Club lounge bill and gratuity
Oct 17, 2018, 6:37 am
#31
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: LAX
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Posts: 1,497
Big difference between:
(1) What OP had, in a lounge where no service other than plate removal was received and
(2) Free breakfast in a sit-down restaurant at hotel, where full service received from server and server probably exempted from minimum wage laws (where IMHO tipping is appropriate and necessary)
Think some comments in this thread conflating US tipping culture (which is what it is) and the $0 bill slapped down in certain lounges for no reason other than to fleece guests faced with an uncomfortable situation (which is downright tacky).
(1) What OP had, in a lounge where no service other than plate removal was received and
(2) Free breakfast in a sit-down restaurant at hotel, where full service received from server and server probably exempted from minimum wage laws (where IMHO tipping is appropriate and necessary)
Think some comments in this thread conflating US tipping culture (which is what it is) and the $0 bill slapped down in certain lounges for no reason other than to fleece guests faced with an uncomfortable situation (which is downright tacky).
Oct 17, 2018, 6:43 am
#32
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
If I could change two things about the States it would be gun laws and tipping culture (make that three if we include Trump). I would happily pay a bit more in restaurants if it meant the staff got paid more and any tipping would be discretionary based on the service received.
But, deciding that one won't tip won't change local practice. It just means less income from those who depend on tips.
If everywhere in the world were the same, going to other places would not be as much fun as it is.
Oct 17, 2018, 6:48 am
#33
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: ORD
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Platinum/LT Platinum, Hilton Gold
Posts: 5,594
Big difference between:
(1) What OP had, in a lounge where no service other than plate removal was received and
(2) Free breakfast in a sit-down restaurant at hotel, where full service received from server and server probably exempted from minimum wage laws (where IMHO tipping is appropriate and necessary)
Think some comments in this thread conflating US tipping culture (which is what it is) and the $0 bill slapped down in certain lounges for no reason other than to fleece guests faced with an uncomfortable situation (which is downright tacky).
(1) What OP had, in a lounge where no service other than plate removal was received and
(2) Free breakfast in a sit-down restaurant at hotel, where full service received from server and server probably exempted from minimum wage laws (where IMHO tipping is appropriate and necessary)
Think some comments in this thread conflating US tipping culture (which is what it is) and the $0 bill slapped down in certain lounges for no reason other than to fleece guests faced with an uncomfortable situation (which is downright tacky).
Oct 17, 2018, 7:03 am
#34
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 770
It would be lovely if the Brits learned to drive on the correct side of the road as well. But, the bottom line is that one can't change anything about local custom (or law). All one can do is ask oneself whether the local practice is so annoying that one forgoes travel to that location. That is certainly one's right.
But, deciding that one won't tip won't change local practice. It just means less income from those who depend on tips.
If everywhere in the world were the same, going to other places would not be as much fun as it is.
But, deciding that one won't tip won't change local practice. It just means less income from those who depend on tips.
If everywhere in the world were the same, going to other places would not be as much fun as it is.
a tip is warranted if you received tableside service. at a self service buffet there is no tip warrantied. so to call travelers cheapos for not leaving a tip at a self serve buffet is baffling.
Oct 17, 2018, 7:10 am
#35
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Dulles, VA
Programs: UA Life Gold, Marriott Life Titanium
Posts: 2,757
Very well said. I've never seen this in a lounge and would never tip for self service. This is not standard practice in the US. And it is interesting that the same people bashing US customs would likely be the most offended and defensive if it were their country's customs being criticized.
Is this common across Westin properties? I cannot recall ever seeing a bill for a Marriott lounge/club, at any property in any country.
Oct 17, 2018, 7:33 am
#36
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Washington DC
Programs: QR: Gold; Marriott: Amb; UA: 1K; Taj: Silv
Posts: 254
If you're getting breakfast in the restaurant, then I don't have an issue with getting the bill. It is a reminder to tip for the buffet, which, IMHO, is 10-15% since you're not really getting waiter service. But in a concierge lounge/club? I would be steamed for getting a "reminder bill" in there for anything at all. Breakfast or evening foods, it comes with the room as either part of the rate or is comped due to Marriott status.
