Tip envelopes in rooms
Jun 18, 2014, 4:15 pm
#61
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 5
Did you tip, and if so how much? I'll tip well when warranted, but if the buffet is self-service and the waitperson is just bringing you coffee or a glass of juice, would you really tip 15%-20% on the whole check?
In this case, given the rudeness, I'd be inclined to tip little to nothing, and if need be explain to the manager why.
In this case, given the rudeness, I'd be inclined to tip little to nothing, and if need be explain to the manager why.
Yes we did tip, I think a total of 4 dollars on about about a 30 dollar total. However with 2 days in Page, we did not return to the hotel restaurant due to the unpleasantness of the entire exchange. We have traveled in Europe and Mexico and don't always know exactly what the tipping guideline are and sometimes a little guidance is a good thing, but this place was over the top.
Jun 18, 2014, 4:47 pm
#62
Join Date: May 2006
Location: FRA
Programs: MR Gold, IHG Gold AMB
Posts: 262
I feel that you GET it. Alot of folks on here make some interesting excuses and justifications for not tipping and it comes down to being cheap and then rationalizing it (just calling it what it is) but to each their own. One dollar truly is nothing to the typical business traveller on per diem and I am quite sure they would not want nor understand the job of being a house keeper. Comparing this to other lines of work is deflection - you are still being cheap and stop sugar coating it. While I do think that writing a kudos or talking to the manager about how nice the room is (and I do it from time to time for an exceptional room) nothing beats "show me the $$$". If you truly do not have cash on hand, that is one thing. I will not comment or infer on the demographics in this forum but I can say that it likely comes into play from those making such anti tipping comments!
Bottom line: If you want to tip, do it, if not, don't try to "justify your actions" of being a cheapo!
Admit you are cheap and call it a day!
Bottom line: If you want to tip, do it, if not, don't try to "justify your actions" of being a cheapo!
Admit you are cheap and call it a day!Yes, GMs, the actual persons responsible for paying housekeeping staff? How many times have you accused them for being cheapos and paying only $10 per hour?
I would guess none, yet you are eager to insult guests who already paid a hefty amount for the room (all services included).
What you are saying makes no sense unless you are the owner of the business and trying to shame us into chipping in for what you should be paying your staff yourself from the money we already gave you.
Jun 18, 2014, 8:43 pm
#63
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Shanghai
Programs: BAEC (Gold), PC (Plat), HH (Gold), MR (Gold)
Posts: 2,729
I feel that you GET it. Alot of folks on here make some interesting excuses and justifications for not tipping and it comes down to being cheap and then rationalizing it (just calling it what it is) but to each their own. One dollar truly is nothing to the typical business traveller on per diem and I am quite sure they would not want nor understand the job of being a house keeper. Comparing this to other lines of work is deflection - you are still being cheap and stop sugar coating it. While I do think that writing a kudos or talking to the manager about how nice the room is (and I do it from time to time for an exceptional room) nothing beats "show me the $$$". If you truly do not have cash on hand, that is one thing. I will not comment or infer on the demographics in this forum but I can say that it likely comes into play from those making such anti tipping comments!
Bottom line: If you want to tip, do it, if not, don't try to "justify your actions" of being a cheapo! Admit you are cheap and call it a day!
Here is a great article to help put it in perspective:
http://money.msn.com/saving-money-ti...7-5a2f79590dc6
Bottom line: If you want to tip, do it, if not, don't try to "justify your actions" of being a cheapo!
Admit you are cheap and call it a day!Here is a great article to help put it in perspective:
http://money.msn.com/saving-money-ti...7-5a2f79590dc6
Jun 18, 2014, 9:24 pm
#64
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Orange County, CA
Programs: AA PLT; RITZ PLT
Posts: 29
We tip housekeeping pretty much always. If you tip the bellman and the valet, how much more important to tip the people picking up our trash and dirty towels and making our beds? It's easier to stiff them because we rarely see them, right? We stay in a lot of higher end hotels and I sometimes find it a challenge getting housekeepers to actually take the money. I like the idea of envelopes, and I'm not surprised the cheapskates have a problem with them.
Jun 18, 2014, 9:24 pm
#65
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 4,964
.....
Last edited by angatol; Feb 28, 2015 at 5:28 pm
Jun 18, 2014, 10:06 pm
#66
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Tucson AZ
Programs: Global Entry, United Silver, Marriott Platinum Premier, Hilton Gold
Posts: 380
This is a touchy discussion, but I'll jump in anyway, since I travel a lot for business and stay at a lot of hotels. On one hand, I fully agree that exceptional service deserves a reward and I never hesitate to do so when it's truly warranted. On the other hand, any frequent traveler will tell you that once you enter the travel system, everyone has their hands out and it's impossible to reward anyone and everyone who thinks they're owed a tip. I rarely travel with a lot of cash, and all expenses go through a corporate credit card with a bean counter at the other end who has a microscope attached to his forehead. I do the best I can, but IMHO the expectations for tipping sometimes get out of hand.
Jun 19, 2014, 2:29 pm
#67
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2002
Programs: UALifetimePremierGold, Marriott LifetimeTitanium
Posts: 71,110
Counting down to when this thread gets switched to either Omni or TravelBuzz (probably the latter since there's always a tip thread there) since we're long past the tip envelopes at Marriott properties conversation 
Cheers.
