15% or 20% for tip?
#31
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend




Join Date: Mar 2001
Posts: 55,213
15% is for standard, acceptable service. Anything more is up to you depending upon the level of service you got. Here in NYC, I take the tax and double it for good service. That ends up being about ~17.5%.
Last edited by Analise; Jan 4, 2011 at 10:40 am
#38
FlyerTalk Evangelist




Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: in the vicinity of SFO
Programs: AA 2MM (LT-PLT, PPro for this year)
Posts: 19,784
I used to; it makes sense as a carryover from paying cash most of the time rather than cards, since you'll almost always leave the small chance (if the waiter even brings it back - and indeed, it's fairly normal not to take it in some of the "non tipping cultures" I've visited where a large tip WOULD elicit surprise) and out of habit I used to do it regularly with cards as well.
I still do occasionally, when I hit someplace where the bill is small enough tip amount is going to be much different if I don't use a whole dollar amount.
#39
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Formerly HPN, but then DCA and IAD for a while, and now back to HPN!
Programs: Honestly, I've been out of the travel game so long that I'm not even sure. Maybe Marriott Gold?
Posts: 10,677
I use 20% as a standard. 15% is probably my minimum, barring horrible service.
#40
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Either at the shooting range or anywhere good beer can be found...
Posts: 52,783
It depends how much the meal is for me. If the bill comes to $100 then they will never get more than $15-$20, which is a pretty good tip. If the bill comes to $40, if i've had good service then I may leave $10 which is more than 20% but the waitstaff probably need it more.
By no means.
I used to; it makes sense as a carryover from paying cash most of the time rather than cards, since you'll almost always leave the small chance (if the waiter even brings it back - and indeed, it's fairly normal not to take it in some of the "non tipping cultures" I've visited where a large tip WOULD elicit surprise) and out of habit I used to do it regularly with cards as well.
I still do occasionally, when I hit someplace where the bill is small enough tip amount is going to be much different if I don't use a whole dollar amount.
I used to; it makes sense as a carryover from paying cash most of the time rather than cards, since you'll almost always leave the small chance (if the waiter even brings it back - and indeed, it's fairly normal not to take it in some of the "non tipping cultures" I've visited where a large tip WOULD elicit surprise) and out of habit I used to do it regularly with cards as well.
I still do occasionally, when I hit someplace where the bill is small enough tip amount is going to be much different if I don't use a whole dollar amount.
#41
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: 33,856
I'm usually between the two depending on how good service is. Of course if the meal was cheap and the service good to great, I will go 20% because it's usually a matter of only a dollar or so extra.
#43
FlyerTalk Evangelist




Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: in the vicinity of SFO
Programs: AA 2MM (LT-PLT, PPro for this year)
Posts: 19,784
Service quality is still relatively hit or miss. I don't know whether getting rid of tips and just raising prices to even out tip revenue would either help or hurt.






