Tipping - Private Transfers
 

I have tried a search for guidance on tipping drivers and English speaking guides hired for private transfers in Beijing, but no luck on this particular question. We will be using a private transfer from PEK to our hotel provided by the Grand Hyatt Beijing at a cost of about $110. Then we will be using a private transfer with another couple from the Grand Hyatt to the cruise ship terminal in Tianjin which will cost $275 for a driver plus an English speaking guide (although there will be no tour- the guide is just there to provide necessary information in English).

Is it customary for Americans to tip each of these services and, if so, how much? Separate tips for the driver and the "guide" ?

While I'm sure a few people tip, this being China it is not the custom and is therefore absolutely fine not to do so.

Also - just so you know - simply taking a taxi from the airport to the hotel would present no practical problem for an English speaker, and come at a much-reduced cost. On my first visit to China I paid $100 for a pre-booked car to the Hilton, only realizing later during my stay that there had simply been no need.

The Hyatt private transfer service is very slick, especially after a long flight.

You're met at the gate by what I believe is an airport employee. This was very useful for us as we were using the 72hr visa on arrival but there were no signs showing for this. She however knew what needed to be done. ^

Once through customs, they then take you down a private elevator into what looks like a hotel lobby & your waiting car is parked out front.

As there were 5 of us the fact the hotel could offer us a minivan was also very useful.

(We didn't tip)

There are clear signs now at immigration for the TWOV.

You are already paying 5 times the going rate for your ride to your hotel so no need to tip on top of this. There is no tipping in China.
But many Americans insist on tipping ruining it for the rest of us as it generates expectations in the future. There is a saying, in China service is included except for Americans.

Five times? So the taxi fare would be $22? I doubt it.

conversely
There's a saying in America " There is no service in China".

Service in China, Good Luck with That

Thanks for the advice and will follow it.

Most guide books and online material indicate that tipping is now customary for certain services, such as bellmen at hotels and at medium and upper end restaurants (such as those in hotels). Agree and how much?

Disagree. Most guide books and magazine/newspaper/internet articles giving tipping advice will tell people to overtip. Maybe a lot of this is written by people working in the hospitality industry.....or maybe the authors just believe in the stereotype of the rich American tourist and want to redistribute the wealth toward less highly paid people in their own country.

I generally do not tip in Asia and I also generally don't tip in places that impose a percentage service charge on everything.

Strange, the government made a law tour operators can't solicit tips.
Doesn't affect bellman or restaurants.

If the govt would re-adjust the currency back to 8.2 rmb/usd, that
would encourage tips. :rolleyes:

April 25 2013 Tourism Law of the People’s Republic of China
12th National People’s Congress

The department in charge of tourism shall order any tour guide or tour lead who violates the provisions in this law and asks for tips from the tourists to return the money to the tourists, and impose a fine of RMB1,000-RMB10,000 on the same

I've paid as much as Y120 from PEK to the GH, which is $19. Perhaps JPDM could have said 5.8x the cost of a taxi, or even rounded up to 6, but I think we all understood his point.

I normally wouldn't pay as much as I'm going to for a transfer from PEK to the GH. But we will be getting in very late at night, on possibly a delayed HKG-PEK flight, after having traveled at least 23 hours from LAX. I just don't want any hassles or confusion. But based on your input, I also won't tip the driver.

The taxi fare should be around 100RMB. That is less than $22. Why you doubt it? Have you ever done it? Could be a bit less depending on time of day.

Definitely you get amenities beyond that from a taxi. I would
add a tip!

Grand Hyatt Beijing Private Limousine transfer

• En route, cold towels and refreshing mineral water will help revive you after a long journey.
  
• Airport representative will wait for you with a “Grand Hyatt Beijing” sign, at the aerobridge of your plane.
  
• You will be escorted through to the Immigration line, followed by the luggage collection point and finally to your Private Limousine.

So I'm back to tipping again? Who do I trip- the person who meets us at the gate or the driver or both? Suggested amount? I won't have any Yuan. Will they take $US as a tip? All very confusing to me.