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?
Sep 7, 2019, 3:29 pm
#61
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: San Francisco, California
Programs: Amex Centurion, United Global Services
Posts: 847
i pay about $500.00, for the privilege of having a Platimum AMEX. My flights take me to locations that have Centurion Clubs about five or six times a year.. I amortize that to just under a hundred bucks per visit. With that fee, certain I am NOT required to tip a bartender , especially a bartender who salts the bar with a few fives and ones as a not so subtle hint they want a tip. While I appreciate the service of a bartender pouring an adult beverage for me, not going to enable aggressive tipping to pad one’s pay check.
i do not tip in Delta Sky Clubs either. The money I have spent on Delta could probably get be a Net Jet card.
Now on the plane . I have extended a discreet gratuity to a few fight attendants who were pretty, attentive, and made me feel Important!
i do not tip in Delta Sky Clubs either. The money I have spent on Delta could probably get be a Net Jet card.
Now on the plane . I have extended a discreet gratuity to a few fight attendants who were pretty, attentive, and made me feel Important!
I pay over 10x what you pay on American Express fees each year. If I can tip, you can too. If your money is so tight that you can't tip, don't drink. I wouldn't go to a restaurant knowing I couldn't tip the wait staff even though it's "not required".
You say they are trying to "pad their paycheck" like they are trying to buy a second home in Malibu. This isn't the case.
The "salting" you claim is probably to tell people like you that "Hey, tips are appreciated" and give some social proof that other people do it. I'm guessing you didn't really see Amex bartenders "salting.". Not that I looked for it, but I've never seen a tip jar at SFO, usually someone just leaves a dollar or two on the bar when picking up mixed drinks and it disappears.
I'm guessing you never worked a service job. The people that act most indignant are the ones that have never been on the other side of the exchange. My mother and I had a disappointing conversation like this once about healthcare and her attitude was "they can just go find another job if they need benefits." Like it's so easy.
Last edited by DMSFCA; Sep 7, 2019 at 5:14 pm
Sep 7, 2019, 4:12 pm
#62
formerly atomicfront
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 171
I tip 2 bucks per drink. I sit at the bar a lot and I see people tipping 20 bucks per drink. I wonder why those people dont just go to the airport bar.
In PHL everyone seems to tip.
I usually get there 3 hours early and have 4 signature cocktails.
I just do not see there is any set of rules in this situation. From my observations at CLs, 65-70% of the guests do not tip. As I said, mostly only the people who consume alcohol tip.
I figure most people consider the CLs like the bar stand at a wedding, paid party or company reception. The event has been paid (with our annual fees) for the food and drinks (alcohol drinks included). We'll be glad to tip if the service is outstanding, or we feel guilty to consume more than what we should receive.
I have not seen anyone leaving tips at the regular tables when they leave. People only pay at the bar.
I figure most people consider the CLs like the bar stand at a wedding, paid party or company reception. The event has been paid (with our annual fees) for the food and drinks (alcohol drinks included). We'll be glad to tip if the service is outstanding, or we feel guilty to consume more than what we should receive.
I have not seen anyone leaving tips at the regular tables when they leave. People only pay at the bar.
I usually get there 3 hours early and have 4 signature cocktails.
Last edited by mia; Sep 7, 2019 at 5:10 pm Reason: Consolidate consecutive replies.
Sep 10, 2019, 12:30 pm
#64
Join Date: Dec 2018
Programs: $9 Fare Club
Posts: 1,478
i pay about $500.00, for the privilege of having a Platimum AMEX. My flights take me to locations that have Centurion Clubs about five or six times a year.. I amortize that to just under a hundred bucks per visit. With that fee, certain I am NOT required to tip a bartender , especially a bartender who salts the bar with a few fives and ones as a not so subtle hint they want a tip. While I appreciate the service of a bartender pouring an adult beverage for me, not going to enable aggressive tipping to pad one’s pay check.
i do not tip in Delta Sky Clubs either. The money I have spent on Delta could probably get be a Net Jet card.
Now on the plane. I have extended a discreet gratuity to a few fight attendants who were pretty, attentive, and made me feel Important!
i do not tip in Delta Sky Clubs either. The money I have spent on Delta could probably get be a Net Jet card.
Now on the plane. I have extended a discreet gratuity to a few fight attendants who were pretty, attentive, and made me feel Important!
Sep 11, 2019, 12:46 pm
#65
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: PHX, SEA
Programs: Avis President's Club, Global Entry, Hilton/Marriott Gold. No more DL/AA status.
Posts: 4,421
Attempting to guilt-trip someone into tipping in a circumstance by hinting at financial problems contributes to an obnoxious tipping culture. Money doesn't have to be tight to not be interested in tipping. American Express offers complimentary drinks, full stop. If you are enjoying good service and want to leave a gratuity that's generous of you, but your Centurion status and "10x fees each year" does not mean you are required to, it just means you are entitled to a reserved table (and I'm told a few select liquors or cocktails).
