honestly have never been sure and UA does not exactly say either that I have seen.

For example, my parents country club is very clear no tips, a hotel that my wife and I visited was clear on the coupon for breakfast the gratuity was included and a parking shuttle had a sign on the shuttle bus that read tips are greatly appreciated, my point I knew what I was supposed to do.

I know that tipping is a hot button subject and I do not mean to fan the flames, but I am curious what you all the true frequent flier experts do in terms of tipping in the Polaris Lounge and is there an official policy with regards to tipping.