Concierge Lounge Tipping Etiquette
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2011
Programs: Delta, Marriott, Priority Club, US Airways
Posts: 21
Concierge Lounge Tipping Etiquette
Today while having breakfast I noticed a grumpy middle-aged man accosted a younger guy and virtually told him off for not leaving a tip. I wanted to see what the general consensus is regarding leaving tips in the lounge after breakfast.
#2
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Minneapolis
Programs: Delta Plat Kool-Aid Drinker, Hyatt Diamond, SPG GM, Marriott GM, Hilton GM, and Priority Club GM
Posts: 1,184
He has no business doing that... I usually stay somewhere for a week at time and since it's usually the same CL agent in the AM shift or PM shift all week I'll leave a great tip at some point during the week. I wiiiiisssssssssssssssshhhhhhhhhhh he would accosted me.... I see these "grumpy middle-aged man" always walk around the CL like they own the place and treat the CL staff like dirt! BOOM!
#3
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Jacksonville, FL JAX
Programs: Delta SkyMiles GM Marriott Rewards PM
Posts: 83
Did they do anything tip worthy for you besides greet you? I usually make a breakfast plate of my own and get myself a coffee/OJ. If they serve you with refills then maybe.
#4
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan USA
Programs: Marriott lifetime Titanium, Delta Platinum
Posts: 5,472
There's been prior threads on this. Some people always tip in the C-Lounge. Some people tip when extra services are requested and provided. Some folks don't tip there. Any of these three would be well within the norm.
#5
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
Lightening won't strike you dead if you don't tip, it's just classless.
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2011
Programs: Delta, Marriott, Priority Club, US Airways
Posts: 21
I couldn't find the thread if it already exists. Mods pl merge if necessary
#7
Moderator, Marriott Bonvoy & FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: McKinney, TX, USA
Programs: United Silver; AA Plat/2MM; Marriott LT Titanium; Hilton Gold
Posts: 11,727
I agree with the lightening part, but disagree with the last.
While I may leave a dollar or 2 (if the attendant is actually doing something like filling my drinks, cleaning my table, providing dinner or activity recommendations, etc.), I don't think there is anything wrong/unethical/classless in not leaving a tip.
While I may leave a dollar or 2 (if the attendant is actually doing something like filling my drinks, cleaning my table, providing dinner or activity recommendations, etc.), I don't think there is anything wrong/unethical/classless in not leaving a tip.
#8
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: SJC/SFO
Programs: WN A+ CP, UA 1MM/*A Gold, Mar LT Tit, IHG Plat, HH Dia
Posts: 6,284
My typical interaction with the CL staff is limited to giving my name and room number when I enter. We exchange basic pleasantries. They clear my plate and glasses occasionally. Maybe I ask them to suggest a restaurant offsite. I don't see what's worth a tip in that. I presume that, unlike restaurant wait staff in the US, they are paid a reasonable salary for doing these basic duties of their jobs. Those who do tip: what services are you tipping for?
#9
Join Date: Oct 2001
Programs: LTP, PP
Posts: 8,698
Got mixed feelings about this one.
There are times where I've left a dollar or two on the table especially if there is no option to self serve "clean up" - but I've also hand carried plates into the kitchen because it just seems like the right thing to do.
But I also get the feeling that lounges are a "higher class" of service - nicer clothes, surroundings, informal like a club - and tipping like a waitress is almost seems insulting to them, especially a dollar or two at a time. Sort of like tipping in a planes First Class - doesn't seem right?
I've got some long term friendly relationships with several attendants in a few places and will ask their opinions - I want to do the "right" thing...
There are times where I've left a dollar or two on the table especially if there is no option to self serve "clean up" - but I've also hand carried plates into the kitchen because it just seems like the right thing to do.
But I also get the feeling that lounges are a "higher class" of service - nicer clothes, surroundings, informal like a club - and tipping like a waitress is almost seems insulting to them, especially a dollar or two at a time. Sort of like tipping in a planes First Class - doesn't seem right?
I've got some long term friendly relationships with several attendants in a few places and will ask their opinions - I want to do the "right" thing...
#10
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Shanghai
Programs: BAEC (Gold), PC (Plat), HH (Gold), MR (Gold)
Posts: 2,729
The grumpy guy was out-of-line. Many people, including me, leave a tip at the end, not for each visit. As to tipping at all, there are people who are cheap and people who are generous. I tend to leave $3/day and round up to nearest $10.
Lightening won't strike you dead if you don't tip, it's just classless.
Lightening won't strike you dead if you don't tip, it's just classless.
#11
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: TPA
Programs: AAdvantage 2 million, Marriott Gold
Posts: 960
It is a personal decision to tip. The old grump should mind his own business. I tip when it is outside the normal service, but will wait and do it once. I dont get tipped on my job each day. They wait til the end of the year and decide.
I have seen this type that seem to stare you down when you are in the lounge. They want to take over, protect the food and probably count everything you take.
I have seen this type that seem to stare you down when you are in the lounge. They want to take over, protect the food and probably count everything you take.
#12
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: PEK & MKE
Programs: Amex-gold, Hainan-gold, Mrt-LT Titanium
Posts: 1,352
+1
Same thoughts, Quite a few stays of mine are in China, where tipping is not needed, but i still leave the US $ or two. It's amazing how the attendants then remember you, & your room # on future visits. Sometimes i run out of $, and then just leave rmb on the last day.
#13
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: BOS
Programs: AA PLT, MR Gold, HH Silver
Posts: 61
Tipping is a personal decision. The CL attendant is already paid well and would probably be grateful if you do tip but is not going to quibble about not receiving one. The grumpy-old dude was probably the father of the CL attendant.
#14
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: AA EXP, DL, UAL, SWA, Marriott Platinum, Hilton Silver
Posts: 74
Remember that TIPS originally stood for Too Insure Prompt Service. Something to think about in this and any tipping discussion.
#15
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: HSV
Programs: Hy Glob,Choice Dia, MR TIT,IHG SPR,HH Dia, Wyn Dia, UA Sil, WN Alis, Hert 5*, National EE
Posts: 1,188
I am in the "never tip" group.
All of my CL visits have been me fixing myself a plate, eating my food, and dropping off my dishes on a tray, or throwing them out if plastic.
I dont see why I would tip for this.
If I were accosted by an old man I would either a)Not even acknowledge him b)tell him to mind his own ****** business c)Tell him I dont tip people if they dont do anything for me. It would depend on my mood.
I like that it is a self serve/self clear environment. If the attendants were taking my plate as I finished I would likely leave a $1-2 tip.
All of my CL visits have been me fixing myself a plate, eating my food, and dropping off my dishes on a tray, or throwing them out if plastic.
I dont see why I would tip for this.
If I were accosted by an old man I would either a)Not even acknowledge him b)tell him to mind his own ****** business c)Tell him I dont tip people if they dont do anything for me. It would depend on my mood.
I like that it is a self serve/self clear environment. If the attendants were taking my plate as I finished I would likely leave a $1-2 tip.