Tip the chauffeur?
Jan 27, 2018, 8:27 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Washington, DC
Posts: 1,309
Tip the chauffeur?
Hello all.
I'm soon traveling on EK 232 from IAD to DXB. I'm in F and as such have reserved a chauffeur through EK for the complimentary ride to the airport here in Washington and on arrival in Dubai. Does anybody tip the driver in the US? If so, how much? Thanks for any insight/ thoughts.
I'm soon traveling on EK 232 from IAD to DXB. I'm in F and as such have reserved a chauffeur through EK for the complimentary ride to the airport here in Washington and on arrival in Dubai. Does anybody tip the driver in the US? If so, how much? Thanks for any insight/ thoughts.
Jan 27, 2018, 8:29 am
#2
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: MAN DXB ✈️
Programs: Skywards Gold
Posts: 6,831
Hello all.
I'm soon traveling on EK 232 from IAD to DXB. I'm in F and as such have reserved a chauffeur through EK for the complimentary ride to the airport here in Washington and on arrival in Dubai. Does anybody tip the driver in the US? If so, how much? Thanks for any insight/ thoughts.
I'm soon traveling on EK 232 from IAD to DXB. I'm in F and as such have reserved a chauffeur through EK for the complimentary ride to the airport here in Washington and on arrival in Dubai. Does anybody tip the driver in the US? If so, how much? Thanks for any insight/ thoughts.
Jan 27, 2018, 9:12 am
#3
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: In transit
Programs: AF/KL BA GF EK EY LH QR
Posts: 587
Jan 27, 2018, 6:53 pm
#4
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: New York
Programs: EK Platinum, AA EXP, Marriott Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,148
Hello all.
I'm soon traveling on EK 232 from IAD to DXB. I'm in F and as such have reserved a chauffeur through EK for the complimentary ride to the airport here in Washington and on arrival in Dubai. Does anybody tip the driver in the US? If so, how much? Thanks for any insight/ thoughts.
I'm soon traveling on EK 232 from IAD to DXB. I'm in F and as such have reserved a chauffeur through EK for the complimentary ride to the airport here in Washington and on arrival in Dubai. Does anybody tip the driver in the US? If so, how much? Thanks for any insight/ thoughts.
Jan 27, 2018, 9:42 pm
#6
Ambassador: Emirates
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: UK/AU
Programs: QF P1 + LTS, EK Gold, BAEC Gold, QR Gold, IHG Ambassador
Posts: 1,150
In Australia tipping is rare (within society, not tourist hotspots), so I don't tip. In the UK I don't tip either because I often end up with the same driver and don't want to create an expectation that I'm going to tip every time (i.e, I'll be in an EK CD car 8-10x per year in GLA alone and the drivers usually work according to specific drop off area).
Jan 28, 2018, 2:44 am
#7
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Somewhere
Programs: AS MVP, EK Silver, Bonvoy Plat
Posts: 921
I tip in the US usually $20-25 for CD depending on whether they allow me intermediate stops 
I try to tip on arrival but they're usually going to get foreign currency (dollars in the UAE, or dirhams in India!). We once had a CD driver in HYD who was seriously upset that it took us 2 hours to get out of the airport (visa issue) and demanded 500 INR for his troubles, that was uncomfortable.
I am American (amurrikun) so we feel some guilt when we don't tip...
I try to tip on arrival but they're usually going to get foreign currency (dollars in the UAE, or dirhams in India!). We once had a CD driver in HYD who was seriously upset that it took us 2 hours to get out of the airport (visa issue) and demanded 500 INR for his troubles, that was uncomfortable.I am American (amurrikun) so we feel some guilt when we don't tip...
Jan 28, 2018, 3:29 am
#9
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: AUH
Programs: EY Guest Gold, Hilton HHonors Gold, Le Club Accor Silver, AAdvantage Gold
Posts: 552
Tipping is always optional - the US creates an awful situation in which many are payed inhuman wages simply because tips are common in their industries.
I will never tip unless exemplary service is performed for that very reason. The US government needs to enforce a universal minimum wage.
I will never tip unless exemplary service is performed for that very reason. The US government needs to enforce a universal minimum wage.
Jan 28, 2018, 4:44 am
#11
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Cape Town
Programs: BA Exec Gold , Qatar Priviledge Club Plat
Posts: 1,584
Tipping is always optional - the US creates an awful situation in which many are payed inhuman wages simply because tips are common in their industries.
I will never tip unless exemplary service is performed for that very reason. The US government needs to enforce a universal minimum wage.
I will never tip unless exemplary service is performed for that very reason. The US government needs to enforce a universal minimum wage.
Jan 30, 2018, 2:03 am
#12
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Dubai
Programs: EK Gold, FB Silver
Posts: 318
I never tip, except in the US where I thought giving a $5 tip would be very much appreciated. Seems like some of you guys give $20-25? That's just crazy for my European mind... Never had any problems though.
Jan 30, 2018, 7:51 pm
#13
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Somewhere
Programs: AS MVP, EK Silver, Bonvoy Plat
Posts: 921
The one time I tipped $25 was when I got the best historical tour of my own city by the limo driver on account of the fact that there was traffic everywhere and he knew just the right way to SFO...
Feb 1, 2018, 5:40 pm
#15
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: San Francisco, CA
Programs: Amex Platinum, Chase Sapphire Reserve
Posts: 811
I usually tip $10-$20 for CD in the US, depending on how long the drive is. I tip around 10-20 AED in Dubai as well.
It really feels antiquated now tbh, because with Uber/Lyft/etc you can just tip in the app, which is a lot easier. I seriously hate the experience of pulling out cash from my wallet while also dealing with bags. I know that "officially" gratuity is already included, but it stills feels awkward to not tip.
It really feels antiquated now tbh, because with Uber/Lyft/etc you can just tip in the app, which is a lot easier. I seriously hate the experience of pulling out cash from my wallet while also dealing with bags. I know that "officially" gratuity is already included, but it stills feels awkward to not tip.