Club lounge bill and gratuity
#91
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: London / Los Angeles
Programs: Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond Ambassador, Marriott Platinum, Hyatt Globalist, BA Silver
Posts: 1,630
Nope, many larger cities have "service charges" in other terms. Employee health fund (that, as the SF Chronicle found out, often doesn't go to the employees), I got hit with a "The 2.25% surcharge on your check represents our commitment to providing an award winning work environment" that I don't know even what it means! (Urban Farmer, Portland OR)
Oh yeah, and for those non-Americans, restaurants will be happy to take a tip even if they already charged a service charge. Make sure you look carefully. I've never had a waiter run out after me when I mistakenly put in gratuity even after the surcharge.
Oh yeah, and for those non-Americans, restaurants will be happy to take a tip even if they already charged a service charge. Make sure you look carefully. I've never had a waiter run out after me when I mistakenly put in gratuity even after the surcharge.
#92
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: London / Los Angeles
Programs: Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond Ambassador, Marriott Platinum, Hyatt Globalist, BA Silver
Posts: 1,630
OK so the logic is that since the waiter works in a restaurant where many people do pay for their meal(even if your breakfast is free/included), they are expected to rely on tips to earn a decent wage. Whereas in a lounge, nobody is usually paying for individual items in there, so they need to be paid a normal hourly wage to make up for the fact that they will probably get few/no tips.
#93
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, MR LTT, HH Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 31,837
OK so the logic is that since the waiter works in a restaurant where many people do pay for their meal(even if your breakfast is free/included), they are expected to rely on tips to earn a decent wage. Whereas in a lounge, nobody is usually paying for individual items in there, so they need to be paid a normal hourly wage to make up for the fact that they will probably get few/no tips.
#94
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: UK
Programs: Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium Elite, UA 1K
Posts: 822
I just write “Nil” on the gratuity line & move on.
If I receive exceptional service then I’ll tip the individual in cash
If I receive exceptional service then I’ll tip the individual in cash
#95
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Dulles, VA
Programs: UA Life Gold, Marriott Life Titanium
Posts: 2,757
OK so the logic is that since the waiter works in a restaurant where many people do pay for their meal(even if your breakfast is free/included), they are expected to rely on tips to earn a decent wage. Whereas in a lounge, nobody is usually paying for individual items in there, so they need to be paid a normal hourly wage to make up for the fact that they will probably get few/no tips.
#96
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,326
Yes, that is the US system. Basically waiters are paid by customers in the form of tips, not by the restaurant in the form of hourly wages. Lounge attendants aren't waiters. Tipping a lounge attendant is similar to tipping the cleaning staff, it's an extra that some customers tip and some don't. It really is a bonus, whereas with waiters, normal 15-20% tips aren't a bonus. That's their paycheck.
Be careful about generalizing for the USA. In some places now, there's a quite generous minimum wage law and in some of these places, tipped employees get the same minimum wage as those in occupations that aren't tipped. In other places, the applicable minimum wage is much lower and tips count toward the amount that must be paid (with a $1 tip, assuming it's reported, reducing the wage by $1 for example).
#97
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: GVA (Greater Vancouver Area)
Programs: DREAD Gold; UA 1.035MM; Bonvoy Au-197; PCC Elite+; CCC Elite+; MSC C-12; CWC Au-197; WoH Dis
Posts: 52,110
#98
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: London, UK
Programs: Marriott, Virgin Atlantic, BA
Posts: 187
I'm not sure why people are getting so worked up about it - just sign it, and ignore it.
#99
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: bay area, ca
Programs: UA plat, , aa plat, marriott LT titanium
Posts: 4,820
I've been in hotels that require signature for breakfast - even when free BUT they clearly state it is for accounting only and there is usually not even a line for a tip!
#100
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Potomac Falls, VA
Programs: AA Plat 2MM, MR Gold, Avis Pref
Posts: 41,109
I find it amusing when some restaurants in LA list on their menu : "we charge a 3% surcharge on the check to allow us to pay for our employee's Health Insurance". Why not say " and we charge another 10% on top to pay for power, 5% to pay for trash, 20% to pay for cleaning". Passing on individual business costs directly to the customer seems silly but I guess they want to show that they treat their staff well.
#101
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Washington, DC, USA
Programs: UA MM, MB LifeTit
Posts: 1,825
It's been some time since I've stayed at the Westin River North, but I used to stay there a lot and I can assure you that they've done this for years.
#102
Join Date: Aug 2011
Programs: Hilton Honors Diamond, IHG Spire, Marriott Titanium, Wyndham Diamond, Caesar's Diamond
Posts: 536
I find it amusing when some restaurants in LA list on their menu : "we charge a 3% surcharge on the check to allow us to pay for our employee's Health Insurance". Why not say " and we charge another 10% on top to pay for power, 5% to pay for trash, 20% to pay for cleaning". Passing on individual business costs directly to the customer seems silly but I guess they want to show that they treat their staff well.
#103
Join Date: Feb 2018
Programs: Delta, Marriott, SPG
Posts: 22
Happens at some sheratons too. I rip it up and leave it on the table so they have to clean it 😂😂 whoever tips at buffet lounges with no service is either a rich person or an idiot with no backbone
#104
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: MEM
Programs: Starbucks Green Card
Posts: 5,431
lol at getting mad about this and double lol at anyone who would actually change a booking based on this. Is it "tacky"? Sure, I can see that argument. But so what?
#105
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: MEM
Programs: Starbucks Green Card
Posts: 5,431
You passive-aggressively make a mess on purpose and don't tip the person who has to clean it up? Whoever does that is either a sociopath or a jerk with no backbone.