Tip envelopes in rooms
Aug 15, 2015, 10:47 pm
#511
Join Date: Jul 2002
Posts: 142
Begging envelope at JW on Penn in DC this week.
Aug 16, 2015, 10:29 am
#512
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: LA
Posts: 1,281
Nope saw them in 3 of the last 5 marriott stays
Aug 16, 2015, 10:32 am
#513
Join Date: Jan 2009
Programs: Hilton Diamond, IHG Spire Ambassador, Radisson Gold, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 3,622
Those women do backbreaking work for very low pay and many people don't tip them or forget. The envelopes don't offend me at all.
Aug 16, 2015, 12:24 pm
#514
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Goshen,New York
Programs: AA 2 Million-miler , SPG Platinum, Marriott Gold, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 1,000
Philadelphia hotels have envelopes. No offense taken as staff works extremely hard and perhaps the envelopes will encourage guests to tip
Aug 16, 2015, 5:28 pm
#515
Join Date: Oct 2001
Programs: LTP, PP
Posts: 8,698
My guess is that the properties were sent their initial batch for free, as mandated by MI and the "refills" cost and are optional. I always tip unless there is some glaring defect or service failure and resent the begging.
Aug 16, 2015, 6:29 pm
#516
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Location: Denver, CO, USA
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Aug 16, 2015, 6:50 pm
#517
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Orlando, FL
Programs: Delta GM/1.5MM ~ United Silver ~ Marriott Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 1,434
Both stays in SLC (University Area Marriott) this last week had envelopes.
I actually like the idea of the envelope. If you don't want to use it, then don't.
I actually like the idea of the envelope. If you don't want to use it, then don't.
Aug 16, 2015, 8:43 pm
#518
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Tucson AZ
Programs: Global Entry, United Silver, Marriott Platinum Premier, Hilton Gold
Posts: 380
I don't mind tipping the housekeeping if they do good work (and they usually do, with some rare exceptions), but it would be easier from a business perspective if Marriott would simply put a line item on the daily room charge for housekeeping. Like many business travelers, I carry very little cash and account for everything on my business credit card. If Marriott is so cheap that they think their room rates are too low to pay their housekeeping staff a reasonable wage, then at least don't make it so darn inconvenient for me. Anyway, my point is that the "tip envelope" equates to an admission from Marriott that they pay their housekeeping such crappy wages that they need to beg the guests to pick up the slack.
Last edited by flyerfmaz; Aug 16, 2015 at 9:16 pm
Aug 16, 2015, 10:46 pm
#519
Join Date: Jul 2002
Posts: 142
"For full year 2015, Marriott expects North American and worldwide comparable systemwide constant dollar RevPAR to increase 5 to 7 percent."
"Arne M. Sorenson, president and chief executive officer of Marriott International, said, “Today, we post both record earnings and unit growth and conclude 2014 with the strongest worldwide development pipeline of rooms in our history. Our powerful portfolio of brands has never been better positioned or more in demand by our owners, franchisees and guests. "
http://news.marriott.com/2015/02/mar...4-results.html
Aug 17, 2015, 12:06 am
#520
Moderator: Alaska Mileage Plan
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 12,316
Let's stay on topic.
Aug 17, 2015, 4:51 am
#521
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: IAD
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Rewards - LTPP
Posts: 4,240
Tipping is a very personal decision. My dad tips when he gets take out, I never do. I usually only tip if I've seen the server and they've gone above and beyond a normal level of service.
The reason I mention this is I don't like the idea of the envelopes, nor do I like them constantly put in front of me. When I stayed at a FS Marriott recently for a week, every day I would put the envelope in the drawer in the nightstand. Two days I declined service. The days that there was service the envelope was moved back.
For those that want to tip, great, I just don't think you need an envelope to help you.
The reason I mention this is I don't like the idea of the envelopes, nor do I like them constantly put in front of me. When I stayed at a FS Marriott recently for a week, every day I would put the envelope in the drawer in the nightstand. Two days I declined service. The days that there was service the envelope was moved back.
For those that want to tip, great, I just don't think you need an envelope to help you.
Aug 17, 2015, 7:55 am
#522
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Aug 17, 2015, 9:37 pm
#523
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 126
I stayed in a Denver Marriott about two years ago, and I left a tip on the pillow. I actually came into the room when housekeeping was there, and the cleaning lady told me that they were not allowed to accept tips without the guest leaving a note letting them know that the money on the pillow is for them. I had never thought of this, but I was glad that she let me know the hotel's policy.
Aug 18, 2015, 6:29 am
#524
Join Date: Oct 2001
Programs: LTP, PP
Posts: 8,698
I stayed in a Denver Marriott about two years ago, and I left a tip on the pillow. I actually came into the room when housekeeping was there, and the cleaning lady told me that they were not allowed to accept tips without the guest leaving a note letting them know that the money on the pillow is for them. I had never thought of this, but I was glad that she let me know the hotel's policy.
Aug 18, 2015, 10:18 am
#525
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Denver
Programs: DL: PM, MR: Plat, AMEX Plat
Posts: 168
I would also welcome the ability to add a small gratuity via credit card. I very rarely have denominations of cash on hand, only carrying a couple $20s for some unknown emergency.
Sometimes housekeeping does a fantastic job and I am motivated to tip. Other times they don't and I am not motivated to tip.
Sometimes housekeeping does a fantastic job and I am motivated to tip. Other times they don't and I am not motivated to tip.