Cheers.
Jun 20, 2014, 3:33 pm
#68
Join Date: Oct 2001
Programs: LTP, PP
Posts: 8,699
I hates when this happens or is threatened as I only care or follow the Marriott and WN threads. It is very relevant. Today I struggled with a tipping decision at an ATL REN. The shampoo and mouthwash (the only things I use here) were only replaced every other day despite being used daily. I assume this is at Management's direction as the CL has been cut back tremendously as well, having stayed there for 9 years, could not get a drink in the CL last night at the attendant left for an hour at 7pm and locked everything up in here absence. So what do you do? (I tipped anyway...)
Jun 20, 2014, 5:02 pm
#69
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Texas
Programs: Hyatt Glob (Barely); Marriott Plat Life; AA Up and Down Now Plat; Hilton, UA, BA, HA Peasant
Posts: 2,669
I've seen tip envelopes in the room for all of say 35 working years. This is not new.
In that time I only worked for one employer that would not let you expense a housekeeper tip. Not the only reason I left after two years but it was a window into upper management's soul. If you see that same view in your window you might ask the same question about sticking around.
Four employers since then would and thought you should. My current boss would always tip himself and probably would mention it if you did not expense a tip.
In that time I only worked for one employer that would not let you expense a housekeeper tip. Not the only reason I left after two years but it was a window into upper management's soul. If you see that same view in your window you might ask the same question about sticking around.
Four employers since then would and thought you should. My current boss would always tip himself and probably would mention it if you did not expense a tip.
Jun 20, 2014, 11:32 pm
#70
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 5
I saw it once and of course I made sure not to encourage such a habit. I went and complained.
Jun 21, 2014, 7:13 am
#71
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Join Date: Aug 2002
Programs: UALifetimePremierGold, Marriott LifetimeTitanium
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I hates when this happens or is threatened as I only care or follow the Marriott and WN threads. It is very relevant. Today I struggled with a tipping decision at an ATL REN. The shampoo and mouthwash (the only things I use here) were only replaced every other day despite being used daily. I assume this is at Management's direction as the CL has been cut back tremendously as well, having stayed there for 9 years, could not get a drink in the CL last night at the attendant left for an hour at 7pm and locked everything up in here absence. So what do you do? (I tipped anyway...)
You brought what was turning into a generic topic back to Marriott with putting your experience of ATL Ren ^. To answer your question, in the situation you describe above, I wouldn't have tipped.
Cheers.
Jun 26, 2014, 4:52 pm
#72
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: The city of sex and drugs and KLM
Programs: KLM FB, BA EC, Miles&Mafia, Delta SM, Mile High Club
Posts: 347
to all at hotels, bars, restaurants, etc.:
Away with those envelopes!
It's OK to receive tips, and I understand that some countries (USA included) have totally inadequate minimum wages, but you do NOT ask for tips. Not with an envelope, not by circling "service not included" on the bill and scribbling some smiley faces on it, not by using credit card slips with a dedicated line for tips on them, not by holding out your hand.
You're an employee. You're not a beggar, so don't act like one.
Away with those envelopes!
It's OK to receive tips, and I understand that some countries (USA included) have totally inadequate minimum wages, but you do NOT ask for tips. Not with an envelope, not by circling "service not included" on the bill and scribbling some smiley faces on it, not by using credit card slips with a dedicated line for tips on them, not by holding out your hand.
You're an employee. You're not a beggar, so don't act like one.
Jun 26, 2014, 6:42 pm
#73
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: PHL
Programs: AA ExP, Marriott Amb, National EAE, Hilton Diamond, SPG Plat (RIP), US CP (RIP)
Posts: 2,379
Let's face it, until the US adopts a living wage minimum wage, and we are willing to pay an extra couple of dollars a night to ensure the lowest paid staff get such a wage, then as with wait staff, it becomes the customer who must subsidize the employer by leaving tips for the poorest paid.
For example I am familiar with restaurants who inform customers that tips are not accepted as they pay their staff appropriate wages. Personally I prefer the employer who is in a position to assess sustained performance to make wage decisions rather than leaving it to the randomness of transient clientele.
Jun 28, 2014, 7:40 am
#74
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: DCA | DEN
Programs: AA EXP/2.9mm | Marriott LT Titanium 1.6k nights | NEXUS
Posts: 981
Same here [housekeeper card]. But I have never seen a tip envelope in a Marriott property- I usually just fold one of the memo sheets in half and write a message of thanks for the room service and tip up to $5/day. I am not a high-maintenance guest.
The oblivions that are, e.g., jamming a couple of kids into the room, which ends up with gear adrift everywhere, beds torn apart, the bath a disaster and a nightmare for room service - will usually leave ... nothing.
The oblivions that are, e.g., jamming a couple of kids into the room, which ends up with gear adrift everywhere, beds torn apart, the bath a disaster and a nightmare for room service - will usually leave ... nothing.
Sep 7, 2014, 6:59 pm
#75
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,614
My point in bringing up the matter of the tip, is to see whether there is a consensus among us who leave a gratuity in the room, as to the appropriate amount.
In closing, I would like to add that this question, is not meant to reopen the question about whether one should tip the room attendant or not. We should respect each other's views on this point.