I tip this concierge the same as the normal concierge.

Normally, I go in, get my own breakfast, put up my own dishes, relax, and leave. No Tip.

If they are brining me drinks, finding special food for me, finding me hard to get tickets (directions to a location don't count), then I TIP.

Agree on not tipping VIP lounge attendants (unless you request, and s/he delivers, something above-and-beyond the call of duty -- theater tickets are a good example).

On giving money to the homeless -- do you do this in your home neighborhood, or only when you travel? My feelings about begging are: please give in your home neighborhood ONLY (say, within 2 miles of your house).

Tip for what? Saying good morning and good-bye to me as I walk in and out of the lounge?

I tend to not just "give" money to anyone. If they perform a service for me, then I'll pay them, i.e., tipping. If someone who is homeless is standing or sitting, holding a sign, but not doing anything but that, I won't give them anything. I apply that when I stay somewhere too - if they don't do anything, but are just there, I don't tip them. If they do something for me, then I tip.

Make 'em dance, man! Dance, I say! (This applies both to the homeless and VIP lounge attendants.) :)

Listen, learn a lesson from Steve Martin's character in My Blue Heaven: "It's not tipping I believe in. It's overtipping."

I tip lounge attendants a buck just for sitting there ($2-$3 if they get me a drink). I'll give the maid $5 for bringing me an extra pillow, then $5 a day for cleaning the room. And I always, always toss a buck to the guy who opens the door for me at the hotel. Believe me, you'll find that it all comes back to you anyway. Karma, man... karma.

That would provide some entertainment, and might be worth it. :)

I am in the same boat.

And if there is a hotel-imposed "service charge", that may factor into other decisions too.

I am in the same boat. If they do something for me then I tip.

I do not normally tip Exec Floor concierges anything for doing their job, e.g. checking me in or out, etc. I do tip for outstanding service (e.g. bottle of champers and hors d'oeuvres with a personal note in my room,) or special services (show or top restuarant bookings, etc.)

Exec Lounge / Club Room staffers who schlep drinks, etc. I tip as I would any person waiting on me in a lounge, bar or restaurant - a couple of Euros for breakfast, a Euro for a drink or two, etc. etc (given there are not many of these folks in US lounges, I am using Europe as my example.) If the service is brilliant, it may be a bit more.

I also take time to mention by name anyone who provides notable service when I write up the hotel's evaluation document.

I tip $5 for lounge snacks and beverage service. Especially if they take good care of me, refills, extra bottles of water, soda for room, etc.

At the end of the day you are paying extra to stay on a VIP floor and hence for the service you recieve. Unless the concierge does something over and above that to be expected I would not tip. But then in some US cities a tip is not really a tip in the European concept of things; it seems more an expected service charge.

Well when traveling I will request a carry out container and place it on the top of a trash container IF I don't have a refrig in my room. If w/in two miles of my home it goes home for me to eat the next day! Money to the homeless, no. To the attendants in the executive lounge, those that provide a service get a tip; those who do not, get a smile and thank you. all service workers who are overly friendly/helpful get a follow up letter.

Well, for some exceptional service in exec lounges, I have gifted belgium chocolates and for a Hilton that I frequently regularly and the lounge attended rendered additional services, I gave a nice tip when I stopped staying there. At the Hyatt Waikiki, I gave the rather nice lai to Michelina with the wine since I was too loaded down with luggage... At a Hilton where the attendant served me drinks and they had a tip glass out, I gave about $5 when I went for cocktails one evening...

I don't tip in the lounge - onl if the attendants do something exceptional.

If, however, they look pensive, that equals a larger donation. Erudite? I knowingly nod at them. Jittery? They get a hug. Melancholy, wistful, reflective, or filled with ennui -- I get out my easel and oils and paint a nice portrait. (And if anyone throws money into my hat while painting, I keep it all. Hey, let the homeless guy get his own set of oils.)