View Poll Results: Do you tip Centurion Lounge bartenders?
Always.
34
21.52%
Only for alcohol, including cocktails, beer and wine. Not for soft drinks.
65
41.14%
Only for cocktails. Not for beer, wine, soft drinks.
18
11.39%
Only for one round of drinks. Not for refills.
9
5.70%
Never.
32
20.25%
Voters: 158. You may not vote on this poll
Do you tip Centurion Lounge bartenders?
Jul 26, 2019, 3:07 am
#21
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I almost never order drinks from Centurion lounge bartenders (unless that is the only way to maybe even get water) at airports. And I rarely have any easily accessible USD cash when in Centurion lounges. And even when I do have readily accessible greenbacks, it tends to be $20, $50, or $100 notes and I really do not want to end up carrying a lot of smaller denomination notes as change. The net result of this is that I can't recall ever tipping any Centurion bartender in the US.
I would hope Amex pays its Centurion lounge staff in such a way that they aren't expected to count on getting tipped as part of making ends meet.
I would hope Amex pays its Centurion lounge staff in such a way that they aren't expected to count on getting tipped as part of making ends meet.
Last edited by GUWonder; Jul 26, 2019 at 3:20 am
Jul 26, 2019, 7:47 am
#22
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 269
I don't tip because no cash.I only carry a $20 bill for emergencies as pretty much any place aside from shady places take credit cards. Who walks around with dollar bills? Where do you even get dollar bills? I think only ATMs at strip clubs still dispense those.
Jul 27, 2019, 8:35 pm
#24
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Jul 27, 2019, 10:08 pm
#25
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Vancouver
Programs: Aeroplan, Mileage Plus, WestJet Gold, AMEX Plat
Posts: 2,026
In the US I tend to only tip in lounges where it appears to be the norm and only if I have US bills with me (and that is becoming rare, about 50% of the trips I have done in and out the US I have managed to do without ever getting any local currency.) Basically using my AMEX or Visa for everything.
Honestly if AMEX wanted the bartenders to get tips would they not offer some type of credit card processing mechanism. This is after all a bar owned and operated by a credit/charge card company.
Jul 27, 2019, 10:11 pm
#26
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Vancouver
Programs: Aeroplan, Mileage Plus, WestJet Gold, AMEX Plat
Posts: 2,026
Exactly. There's a good reason (laws about drinking age, for one thing) that a bartender has to serve anything alcoholic. But it's really dumb that Amex pushes the task of serving Coca-Cola and 7-Up onto their bartenders when it could be done by a machine just like the coffee is served. So, I don't tip on non alcoholic beverages, because Amex could solve this problem with a soda fountain.
Jul 28, 2019, 3:14 am
#27
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If having larger denomination USD notes, those who accept tips frequently will often have cash to make change.
Jul 28, 2019, 6:02 pm
#28
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: San Francisco, California
Programs: Amex Centurion, United Global Services
Posts: 847
I go to the bank once a year and get about $200 in $1 bills to use for tipping on an annual Mexico trip.
The leftover bills from that trip go into my work bag wrapped around an old room key. It's hardly a burden to carry an extra $40 in mixed small bills in a random briefcase pocket.
I started doing it just so I had cash handy to tip the valet or if I park at a restaurant on the road. I'll refill between trips with the Mexico stash but just carrying $40 I've never run out. I'm not a lush at the lounge so maybe $5 is plenty during a visit.
It's pretty much the only time I ever have cash in my hand nowadays but having worked and paid my dues in the service industry well into my 20's, the staff is going to appreciate a few bucks more than I'll ever miss it.
The leftover bills from that trip go into my work bag wrapped around an old room key. It's hardly a burden to carry an extra $40 in mixed small bills in a random briefcase pocket.
I started doing it just so I had cash handy to tip the valet or if I park at a restaurant on the road. I'll refill between trips with the Mexico stash but just carrying $40 I've never run out. I'm not a lush at the lounge so maybe $5 is plenty during a visit.
It's pretty much the only time I ever have cash in my hand nowadays but having worked and paid my dues in the service industry well into my 20's, the staff is going to appreciate a few bucks more than I'll ever miss it.
Jul 29, 2019, 7:08 am
#29
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: DTW - Rochester Hills, MI
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Posts: 715
The typically bartender (or waitstaff) historically receives low pay and their main compensation comes from tips, which leads to the unique American cultural practice that tips are not just for good service, but are "required".
I have never tipped in a Centurion Lounge, and I don't know that I have ever even seen anyone tip in Centurion Lounge. Of course, the comments in this thread clearly show that some do. HOWEVER, it would seem to me that AMEX pays the bartenders based on the assumption that there will be no tips. Therefore, I don't think tipping is as "necessary" or "expected" as it would be in a more traditional watering hole. Unless, of course, the bartender does something to earn a tip (beyond pouring from a wine bottle and saying "Enjoy!")
If anyone deserves a tip, it would be those that bus the tables. They seem to work harder to make sure your visit is comfortable and clean. But again, I don't feel compelled to tip because I imagine their compensation is based on the assumption that they will not be tipped.
I have never tipped in a Centurion Lounge, and I don't know that I have ever even seen anyone tip in Centurion Lounge. Of course, the comments in this thread clearly show that some do. HOWEVER, it would seem to me that AMEX pays the bartenders based on the assumption that there will be no tips. Therefore, I don't think tipping is as "necessary" or "expected" as it would be in a more traditional watering hole. Unless, of course, the bartender does something to earn a tip (beyond pouring from a wine bottle and saying "Enjoy!")
If anyone deserves a tip, it would be those that bus the tables. They seem to work harder to make sure your visit is comfortable and clean. But again, I don't feel compelled to tip because I imagine their compensation is based on the assumption that they will not be tipped.