Last edited by mia; Sep 11, 2019 at 12:57 pm
Sep 17, 2019, 12:25 pm
#66
formerly atomicfront
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 171
I myself have been churning the Amerprise Platinum for the $400 airline gift cards and lounge access. Cancelled my last Ameriprise with no annual fee yesterday. I probably won't be back in the Centurian Lounge. Never had the Vanilla but with the airline gift cards gone I don't really value MR points that highly so even with 75k MR points the $550 annual fee is too high for me. I value the Centurian Lounge at about $10 a visit. Few drinks some food. But I am not getting the food that I want or even the beer that I want and it is very crowded.
Sep 17, 2019, 12:33 pm
#67
Join Date: Dec 2018
Programs: $9 Fare Club
Posts: 1,478
I myself have been churning the Amerprise Platinum for the $400 airline gift cards and lounge access. Cancelled my last Ameriprise with no annual fee yesterday. I probably won't be back in the Centurian Lounge. Never had the Vanilla but with the airline gift cards gone I don't really value MR points that highly so even with 75k MR points the $550 annual fee is too high for me. I value the Centurian Lounge at about $10 a visit. Few drinks some food. But I am not getting the food that I want or even the beer that I want and it is very crowded.
Last edited by ChurnieEls; Sep 17, 2019 at 12:54 pm
Sep 17, 2019, 12:51 pm
#68
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Atlanta
Programs: Delta
Posts: 7
To DMFSCA
As you feel strongly about it, send me some of your 10 X fee and I will spread it Bernie style among the bar staff.
I am an EXCELLENT tipper for baggage handlers, service staff at restaurants, and other places where gratuities are the bulk of the pay. Contrary to your assertion I HAVE labored in the service industry. I worked on Seabourn Cruises. Accepting a tip there would get one FIRED.
good try, but no guilt here!
I am an EXCELLENT tipper for baggage handlers, service staff at restaurants, and other places where gratuities are the bulk of the pay. Contrary to your assertion I HAVE labored in the service industry. I worked on Seabourn Cruises. Accepting a tip there would get one FIRED.
good try, but no guilt here!
Sep 18, 2019, 8:00 am
#69
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 6,752
Been paying more attention on the tipping aspect and noticed about (relatively small sample size) roughly 60% or 70% tip at least a buck? LAS has a higher percentage, where probably 90% there tip, and usually more than a buck. Have seen $5, $10 and $20 tips, which I rarely see in their other lounges.
Sep 18, 2019, 8:37 am
#70
Join Date: Mar 2017
Programs: HHonors, TrueBlue, Delta SkyMiles, Hyatt Discoverist, Starwood Preferred Guest, American Airlines.
Posts: 2,035
Always get a kick out of reading the insane justifications people come up with for not tipping in situations where it is customary. 
I personally would not blame someone for failing to have cash on hand at a lounge where they're drinking complimentary drinks--I always make sure to have some when traveling, but I'm sure bartenders in these types of situations know that they frequently will not be getting tipped (if for no other reason than many travelers simply won't be carrying cash).
That said--I roll my eyes at all this nonsense about 'enabling' employers to pay less. Throughout our economy (certainly in the U.S.) there are service workers who customarily have received a gratuity (indeed certain self-employed individuals rely solely upon voluntary tips). Naturally this is taken into account when their wage is set by an employer. You're not going to change the system by refusing to tip (a purported act of defiance that just happens to personally benefit you above anyone else).
Though I'd be perfectly fine with restaurants simply adopting a mandatory 20% service charge so that folks who don't seem to understand that they're paying the worker's wage no matter how they're paid will stop whining about it.
I personally would not blame someone for failing to have cash on hand at a lounge where they're drinking complimentary drinks--I always make sure to have some when traveling, but I'm sure bartenders in these types of situations know that they frequently will not be getting tipped (if for no other reason than many travelers simply won't be carrying cash).
That said--I roll my eyes at all this nonsense about 'enabling' employers to pay less. Throughout our economy (certainly in the U.S.) there are service workers who customarily have received a gratuity (indeed certain self-employed individuals rely solely upon voluntary tips). Naturally this is taken into account when their wage is set by an employer. You're not going to change the system by refusing to tip (a purported act of defiance that just happens to personally benefit you above anyone else).
Though I'd be perfectly fine with restaurants simply adopting a mandatory 20% service charge so that folks who don't seem to understand that they're paying the worker's wage no matter how they're paid will stop whining about it.
I recently had a bartender complain because I didn't tip her. I was at a bowling alley and ordered nachos and cheese... All she did was put the nachos and cheese in the container and then I had to pick it up. Why would I tip you for that? It's not like I sat at the bar while you refilled my drink, checked to see if my food was okay, and brought the food to me and cleaned up my mess. Needless to say, if she has to get more food for me in the future, I definitely won't tip her because she thinks she's entitled to extra cash even though she isn't waiting on me.