Is this common across Westin properties? I cannot recall ever seeing a bill for a Marriott lounge/club, at any property in any country.
Is this common across Westin properties? I cannot recall ever seeing a bill for a Marriott lounge/club, at any property in any country.
Oct 17, 2018, 7:58 am
#38
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: United Kingdom
Programs: Bonvoy LTTitanium, BAEC Silver
Posts: 591
It would be lovely if the Brits learned to drive on the correct side of the road as well. But, the bottom line is that one can't change anything about local custom (or law). All one can do is ask oneself whether the local practice is so annoying that one forgoes travel to that location. That is certainly one's right.
But, deciding that one won't tip won't change local practice. It just means less income from those who depend on tips.
If everywhere in the world were the same, going to other places would not be as much fun as it is.
But, deciding that one won't tip won't change local practice. It just means less income from those who depend on tips.
If everywhere in the world were the same, going to other places would not be as much fun as it is.
Oct 17, 2018, 8:04 am
#39
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 902
Whether it is local custom to tip everyone despite the level of the service provided, I couldn’t care less. If I am not legally or contractually required to do so, I will not tip unless I feel tipping is warranted. There are many places I travel to whose local customs I don’t follow nor feel the need to.
Oct 17, 2018, 8:24 am
#40
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: England - UK
Posts: 512
Well there seems to be a lot of people not comfortable with this practice so what's the best way forward? Personally I will still go to a hotel if I like it and continue drawing a line across the 'bill' unless someone comes up with a better process?
Oct 17, 2018, 8:35 am
#41
Join Date: Nov 2015
Programs: DL, Marriott & IHG Platty; HH Diamonte
Posts: 861
Oh, interesting. We were there pre-merger (in May). I guess things have changed (for the worse it sounds). When we visited, breakfast was as you describe, but the evening cocktail hour wasn't. However, we didn't utilize the breakfast option since I am Platinum and they upgraded us to the main resort's breakfast buffet (which was absolutely fantastic IMHO).
Oct 17, 2018, 8:46 am
#42
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SFO/SMF
Programs: Holder of six "persona non-grata" awards
Posts: 1,914
+ 1
Have definitely received these bills with many an included/free breakfast where the breakfast charge is listed and then taken off and a line is included for gratuity. If in the US I will usually leave a $2 or $3 tip on a $20-$30 breakfast as I think that is the custom?
Although usually the breakfast is a buffet and the server does little more than bring coffee at the start, I still think it is the custom? I wonder if you declined coffee and juice, would you still be expected to tip the server? I'm not an American but I live here and I'm not sure I will ever fully understand the right amount and times to tip.
I would almost never tip a server at a breakfast buffet outside the US as this would almost definitely not be the norm or expected.
Although usually the breakfast is a buffet and the server does little more than bring coffee at the start, I still think it is the custom? I wonder if you declined coffee and juice, would you still be expected to tip the server? I'm not an American but I live here and I'm not sure I will ever fully understand the right amount and times to tip.
I would almost never tip a server at a breakfast buffet outside the US as this would almost definitely not be the norm or expected.
Oct 17, 2018, 9:02 am
#43
Join Date: May 2010
Location: TPA
Programs: All The Programs
Posts: 2,204
I don't believe the breakfast crew at a hotel is paid with the exempted / less-than-minimum wage. If true, and considering the low volume / low cost (i.e. low tip) of people in just 1-2 hours, they'd all be making like $15/day. Not a chance that's how it works.
Oct 17, 2018, 9:25 am
#44
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Dulles, VA
Programs: UA Life Gold, Marriott Life Titanium
Posts: 2,757
At least at Marriotts, lounge staff are not paid as waiters, which in most of the use is $2.19 or thereabouts an hour plus tips. Tips are not a big part of their income, unlike waiters.
Oct 17, 2018, 9:31 am
#45
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Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: HH Diamond, Marriott Gold, IHG Gold, Hyatt something
Posts: 33,539
True, but in the evening at the Royal Beach Club in Cancun (which you must be referring to), you order your food and drinks from the staff and they serve you, so I didn't mind the tip reminder. One thing to consider in a place like Mexico is that the hourly wages stink and in many cases, tipping is the lifeblood of the position.