Tipping for Wheelchair Service
Jul 4, 2019, 5:05 am
#2
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: NYC
Programs: DL DM; Marriott Ambasador Elite
Posts: 626
In the past I’ve tipped anywhere from $5 to $20 depending on how long they spent with me. $5 would be just going from the gate to the curb at a relatively small terminal like PDX or SFO. $20 would be going through passport control or dropping off and later picking up at a lounge at a larger airport like JFK or ATL.
That said, tipping is highly personal and subjective, so I’m sure someone will say I’ve been way too stingy and someone else will say tipping shouldn’t be considered a requirement at all.
That said, tipping is highly personal and subjective, so I’m sure someone will say I’ve been way too stingy and someone else will say tipping shouldn’t be considered a requirement at all.
Jul 4, 2019, 10:38 am
#6
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: DFW
Programs: UA 1K, AA Platinum, Hilton Diamond, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 466
I was a wheelchair pusher for a summer back in college at a hub. The average seemed to be about $2-3 that'd I get. I was pretty happy with $5. Sometime I got nothing. Sometimes I got $20 or more. If they ask to take you to the bathroom or stop to get food and help you make your connection or anything like that, consider that. They make minimum wage plus tips. It was fun to be around airplanes and the airport, but it's not something I could do again.
Jul 4, 2019, 12:42 pm
#9
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Indianapolis
Programs: Hilton-Diamond Lifetime Platinum AA UA, WN-CP, SPG Gold.
Posts: 7,377
I would hate to live on $10.00 an hour, and push heavyweights around all day, but back in the 69s it was not a bad wage..
I tip because they help my cause, what they make I could care less,
You take care of me, I will see you are taken care of, and even thanked..
I tip because they help my cause, what they make I could care less,
You take care of me, I will see you are taken care of, and even thanked..
Jul 4, 2019, 12:45 pm
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 35
I was a wheelchair pusher for a summer back in college at a hub. The average seemed to be about $2-3 that'd I get. I was pretty happy with $5. Sometime I got nothing. Sometimes I got $20 or more. If they ask to take you to the bathroom or stop to get food and help you make your connection or anything like that, consider that. They make minimum wage plus tips. It was fun to be around airplanes and the airport, but it's not something I could do again.
Jul 4, 2019, 8:25 pm
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: So Fla & NYC
Programs: DL DM/2MM, UA MM, BV LT Titanium, HH Diamond
Posts: 23,766
I have been through two knee replacements never stopping flying but using the wheelchair service many times. These people always want to help you as much as they can and work quite hard. I will tip as acrophobia posted above, $5 to $20 depending on the amount of service that I needed.
Taking me from gate B38 through CBP over to baggage and then out to the taxi line is certainly assistance that is worth the maximum to me.
Taking me from gate B38 through CBP over to baggage and then out to the taxi line is certainly assistance that is worth the maximum to me.
Jul 4, 2019, 10:03 pm
#12
Join Date: May 2004
Location: formerly Gold now Diamond, formerly MSY, now LAX, formerly NW, now DL
Programs: Hyatt Plat, Hilton Gold, SPG Gold, Delta Diamond/1MM
Posts: 4,635
Well, gratuity is for good service and care, so tip according to how you feel. Since my mom's mobility has become limited, I've got more data points about US based wheelchair folks, some are super friendly, helpful, timely and genuine. Some are very aggressive about pushing for tips.
What's the VIP Select service??
Outside of the US, it seems tipping is totally not the custom.
What's the VIP Select service??
Outside of the US, it seems tipping is totally not the custom.
Jul 4, 2019, 10:29 pm
#13
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: YYZ/MGA
Programs: AA 1MM Lifetime Gold, AA Platinum, WS Gold, Marriott Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 7,607
Jul 4, 2019, 11:46 pm
#14
Join Date: May 2006
Location: GA
Programs: VA-PLT, QF-GLD, DL-GM, UA-ex1K, AA-exPLT, HH-DM, IHG-PLT, MR-GLD
Posts: 8,242
You act like they are volunteers! They are they because they are paid to be there. And they get paid at least minimum wage, likely a LOT more than a waitress gets paid.
I'm not saying a tip is a bad idea, but I don't understand your perspective at all.
I'm not saying a tip is a bad idea, but I don't understand your perspective at all.
Jul 5, 2019, 12:46 am
#15
Moderator: Delta SkyMiles, Luxury Hotels, TravelBuzz! and Italy
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 26,543
I have been through two knee replacements never stopping flying but using the wheelchair service many times. These people always want to help you as much as they can and work quite hard. I will tip as acrophobia posted above, $5 to $20 depending on the amount of service that I needed.
Taking me from gate B38 through CBP over to baggage and then out to the taxi line is certainly assistance that is worth the maximum to me.
Taking me from gate B38 through CBP over to baggage and then out to the taxi line is certainly assistance that is worth the maximum to me.