If service workers have an issue with tips, they can form a union and then push to get rid of the current laws that exempt them from a minimum wage.
Sep 18, 2019, 8:51 am
#71
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,952
When a customer ignores a norm, by not tipping, it tells the worker that the customer thinks her service was unsatisfactory. Her reaction is not about money. A decision to not tip her in the future would be nothing other than spite.
Last edited by mia; Sep 19, 2019 at 5:25 pm
Sep 19, 2019, 12:06 pm
#72
formerly atomicfront
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 171
Its definitely worth more than $10/visit. .... most airport bars are almost $10 for a small piss water domestic draft like Miller or Budwieser. I think if you get a plate of food and 2 drinks then you have to value it at $20/visit minimum. From that vantage point I don't think $1/drink is a massive ask to tip the bartenders there - though I agree with the comment above that calls out the "if you can't tip, don't go" attitude as a nonsense.
Sep 20, 2019, 4:40 am
#73
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: LAS ORD
Programs: AA Pro (mostly B6) OZ♦ (flying BR/UA), BA Silver Hyatt LT, Wynn Black, Cosmo Plat, Mlife Noir
Posts: 5,992
Sep 26, 2019, 3:54 pm
#74
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Durham, NC (RDU/GSO/CLT)
Programs: AA EXP/MM, DL GM, UA Platinum, HH DIA, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Platinum, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 33,857
I carry a stack of $2 bills when I travel. I tip the bartender $2 per drink.
Nov 9, 2021, 6:42 am
#75
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: JFK/LGA/BDL
Posts: 419
Sorry to bump an old thread, but this question came up on the amex subreddit and I thought FT had already effectively answered this.
I seem to remember in one of the location-specific lounge threads that the job postings were advertised as "non-tipping bartender". I recall someone posted a link to the job posting in either the LAX or DEN thread but I can't seem to track it down now. Can anyone confirm that these are paid as non-tipping positions?
To stir this pot for the billionth time, I honestly think "how these bartenders are paid" is the deciding factor. My understanding is that they're paid at a higher hourly rate and that they're not expected to make up any shortfall in tips. That bizarre custom is the practical reason why tipping exists in other bars and restaurants, but it is seemingly not present in the lounge. Add to the fact that we pay a premium for access and I am not thrilled about the prospect of getting nickel and dimed just because of "custom".
I will also join the chorus of others in this thread of people who simply hate carrying cash. This is a credit card sub-forum, of all places to find allies it should be here! Provided an alternative exists, I go so far as to avoid cash-only businesses in my day-to-day life. Apart from the casino, I can't even tell you the last time I handled cash. That said, I especially hate carrying cash while traveling. One more thing to keep in my pockets and one more thing to keep track of. Still, I will grudgingly take some out because inevitably I will be plopped into some situation where I am expected to tip or to otherwise forgo some "free" service (either at the lounge or hotel).
With all of the above taken into consideration, I only tip at the Centurion Lounge for exceptional service which, thankfully, I receive quite often. If a bartender offers good conversation or whips up something special off-menu then that's all I am looking for. However, if I am just ordering a beer or even one of the menu cocktails then I am not immediately inclined to tip. I find that, provided they aren't slammed, a lot of the bartenders are really happy to engage with CL patrons. That interaction adds a lot to the experience.
I seem to remember in one of the location-specific lounge threads that the job postings were advertised as "non-tipping bartender". I recall someone posted a link to the job posting in either the LAX or DEN thread but I can't seem to track it down now. Can anyone confirm that these are paid as non-tipping positions?
To stir this pot for the billionth time, I honestly think "how these bartenders are paid" is the deciding factor. My understanding is that they're paid at a higher hourly rate and that they're not expected to make up any shortfall in tips. That bizarre custom is the practical reason why tipping exists in other bars and restaurants, but it is seemingly not present in the lounge. Add to the fact that we pay a premium for access and I am not thrilled about the prospect of getting nickel and dimed just because of "custom".
I will also join the chorus of others in this thread of people who simply hate carrying cash. This is a credit card sub-forum, of all places to find allies it should be here! Provided an alternative exists, I go so far as to avoid cash-only businesses in my day-to-day life. Apart from the casino, I can't even tell you the last time I handled cash. That said, I especially hate carrying cash while traveling. One more thing to keep in my pockets and one more thing to keep track of. Still, I will grudgingly take some out because inevitably I will be plopped into some situation where I am expected to tip or to otherwise forgo some "free" service (either at the lounge or hotel).
With all of the above taken into consideration, I only tip at the Centurion Lounge for exceptional service which, thankfully, I receive quite often. If a bartender offers good conversation or whips up something special off-menu then that's all I am looking for. However, if I am just ordering a beer or even one of the menu cocktails then I am not immediately inclined to tip. I find that, provided they aren't slammed, a lot of the bartenders are really happy to engage with CL patrons. That interaction adds a lot to the experience.