Room Service - Tray Charge = Tip? Yes/No?
Sep 25, 2010, 10:00 am
#1
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Room Service - Tray Charge = Tip? Yes/No?
One of my pet hates in any hotel, never mind IHG properties...
The Tray Charge that is levied on room service orders... Do you all class that as the tip?
I have just had my order delivered and it felt as if the room service waiter was waiting for a tip... yet the 5 Euro tray charge for a 19 Euro order I feel is more than enough...
Thoughts?
BBB
The Tray Charge that is levied on room service orders... Do you all class that as the tip?
I have just had my order delivered and it felt as if the room service waiter was waiting for a tip... yet the 5 Euro tray charge for a 19 Euro order I feel is more than enough...
Thoughts?
BBB
Sep 25, 2010, 10:35 am
#2
Join Date: Oct 2006
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Oh, I'm with you on that one, pet-hate-wise... Especially when the 'tray charge' is in really, really small print at the bottom of the menu. And they can be quite absurd (step forward, Chedi Milan, with its 12.50 euro charge, advertised in 8-point-font... unsurprisingly, that hotel didn't last).
Unfortunately, I'm pretty sure that the 'tray charge' doesn't go to the waiter, in most hotels. When it's a 'service charge' (of 18%, or whatever), I do tend to regard that as a tip - but as the hotels will often just pocket the 'tray charge', I'll try to give the guy another couple euros in cash... I agree it's ambiguous, though - seemingly a way for the hotel to put one over on the guest and the waiter at once...
Unfortunately, I'm pretty sure that the 'tray charge' doesn't go to the waiter, in most hotels. When it's a 'service charge' (of 18%, or whatever), I do tend to regard that as a tip - but as the hotels will often just pocket the 'tray charge', I'll try to give the guy another couple euros in cash... I agree it's ambiguous, though - seemingly a way for the hotel to put one over on the guest and the waiter at once...
Sep 25, 2010, 1:48 pm
#4
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If a service charge is applied, then I would not tip, especially given the high rates charged such as 18% for someone to bring the whole order up in 1 go in the lift
Can't charge for service and also expect to get a tip for it imo
Dave
Can't charge for service and also expect to get a tip for it imo
Dave
Sep 25, 2010, 3:42 pm
#6
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I have often wondered this.
Sep 26, 2010, 1:25 pm
#10
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We had room service in the IC Front Street in Toronto earlier this month. For a food charge of CAD38 (and also tax of CAD5.68), we were also charged CAD7 Private Dining Delivery Charge and CAD5.70 Private Dining - Gratuity.
Despite the space for a further gratuity on the form, I declined to provide anymore tip.
Sep 26, 2010, 11:31 pm
#11
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I go even as far as to decline tipping if a service charge is raised. If the hotel claims it needs to charge extra for some kind of service because of the costs involved, I take it to be the responsibility of the hotel to pay their employees a living wage, without me having to pay for the service twice.
HTB.
HTB.
Sep 27, 2010, 2:35 am
#12
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I am quite happy to tip... and usually quite generous. But it just sticks in my throat that I am being charged 5-10 Euros for the tray to be brought to my room, which in my mind sort of defeats the object of room service... But to then expect an additional amount just makes me annoyed.
Sep 27, 2010, 5:38 am
#13
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Sep 27, 2010, 5:48 am
#14
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If there is a delivery or service charge on the bill, then no further tip.
Just as when I would get pizza delivered they'd get a reasonable tip, but now that they charge a delivery charge, I figured it's covered and that's it.
Just as when I would get pizza delivered they'd get a reasonable tip, but now that they charge a delivery charge, I figured it's covered and that's it.
Sep 27, 2010, 11:01 am
#15
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I view this to be the same as when the person at Outback brings my take-out order to the car. No tipping is expected in that situation.
If few people people tip room-service delivery person and the hotel pockets that service charge, then the union is asleep at the wheel.
Regarding pizza delivery, that delivery charge is to defray the recent increases in the reimbursement required for use of the drivers' personal vehicle. As it is covering his/her costs, I do not view it as having anything to do with the tip.
If few people people tip room-service delivery person and the hotel pockets that service charge, then the union is asleep at the wheel.
Regarding pizza delivery, that delivery charge is to defray the recent increases in the reimbursement required for use of the drivers' personal vehicle. As it is covering his/her costs, I do not view it as having anything to do with the tip.